Eli and his Applesauce

Eli likes to eat his applesauce by himself. He does a good job minus the occasional gob on his shirt, his highchair tray, his hair, etc.

Eli's Two Best Friends

Gracie

...and the vacuum cleaner.

Neighborhood Stroll

Finally...spring! Here are some pictures from our first warm day earlier this month. Eli took off down the sidewalk and walked all over our neighborhood.

Is it just me or does his hand look freakishly small? Like a t-rex's.


This is not our front door. He kept wandering off the sidewalk to check out random front doors and garage doors.

Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Brad

We only got a few pictures from our trip to Ohio this weekend for my grandfather's funeral. Here are some shots of Eli with my Aunt Phyllis and Uncle Brad at my grandfather's house.

Eli loved carrying around Papa's putter. He pretended it was a vacuum cleaner.

Speed Racer

Eli has played with his ride on toys for months, mostly just pushing them from behind and cruising around the house. Recently he has learned a new way of playing with it. He opens the seat, stands in it, holds onto the steering wheel, and crouches down. I'm not sure where he learned this maneuver- maybe from watching the Olympics. He sort of looks like he's practicing for the luge.

One foot in...

Two feet in...

Grab the wheel...

Crouch down for minimal wind resistance....

Cruise around the house with parental assistance....

Perform a dangerous dismount...

My Papa

My Papa, Homer Richard Bish, passed away yesterday evening. He had been in the hospital for a couple of weeks. My father had been out to visit quite a bit in the past few months. Papa took a turn for the worse this past weekend. My dad went out immediately, and my brother, mom, and I drove to Ohio on Monday to visit him.

Although it was an incredibly sad day, it was also a wonderful day. Monday was the last day that he was alert. What a blessing it was to be able to talk with him and kiss him and tell him how much I love him. I'm so thankful to God for that time on Monday.

Papa was a father, a husband to my grandmother who passed away in 1995, a WWII veteran, a golfing buddy, and the best grandfather. But most importantly, more important than all those things, was that he was a Christian. We know that our family will be reunited again. When my friend Renee's brother Aaron passed away last year, she posted some things on her blog that I found comforting, especially this below.

The best part of heaven is that we'll be with our bridegroom, Jesus. Second best? We'll be with our family and friends who know God. That's why, when Christian loved ones die, God tells us not to grieve like those who have no hope, but to comfort and encourage each other by anticipating the ultimate family reunion (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). That's why heaven should mean more to us every time a friend moves there. --In Light of Eternity, p. 9

Please pray for my family, especially my dad and uncle as they grieve and as they make arrangements for Saturday's service.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4

Callan & Kinsley

My friend Renee came over for a visit yesterday with her two kiddos, Callan (23 months) and Kinsley (2.5 months). Callan has always been so adorable. He loves to pose for the camera so I took advantage while he was playing on the slide. How cute is this kid?

Time for hugs. Two seconds before this would have been a perfect picture. The two of them were cheek to cheek with big smiles. But I missed it. :(

Don't even get me started about this little doll baby. Kinsley is SO sweet. I was trying to figure out a way to steal her and keep her for myself. She was so good- just smiled and looked pretty with her beautiful eyelashes. I just love her.

Uncle Nathan's House

We had such a fun weekend (20-21st) visiting Uncle Nathan and Katie along with my parents.
Nathan and Katie made a wonderful meal on Saturday- it was like Thanksgiving in February.
They invited my Aunt Darlene, Uncle Chuck, and cousins Ryan and Kyle. It was great seeing everyone.

Eli really liked Katie's dog, Riley. She was so tolerant of him- his kisses, hugs, slobber, grabbing, pulling. She is a really good dog!

Here are some pictures from Sunday before we left.

Here I am

Here I am reading the back cover of one of my favorite books, The Going to Bed Book.

Here I am misbehaving.

Here I am screaming and trying to swat the camera with my cup.

Here I am with my cat Gracie.

Here I am making a cheese face.

Here I am being Mr. Serious. Ladies find it irresistible.

Here I am cuddling with Gracie.

Oh, Gracie, I love you.