We finally got Bryce baptised at Jason's home church in Independence, IA on Sept 24, 2006. He was pretty squirmly throughout the service but managed to stay calm during the actual event. The reason we waited until September was so we could do the baptism with Bryce's sponsors, Brian and Katie. They flew in from Alaska to do a presentation to the church about their time in Kenya. You can still see their blog about their trip here. This presentation drew a lot of extended family who we also haven't seen it a while. It was an added blessing to have them there for Bryce's baptism as well as the Kenya presentation. We enjoyed seeing Brian and Katie again and can't wait until Christmas when we'll all be together again. Sydney has been talking about Grandma Jayne's Barbies (Melissa's old toys) and Oma's dolls and cars since we left. Every time we talk on the phone she reminds them that she's coming out for Christmas to play with their toys. I think they could wrap up a few things she's already seen and she'd have a great Christmas!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Sydney and the Penguin
I'm still trying to catch up with our iPhoto library by uploading to Flickr. This photo belongs to a set I just uploaded from when Melissa, Sydney, Bryce, and Jayne went to the Omaha zoo on their way from CO to Saint James. I've also uploaded some from when we went to 6 Flags Elitch Gardens in Denver. Each fall Ball rents out 6 Flags for the evening for all the employees. We usually hang out in the kids area the whole time but this year, since Jayne was in town, Melissa and I were able to ride the wooden roller coaster. 6 Flags in Denver is a decent park but because it is really land locked there isn't much more they can do with it. Oh well, they still have an awesome wooden roller coaster. Just ask Melissa!
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Sydney at soccer camp
Sydney participated in the English soccer camp in Broomfield this year. By English I mean all the teachers were from the UK. Notice the kids t-shirts with the flags. The kids met each day for an hour at 4pm at the beginning of August. Needless to say, it was often very hot and that seemed to wear on the kids. Sydney had a mixed experience. One day she was out there running around and the next she didn't want to do anything. Obviously the 3 year olds didn't really learn any technique or soccer skills. It was more about learning to be away from the parents and listen to a coach. Mission accomplished??? Well, maybe a start.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Family at Lily Lake, RMNP
This photo was taken at Lily Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park when Mark, Pat, Arlyn and Carolyn came out to visit. They staying in a motel in Estes Park and we decided to spend a night camping in RMNP. It just so happened that we purchased our new Honda Odyssey on Friday and then drove up to RMNP that very night with the dogs, kids and all the supplies. What a way to break in a new vehicle! We had a great time camping (Bryce's first experience) and even managed to sleep a little with two dogs, a 6 month old, and a 3 year old in the tent.
Family at Coors Field
We went to Coors Field on July 31 as part of our church group. It also happened to be Dog Day at Coors which means people could bring their dogs and sit in a special section. Sydney had fun petting all the dogs on our way to our seats in the upper deck. The Rockies played the Brewers and won 4-2.
The Thomas family at the Embassy Suites
This photo was taken at the end of our stay at the Embassy Suites in Minneapolis next to the Mall of America. We flew out with the kids to welcome back Brian and Katie from the missionary trip in Kenya. They told us it was quite the culture shock to go from the Kenyan countryside to the Embassy Suites and the Mall of America but they took it in stride. We were really happy to introduce them to their new nephew Bryce whom they met for the first time. Sydney had a great time playing and showing them how much more personality she had developed in the year they were gone. It was a great trip and we're so glad to have them back close again. Ok, Alaska isn't really close but it's a lot better than half a world away!
Monday, September 18, 2006
Sydney on her decorated trike for the 4th of July
Where have we been? You know, just around doing stuff. But it's never to late to post some photos so here is some from the 4th of July as well as some from the park. I'll be putting up photos from our trip to Minneapolis to welcome back Brian and Katie soon. Like in less than 2 months!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Sydney and Sarah with Dora
We were at the Boondocks fun center today to meet Dora! The $5 adult / $10 kid fee included a pretty good breakfast, tokens for arcade games, a ride on the go-carts, and of course the chance to meet Dora. Sydney was totally freaked out by Dora as she has been by anyone in costume. Her friend Sarah seemed to be having fun but Sydney refused to give Dora a hug. She eventually mustered up the nerve to give Dora a high five and Boots a hug but that was it. She's always been freaked by people in costume including the Rat at Chucky Cheese and of course Santa. She had a blast on the water boats (see Flickr photos) but got freaked out by the little go-carts. We put her in one and started to buckle her in but I think she expected us to ride with her. Of well there's always next time. We found some extra mini-golf clubs and balls sitting around and decided to let the girls play a round while the moms did some baby feeding. We actually ended up staying from 9:45 to 1:15 which was way longer than I expected. Both girls were pretty wiped out by then but at least Sydney had a decent nap!
Goofy Bryce
Wow has it really been over a month since I've written anything! So much for June. I just uploaded a bunch of pictures from Sydney's birthday party, from when Oma and Opa visited, from when Jayne and Jerry visited, and random ones of the kids. We've been keeping busy trying to figure out why Melissa hasn't been feeling that great lately. So far we've ruled out many big bad scary things (like most forms of cancer and MS) but no diagnosis yet. It seems her symptoms have started since having kids so I blame lack of sleep and feeding our monsters. Bryce was 20lbs at his 4 month checkup (on June 5th) which put him off the chart for weight. That's a lot of breast milk! Unfortunately he was only in the 50th percentile for height so he has some lengthening to do. Sydney just had her 3 year checkup and was still in the 95% for both height and weight. Anyway keep Melissa in your prayers as we try to figure out how to help her feel more like herself.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Sydney's 3rd Birthday
Sydney celebrated her 3rd birthday on May 13th at Sunflower Farms in Longmont, CO. She celebrated with three of her friends who were all turning three around the same time. Sunflower farms is basically this old farmstead just south of Longmont that they've turned into this big kiddy land. Compete with tire swings, trampoline, sandbox, tractor, bulldozer, tree house, and of course petting zoo, this place had it all. We were one of 3 parties there at the same time so there were easily over one hundred people there and it didn't even feel crowded. The kids all had a blast climbing over everything, feeding the animals, and riding the pony. Later in the day they even sheared the sheep while we were which is something I haven't ever seen live. It's a great place for a kids party!