The big race

Today was field day for the Academy (K-12) that is here on our campus. They held one race for the preschoolers and Rylan got to be a part of it! He was so excited to race. About mid-way through the race he turned around and started running in the other direction! It is funny to watch little kids race, they have no concept of what to do. He finally turned back around and finished the race. Here are some pictures of the event:

Jungle Camp Pre-Building

We are working hard to prepare for Jungle Camp. Building starts on May 30th. Each day we plan to show at least one picture of the progress that has been made. It will be a photo journal of sorts. As of now we are allowed to clear our spot of leaves, lay out and organize our poles and square the lot up. Here are some pictures of the way things looked when we first got up there:

Rylan loves to help daddy do any kind of work!

Carsten just likes to sit in the mud and look at leaves!

What looks like a teepee is actually the poles for our house.

Ry with a few friends in a staff jungle camp house

Random pictures of the boys

Here are a few pictures of our silly boys:

Rylan loves this bottle he got for his b-day, but so does brother!!

Rylan asked me to get out the camera and take a picture of him!

It rains a lot here, so both boys got some rain boots!

Letter to my mom

Dear Mom,

For the past 3 years I have had the joy and challenge of being a mom myself. Each of these years has brought me more understanding and appreciation for you! Raising kids is such a wonderful thing, yet it can be so hard at times.

For 19 years of my life you took care of me in every way that was possible. (I say 19 years because it was at that point that I got married). Now you take care of me in different ways and you take care of my boys as well. I can't even begin to thank you for the many diaper changes you had to do, the endless loads of laundry, the messes you had to pick up after I played, the many hours spent comforting me when I was sick or hurt, times you had to stay up late worrying about me getting home safely, the conversations you had to listen to as I lamented over my heartaches, the numerous calls you received about car accidents I had been in, the millions of things that had to be done to plan my wedding, standing by my side as I gave birth to my first son, flying out to WI on a moments notice to be there when I had the second, driving hour upon hour with us across the country as we moved, helping me pack and move on the many occasions that I did that, and now being an ever-encouraging person in my life even though I know it is often so hard for you with us living so far away.

I appreciate you so very much. I am so very blessed to have been raised by you and now being able to call you my friend! Happy Mother's Day! I love you!

Ash

Pregnancy pics- 24 weeks

At the request of a dear California friend, here are a few pregnancy pictures. This Sunday marks 24 weeks along or 6 months. Things are going great, I am feeling well and Logan is growing right on track!

Carsten playing soccer

Here is a short video of Carsten walking and "playing" soccer! Not too bad for 15 months old!! If nothing else it should make his soccer coach (a.k.a. Papa) proud!

Rylan feels Logan move

Tonight as I was snuggling with Rylan before he went to sleep, Logan began moving. I asked Rylan if he wanted to feel Logan kick him and of course he said yes! I put his hand on my belly and within seconds Logan kicked Rylan. Rylan giggled and thought it was so neat. He said, "he's trying to get out of you belly momma!" He asked if Logan's head was in there too so I showed him how Logan is all curled up inside my by using a little stuffed animal. He seemed to get the idea and showed me with the stuffed animal how Logan kicked him. He said, "he has two feets in there too mommy." He is very interested in getting to see Logan and he really wants to hold him and hug him. He said he wants to give him ten hugs! It is fun to have a very inquisitive 3-year-old around the house!