Bulking Up

Sam @ 4 weeks

Sam @ 9 weeks

Peepers

Brothers

Visit

Good times with Nana & Pop on their first visit to see Sam

Happy Birthday, Dr. Jones

Duck

Birthday

Happy fourth birthday to our best little girl!

We celebrated our big girl's b-day in style - with a princess tea party...

...And a Tacky the Penguin cake!

Princess dress-ups and penguins are a must for such a big day...

...And of course you may lick your plate on your birthday!

Even Sam got dressed up for the occasion.

Li'l Buddy

Grandpa Time

Yes, You Are

Bears

Buddy

Jungle

Welcome to the jungle, baby.

Game

Elizabeth: Let's play a game. In this game, Ariel the doll will be Ariel. Dad, you can be King Triton.
Caleb: Who can I be?
Elizabeth: You can be a crab who doesn't talk much.
Dad: And who will you be?
Elizabeth: I will be someone who rules the world.

Awake

Sam I Am

Samuel Jeremiah VanDorsten

Born June 29, 2011 at 10:06pm - 7lbs 8oz, 20.25"

"Now the young man Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man."
~1 Samuel 2:26

After a grueling 22 hours of false labor, induction, and actual labor, Sam joined our family at 10:06pm on July 29! He's a pretty calm guy and is eating and sleeping well... so far. Caleb is super excited about his new little brother. Elizabeth is slowly warming up. Mom is recovering well and happy to be home from the hospital. Dad is just happy to not be sleeping in a chair. Welcome home, Sam.

Penguins

Elizabeth: I dream in penguins.

Sign

Dad: (reading a roadside sign) "Free King Bed" ...huh.
Caleb: Dad, what in the world is a "freaking bed"?

New Bedroom

Elizabeth got a bedroom redo with a new big girl bed. Says Beth, "I love it!"

Trees

Caleb: Dad, can I paint the trees in the backyard white? All of them.
Dad: Mmm... no.
Caleb: But why not?
Dad: I don't want my trees painted white.
Caleb: Well, they are actually God's trees, since He made them. So they're not really yours. And I don't think He would mind if I painted them white.

Zoo Buddies

Good times at the Columbus Zoo with our Zoo Buddies!

College

Elizabeth: Dad, I don't even know if I'm gonna go to the college yet. But I have time to think about it since I'm only three.

Toast

Dad: Here's your cup, Bethie. We're going to make a New Year's toast.
Elizabeth: Will you put some butter on my toast?