So The Celebrating Begins...

February is a big birthday month for us! There are 9 birthdays in our immediate family alone! Today was Ethan's birthday and my grandmother's 80th birthday party. Almost all the family came in town to celebrate, so we spent the bulk of the day honoring her and then headed out so we could get a short nap before the Spurs game we were taking Ethan and Isaiah to.

 

Blueberry pancakes were Ethan's request for breakfast, complete with cool whip with a strawberry on top! 

 On the way home, we stopped to have ice cream with Grammy and Papa.

 Too much sugar for this day but you can't say no to the birthday boy!

 Excited for our friends to join us at the game!!

GO SPURS GO!

 Best friends!

 Happy 7th birthday my sweet boy. You are growing up way too fast!

January In A Flash

So I didn't take many pictures in January. It kinda flew right by us. Some big things happened, though. Josh changed careers and is now working for Northwestern Mutual. This has been several months in the making and he is beyond excited. I am considering this a faith strengthening transition for me. I have definitely become closer to God and realizing that I need to let go of the 'false securities' of this world and put my security in Him, to trust that He will provide for us. We spent a lot of time praying about this decision, and though its been difficult so far, we both believe that this is the path God wants us on.

Here are a few random pictures from this month.

 Isaiah is now riding bikes, but I think we need to look for a bigger bike...

 Jacob is obsessed with brushing his teeth. Ok, really its not brushing, its more like sucking the dot of toothpaste I put on there! I am trying to teach him the brushing movement though.

 The boys finally painted their birdhouses they got from Aunt Debbi for Christmas. They are hanging in the backyard, but we haven't put any seed in them. Maybe we should do that...

S'more Please!

After celebrating Christmas with my dad's family, we hopped over to the Harrison's for some good 'ole s'mores. Unfortunately, Ethan wasn't feeling great so we didn't stay long, but I love this picture of the boys and their best friends!

Christmas

Christmas morning came and went so fast! Mom and dad showed up just before the boys woke up and I barely had time to get the camera before they had started with the gifts!

 My Granny got Jacob this jumpsuit and I think he looks so cute!

Josh got a very nice pellet gun from his parents...he can't wait to shoot some dove in our backyard.

So another Christmas morning gone. Its just so fast! We went to my aunt's house for a quick lunch and then off to Josh's parents for Christmas with his family. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much family!

Christmas Eve

After our annual Christmas Eve service at church, we headed over to my mom's for our Christmas celebration. Check out this fireplace....think that is too many stockings?? There is one for each of us kids and spouses, my mom, Landy, and little ones for grandkids. My mom is gonna need a bigger mantel!

 Landy always does a great job with the gifts! He picked out this cool 4wheeler for Jacob. He doesn't have a great face here because he's tired, but he loves it.

 Isaiah and Ethan both got these trucks with trailers...they also loved them.

 Landy also always gives my mom some really nice gift, usually a trip somewhere, and this year he did not disappoint. They are going to New York for her birthday! She is beyond excited!

 Ethan showed some interest in my mom's piano and she taught him jingle bells. She got him a small piano so he could practice.

So we had a great night. Nana, Jerry, and Laura were there too. It was a lovely time!

After we got home, we set out cookies and milk for Santa and put the boys to bed. Thankfully, I had all the presents wrapped, so all we had to do was bring out Santa's gifts and then off to bed for us too!

Minivan Express

I thought I was so cool for implementing a neat idea I saw on pinterest, but I guess I wasn't the only cool mom because alot of people had the same plan! Anyway, based on the book 'The Polar Express', we surprised the kids as they were getting ready for bed with a minivan express ticket. They were super excited! Complete with popcorn and hot chocolate, we set out after baths to see some lights! This was the only picture I got because I was in a hurry. I decided to put the camera away after I spilled one of the hot chocolate mugs all over myself while punching the kid's tickets as we were getting into the car. Oh well. We drove over to the famous Windcrest lights and saw some really great decorated houses. This is definitely a tradition for years to come!

Gingerbread Competition

Tonight at the Harrison's the kids decorated gingerbread houses. I was excited for this because December just flew by us and I didn't get to do half the things I wanted to with the kids. So we separated all the candies and, with parent's help, they got busy on their creations! The pictures didn't turn out that well but glad I got the memories on camera!

 Josh helped Ethan with a few things on his...you can see him checking it out in the background!

After the kids finished, we parents went to work on a little friendly competition. We each constructed our house and then lined them up for the kids to vote. Ryan's won, thanks to his elaborate two-story house. Didn't get pictures of those, but I think we might have a new tradition! Making memories!