Last year, I attempted to write some thoughts to capture how I feel about my son, but I realized it’s just about impossible.

So this year, you get 7 minutes of Josiah telling you all about his favorite songs, shows, toys, sports…. oh, and the biggie: does he plan to get married.

This video is PURE Josiah.

Enjoy!

Apparently taking queues from Jack Sparrow and the T-Rex, she looks a bit drunk, but it’s the most adorable thing you’ve ever seen.

Daddy is quite smitten.

LOVE this kid.

That is all….

I’m not interested in boasting about myself or comparing my life with yours.

I just have to point out how awesome our friends and family have been this week.

First of all, I need to brag on my wife:

Kharis turned 1 last week, and Steph pulled out ALL the stops for her birthday party. I watched her spend hours doing research, shopping for ideas, cutting out Mini Mouse ears and bows, trying to find the right fonts and colors, making gift bags, ceiling decorations, cupcake holders, party food…

She poured herself into making sure that Kharis had a birthday to remember.

And here’s what it looked like in the end:

Steph: you rock.

But I also need to brag on Steph’s sister, “Aunt Addy”, who took a break from law school and her summer internship and flew all the way from Oklahoma just to spend 2 days helping us celebrate.

Oh, and did you see the cake she made? That was some cake mix, vanilla icing, vanilla fondant, and food coloring before she got ahold of it!

“Aunt Addy”: you rock too.

When “Aunt Katie” and “Uncle Anthony” (and honorary “Aunt ‘Lisha”) pulled into the driveway, Josiah was hiding in his room with the door shut, because he was freaked out by all the people in our living room. But they walked right through the crowd, found him, gave him a new bat and ball and hat, and brightened his day right on up…

And then there’s Steph’s parents and grandparents who drove down from Virginia…. in her mom’s case, that was after working all night.

Or our friends who postponed a trip to the beach for a couple of hours to celebrate with us.

Or our friends who found time between raising twin babies, selling their home, and getting a graduate degree to come spend a few hours with us.

Or our friends who manage to pull off a 4-jobs, 2-kids lifestyle but still made time to come celebrate with us.

Or my mom who brought enough vegetables to feed a soccer team and a big carton of home-made salsa.

I was overwhelmed by all the grace our friends showed us this weekend.

To everyone who made time to come help us celebrate our daughter (and the end of a year with a toddler AND a baby under one roof):

Thank you so much.

You rock.

]]> http://www.therieslands.com/2011/08/03/can-i-brag-for-a-minute/feed/ 3 http://www.therieslands.com/2011/06/02/a-few-more-vacation-photos/ http://www.therieslands.com/2011/06/02/a-few-more-vacation-photos/#comments Thu, 02 Jun 2011 11:03:55 +0000 Zack http://www.therieslands.com/?p=5347 We’re walking out of the “Burro Loco” in Myrtle Beach.

I see a rustic decoration.

Steph sees a photo opp.

30 seconds later, we have a few more photos that we need to find some room on the walls for:

There are lots of reasons for that, and I suppose I’ll eventually make the time to catch the world up on what’s been going on in our lives.

But in the meantime, here’s the first photo from the 2011 Riesland Summer Vacation.

Oh, and here’s the shameless plug: If you want photos like this all over your walls, you should hire my wife!

Josiah and I had some fun while Steph and Kharis played with the camera:

Like any good ‘generation Y’ parents, we captured the moment.

Chewing on her bib.... we figured that since she tries to eat everything, then real food would be a breeze.

Already giving me a 'dad, put the camera away' look

First impression: What the!?!?

This is NOT milk!

Yep, spit it out.

Or, if you prefer these fancy new “motion” pictures:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlJxJYZSp8M

Worry not though, friends. She’s eating like a champ now!

But just in case you don’t come around here very often, here are a few of my favorite posts from 2010.

In no particular order:

Kharis Laughing

Josiah Turned Two

The Orange Chair : Kharis Version

Kharis’ First Video

Josiah Video

Kharis’ Baby Shower

Josiah Toddling Around Southpoint Mall

A Couple Of Josiah’s First Steps

My Thoughts Going In To 2010

Pray for me y’all.

This little girl could ask me for a unicorn and I’d find a way to get one for her…

This was about half-way in.

More photos coming, eventually….

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjHQCBhTHGw

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