The Holidays

The holidays were filled with fun and family. Joseph was able to join in too this year with big sister telling him ALL about the true meaning of Christmas. "Joseph, Christmas is about giving and Baby Jesus. Mary and Joseph went to Bethlemhem..." and her stories go on and on. Love it!

Started with a few snowflakes on the windows...


...a few new decorations to add to the tree to remember these precious faces in years to come...



...the tree, re-decorated numerous times by Kate and Joseph


...and last but not least...

My boy taking a much needed break after all that heard work :o)
Then there was the memorable Thanksgiving Day attempt at taking Christmas pics. So didn't happen.
Just some silly time inbetween the Christmas School Program. Angels We Have
Heard on High will forever have a special place in Kate's heart since she got to wear the "biggest angels wings"...at least that is how she saw it.

Christmas celebrations began a week early for the kids with some friendly visitors who came bearing some awesome gifts. Thanks, Mom and Dad for all the pj's, books, gingerbread houses and trains, pony rides and tons of love!












Christmas Eve brought more time spent with family and of course, presents too!






The role playing was too cute to watch. Joseph usually was delagated to be a shepherd or cow, but he didn't seem to mind as long as he was able to be a part.



Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and may you know the peace of our God all the year long!

HaPpy ThA nKsGivinG

All I want for Christmas is...a family picture...and I don't even mean a portrait or anything formal. Just some documented proof that we are indeed a family, that there are currently four of us and I would prefer for it to capture how much we LOVE being a family.

Well, tonight was an attempt. Didn't go so hot! I am almost certain every family has these moments, but positive that no one catches these moments quite like this! In case the picture doesn't explain it enough, allow me to narrate: Joseph- completely undone by the fact we as parents told him he had to wait to eat his dessert...just long enough to say "cheese"; Kate- already done smiling for the camera as this was one of the final takes of the photo op; Michael- had the sneaky suscpision from the start that this was not set up well; and then me- desperate for any possible picture that could possibly turn out but deep down knowing tonight it just wasn't going to happen.

Although it may appear quite the contrary, we DID have a very relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving as I hope you did too!

Fall Frenzy, Fall Leaves, Fall Princess Party

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I am a Promise

Yesterday I came home and Kate had a surprise for me that she had been working on all day. She is too cute! Today she performed her surprise multiple times all by herself with personality, passion and flair!

Becoming friends

I absolutely LOVE when these two not only get along, but play together! A process which is slowly but surely becoming more common!

Cider Mill Day

Mama Lynn and Papa T went with us to Yates Cider Mill...warm donuts, fresh apple cider, perfect autumn weather & great company all made for a fantastic morning! Thanks for the wonderful, fun-filled visit, Mama Lynn and Papa! We love you!

time with friends, family & the zoo

Finally back to posting now and then. Who would think that reviewing for a silly recertification exam could take up so much time?! It's over and done...for another 7 years anyway. So weird to think that Kate will be ten at that point and I...almost 40? Surely my math is off! Here are just some random snapshots of the past month of our summer: Sidewalk painting the porch ''

Zoo fun

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As we walked through the aviary, Kate plugged her nose the entire time. Upon exiting, the promptly lets go of her nose as says, "Well that was quite stinky!