First days of school

Joost has a collage he is working on for school that will show people who he is. We've decided that pictures of him, his family and his activities are a must. While digging back in the ancient history of our blog to find a picture of Noah (poor cat, he doesn't get photographed very often), I stumbled on the pictures of his first day of preschool in 2007. My how they've grown!

"Wee one sits at last!"

It really should be announced in the newspapers and shown on the news. We thought it might never happen. But, at long last, it has. After eight months of waiting, Kate has finally decided to sit up. If you're having trouble believing it, here are the latest photos as proof...

30 years for Andrew

Today, my brother is celebrating the end of the first 30 years of his life. It's been a life well lived, so far, and I am blessed to have him as a part of my life. I am especially grateful that this past year brought him back to Harrisburg. Now I can see him so often, and I love it.

I had hoped to put together a solid documentary of his last 30 years, but have failed to do so. Instead, here are pictures of him and a few important details of his life. It's a meager time line and the pictures pretty much only cover the bookends of the 30 years, but they'll have to do for now.

best quote (circa 1994): "I have a bedroom the size of a tomato patch."

winter attire as a highschooler: athletic shorts (and a cold glass of milk to refresh him when he came inside from playing basketball in the winter weather.)

He is devoted husband, loving father, good son and brother. All around a great guy. Happy 30th, Andrew!

A brave new world

Today was Joost's first day of kindergarten. When you arrive at this point in your child's life, you're unsure how it will all play out. Will there be excitement or tears? I didn't know. I was sure Joost was more excited than nervous, so I had confidence that he would be tearless. But, I wasn't sure if I would be or not. I've heard it's the mother's prerogative to cry before, during or after the first morning, if she wishes. Amazingly, there were no tears on my part. But the sentiments are there, none the less, so please oblige me and look at some of the many many pictures I took the first day.

Covenant Christian Academy requires uniforms. Most school days he'll be wearing polos and khakis, but there are some days of the school year where they wear their best--the first day being one of them.

Grace is sad to have Joost at school in the mornings, but she wore her best smile to send him off the first day. (Unfortunately, she wasn't quite as generous with her smiles the rest of the morning. The first day brings a little bit of heart ache for more than just mothers.)

Joost is the first to be picked up in the morning, so it gave me the opportunity to help him get seated, buckled and to (of course) take lots of pictures. His bus driver seems very nice.

Even Kate was out to send Joost off. Joost was a bit concerned that he would be the only student that had his entire family out on the curb to send him off.

During the morning, we had the opportunity to go to the school for the opening day ceremony. This year is special because the school has moved into its own building (a renovated radio station).

The ribbon cutting for the new building took place on 9/9/09 at 9:09 in the morning. How about that?

Joost came off the bus at the end of the morning happy and excited to go back to school tomorrow. Who could ask for more than that the first day of school?

For the fun of it

My children are so blessed to have family on both sides that love them so much. And they are also blessed that each side has lots of cousins their age....it makes family gatherings that much more fun.

Yesterday, Aunt Dee had all the local ladies of our family (and their children) over for a last lunch before the school year starts. (Laura, we missed you!) It doesn't take much for me to find reasons to bring my camera and use it. Here are a few pictures of the kids that I thought were too fun not to share.....

(Grace, Kate, Liam Bosworth, Cassidy Locker, Jaden Locker, Rylan Locker, Joost)