Merry Christmas

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I have decided to consolidate all the crazy Christmas into one slideshow as it lasted over three weekends and visits with all kinds of family some in person and some via skype. We love all of you and thank you for a very blessed Christmas season!

A Christmas Show

We have been so happy with Vivi's preschool and here is another reason. They do a little Christmas production both in her gymnastics class and in the chapel. Unfortunately, my camera was acting up quite a bit, but I did catch a couple shots. Isaac particularly enjoyed the gymnastics class which makes me think we've got to get him in Little Gyms. The teacher even put out some cushions for him to play on while we "watched" big sister. She did really well at her headstand! Also, we enjoyed hearing and watching her sing all the Christmas songs. She didn't miss one word this year (as opposed to last year)! She's really becoming such a big girl.

A Rudolph Treat

Rudolph seems to be a theme running through our house a little bit more this year. We had our Sunday school party and Vivi and I decided to make a fun dessert- Rudolph cupcakes. I was real impressed with how they turned out and Vivi and I LOVED making them. She helped mix the red velvet cake and sort the M&M's for the eyes and nose. I'd love to take full credit but I saw these in a magazine. Still, lots of fun. I'm only sorry I didn't get a picture of us all dressed up for the party. Oh well, we still had a lovely time in our friend's home and enjoyed the treats of all kinds!

A Visit with a Good Friend

Recently, we got to have Nick's best friend and his family over for a visit all the way from Atlanta! Isaac and their little one Campbell are close in age, and Nick believes are betrothed. Good try daddy! Here are a few shots of Isaac and Vivi playing with Isaac's new toy and the visit with Campbell. Thanks Zach and Garyn for making time to visit.

Casa- Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer show

Vivi and I got to experience something new recently that I had to share. Her new preschool has been so good. They plan all kinds of fun parties, great crafts, and neat field trips. This Christmas they took a trip to Casa Manana to see Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. It was great! We had never been there! I was very impressed with the level of singing and acting- a good show and they keep it short for the young one's- 1 hour. We will definitely have to catch another show there. Here's a shot with her cute reindeer shirt with mommy and good friend Marla. Thanks to Nana for watching Isaac and Tish for driving us there!

Putting up the Tree

Here are a couple of shots of the kids with our tree. We enjoyed putting up our tree and honestly, it was late for us so I was chomping at the bit to get it done. As you may have read previously, we had to delay Isaac's birthday party quite a bit, so this delayed Christmas decorations. Anyway, we have a tree and have been enjoying it tremendously. We buy decorations from every place we travel so it is very sentimental putting this all together and recounting all the places we've been. This year, the most significant ornament was this past summer's ornament from our coast trip. It is almost funny the one we chose is a shell with a hole in the middle and a pearl hanging in there. I told Nick that this was very symbolic of this trip. It was NOT the perfect trip by far, but God has used this trip and I believe will continue to use the accident that happened on the trip to produce something good in us and even in our friendship with my sister and her family. (If you're totally confused look for the post from this past summer on our coast trip.) The beautiful shell with the hole symbolizes the imperfection and the pearl the beauty that God can make from the trials or broken expectations of our lives. I hope you all enjoy this process and have time to reflect on the meaning of the season and how God has blessed your lives so richly over the last year.

Our Attempts for a Christmas Card-Failed!

I don't know about all of you, but when we set out so determined to get the perfect shot we usually fail around here. Kids don't cooperate, someone gets sick, or we just can't quite capture it. You know? This was one of those attempts, and I actually kind of find it funny. This is my kids in "true" form. Look at those cute outfits though.

Isaac had a party-FINALLY!!

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So, after three reschedules we finally got to have us a Robot & Monster Mash! YEAH!!! It was a great time of playdoh monsters, an impossible pinata, Yo Gabba Gabba cutout game, homemade robots for deco, and some cute cupcakes. Thanks friends that could make it. We had a lovely time.

Happy Turkey Day

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This year I am especially grateful for Thanksgiving as everyone was healthy even if only for that one day! Everyone even extended family (which have also been sick) were feeling good, were able to eat well, and just relax together. That has been so rare these days for us all to feel well, not be working and be together that I will treasure this Thanksgiving I believe for years to come.

Fall Session

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In an attempt to update some pictures in our house, I booked a photo session with an outside company and then had to reschedule three times!! Finally, I had both kids healthy so we took them in and I ended up with three "decent" shots. I got copies of those, but I think I did better on my own letting the kids run around Nana's secret garden. Enjoy the slideshow.

Is it Isaac or Nick?

Sweet muffins

The other night, mommy got a break to go out with some friends, and daddy stayed home and made some sweet muffins with the kids. Unfortunately, they made Vivi sick, but that could just be the viscious bug that's going around and won't seem to leave us alone!

We have ourselves a two year old!

A few weeks back, Isaac finally turned two. Unfortunately, he was very sick on his birthday but I guess it didn't happen until after his breakfast and he got one fun gift. Can you guess what kind of party he may have? (If we can ever get everyone healthy!!!) I just love this series of shots. Thanks Missie. I think the Yo Gabba Gabba was a hit amongst all the kids in our house!

My Builders

You probably won't see so many posts from November as we've been battling off the stomach bug in a MAJOR way! Here are a few shots of my little builders. The one weekend mommy got the bug, daddy took the kids outside to help with rebuilding our back fence and they were hammering machines! Check out these hard workers.

Happy Halloween- Toy Story!

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Hello faithful readers! This year we sported a whole family theme for Halloween-Toy Story! The whole idea started with dialogue to Vivi and my niece Chloe about what/who they wanted to be and Vivi said Slinkydog her fav character and Chloe went back and forth between Bullseye and Jesse. Then we took it out from there. Enjoy the pics.

Signs of Fall

Here are a few pictures that represent this beautiful time of year. Early in the season, Vivi would see pumpkins and say "Mommy look pumpkins-your favorite time of the year!" She started saying it with all kind of signs of fall-scarecrows, mums, etc. She's right; I truly love the fall because of the mild temperatures and the start of so many things. Honestly, I think it's one of the times it's hard to deny a creator as nature just turns beautiful! Unfortunately, I haven't caught a sunset on my camera but hopefully these others will bring a smile to your face.