November?

Did November happen? I'm sure it did.  I have pictures and tons of life changes to prove it, but good grief, it was a blur!  Until I can catch my breath, here are some moments...

Susanna is learning all about "boy fun".  She's been a good sport so far.

This was our first family meal with everyone in attendance.

These boys love their sister.

You know Eli loves her if he'll let her do this!

Little girl clothes are so fun!

We spent Thanksgiving week in Georgia playing with cousins.  Rae is great with Susanna.

Judah and Micah having fun together.  

Susanna and Grandma Clair having some snuggle time.

November has come and gone, and we do have some sweet memories from it.  We also have a new house.  That is another story...

Star Wars Invasion

Because my two oldest boys have never been into dressing up except for when they know everyone else is going to be dressed up as well, I try to be very economical when it comes to Halloween costumes. (Translation: I'm cheap.)  This year Amazon.com has been my best friend for Christmas gifts and, alas, for Halloween costumes. The boys are thrilled and I can check it off my list.

I give you...Boba Fett and Jango Fett. No idea who they are? Neither did I.  Here, if you're curious.

My Mother's Day

After being (sort of) left to myself to sleep in Saturday morning, I was awakened by my boys to my Mother's Day breakfast.

 They were so proud to have this to present to me, and I enjoyed every bite.

When Kris asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day I knew what to request.  We spent the day doing things on my list that had been growing of things that I either needed help to do or just needed the motivation of having someone doing it with me to get it done.  We also swam in the neighbor's pool and relaxed.  Kris cleaned, did the grocery shopping and finished just about everything on my list.  I think it was probably my happiest Mother's Day to date because I felt so adored by my boys.  

Thank you, all my boys, for loving on me and showing me how much you love and appreciate me.  I have the best job in the world!

Judah's End of the Year Programs

Judah had his first Thanksgiving and Christmas programs at preschool.  He's not the biggest fan of being on stage.  But he certainly is cute.

Seriously want to kiss. those. lips!

I know Kris' mom is not going to love this picture of herself, as it is not an accurate depiction of her, but it is the only proof I have that anyone was there to support him at his debut. 

This is all I have of the Christmas program because he made it halfway through Jingle Bells and then completely lost it. He and I spent the rest of the program trying to get it back together.  Thankfully he won't have to do it again for a few months.

Pumpkin Party 2011

Our church has a Pumpkin Party on Halloween every year. With all the bounce houses, popcorn, games, snow cones and lots and lots of candy we have a great time! 

I was very happy with the fact that both my big boys were totally fine with homemade costumes.  I stole the idea of a ninja from a friend (Thanks, Catherine!). So, along with a tshirt from Kris' closet, we used last year's batman costume, my black winter gloves and a sword from the Dollar Tree to turn Luke into a fierce looking ninja.

At the last minute Eli decided he wanted to be a ghost.  I had a random single white sheet in the linen closet, so after five minutes of snipping here and there he was set.  Of course, the costume lasted about five minutes too because he couldn't see, but he happy with his costume.

  

Judah borrowed a costume from his cousin (Thanks, Tripp!), and he was the cutest tiger ever.  I couldn't get him to face the camera, so this is the best shot I could get.

After the Pumpkin Party we hit a few houses in the neighborhood behind us for a little trick or treating.  Judah, as usual, was not about to be left behind and followed his brothers right up to the front door. 

The only picture of all three of them together...

So, all total, the night cost us a dollar and gas money.  Well worth the fun we had.  I would like to say I'm trying to teach my children that they don't have to have $30 dollar costumes or all the brand new stuff to be happy.  Borrowed and home made is just a fun.  But really, I'm just grateful they don't know any better yet.  We'll keep riding this train as long as we can!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Pumpkin Party

Our church has an annual "Pumpkin Party" on Halloween. We've had costumes several years in a row, but this is the first time both boys were excited about wearing them. Luke remembered going to the Pumpkin Party last year, so he was really excited about going, jumping on the bounce houses and playing miniature golf. It was a fun night, and I had to drag both of them away from the putt-putt course when the only people left were the cleaning crew.

Quite possibly the cutest Superman ever.

Taking a break from saving the world. The cape was my favorite part; it made me laugh.

Practicing for his match against Tiger Woods.

If you couldn't tell, Luke was a firefighter. I was his hat and axe carrier.

A few days later when Luke was helping Eli learn how to ride a bike. I think the goggles helped Eli's concentration.

A Fun Day With Cousins

While we were in Georgia we got to spend a day and a night at Kate's. She was so generous in giving up her space and peace, beds, lots of food, and an enormous amount of diapers and wipes, since I didn't realize until after being there for a while that Eli had a stomach bug. Thankfully, it was only in the form of an upset tummy with no vomiting involved and no one else got it. (Except Grandma. Sorry!) Whew, I would have felt like a terrible person if I had gotten her kids sick after using all her diapers.

I tried to get some nice pictures of her kids, but we didn't get as much time as I would have liked. We needed four more pairs of hands for it to happen, but what I did get was great.

I couldn't resist this picture since it reminded me that David and Luke both loved peeing outside all day! What boys!
I have no idea what they're looking at, but they're mesmerized.
David showing off his skills on his skateboard.

Unfortunately, all I could get from David were silly faces and fake smiles. But he's still so cute!

Rae was more than happy to cheese it up for me!

Christmas in Georgia 2008

In lieu of a lengthy post about all we did while in Georgia, I posted pictures. Okay, okay, I'm just being lazy. But they are some great pictures!

Grandaddy's fancy, new tractor!

Uncle Mark, David and Luke

The two Rae's

Michael, Rae and Raeanna

(Just for clarification, Raeanna does not have a baby. That's Kate's Rae. Don't want to start any rumors.)

Grandaddy and Luke on the four wheeler while Luke daydreams about one day owning one himself.

Eli enjoying the new trampoline

Sleepy Uncle Mark

Getting pumped about presents

Grandma Clair, Eli and me