August!

August was a big month for us! We made the long drive to Illinois to visit my family, Nolan turned TWO, and we began prepping for a move to Arlington. We had such an incredible time with my parents, siblings and extended family. Not to mention the beautiful weather! Here in Texas it's considered comfortable when you don't get over 95, but there were some days when it barely reached 75 in Illinois while we were there!! Besides the weather, it's just nice to relax and BE together. You know? Anyway, we celebrated Nolan's birthday with some family, cake and ice cream. And of course, Elmo! And when we got back from Illinois, we started apartment-hunting in the Arlington area. We are (hopefully!) moving in sometime next week, finding jobs to pay the bills and continuing the search for the right ministry position for Russ. It's been a long and interesting transition time for us but God is good and he's provided in ways we wouldn't have expected and blessed us through family members at just the right times. We're excited to see where He takes us next! So without any further ado...pictures!

The youngest of the cousins get reacquainted 

Testing out the cool table that Grandma and Grandpa handcrafted for us. 

Hiking to the library 

Reading Star Wars books with Grandma and Uncle Bob 

Backyard fun! 

At the Peoria Zoo 

Soon-to-be big brother Blaine is doing his best Zoolander impersonation here. 

McDonalds birthday lunch 

Hello Elmo! 

Helping Grandma do her job at the library 

Birthday party! I should have taken more pictures of this but I didn't. And the few I did take are really blurry since my two year old does NOT hold still. 

Inaugural ride in the kid-carrier...they had so much fun with Grandpa! 

Sister selfie! 

More backyard fun! 

Snuggling with Aunt Krista 

Greeting Great-Grandpa's Bear 

 Getting good and sweaty at Tanner's Orchard! We didn't pick anything (it was August, no apples to pick yet) but they got to feed the goats and play on the playground for a long time. Perfect!