Merry Christmas!

Well.

 It has been a while, hasn't it. Waiting this long to blog can get really overwhelming to me as I feel like I have so much to catch up on. I'm not going to do that, though--just gonna pick up where I left off, because life flies by and there is way too much to post. I will just do a quick snippet of the past few months, and then focus on the past few weeks--CHRISTMAS!

 October and the beginning of November were spent surrounded by my favorite people. ;) We managed to get a family picture of all nineteen of us which was quite the experience! Special thanks to Devin and Sarah for putting up with us while we yelled, screamed, laughed and tried to be somewhat organized...the picture actually turned out GREAT considering how many of us there are!

Not too long after the last of them had trickled out, my best friend, her husband and baby came to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. Thanksgiving gets higher and higher in my book every year, and it is just about level with Christmas. Cooking and baking and eating and focusing on what we're thankful for--the whole week is focused on our blessings and I love it so much.

We didn't go home for Christmas this year, so we were able to experience all we could here during the month of December. Of course we started off the month by picking out our tree, even though it was 70 degrees that day and didn't feel a thing like Christmas.

Traditions continue: youngest puts on the first ornament and works up from there.

Tree Lighting

Last day of school before Christmas break!

Baking with Aunt Allaina 

Trail of Lights

Young adults Christmas banquet

 Best thing ever... SNOW! They made snow at a nearby outdoor mall and even though it was a total mad house, it was such a great memory for the kids! 

During Christmas week, we rented a huge house with Nate's side of the family and stayed there for a few days. It was a total blast! The house had 2 fireplaces, 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms and was a total maze--easy to get lost in. ha! We cherished every moment spent together--talks, games, late nights, shopping and  eating and walking on the beautiful river walk.

The family picture this year... I am so thankful for my "in-laws"--it doesn't even feel right to call them that because they are truly like my own family.

When we came home from our mini vacation, I had a few hours to dash around and prepare food for our Christmas Eve party we hosted after church and Christmas brunch the next morning. It was so much fun and I promise to blog about it all soon.

 Until then, I hope each of you had a wonderful Fall and Christmas season. I am overwhelmed with God's mercies which are new every morning!

Four-in-One

I am way behind in blogging, but I've found a little time right now so I figured I would catch up from the last month or so! Here's 4 posts in 1...

ONE MONTH

 Nicolas was one month here, and I thought it would be fun to do a monthly picture on my chair to see how he grows over time. As you can see we were dealing with a lot of baby acne and skin troubles then which thankfully has gone away now (he's almost 2 months!). At his 6 week check up he was 10 pounds, which was surprising as he looked a lot smaller but he's long limbed as they said. He was still eating quite often during the night and Mommy had some very emotional days that mainly stemmed from the exhaustion. My tip to all Moms that can't "sleep when baby sleeps" because of other kids--hang in there! After about 6 weeks or so it got much better and I actually am feeling human again!

 I think I've said it a lot, but Nick is really such a great baby. Happy and content when he's awake and only fusses if he's hungry, needs to be changed or tired. He is the center of attention in this house!

5 YEARS OLD

 On September 22nd, my sweet Joe turned 5 years old. I can hardly believe it--5 is a big one! Unfortunately I got a really bad stomach flu, but daddy came through and made him mac and cheese for dinner and put together his strawberry ice cream cake, complete with homemade graham crackers crust!

 Joe has been such a sweet big brother and helper to me now that Brooke is at school all day. He is sweet and sensitive, very obedient and loves to help and calm the baby down if he's fussy. Joe loves to compliment and hug--he is going to make a lady feel very special some day. ;) He loves to tell me I looks beautiful and give me a huge hug, and he always says the sweetest things to his Aunts when he Facetime's them. He is very curious and inquisitive about spiritual things and I really think that he'll get saved soon. 

THE BIKE RODEO

 A few weeks ago was church's annual bike rodeo. The kids were so excited--it's definitely a highlight of their year! They love dressing up and look so forward to all the activities that the day entails. I mainly look forward to the cute photo op ;).

My gorgeous brother and sister-in-laws family! They go all out and looked SO cute!

AROUND THE HOUSE

 See what I mean about him being so sweet? I can't even handle it sometimes. I have to pick my heart up off the puddle on the floor.

He is doing so well in school! His writing, reading and spelling have all improved immensely. I'm so proud of him, because he works really hard!

At the slightest hint of fall weather, I'm all, get all the hats and hoodies and boots. They are totally unnecessary but who cares? It looks adorable.

Speaking of puddles...

 We potty trained this week.

 It did not go well.

 After day 5, he is back in diapers. Oh yes he is.

 We'll try again next week.

And speaking of next week, it's that time of year again: FAMILY! The first of them arrive in a few days and I cannot wait. It's also the busy season for me with photography, so I can't promise many posts in the coming weeks, but I'll try. ;)