Girls, girls,girls...

So I haven't really had much occasion to take pics (as in things going on) so I just have a few random ones that I thought I'd put up for Bray. I got Madeline a few new headbands, and she just looked so cute that we had to put it up. Also I finally got one of Hobbes with his buddy, Gus while on the way to the park, so that's about it! I shall update as soon as I have info/fun pics to show. Enjoy!
Hobbes and GusThe girls.:)

Funny faces...

Hi, everyone! This week my entire family is on different trips, so I am here alone in Moscow. Thus, so as not to go crazy, I have tried to stay busy with lots of outings/activities for the kids. So far this week we have gone to the park daily, ran errands, shopped a little, and we even went to the water park! Although it's been hectic, it keeps our days full- so that they go by faster.

This weekend I am playing for a wedding, so I have also been practicing for that during nap times.

A quick update on Bray: he is an RA for the summer, and so was extremely busy the first few days with registration,etc, but is now into the busy routine of lessons, masterclasses, rehearsals and performances. Their opening concert was Tuesday afternoon, and it went very well. So far he has received very encouraging comments from teachers, which is wonderful news! We are on the right track. Please continue to pray for us, though- it is still extremely taxing and difficult to be separated for so long, but this is all for the best and we only have about 7 weeks to go. Love and miss you all!

Here are some fun pics of the kids this week- I've just been taking them at random times.

Madeline's reaction to the aquatic center...of course, she stayed in the shade in her chair the whole time,but she still seemed to enjoy it!Hobbes, being the 'shy' boy that he is, was not content to stay in the kiddie wading pool. He strode right in to the bigger kid playing area, and wanted to go on the froggie slide, shoot the water guns and stand under the big dumping cones (above). Laura Shaw, a family friend was at the pool, too, so she took him in for awhile. He even put his head under the water twice and didn't seem ready to pull it out- so I did it for him. ( he hasn't learned to breathe under water)Watching the dumping cones with Laura.Enjoying the beautiful summer weather.Hobbes' new summer outfit from 'Ama- she even picked the Alabama colors, and it says baseball on the front- Daddy's favorite sport.:)Madeline got a new yellow dress from a friend in Mississippi, and since it was yellow, I had to take a picture of her in it-for Daddy, of course.:)

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

For Father's Day, I thought I would try and get a cute pic of the kids together for Bray. Sooo I put Madeline next to Hobbes on the couch, while he was watching a movie. Needless to say, I took about 20 pics, and only came close to getting a 'good' one. However, I still think they're pretty funny, so I went ahead and showed the progression. So, Daddy(or Bray) I hope you have a wonderful Father's Day- we wish we could celebrate it with you! Love and miss you! Trying to put his leg over Madeline...

BOTH kids watching the movie, not the camera...

An almost perfect pic of Madeline-but then she put her fist up at the last second....

A kiss in the middle-this one is pretty cute, I think...

And finally, at least they both looked at the camera! Man, I don't know how professional photographers do it! Happy Father's Day!

Our week with Daddy...

On a bridge across from Swilly's-we didn't have anyone to take pics of us on our date, so we did our best 'self-portraits!'

After an AMAZING performance and rave reviews in Rochester, NY, Bray came home on June 5. (due to frustrating people at the airlines) We only had about a week together, but we managed to pack in a lot of fun times within that short period. We went for walks in the park, drank lots of good coffee, had a lovely dinner/dessert date at Nectar (a new wine bar in Moscow) and Swilly's (the place where we went when we got engaged), spent time with family and friends, and just enjoyed being together as a family.

Hobbes talks nonstop now, so he and Daddy had lots of fun being loud and crazy, and just doing boy things. I couldn't believe how much Madeline responded to Bray- she giggled and honestly 'babbled' conversation with him. As you can see from some of the pics below, she just adores her Daddy. (he was the one behind the camera for these) We dropped Bray off bright and early at the airport this morning, and I am planning on going down for a visit with Madeline in late July. Bray returns home-for good- in August. Playing soccer at the park near our house


Trying to tell Daddy about the cars in the street, while sort-of posing for a picture

Laughing hard at Daddy

A sweet little girl in her carseat




Daddy's little girl-I think they look a lot alike

We love you Daddy! Do well in California!