August

Angela 4 Months
Angela is almost sitting on her own. We had her 4 month well baby visit this month with a new doctor. Dr. Ruby Battin, a pediatrician. Angela did well for her second round of Dtap and Rotavirus vaccines. She had a mild reaction a few days after with a runny nose and a low grade fever, but overall she did well. She is a tough little cookie. She is in the 75 % for height and weight (15 lbs.). Her new accomplishments include: rolling over front to back and back to side, drooling through her shirts, laughing hysterically, imitating us when we talk, holding objects and bringing them to her mouth, holding her feet, and moving in a circle in the exersaucer. She is a good napper...better than her brother. She still is getting up at night a few times, but is easy to put back down when she gets up. Tyler loves to play with her. She follows him with her eyes and head to see what he is doing. When she starts to fuss, he goes over to her and says, "It's okay baby sis, it's okay!"

Tyler 2 years 9 months
A ball of energy...that is what Ty is! We went to an indoor playground today and I think he jumped in the jumper for two hours straight. He is very athletic according to anyone that has seen him riding his two wheel bike with no training wheels. Yes, you heard that correctly...no training wheels and he pedals and turns all by himself. He started with a balance bike, but has graduated to the real deal. See video below. He also has been learning to swim and will jump in and swim to us without floaties. He can also go down under the water to get dive sticks. He is pretty proud of himself. He right were he is supposed to be developmentally and is asking the question, "Why?" all the time:) Most of his friends are starting preschool, but a friend of mine and I decided to do our own. This month we are doing an "Under the Sea" theme. Ty loves arts and crafts, so we have been painting fish and waves, fishing for numbers, sorting shells, Singing fish songs, etc. If you didn't already know, Ty is potty trained now too. Some nights he still wears a diaper, but most nights he goes without it. It is such a relief to have conquered that so quickly.
A few weeks ago, Ty's best friend, Ethan(DeeDee) moved back to town. It has been so great spending time with them(Chris, Elizabeth, Ethan and Alethea) again.

We are one big happy family in my small little kitchen:)

Tour the midwest Part 3: Friends

There is nothing in the world like a good friend! We are lucky to have many near and far:) We were blessed to have Paul and Anne Kim travel with us to Greenville this time. They were a huge help with the kids, as well as an encouragement to us both. Paul and Anne are Tyler's Godparents as well as our partners in ministry in Pasadena.

We don't have a picture of everyone that we visited or saw, but here are a few.

Brook Wayman, Dave's friend Rachel's daughter from growing ups .

Becca, Sophia, and Elise Carpenter all the way from China. It was amazing catching up with them in Greenville and Spring arbor. Boy how we miss them.

Sophia and TyTy

Paul and Anne with Angela on their first visit to the midwest.

Anne of the corn:) Paul's two favorite things...Anne and Corn:)

A little buddy that Tyler met, Brock. His mom is Jamie Foster(Koonce), who has been frineds with Dave since about this age.

Tour the Midwest Part 2: Family

One of the hardest things about living in California is being away from our immediate family. We are so lucky to be able to travel and see everyone a couple times a year. We really look forward to our trip in the summer though. We call it Tour of the Midwest because we enjoy touring to see everyone and it involves a lot of stops. Stops in Grenville, stops in Fort Wayne, Stops in Indy, stops in Jackson and Spring Arbor, Stops in old friends homes, stops in favorite restaurants, stops in old shops, stops in both grandpa's offices, and more. We really appreciate everyone stopping by to see us also. It means a lot to us that people go out of their way to come see us and stop by even if it is just for a short while. It fuels our hearts and our ministry knowing that people care about us and pray for us. We are just so blessed to have family drive in from Florida, New York, Missouri, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Indiana. Thanks to everyone for your love!

Thanks especially to Grandma and Grandpa Knight and Grandma and Grandpa Olson for hosting everyone. You are all so gracious! We were really able to relax, take breaks and enjoy the company of everyone because of you! Thank for everything you guys do for us!

Grandpa Olson thanks for spending so much time with the kids in the pool and taking them for long bike rides. Thanks for wearing them out for us.

Grandpa Knight thanks for taking Tyler on long morning scooter rides. They will be were very memorable.

Grandma Olson thank you for always taking care of everyone, for helping with all the kids, for driving us all over, for making gourmet meals, and making it feel like home for us all.

Grandma Knight thanks for making Tyler feel extra special. He loved his room and all the new toys. Thanks for your hospitality to us and our friends.

This is Lucus and his awesome girlfriend Ally. whom we met for the first time. She is really perfect for Lucus and not to mention adorable! Poor girl had a broken foot and was still playing with the kids.

Uncle Lucus and his four nieces and nephews.

Angela at bathtime.

Family Photo

All the cousins together. They sure had a blast, swimming, biking, swinging, having meals together, even sleeping in the same room together one night. They got up extra early that morning, but it was fun for them.

Ang has cubby little legs we had to capture:)

Our baby girl:)

Great Grandma Olson got them matching swim suits

Enjoying their all fruit Popsicle on a hot day in Michigan.

Bree and Ty cuddling watching a movie after a long day in the pool.

Beautiful sunset on Bond County Lake in Greenville.

At Durley Camp boat dock while Grandma and Grandpa Knight watch the kiddos.

Tour the Midwest Part 1: Water Play

We had fun in the sun on this tour of the midwest. Tyler was a little fish. We went on all sorts of water adventures. He has no fear.

Ty jumped off the diving board for the first time

Was swimming on his own, underwater for the first time. He still can't keep his head up on his own without the lifejacket, but he is learning.

Swimming with his cousins was so much fun!

Swimming in Governor Bond Lake with Daddy and Grandpa...thumbs up!

He can still do the circus trick.

One of my favorite pictures from the trip. Jumping off the Child's dock at the lake.

Taking his first jetski ride. Thanks to the Child's for letting us borrow their jetski.

The fun sprinkler Grandma Knight got for Ty to play in and squirt everyone with.

Ty trying out the wake skate behind Matt man's boat.

Angela 3 Months 4 weeks

Angela has been a such a doll. She is babbling a lot now and it seems like whenever she is awake she is smiling. She weighs 14 lbs. now and wears a size three diaper. Seems like we skipped size 2 and went straight to three. She loves tummytime and can hold her head up really well. She can also sit up with the support of her arms. She can grasp objects and bring them to her mouth. She still loves her binky(a nuk pacifier). We broke out the exersaucer this last week and she has really been enjoying playing in that. She has even learned to turn herself around in it already. Her hair is lightening up...I think it will be blonde like her brother. Her eyes are still blue like Grandpa Olson and Grandma Knight.

Greats and Grands

One of the highlights of our trip to the midwest was getting to visit Tyler and Angela's Grandparents and Great Grandparents. As of now, They have 4 Grandparents and 7 Great Grandparents. What a blessing to have so much wisdom in one family. It was really special to be able to spend time with each of them and keeping up with the family Jackson and Knight tradition of making ice cream.

Grandma and Grandpa Olson and Grandkids

Grandma and Grandpa Knight

Great Grandma Aten- 88 years (almost 89)

Great Grandpa Knight- 84
Great Grandma Knight- 83

Left:
great Grandpa Olson- 79
Great Grandma Olson-76
Right:
Great Grandpa Jackson- 88 years
Great Grandma Jackson- 86 years