If you are interested in scrapbooking...

A few of my digital pages...

I started scrapbooking in 2000 (that first album was horrible!). I like to start projects so I have to make myself finish them because I usually have several going on at the same time. As you can imagine, wanting to scrapbook (as a hobby and creative release, and to record our family story) can get expensive plus a pain to take all the way across the world. About a year ago I discovered digital scrapbooking. Forrest got me an excellent program called My Memories Suite for Christmas last year and I really do love it. It's way easier to use (and cheaper) than Photoshop but still makes great pages. It's way cheaper than paper scrapping, plus I can easily duplicate a page for each kid's album. I won't bore you with more details but if you are interested I can explain more). Here's the link to MMS.

About Olivia (27 months old)

This little girl never stops making me laugh (and pray!). She is a total mess and is determined that she is as big as any other kid. She's been on the fast track since she took her first step at 9 1/2 months! Anyway I forgot to share this summer that she potty trained! She did it right after she turned 2 and got it super fast. And right away , she got the nights too. I don't understand it but I sure am thankful!!

Thoroughly enjoying her ice cream , every last drop. And don't you think I need to put away this jacket from last year? She is having a hard time parting with it, but check out those sleeves!

She is a little momma! She discovered the booster seat in the closet one day and got so excited. Oh , she gave up that seat a long time ago ("mommy, no more baby seat! ") She was thrilled to be able to feed Baby Ruth in it. And check it out, that baby is getting french fries, tea, and chocolate cake too! Also, these days anytime we are leaving the house and she sees me get my purse, she says " wait , I need my purse too! " What a girly-girl !!

Preschool Time

Luke is now in his 2nd week of Russian Preschool and is loving it. It's only a few hours a week and he told me wishes it was a lot more. It helps a lot that his best American friend is in the class too. He takes it seriously and the night before the 1st day he wanted to pick out his clothes and get his backpack ready. To get him to cooperate for a 1st day picture, I told how Pop and Gran would always take my picture on the 1st day of school. I didn't know I would get such a funny picture out of him! He 's already learning some Russian and his teacher (who knows English) said he keeps asking what everything is in Russian. And today he was practicing a new word as he went to sleep. It's scary how many similarities there are between him and Forrest!

Look at that pose!

Traveling and our first few weeks

Here are few pictures from the last month. I will try to post more this fall as I can.

Saying goodbye to grandparents in the Atlanta airport. It was interesting to see Luke as we said goodbye - after that he switched gears and starting to talk about our life here. He really does understand the 2 worlds , as much as a 4yr old can.

Thankful for a free hour, place to plug in our computer, and Toy Story 2 in the DC airport. Gave us a few moments to just breathe before the trek across the ocean.

I've started doing some preschool at home with Luke. He's doing really well and getting a lot better at writing his name. He has improved so much since last year. He will start local preschool soon.

Luke loves his Daddy so much. He wants to be big so badly so he can do stuff like Daddy.

Reunited with his buddy Madi. What would we do without her?

Luke and Olivia with the neighbor kids.

Luke is 4!!

It's never too late to post some birthday pictures. September was a bit of a whirlwind for us - packing up again, flying across the world, returning to a forever changed city, getting back into life here, and going to a conference. Now, things might return to "normal". Well, whatever that is!

We were able to celebrate Luke's 4th birthday in the US before leaving. He was thrilled to have his party at the park and all he cared about what a brown cake with Buzz and Woody on it. Lots of fun, lots of sugar, and a special boy. Luke brings laughter and joy to us and as he's getting bigger, he has LOTS of questions. It's so fun to watch his little mind work and try to figure things out. He's a smart little guy with a sweet heart. And, he loves his sister . They are quite the pair these days. I wonder who this little guy will be one day?

All the kids....cousins Hannah, Jacob, and Sarah Katherine came as well as our new friends Hudson and Shelby (we went to UT with their parents); also there was a "random" girl from the park who decided to join in on the party !