Omaha to Pittsburgh

Union Station Omaha, Nebraska:

Omaha Zoo and Aquarium:

Iowa State Fair, Des Moines

Maquoketa Caves, Iowa

Fenelon Place Elevator, Dubuque Iowa

Marion, Indiana

Salem, Ohio

Ocean Grove 2023

 

Jason's 8th Birthday Letter

Dear Jason (Jace or Jabes):

It was a great year for you as you turned 8. You run hard, and I often find you sweating on the school playground at pick up, or wrestling with your little brother.

You can’t go for a walk without picking up sticks and this year you have fallen in love with things that fly. Drones, planes, or helicopters. You take any chance to fly your own drone and toy helicopter, and will pause when we are walking to watch a plane above your head, or announce to everyone when you hear a helicopter. Your Godparents, Glen and Carolyn, took you to sit in a helicopter this year, and you showed us the pictures they took of you there and asked when we could all go for a visit. 

You can be the best sharer in the family, and are often looking out for your siblings to make sure they get the flavor of drink or snack they want. We pray that this others-focused mindset continues to grow and mature in you this year.

You still love model trains, and have fully embraced building with legos and erector sets. You ask me almost every night if we can go for a bike ride next to the Adams gardens around the corner from our house. You love math problems before bed each night, and want to know how everything works, and why people do things in life. You love visits with Mama Maria. 

You frequently ask your mother and I deep questions randomly when we are driving in the car. You will say “I was just thinking…. Why did God create the snake?” “Does God have blood?” “How much does God weigh?” We do our best to answer your many questions, and I only look forward to seeing how they develop as you get older.

We are thankful for your grateful heart, appreciating the weather, or that your 1st-grade teacher had gotten your class munchkins. As well as your positive spirit, which often reflects when asked, “my day didn’t have a low part”.

We are so glad we get to be in your family.

Love,

Daddy

 

Grace and Marc's Wedding

My niece Grace was an Archambault before I was.

Sixteen years ago (plus a few weeks) she was the flower girl at my wedding. 

This month I got to attend her wedding, with our two youngest about the same age as she was at ours.

I loved the time leading up to it with her, getting our nails done, 

exploring the Penn State Botanical gardens,

and lunching together. 

I also loved the cousin interactions,

as well as Aunts, Uncles, 

and Grandparents. 

The wedding venue had lots of space to play with none of the expected rain. 

Sophia received a new hairstyle with the flowers from the day after the wedding.

And with Noah's help, Jason came home with a duct tape wallet as a wedding favor.

A & W Weekend 2023

This was the year of frog finding, 

catching,

and sharing. 

Of games,

and puzzles,

with magnificent White Mountain views. 

Some initially reluctant hikers,

who were all convinced by the end.

Of time in the hot tub if you were seven or older, 

and dipping your feet in if you weren't.

And of course, A & W Root beer Floats.

 

Sophia turns 10!

Dear Sophia,

As you hit two digits this year you have already reminded us a few times that you are "no longer a kid" and now a tween! 

You are growing up into such a lovely young lady.

You are a loyal friend to your pack of girls at school, and yet we hear from your teacher Mrs. Celiberti that you make sure that no one feels left out. Keep looking out for the underdogs.  When you get older you will realize that being kind is more important than being in the “in crowd.” Your backpack says “It is cool to be kind,” we pray that you keep that in mind as you approach middle school.

You have taken up ballet this year, and continued with kids choir at church. You continue to love attending the mother/daughter weekend at Camp Berea with mom, and special Bible study time with her when you are home. 

Adults often comment on your confidence in most settings, and we hope that you lean into the identity of knowing that you don’t have to perform, but just be who you are, be curious, and empathetic to those around you. You were created with a purpose for a purpose, and we look forward to helping you explore that over the next few years.

You love to give gifts to those you love, and can’t understand someone who does not want to celebrate someone with a gift. You love to bake, and make up snack plates for any special occasion. I hope that spirit of hospitality continues to grow over time.

You have lots of deep questions about the world these days, and I only hope we can help you make sense of it all. You continue to be a great big sister, often stepping in when one of the twins is having an especially hard time, and being the voice that can help calm them down when your mother and I have not been successful.

This year we are hoping for you to continue to deepen in your relationship with Jason to love him well each day, and that you grow even more confident in yourself as you only have one more year left in elementary school.  

We love you and look forward to learning from your tween wisdom this year!

Daddy

 

Easter 2023

Last Easter celebrated at Grammy and Grandpa's house before it was sold.

And possibly the last time this one was still small enough to fit on his Grammy's lap.

First Easter egg hunt to happen in the snow.

And possibly the last time this one hunted before she becomes an egg hider.

Always the same reason for the Holiday.