Lake Anna…

We had an absolute BLAST on our family vacation to Lake Anna!!! Grandpa Phil and Grandma Jackie graciously rented a big, beautiful lake house for the whole family (the northern Seyfrieds, the Longs, the Paccassis, and the southern Seyfrieds) to share for a week.

Here are some highlights from our wonderful and very memorable trip: Xander riding in a “big boy”, forward facing car seat; visiting with the Jonases in Lynchburg; taking rides on the pontoon boat and in the inner tube; kayaking; running with Phil and Dave on country roads; enjoying delicious family meals; having good conversations; going to King’s Dominion (the boys and I enjoyed staying home that day and getting to spend some quality time with Tree and Gianna); celebrating Kaitlyn, Audrey, and Xander’s July birthdays; having fun with games of Euchre and badminton; reading on the porch; playing with the boys (they loved playing in the sand and water); fishing; watching Jonas and Xander play with their cousins (a delight to the heart); helping the boys do fun artsy/craftsy things (spin art, tie-dye, and ice cream making); experiencing the family variety show; and roasting s’mores.

For more pictures, click on the “Family Vacation: Lake Anna” picture page to the right.

Thirty-Two Months…

At thirty-two months, Jonas is: composing some precious sentences (“Good job doing finger foods, Xander Mander!”; “Is this home sweet home?”; “Does Petra love God?”; “That’s a big American flag, Mommy!”, “Daddy, I always always always love you and I always be with you you know I do love you so much” etc.); starting to stutter a little bit off on and on (the mind ahead of the mouth, me thinks); and actively potty training (go, JoJo!!!).

Uncle Darren and Cousin Rueben’s Visit…

It was SO good to see my brother, Darren, and my nephew, Rueben (now 23 whom I hadn’t seen since he was 10) who flew in from Norway to spend a few weeks visiting with the family. We had fun times…sharing meals, playing frisbee golf, enjoying good conversation, celebrating the 4th of July, and visiting the Grand Ole Opry. We miss Darren, Rueben, Kaia, and Marina so much…maybe we’ll pack up the boys one of these days and head off to Norway for a visit.

Happy Birthday, Xander!!!

It is hard to believe that our little Xan-Man is a year old. He lights up our lives with his open, sweet, and joyful spirit…endears himself to our hearts with his sensitivity and depth of soul…amazes us with his keen observation and investigation of the world around him…and in the words of his father, “He’s a leader of men, and I would follow him into battle”.

Yay for Xander!!! He had a blast on his birthday weekend…eating chocolate cupcakes, opening presents, and seeing family. Here are some pictures of our weekend-long celebration…

Fifty-Two Weeks…

At fifty-two weeks, Xander is: becoming our resident grunter; eating anything and everything; giving high fives; walking all over the place; skipping out on his morning nap in favor of one long afternoon nap (yay!!!); and lighting up our hearts with the spontaneous hugs and kisses he gives when he feels the love.