Chandler was always making us laugh. He still does. On any given day, he would come out of his room "dressed up" as some new character. Even today, what he wants to be when he grows up, changes daily. He was tagged the name Chan the Man, and G'ma Schaefer called him "woolly bully" Ummm... I think that is the name of a song from the '50's. Super-hero, Bob the Builder or NFL football player, Chandler was always having fun. His clowning around made everyone laugh and then occasionally got him into trouble. His slogan at birth should have been, "watch out world, here I come!"

Flexible! And I am guessing, hungry.

Yo,yo,yo! What up dawg? This is the homey with a diaper look.

Don't mess with me, I have a gun and I'm not afraid to use it.

Look out, Brett Favre! Could he look more intimidating-and cute! I loved the little bowl cut, he was sporting here!

And here they are now!

They have moved on from Barney to the Nintendo Wii. Life goes fast, hang on tight, the ride kids take you on is sometimes bumpy, sometimes smooth. My boys inspire me, make me laugh, and bring more joy into my life than I could have ever dreamed of!

~Memory Lane~

Spencer is sensitive and serious. Long ago, he told us he wanted to be an architect or do something in the field of electricity. That has never changed. He is determined-that can be a good and a bad thing. His memory is amazing. Sometimes, I regret that when he reminds me of something I said. Yikes! And what a voice...
Bragging rights are reserved for moms. Besides, focusing on the positive is what blogging is for anyway, right?


Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So..... Yep, Spencer loves music, always has, always will!

Okay, the duckie was one of the first plush toys Spencer was given. HE STILL HAS IT! Oh, and the tape player with attached mic. was just a hint of what was to come.

Awww!!! Getting a little love from G'pa Schaefer.This look is priceless.

Love those plastic covered books, they sustained many a gnaw and a drool!

With so many friends of mine having new little ones recently, well it caused me to really think back to when my own were that small. I miss it! Nope, not having more, but there are those times when I would love to turn the proverbial clock back to when my babies were just that...babies, the small hands as they curl around a finger, the tiny little toothless mouth. That just makes me smile to think of it! The magical laughter coming from another room.

Here are a few pictures I found of Spencer moments. I got a little emotional as I sorted through the many photos, thinking back to those precious days. All those comments from grandmothers, aunts, moms, older sisters, friends with mom experience...they really are true. Cherish every day, they really do grow up SO fast!!!

Two month old Spencer is sitting with his cousins, Wilson, Tyler and Bryn Leppert. Sorry, Alex! You were only a dream at this time!

My absolute favorite season is fall. The warm and cozy colors cannot be matched by any other season. The bounty of God's goodness and his ever constant care of us... how blessed we are.

These are a few of my favorite things:

Soft, oatmeal-colored cable knit sweaters, that favorite pair of jeans, the smell of pumpking pie cooling on the counter and the pumpkin seeds roasting in the oven. Autumn-scented candles glistening in the room as the late afternoon sky begins to glow with hint of the sinking sun. A whistling kettle of boiling water ancipating the pour over hot tea leaves, old slippers, warm fleece blankets, evenings at home, the cold smell of kids as they come inside after playing in the leaves, a pot of steaming homemade bacon/potato soup, friends dropping in with out calling first, backyard soccer games with only the moon as the light......
Hayrides, scary stories, harvests of grain, the word "amber",
old barns, pheasants, college football games, reading books while snuggling under blankets, cinnamon,
the word "cozy"....
Okay, I guess these are more than a few of my favorite things.






I am planning a weekend of peeling, coring, slicing and freezing apples. Fall desserts are the plan!

Two weeks ago, I drove up to visit a friend for her 30th birthday. Spencer went along for some mommy/son time and was great company to me in the 8 hours of driving. Sarah Nebel and I have known each other since we were kids.Now we have families and we make time for those, once or twice a year visits to each other's homes. We have so much fun together. She is one of the most "real" people I know. How thankful I am for this friendship!




Chopper and Jack love attention. Spencer had a blast with them! No I had not been drinking and driving, Spencer just jumped at the chance to snap a few shots.

The effectual fervant prayer...availeth much"

Another baby mantis decided to pose for a moment.

I know it looks more like a snowman, but I really do think it is supposed to be a scare-crow.
Thanks, Sarah for the great pumpkins, they were the perfect seasonal addition to add to my front steps!

Soccer Tournament=Exhaustion!

This weekend was nothing out of the ordinary with the busy-ness of our lives. Soccer lives on! Saturday and Sunday was the Toyota Fall Rec. Tournament for regional soccer clubs.
Up early, lots of carbs and going like the energizer bunny is what Chandler's schedule consisted of...
We ended the season on a good note. In his eighth season as coach, Matt did a stellar job! I can say that though, right? Go Elkhorn Eliminators!!!!