19 Months- Bauer the Toddler

Y'all, Bauer is in full-on Toddler Mode!  He is 19 months now, tough and strong.  More of his funny personality is starting to show when he tries to make us laugh or mimics the older kids' goofy faces.  Slowly his vocabulary is growing, but I'm hoping as his bottom teeth finish coming in that his speech improves.  "Daddy" "Mommy" "Vali" and "Cheer" are his most clear words.  He has started saying "Mo Mil" for "more milk" ;) and with the sweetest little voice he says "Yay R" for JR.  Pretty sure a lot of the other words only mommy and daddy can recognize.

I have to remind myself that he understands far more than he can verbalize!  I'll ask him to throw his trash away and he can open the drawer and throw his trash in the can.  And when I say it's time to leave to go somewhere, he will walk to the door or try to grab my keys from my purse.  His favorite is beeping my lock button on my car- he thinks it is hilarious! We are already working on sharing, not screaming...

Morning Hike and a Baby Snake

Real Life with Busy Bauer- from JR's perspective

A Few Outtakes from the Dogs' Photoshoot

JR helped me photograph Vali & Ryder so we could make some prints for Patrick's office.  

He was a big helper with the dog treats! Here are a few outtakes ;)

Masai Mara - Safari Close-ups

Kindergarten, Africa and Fall

Well, hey there friends!  It's been a whirlwind since we stepped back into routine from Patrick's study break.  A sweet time to prepare us for a packed fall!  

John Ryman started Kindergarten and loves his class... as long as he gets 12 hours of sleep. ;)  Vera is now in the 2-day preschool JR was in last year and thinks she is big stuff!  It's all about the backpack and outfit she chooses each week.  Thanks to a Mom's Morning Out program for Bauer, I now have my quiet, uninterrupted 3 hours a week that I sure missed over the summer!  

This fall season is bringing anticipation and excitement for all God is going to do through His church with the launch of our new West campus.  There were over 500 people yesterday on our first Sunday! 

In addition to all of the above, I just retuned home from Nairobi last night!  Once the jet lag wears off and my suitcase is unpacked, I'll share some stories about the beautiful people of Kenya and a church that is on the move in powerful ways.  And maybe a few lion photos ;) 

Hope you all are well and settling in for a rich fall season.  

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."

F. Scott Fitzgerald

(Thinking of Fitzgerald and my favorite literature classes in HS... I can't believe it has been 10 years since I graduated High School!  I missed our reunion while in Africa, but I have been reminiscing on so many sweet & hilarious memories from our CAL '07 Class.  I'm so grateful for the impact my classmates had on my life.  I feel like I had such a rare high school experience with friends who loved well & had way too much fun together!)  

Summer Nights