Monday, August 13, 2012

Happy One Year Birthday Jude and Lily!

We celebrated the twins birthday back in June, but we were just swimming with visitors and summer ministries, so we are just now getting this posted.  It has been a fun year and they are growing so quickly in such unique ways.  Lily is walking and climbing on everything, always wanting to be right at my feet.  Jude is a very content little man, happy to be just about anywhere, as long as he is not left out of a meal or snack time!  :)  So here are a few pictures of our two little monkeys, and thanks to Aunt Jessica, who was visiting, for bringing our party supplies from America.

Our two monkeys are so much fun and we are so thankful to have our hands full most all of the time!
Lily dug in with both hands...it was so much fun.  I don't know how much cake she actually ate, but she loved it.
This is pretty much Jude all the time, just patiently waiting and THRILLED to be at the dinner table again.
Lily made a perfect mess of the cake.
Jude sporting his monkey ears -- for approximately 12 seconds.  He did not like them, so we only caught quick pictures with them on.
Jude preferred for my Mom to feed him his cake.  I think he figured he would get more that way. 
Lily goes in for the grab on Jude's cake or maybe she is just trying to show her brother how to do it!
Lily was glad to wear the ears the whole day and just loved that she was doing it all by herself.
Lily is a little nut, she found this dog bowl and thought it made a perfect hat!
Jude is always up to something...
And always has a good laugh and smile for anyone who says his name.
Jude loved this trampoline at a local park.
Lily was also having fun bouncing on the trampoline.
Swinging on a beautiful Rwandan morning.
Jude can just never get enough of the sing.  He obviously is enjoying himself.
Grandma Dahlstrom bought the twins new chairs made of banana leaves, just their size.  They are a HUGE hit.
Lily is always investing, curious and exploring her surroundings.  She is determined, a bit shy, a go-getter, quick learner, and likes to do things herself.  What joy it has been to have a daughter and watch her grow just as perfectly as her Creator meant for her to be.  I love you, Lils.
Oh Jude, the dude.  This is our son to a T...happy, silly, playful and content.  He loves his big brother and plays beautifully with his little sister.  He is happiest outside and at the dinner table, but really he is pretty much full of smiles all the time.   Such a sweet, tough little boy.  I love you, Jude. 

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Growing, laughing and learning....

It seems like our life just scoots along and it just seems to get better all the time.  All the kids are doing great and learning so much all the time.  Whether it be the twins learning to make animal sounds and testing out their legs for standing and walking or Pete picking out pajamas at night for everyone and getting diapers ready for the twins -- everyone seems to be changing.  It has been such a tremendous blessing to be home for this time of our lives and to be a part of each of these experiences.  I cannot think of a better job, then discipling, loving and raising our precious children.  Here are a few tidbits of life over the past months.

Miss Lily is quite proud of her new hat and she loves the swing.  She just giggles and giggles when she is pushed.

There is nothing better then hanging out in the green grass and exploring the yard.  We are so blessed to have 12 months a year of sunshine and warm weather, so we are always able to enjoy the outdoors.

Jude strikes a pose while we visit our friends in the village.  He was quite a spectacle this day, with kids watching his every move through the windows or when we walked about in the village. 
Lily is a little nut and loves any kind of hat she can fine.  Daddy thought these pajama pants fit quite nicely.

Lily is already finding her way into her Daddy's wallet.  She looks quite pleased with what she has found and who really could take money from a face like that?!

Jude found a marker while we weren't looking and went to town.  As with most things, he was hoping it was an edible marker, he got it everywhere you can imagine.

Jude is a funny face maker - he can really ham it up for the pictures and he did not disappoint us in this picture.  He looks like such a little stinker in this one, but he is really quite the opposite - easy going, laid back and happy just about anywhere.

Lily sporting her West Virginia gear and giving standing up a shot.  She is not walking, but certainly likes to stand and walk about on furniture.  Her little leg warmers keep her skinny legs warm on these cold days of rainy season.

Just another day in the yard, in their matching cowboy shirts from Aunt Heather!

Lily found a purple egg on Easter and cared little for the candy, but loved the egg.  She is sporting my dress that my Granny made for me, oh, about 33 yrs. ago!  It was fun to see her wear it and it was beautiful with her blue eyes.

Pete has been practicing his head balancing skills and has gotten to be pretty good.  He was so proud of these carrots on his head.  He sees lots of ladies walking around with things on their heads here in Rwanda.

Not sure why I added this photo, but just thought it was cute.  It was a shot we took for a mother's day gift we made in Bible class and I thought Pete just looked so grown up.

Nothing like sharing an infant bathtub right?!  We have had some pretty major water issues lately, and we have not had enough water to fill tub.  For that fact, we never do fill the tub.  But you wouldn't know these kids cared at all, as they always have a blast in this tiny blow up tub.  :)