Red Rocks are good for the soul

So I found out that I love rock climbing, chewing on red sandstone, and napping in the shade. I also love smelling citrus trees and eating oranges and tangerines.

Heartbeats and toddlin' Caleb

Whew wee- We are so encouraged by God's best in our life right now! Caleb just turned 13 months two days ago- it seems so surreal! What a joy and a funny little man he is! No longer a baby but a little boy, he has so many little friends, so many dear bumpkin buddies- what fun to watch them play together!!!

Alongside all of that, as we live our daily life, in spite of many losses in friends and family right now, there is SO much joy. Caleb loves climbing under his picnic table then jeronimo-ing over the bench to get out from underneath. He'll pile up toy after toy into his little wagon, then proudly march it across the floor. He really does have somewhere to go, you know!

What fun too- he chowed on some strawberries today; he has had a relapse of bronchitis, so momma's filling him with antibiotics and vitamin C, much to his heart's delight (the latter, not the former). He says apple, car, ball, bus, and said "more" the other day. Today, I could've been mistaken, but he said "like" along with an awesome sign language video we watch.

We are enjoying life together with a fellowship called Newsong in Va Beach; it makes me wonder how the VC's church is going in Vegas, how my church in Washington's ladies' retreat is coming along, and how many dear people along the way have impacted our understanding of what life together can be.

We love you all dearly, and just wanted to share- you are a part of our hearts that can never be taken away. No way could we express our appreciation for you- thanks for your love for Caleb---he delights in you all so! can't wait to see you soon...

all our hearts,

sjc

1 Year Adventures

One of my favorite forts!Family fun rock climbing!
Homemade blackberry jam (from Carrie)Lemon tree is very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet. And the fruit of the poor lemon is delicious to eat!Harmonica fun with Uncle Chris:)

Wow, first Christmas, first birthday, first steps, first words-first time climbing up the stairs :)

Praise God for each day, each step, and each moment.

Cae

Back on track

You all have been so patient! We have been away since July, off on deployment adventures and a trip across the country...again! We are back and are so enjoying life together in Virginia Beach. We have made the sweetest new friends, and we are delighting in our little man who is pulling up on things and crawling around like a champ! We miss you all so much, for as we pull out our Christmas decorations, I keep thinking of all the wonderful memories we have had each place we've lived with you all. There is no way to express our heart for you- Merry Christmas, and have the sweetest weeks of the holiday season. Love truly does span the miles-jc

Virginia Beach

update on the lil bear

(So our picture technology is in a few pieces, as we moved out of our home last week- so no pix but just a quick update)

Cae's cute as ever- he finally sat up by himself last week without using his hands for balance- HOORAY! We went to go cheer some friends on in a half-marathon and he sat on his own in the grass for a while...until he toppled over into the clover;) He loves our friends' exersaucer and kicks his legs and throws up his arms in excitement whenever we put him in it. He's six months old this 18th of July- wow we can't hardly believe we have a six month old. Steve's out to sea, but before he left for a while he sat down with Caleb almost every day last week and taught him (and his mami) the hand motions to favorite songs of his from Camp Reed, a camp he went to as a kid with his two sisters. His, Cae's and mami's favorite is "chocolate chip cookies", which makes Caleb just laugh and laugh. What a blessing Cae is - we're in for a busy summer, but Caleb's been up for everything we have put in his path over the past month that steve was home- from camping for two weeks up in canada on vancouver island (we even saw a bear!) to canoeing with a baby cae in a big ole yolk lifejacket and fishing hat, just like mami's grandpa bill used to wear. We love you all so much...by the way, Caleb has totally found his feet, and finds them quite enjoyable to gnosh on when lacking a teething toy. No teeth yet, but enough drool they might swim on in instead of breaking through;)

AquaBear

So here's Papa and me at the pool. It was my first time there, and you can see that I was really excited!
I was trying to kick, but I just found my feet this morning (they are actually fun to nibble during diaper changes :) as I found out!). Hey, the water's pretty fun! Let's come back tomorrow!
Here's Mama and me after the swim, all warm and cozy towelled up :)

Yay for swimming!
AquaBear (Baby Cae)

One Happy Camper

So after this last excursion, Mama and Papa did the math for me, and I've spent 11.1% of my life camping, so far! It was great- we spent 3 nights camping around the Olympic Peninsula, spent one night with family, then headed north on a ferry to Vancouver Island. The Canadians were pretty cool, and I got some good Island Farms ice cream (it's good second hand!). Islands, farmer's markets, mountains, beaches, tidepools, campfires, good smells, songs, and all sorts of huge trees and wild animals-we even saw a bear! They said it was a baby like me- but about 400 pounds more :)

All the Canadians said that I was a great happy camper, and that they loved my red hair :)
Baby Cae