2 Buddies Swinging {454}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Mamma's fresh sourdough and Daddy's tile creation in the kitchen late last night.

This morning after World Friendship we met Amsie and Ian at the park for picnic lunch. You and Amsie swung back to back.

For a long time.

Just content as can be.

2 buddies.

Speaking of buddies, you shared your afternoon snack with monkey.

Monkey looks a little like a pirate here, with a plum for an eye!

I love you,

Mamma <3

Flamingos Playing Games {453}

Dear Miss Dinah,

In the laundry basket with monkey reading your color book.

"Pig!"

Gals' favorite hang out spot.

Daddy getting fancy with the kitchen tile.

Late night laughs.

Oh, a couple of days ago when we went to that dinner ... Aunt Elisa works at the place where the event was to be held. Since she was there earlier in the day, she was able to snap this shot to give us a little preview of what the night would hold. She said she was very impressed with the lime green napkins and beautiful set-up, as were we!

Daddy and I had a blessed evening, hearing stories of God's faithfulness. One particularly memorable was an eighteen year old young man who told of how is father encouraged him to make Jesus Christ his Savior and Lord a few years back, and 2 years ago, he suddenly passed away. God has been faithful to meet his needs and help him heal, especially through his youth ministry leaders. We had the privilege of sitting with his mother and siblings.

You and Aunt Elisa appeared to have quite the time yourselves :)  When we got back, you were lounging together, reading some books and watching basketball.

Earlier in the night, Aunt Elisa snapped these pictures. It looks as though the flamingos are playing some sort of game!

Buttons, buttons, are so much fun!

I love you, 

Mamma <3

John and June's {452}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Automatic doors are fascinating and a little startling, at church meeting this morning (we meet at the Holiday Inn).

Daddy explaining to you about not picking flowers. You are usually pretty good about just smelling them.

Dinah and Daddy (you are only mildly distracted).

We visited our friends Mr. John and Ms. June this afternoon. They have a new home. It is basically their first home of their own, since Mr. John just retired from the military. They were excited to have guests!

Such a perfect yard for playing!

Daddy and Mr. John discussing yard stuff.
Like I said, they just bought the house, and it came with an amazing garden.

Snacks and drinks and porch swinging.

Ms. June's clothes rack was a fantastic toy.

We were so blessed to spend such a perfect day with friends and family.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Super Swingy Girl {451}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Yesterday's photos: men working on the roof. We took a long walk this morning, and also stood and watched these guys working a long time, because it was fascinating to see them up so high!

Most of the time, our strolls turn into walks.

and of course, explorations.

We came back to find Daddy working on the roof too -- replacing gutters. 

Swinging -- a new favorite past time!

Daddy and Mamma prepared to go to a dinner, and you tried on Daddy's belt. It fit around your little belly two times!

Handsome Daddy getting ready:

Oh, and a little video from swinging earlier:

I love you,

Mamma <3

Smoooothie {450}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Every single day I am growing to enjoy your little personality more and more, especially as I see it developing. One thing about you is that you do not seem afraid of much. You love to explore and adventure, and feel the freedom to do so. I am so grateful for this! You have so much enjoyment about discovering new things and I hope that you always keep that spark of curiosity that drives you.

Speaking of driving, you weren't doing much of it as you lounged up in the front of the car-cart this evening.

Earlier for afternoon snacks we had smoothies. I love how you say "smoothies" like how you say "small" and "snow." You scrunch up your little nose and stick your lips way out. I tried (with little success) to get you to say it here. You were busy :)

Also this afternoon, Ms. Christina came to visit. An old friend who has long since moved to Colorado. She came back to visit friends this weekend and drove an extra 2 hours out of her way to come see us today. It was such a joy and a blessing to see her and to catch up! It was also the first time she's gotten to meet you. You enjoyed a little girl chatting as well, and only put up a small protest about going to bed.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Welcome Spring {449}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Went out for a walk this beautiful morning. The colors of the trees and flowers have popped and are breathtaking. It will be so much fun to go on long walks this Spring and discover it all.

Today we saw a woodpecker! He was up near the top of this tree. You can see him on the right side, his little tail sticking out of a hole. We stopped a while and listened to him 'knocking.' We also saw a little cottontail bunny about this same place. We watched his little nose wiggle!

Went home and watched a few videos of woodpeckers on YouTube. You were seriously amazed and thoroughly amused.

We saw these flowers on the way to the park later. They look like a kind of tulip, but the petals flare out a little bit?  The are a fire-y shade of orange and yellow.

Daddy was working late out of town tonight so it was just us girls. We made dinner and watched Whinnie the Pooh. After it ended I asked if you wanted to watch another, but you said, "Take-o-Tay!" which means Veggie Tales. Can't get enough. So we watched those silly vegetables, took a bath, read 4 books, and went to bed.

I love you,

Mamma <3

Climbing Ladder {448}

Dear Miss Dinah,

Yesterday we drove from there (6 hours......) to here!

And half way we stopped at our very favorite restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, you cleaned off Daddy's face.

This morning, Pizwit helps you draw.

You "pre-taste" Daddy's lunch for him. I had a few bites out of mine too :)

Swinging the Dinah way, tummy down. 

You climbed up this zig-zag ladder at the park!!! Oh my!!! I was behind you every step of the way. A little scary for ME, but you didn't seem to give it a second thought. Sheesh. 

Late night at Ian and Amsie (and of course Ryah and SEAN were there - you love to say that name!) I am pooped, but you held up well :)

I love you,

Mamma <3