Little Cubs Fan

Aunt Liz and Uncle Bill got this little Cubs onesie for us the summer before Levi was born. Now Milo gets to take a turn wearing it, too. Perhaps his first words will be, "Wait 'til next year..."

Milo at 3.5 months old Levi at 5 months old:

Luke and I at Grammie's house, after opening the gift. I was about 6 months pregnant with Levi at the time.

Indy

We just got back from a little trip to Indianapolis. We stayed with the Johnsons who are newly settled there. It was great to get to spend time with them.

Enjoying some sunshine in the kiddie pool.

Katie demonstrating her backstroke.

Ryan showing me his fancy pool tricks. Have I mentioned that the kiddie pool is only 12 inches deep? He's ready for anything in those floaties and ring.

Jake is a really good in the water and swims on a local team.

We also got to visit with Aunt Kathy! Milo enjoyed being held by her.


Levi enjoyed seeing Aunt Kathy, too, but was also very interested in her pets. The dogs: Shorty and Snickerdoodle...

...as well as the hugest cat I've ever seen, Marceau.

Thank you to everyone out there for being such great hosts. We really appreciate it.

Family

When Mom and Dad Corzine, and Lea and Ryan came for a visit a couple of weeks ago we had some pictures taken.

This is one of my favorite photos from the afternoon. You can tell that we like being next to each other. My cheeks are rosy from love and/or the 95 degree weather.

AAAH! Joel and Kelly are headless! The children seem unalarmed at this troubling turn of events.

Isn't my sister so pretty?? I love her mucho. Her boyfriend's name is Ryan and we really enjoyed getting to spend some time with him.

My wonderful parents hanging out on a bridge.

We often sit around the house in this pose.

As do Joel, Kelly, and their kids.

I can't gush about these kiddos enough. So cute and smart and funny, they are.

And here's the whole family. If you would like to see more from that afternoon check out my parent's shutterfly account. There you can see some squinty ones (#6), some sweaty ones (#20), the family on a bridge (#7), and one where Amber's head appears to be photo-shopped on at a strange angle (#22).

Milo at 14 weeks old

Here's Levi at the same age.

Choo Choo

Nana and Papa- we missed you at the train restaurant. Thanks for sending the kiddos there. They had a great time. It's too bad you missed the oh-so-delicious food.

Timber!

As you can see, the pear tree in our side yard lost another large section. The next day Dad Dickson and a friend, John, came over and took down the rest of the tree in a matter of hours. It was such a blessing. We still have some limbs piled in our driveway if any of our local readers want some free wood

Father's Day 2010

Dear Daddy,

Happy Father’s Day! Happy Father’s Day! That’s right, this year you have two of us to help you celebrate. That means twice the fun, three times the noise, and half the sleep.

We can’t believe how blessed we are to have you as our Daddy. Thank you for loving us so much. Your love for us is HUGE. Thanks for being a great provider and protector. Thanks for being a great laugh-er, story-teller, song writer, game player, dreamer, hugger, and all-‘round-fixer. Thanks for letting us ‘help’ you with projects and for taking us on errands. Thanks for teaching us how to give ‘kiss attacks’ and build ramps out of couch cushions for the toy cars. You are so patient, cheerful, fun, and affectionate to us. We love you so much!

All day we look forward to seeing you again. Even though you have worked hard at your job, you always have lots of energy and time for us is the evening. I know Mama appreciates this because the two of us wear her out. Thanks for how you take such good care of us and Mama. She says she hopes we grow up to be just like you.

Can you imagine how much fun we’ll have had together by the time the next Father’s Day rolls around? We can't wait.

Love,
Levi and Milo

Father's Day 2009
Father's Day 2008

Ball and Bat

Lately Levi has been intrigued with baseball (or as he calls it "hit-it-ball") and since he has no bat he has taken to using his toy hammer and any other somewhat cylindrical shaped toy to hit a ball with. Today Gran and Grandpa got him a tee-ball set as a present. He was so excited.

As you can see, at first Levi was sure you should bat at the ball with the skinny end. His wide stance makes a very sturdy base.

Grandpa helped him correct his stance and showed him how to run bases.

He consistently bats left.

Look at Levi anticipate Grandpa's hit.

This Friday he is going to the T-bones ball game. He's going to have so much fun!

Milo and Grammie

Milo enjoyed cuddling with his Grammie today. He had lots to tell her.

He showed her how he likes to kick his chubby little legs.

He showed her how he likes to coo.

He also showed her how he finds his little fists and gnaws and chomps at them.

"I love you, Grammie!"

Baby Dedication

It was very special to have so many family members there when we had Miles dedicated on Sunday morning along with his little cousin, Alison.

We celebrated with Mom and Dad Dickson, Mom and Dad Corzine, Lea, Ryan, Joel, Kelly, Ruby, Ben, Aundrea, Chuck, Alison, Grammie, Grandma Dickson, Aunt Liz, Uncle Bill, Avery, and Chuck's parents- Barb and Chuck.

An excerpt from the address to us, the parents:

This congregation rejoices with you in the gift of this child entrusted to your loving care. We are glad that you, moved by the blessings and responsibilites of parenthood have brought your child to the house of God to show your gratitude and to acknowledge your need to God's help in fulfillign your parents responsibilites properly.

The Blessing

"I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles one's self like this child, is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me."
Matthew 18:3-5

Veritas

Lea's boyfriend, Ryan, recently completed his master's degree from Harvard. While visiting him in Cambridge, Mom and Dad picked up t-shirts for all of the kids. Maybe one of them will follow in his footsteps someday?

Yay! Family Fun!

Despite Milo's expression here, we were all VERY excited to welcome Nana, Papa, Auntie Lea, and Ryan for a visit. We spent some time at the 'farm park' on Friday.

Nana discovered that she had not lost her magic touch. She was able to calm Milo and get him to sleep on many occasions over the weekend.

Levi had so much fun spending time with Lea and Ryan. He really enjoyed the present they brought him- a rubber band powered airplane.

Peek-a-boo, it's a cutie-pie nephew.

With Nana and Papa there, the kids were treated to lots of special things- like getting to bottle feed the baby goats.

Levi tried to spread the feeding amongst several different goats. When he thought it was time to move onto the next one he would say, "No, goat! It's not your turn"

Love their expressions here!

Lea meeting her newest nephew for the first time.

Another treat: ice cream cones!

More treats: pony rides!