Snowy Afternoon--e few weeks ago

For Michigan standards this winter has been very mild. Even though I knew better, I was beginning to wonder if the kids were going to get to dress up and play in snow...well, they got their wish for a snow-filled afternoon and I got my wish of a snow-filled afternoon in which the snow melts the very next day! Snow angels,and snowballs, snowy swing rides, snow cones too.

Kate, you love to jump into any type of adventure. Your creativity and humerous comments keep Daddy and I laughing. Jo-Jo, you tend to take a more cautious approach unless it means running into walls, diving out of shopping carts or rolling off the counter, then you go all out. But once you discover how much fun the adventure of the day entails, your smile lights up your handsome face and the fun begins.

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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