so much love

Poppy and Robert came to visit today, and we ate up every moment with them. And today a new tradition was started...Madeline introduced her princess jewelry game to Poppy and Robert and their lives will never be the same!

favorites today

quiet time with the Lord
eating breakfast together with the fire crackling
listening to Evan talk to himself while waiting for me to get him up
carrying both boys in my arms to breakfast
putting the noah's ark puzzle together with Grant
playing on the trampoline with the kids...in the rain
eating snacks outside together
reading books with Evan before nap
watching Madeline draw pictures in her prayer journal
listening to Stuart Little while Madeline drew her pictures
listening to Madeline sound out words in her "Bob" books and giggle at how funny they sound to her
eating dinner as a family
hearing Grant ask for "luvies"
kissing Evan and Grant before bed
hugging Madeline before bed
remembering each moment from the day
savoring them

outside with daddy

Evan LOVES to be outside! Just like Grant, just like Nathan! I don't know if it's a boy thing, because Madeline and I could stay in the house all day in our jammies and never even think about going outside. But the boys get cabin fever pretty quickly unless they are able to spread their wings out in the fresh air!

maddie and me

I let her stay up way too late playing with the computer... she laughed so hard she was cackling!

Last night, I was tucking Madeline into bed. I've been recovering from this horrible cold and have been sleeping in even more each morning (especially after drinking that nyquil!). So I tell her, "Just wake me up in the morning when you get up." She says, "I'm going to sleep in tomorrow. I'm so tired from waking up early and taking care of the boys every day!"

My poor little slave!

mount baldy

Our first trip to the snow with the kids with the Teague's and Uncle Robert....we did well for about an hour, when Grant realized that his feet, legs and hands were wet AND freezing. He and Madeline cried all the way back to the car for some yummy hot cocoa. Totally worth the cold trip!

night time at our house

big girl bed

Complete with Hello Kitty sheets (thanks, Auntie & Uncle Steve)!

playtime after Christmas

still so magical

christmas morning

christmas week

random acts of daily life

our christmas parade

Since Pops is a local firefighter, we were able to sit on the firetruck along with Santa and ride in our downtown Christmas parade. A memory I will cherish forever, watching Grant lit up from being on top of a firetruck, sitting right behind Santa! And Madeline was so proud to smile and wave and all the people around! At one point she said to me, "I'm going to take a break. My face is tired from smiling." Evan just wanted Nathan to let him loose, and had a small fit when Nathan refused to let him crawl around the top of the firetruck. It was a day we will remember forever! Thanks, Pops!

daily life

Madeline practicing her Christmas song for the Christmas piano party at our house...





A year ago today, Evan was due to be born. He showed up a little early and has been keeping us on our toes ever since!