The past few months have been quite eventful for Archer. He can climb anything. He's trying to say a lot more words - for a long time he was more of a grunt and point kinda guy. He's thrown some impressive tantrums. He got four molars and one tooth in one month. He earned the nickname Wild Card for his unpredictable, rascally ways. I think he grew an inch while we were in Niagara Falls because when we got back he was suddenly able to get enough leverage to turn door knobs and his pants are all too short. He does some sort of bear/lion/monster impression to chase us around the house. He's really good at tackling. We are just smitten with him!

Here he is in all his 18 month old glory!

Last week I went to Niagara Falls with the kids and my parents to visit my grandparents. I felt like a traveling circus the majority of the time because, you know, young kids on planes, in airports, in hotel rooms, in homes with lots of breakable antiques, etc. But all in all the kids did really well. Quinn could strike up a conversation with anyone or put on a song and dance performance. Archer showed off his sprinting skills and his new favorite word: poop. My grandparents have a really old, super bouncy bed that the kids loved bouncing and wrestling on and Raffi videos on youtube saved the day in the car on many occasions. My parents and I have a lot of very special memories from this trip that we can laugh about now. It was wonderful to see my grandparents interact with my kids, especially since Pa's health has been declining in recent years and Grandma June was just diagnosed with lung and brain cancer. They are in our prayers constantly.

The week before, Jonathan traveled for work to San Diego so I visited family in Eugene. Quinn got to say, "Play ball!" on the microphone to start the Eugene Ems game and get high fives from all the players in the dugout, which was pretty exciting for her. We also went camping with our church growth group which was such good fellowship. There were lots of fun wooded paths and places to explore. Archer, being the adventure seeker that he is, was bitten by a tick. Completely disgusting, but he's fine. 

Jonathan has been training big time for the Tough Mudder this weekend. He's been going on longer runs with friends and got to run along the beach in San Diego. I'm so glad he's healthy and strong and able to do stuff like that. 

Quinn started school today. Home school pre-kindergarten that is. I'm doing a daily learning notebook with her with some basic calendar, weather, time, and math elements. We'll also do Bible verses, some Montessori practical life activities, and follow her interest with reading and writing. She just wrapped up gymnastics and we'll be doing ballet and Bible study again and possibly swimming. She shared a Bible verse with me that sounds generally theologically sound except for the reference:
"Don't be afraid and don't be grumpy of your soul." John 23:5 - Matthew 2:13-4