Sometimes I'm just so proud of Samantha. She has started to say "excuse me" and "I'm sorry." It just pleases me to start really working on her manners.

At our church they have little bags that help keep the children occupied. Inside each of them is a small New Testament. Samantha thinks that this is a hymnal so when we sing opening and closing songs she will standin the aisle with her "hymnal" and sing til her little heart is content.

And her cute saying for the week...Last night Samantha had two different pieces of cheese. I told her she could have one of them and said promptly replied, "I'm starving." I assured she was not starving.

Blake has been so much fun this week. I've really enjoyed spending time with him. We got our "Jumparoo" back and he is really loving spending time in it (see video below).

Our little guy (often referred to as Blakester by Dad and Samantha) is doing really well on tummy time. He holds his neck up quite well for several minutes and is getting closer and closer to rolling over.

We celebrated the 4th of July on the 3rd as most places celebrate down here. Our friends Scott, Christy and Kathryn invited us to their local celebration. It was a very relaxing evening. We had a picnic and then the kids went in a little kiddie parade. Samantha jumped and slid on a blow-up toy and then she saw a violin in the orchestra which she enjoyed. I'd say the evening was a hit.


Samantha has learned to take the step-stool in the bathroom. There she can wash her hands--I bet they are the cleanest in the county...

She's started to push around her stroller more and often carry her "diaper bag."...
Just chillin'...

This is how Blake prefers to sleep, all swaddled up tight...
Celebrating the 4th...

Here is a video of Blake in the "Jumparoo"