2 mos - Samira with Auntie Anna, her godmother 

2 years - pouring practice 

2 years/2 mos - romping 

2 mos/2 years - walkabout 

1 month - a little bundle on the vast expanse of our Cal-King bed (which, incidentally, we picked up for free)

1 month - all bundled up after bathtime (incidentally, she already anticipates her afternoon baths ... in a negative way. We're going to try sponge baths for a while till we can convince her to like the full version again.)

1 month - Enjoying the new mobile from Auntie Anna

2 years - Favorite hiding spot in the courtyard

2 years - new "class pet" (for a day) - a little caterpillar who enjoyed the watermelon as much as Justin and co.

2 years - Watermelon Yummies with Justin and his buddies, Devin and Carina

2 years - Summer sun means watermelon fun (the scratch on his face is from a close encounter with a thorn bush - looked kinda ouchy but totally healed up in just three days, to mom's relief)

1 month - Ten little piglets

2 years - Front seat row watching Papa mow the lawn

2 years - First coin collection (finger coordination practice)

2 years/1 month - First thing in the morning Justin wanted to crawl into bed and cuddle with Samira. This is just my favoritest photo of them yet.

2 years/1 month - So cuddly!

2 years - birthday party - at play with all the kids and trying out the new birthday sprinkler - thanks Nina, Charlie, Casey, and Derek!

3 weeks - Looking cute as can be in a little outfit Grandma Dove sent all the way from Holland

2 years - a little chalk talk with some old pals - Devin and Carina

2 years - art is truly Justin's passion (that and books ... and hotwheels ... and ... oh ok a few other things) and we're trying to encourage it with plenty of scribbling tools and opportunities

3 weeks - father and daughter

2 years/3 weeks - sibling playtime

2 years - artsy

23 mos - Seaworld excursion

two weeks old

second week - with Grandpa Jahmai - 8 days old and already grinning in her sleep

first week - Samira Joelle - ain't she purty?

first week - Justin adores his little sister

first week - with our friend Linda who was kind enough to be there with us at Samira's birth

first week - First little walk outside (cocooned snugly as it was a wee bit breezy)

first week - Justin is talking in short sentences now. Here he's saying "Baby's hands!"

first week - "I think, therefore I am ... I think." Introducing Justin's baby sister, Samira Joelle.

23 mos - our one and only Justin Cassell

23 mos - Mom and Justin - one day before his sister entered our world

23 mos - Ella and Justin - she's a new neighbor, and incidentally, she and Justin's baby sister share the same birthday, April 21st

23 mos - Justin and Danny - partners in crime

23 mos - trailblazing (after that first hike with Papa, he insisted on walking the entire 2.6 miles himself this time, despite repeated offers for a ride)

23 mos - sailor apprentice (should I trim his hair...?)

23 mos - combining early learning with snacktime

23 mos - he does love those dogs

23 mos - First time sitting on a horse (only lasted 20 seconds, heh)

23 mos - Little Lord Fauntleroy

22 mos - hitting the trails

22 mos - yep, still crazy about tractors

22 mos - story time with the guys

22 mos - Tot Time playmates

22 mos - kite flying with Papa

22 mos - now it's your turn

22 mos - all by myself

22 mos - it flies!