Bye Bye Curls

The boys both had frizzy curls and we finally decided it was time for a trim...for all the boys (yes, we cut Brett's hair too...sorry, no pics). It was a fun family event in our playroom with a video and crackers. I'm still snipping away here and there when I can get one of them to sit still. Brett took lots of pictures and video for us to remember the event since it was Corban's first haircut. I threw them together in a video and the song is a tribute to past and present interns (inside joke). The boys have that "older" look but Brett and I both agree that we miss the curls. Thankfully, hair grows.

A Dream Come True

A few things you need to forgive...the poor quality (it was dark & I used the "dream" setting to try and help lighten it), Caden's clothes (he picked out his own pajamas last night), and Caden's crazy hair (gotta love bed-head). OK, now you're ready...enjoy!

What'cha Cookin' Caden?

Mac 'n' cheese!

Major Trouble

I can't decide which feature about this photo I should blog about...

• "Major Trouble", couldn't have said it better myself
• his bruise matches his shirt
• he just looks mischievous, doesn't he?
• it is so humid here you can see it in the picture (that's why it's fuzzy)
  

Please Pray For Antoinette

Please pray for this sweet lady, Antoinette.

Read more specifics on our ministry blog.

HaPpY BiRtHdAy !!!

Happy birthday to the funnest Daddy in the whole world!
You are crazy and we love you for it!

C2 Is 18

Corban Stewart is 18 months old....a year and a half!His smile continues to take over his entire face.


He definitely has his own mind about things...for example, these pictures. He didn't think he needed to sit next to the bear and we did our best to catch a few shots.

Gotta love those baby blues!


Corban is developing quite a love for his big brother. We love these glimpses of the future friendship they will share.

We'd Like To Introduce...

the newest member of our family....

Jolie
(meaning pretty or beautiful in French)

She's a german shepherd little girl that's about 3 months old now. We've had her for a few weeks and she seems to be fitting in nicely with our family. We started her out sleeping on the back porch, which is screened in, until Yovo (our other german shepherd) was ready to have her around full time. She cried and whined quite a bit the first night or two, but now she sleeps like a pro. She still eats her meals on the porch but she enjoys getting out and playing with Yovo. He is quite tollerable of her, although he still forgets sometimes just how little she is. But he better watch out, we're thinking one day Jolie is going to be bigger than Yovo.

She's been great with C1 and C2, letting them play with her and even feed her out of their hands. The boys are still learning to be gentle with her and not pull her tail. Corban keeps opening the back door inviting her in to the house...he thinks he is quite clever. We think she's a great fit for us and will be a great family dog for us and nice companion for Yovo.

Big Boy Bed #2

If you remember our transition of Caden to his Big Boy Bed (crib to toddler bed) then this video will look a little familiar. But this time it's Corban! We debated several days about whether or not to make the switch, but the idea of Corban landing on his head was the kicker every time. Now, he has not actually climbed out yet, but he could get his stomach up on the railing and it was just a matter of time before his head weight tossed him over...an event we weren't willing to wait to witness. He's still learning what it means to "stay on your bed" but he's getting there. It took him and Caden over an hour to fall asleep last night. Once there were asleep though things remained calm all night long. The expression on his face when he gets up on his own and toddles into the living room is so cute.

Here's to two little boys in two big beds...in the same room!

Corban's Bed

FYI: Caden's solution was to drag the railing back into the room. Sorry kiddo.

Father's Day Reflections From the Top of My Head

- Being a dad is a great gift!
- Somebody (preferably a male) please tell me what is better: A) spending your life with the woman you pursued and that you love completely, or B) knowing the joy that two beautiful and amazing young boys will carry on your family name with honor
- Or C) A and B are an equal blessing
- I just finished watching C1 & C2 sleep. Is there a more precious moment in life than seeing your sons in their most vulnerable and natural state?
- Life is Good
- If I'm being totally honest, one huge reason that Father's Day is great is because Prell lets me do whatever I want all day long - and sleep in the next morning to boot!
- Caden and Corban are becoming more than brothers; they are becoming true friends. Please don't hear me saying that they get along all the time or that they always play well together. Please DO hear me saying that true friends don't always get along or play well together either! The secret of true friendship lies within this dicotomy...
- God has blessed me beyond what I deserve.
- Today I received as gifts a few special treasures that will always be precious to me.
- Seeing my sons crying and unhappy has just as much meaning and beauty as seeing them joyful and full of laughter.
- C1 & C2 are and always will be my 2nd & 3rd best friends!
- Caden picking his nose is genuinely funny!

Caden & Wii

It's true, Caden has discovered the Wii and is becoming quite the little Wii-athlete. With the interns in our home, he is seeing it a lot more and consequently asking to "play a game, Momma" a lot more too. This video is about 4 minutes, and may be a little unexciting for regular wii users...but we enjoyed the performance and thought you might too.

wii boxing

LeapFrog Letter Sounds

Nearly every toddler home has the LeapFrog Fridge Phonics Magnets. The Ries family gave us theirs when they left Togo. Caden has always loved it and now Corban is discovering it's magic. He loves to try and imitate the ABC song as well as a select few letter sounds (as you'll see in the video). His communication skills are changing daily...it's amazing to watch.

corban letter sounds
Uploaded by emersonstogo. - Explore more family videos.

Let The Rainy Season Begin!

We have enjoyed rains daily this week. Playing outside in the rain and enjoying the cooler temperatures in the house are some of the added benefits of the rainy season. It truly is energizing!

Dancing & Giggling

Yesterday, we watched a cute video Aunt Betsy put together of Dawson's soccer skills. I'm not sure which they liked more...Dawson's crazy action or Aunt Betsy's choice of music. Their reactions were too cute not to share with the rest of you.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Sharing

This stool has become a place of many fights between these two.
However, on this special day I witnessed something different...(by the way, notice that C2 now reaches C1's chin)

Today's Nap

Today, Caden decided he wanted to take a nap in his bed as apposed to my bed (which he has been doing since before furlough). I left them in the room...Corban in his crib and Caden in his bed with a book. A few minutes later, a little boy appeared in my kitchen...

"Look Momma!" he said.


And chances are,
if you give a mouse a cookie....

Dots

Caden: Momma, is that your dots?
(pointing to something on my leg)
Me: That's a freckle.
Caden: Ohhhhhh! A freckle.


This kid is getting great at one-liners and keeps us laughing. He is also quite the polite young man, using his pleases and thank yous on a regular basis. And if you tell him,"Oh, sorry." he'll reply, "That's o.k." So sweet. His other common funny is his response to "no". Now, I blame myself for this one a bit because I was tired of the whiny response to "no". I encouraged him to say "Awwww, man. O.K." but what I usually get is "Awwww, man. Pleeeeeese!" Cute son, but the answer is still "no".

You Know You're In Togo When....

Bumpy road
Uploaded by emersonstogo. - Videos of family and friends from around the world.

Texas Furlough Fun

We were blessed to squeeze in a trip to Dallas. We saw friends, family, worshiped with North Davis Church of Christ and received more love than we ever thought. We had a wonderful visit and would love to make it a regular stop in our future furloughs.


Here's the highlights....Meet Kallie & Klaire...the newest additions to the Staples family.
(Kevin & Laura are friends from HU days)

Kelli and baby Isaac
(friend from Pepperdine, thanks to my brother)

The boys & Uncle Max....love the faces, boys.
(yes, I'll claim him as my uncle -April)

Special reading time with GrannyDot.
(I can still remember her reading to me as a child.)

Your turn, Grandad.
We love you!


(Side note: this is the family Corban Stewart is named after.)

Did you hear????

We're home! and we're relearning how to beat the heat.

The following video contains footage unprompted by Momma.

Yup, they're normal.