We miss Aunt Maria!

Maria spent a week with our family. It was a jam packed week full of fun! We visited the family cottage in Canada (yes we felt the earthquake), went to see the "Babies," documentary, went out for dessert at Butterwood, learned how to cook Julia Child's famous coq au vin (chicken in wine sauce) and enjoyed many laughs. I miss her already.

Jacob's new room

BEFORE:AFTER:

Jay and I tackled painting another room in the house. This time we painted Jacob's room a bright teal. Dutch boy called the color "atonement," but I'm not quite sure why.

Jacob enjoys playing in his new room!

Jacob's finger painting that we framed and put up into his room. It matches perfectly.

This was passed down through the family. It was in my grandfather's room when he was a boy. I love it.

I'm one!

ONE: Little boy who has made our family feel even more complete turned one on June 9th. We celebrated quietly at home with applesauce cupcakes, a few gifts and a family dinner. Raphael is nothing but pure joy and love. Happy birthday baby boy!

The weekend after his birthday we spent some time at Letchworth state park.

Raphael is a daredevil. He loves to climb, he's making his first steps and is uninhibited by playgrounds!

Raphael is a gentle little boy who loves his brother, three square meals and his blanket.

Kisses?

*Raphael weighed 18 lbs 3 oz at his one year check-up.

Vacation!

We swung by Ithaca for Memorial Day weekend and then we made a long over due visit to see Omi and Opa in Delhi, NY. We had a wonderful time. We swam in the pool, visited a butterfly conservatory in Oneonta, ate exceptional food, took a tour of Uncle Greg's barn (Jacob has been talking about this incessantly since we've been home) and enjoyed the wonderful views of the Catskills while sipping on wine and conversing about politics, religion and the state of our world.

Hi!

I love my grandparents! Jacob loved the butterflies at the conservatory. They were flying everywhere! It was quite amazing. There were also turtles, tropical birds, walking sticks, lizards and much, much more! It was worth the trip and made us all appreciate God's creation a little bit more. An attempt at a group shot.
The food here is GREAT Raphael is saying!
Poppa and Raphael.Tractor time for Raphael!Maria, Mom and I. After five months, Maria has returned from Malawi! We missed you girl.

Mom A. and Dad K. staying out of the sun!

Boys and their tractors! Jacob loved roaming around the lawn on his Christmas present that he was FINALLY able to enjoy outside.

Grandma A. and Raph. What a gorgeous day it was! We are so very blest.

Maria and the cutie. I REALLY miss Raphael's hair!! It'll grow...

At Mom and Dad K's house. Look at the gorgeous orchids!

Almost one!