I always forget about this neat function on the camera where you can select a certain color to come through in an all black and white photo. I had to read my camera's manual when I got this idea, but I think it turned out just as cute as can be.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Santa Baby ~ The cuteness just keeps on coming out!
Oh my goodness! We just love this little Santa Baby. We really do compare him to Santa because he is so jolly all the time and has the cutest little round cheeks. I cannot even begin to pick my favorite of these pictures.
I always forget about this neat function on the camera where you can select a certain color to come through in an all black and white photo. I had to read my camera's manual when I got this idea, but I think it turned out just as cute as can be.
I always forget about this neat function on the camera where you can select a certain color to come through in an all black and white photo. I had to read my camera's manual when I got this idea, but I think it turned out just as cute as can be.
Cousin Reade is 3 -- Celebrating Like A Jedi!
Cousin Reade is another big Star Wars fan so there was no question about what kind of birthday party he would want this year. Well, actually, he prefers the "darker" side of Star Wars and is a big fan of Darth Vader and Darth Maul. Haha! He is such a funny little guy, and we just love his little quick wit and sense of humor! Like when he started potty training at school a few weeks ago, and when his Mommy asked him at home when he wanted to use the potty again, he said very matter of factly "Tuesday." Haha!
The birthday boy enjoys some yummy snacks.
Many of Reade's little school friends came to his party.
Evan really liked Reade's Star Wars balloons and centerpiece.
Reade's Mommy got some cute and yummy Star Wars cupcakes with Yoda, Chewbacca, and light sabres on them.
Little Yoda gets a Yoda cupcake.
Reade's Daddy had to surgically remove Yoda from Reade's cupcake because he didn't want to eat him.
Happy Birthday, Big Cousin Reade!
Cupcake -- Yum!
Brody made a new friend at the birthday party too.
Brody really loves wrapping paper and bows...Christmas is going to be so fun!
The birthday boy enjoys some yummy snacks.
Many of Reade's little school friends came to his party.
Evan really liked Reade's Star Wars balloons and centerpiece.
Reade's Mommy got some cute and yummy Star Wars cupcakes with Yoda, Chewbacca, and light sabres on them.
Little Yoda gets a Yoda cupcake.
Reade's Daddy had to surgically remove Yoda from Reade's cupcake because he didn't want to eat him.
Happy Birthday, Big Cousin Reade!
Cupcake -- Yum!
Brody made a new friend at the birthday party too.
Brody really loves wrapping paper and bows...Christmas is going to be so fun!
A Day at the Firehouse!
It's a boy thing! They just all want to grow up to be heroes and save the day! I really think this was the best idea for a boy's birthday party. Evan's soccer and t-ball buddy, Porter, had his 5th birthday party at a local firestation. The party was easy to plan and fun for all and was even tax deductible (the only charge for the location was a tax deductible donation to the firestation). Can't beat that deal, huh? The boys (and there were quite a few of them) all enjoyed just running around playing on the fire trucks and seeing the firemen. It was a great day to be a boy! Eddie is friends with all the local volunteer and professional fire stations in our area because of his job responding to all the outside fire calls. He enjoyed getting to spend some time with his buddies during the party and has been wanting to take Evan to meet the guys too.
Our little fireman in front of the big red truck.
He has been wanting to be some kind of fireman for a while now...maybe since Nana and Papa gave him his little ride-on fire truck when he was a year old! Or maybe just since Daddy let him turn on his sirens in his own fire truck. ;-)
He loved checking out the truck.
Waiting to climb aboard!
Sitting on the front of the truck.
Little brother got to check it out too.
Daddy and his boys on the big red truck.
Wow, that's a lot of boys...but they were so good and were seriously entertained by this fire truck for an hour. Boys are just EASY like that! Yes, there was one little girl in the mix, and she didn't mind at all!
Evan drives the truck!
Birthday boy Porter takes the wheel!
Porter's little brother liked all the buttons.
Evan strikes a pose. I think he plans to use this photo for his dating profile picture. Haha!
Or maybe this one.
Evan and his firemen buddies.
Evan and Cole, another pal from soccer and t-ball.
The birthday boy!
Porter's Dad gets to play with fire at the firehouse.
Porter with his Mom and Dad.
Evan gets a yummy cupcake.
Brody enjoyed some cupcake icing.
Our little fireman in front of the big red truck.
He has been wanting to be some kind of fireman for a while now...maybe since Nana and Papa gave him his little ride-on fire truck when he was a year old! Or maybe just since Daddy let him turn on his sirens in his own fire truck. ;-)
He loved checking out the truck.
Waiting to climb aboard!
Sitting on the front of the truck.
Little brother got to check it out too.
Daddy and his boys on the big red truck.
Wow, that's a lot of boys...but they were so good and were seriously entertained by this fire truck for an hour. Boys are just EASY like that! Yes, there was one little girl in the mix, and she didn't mind at all!
Evan drives the truck!
Birthday boy Porter takes the wheel!
Porter's little brother liked all the buttons.
Evan strikes a pose. I think he plans to use this photo for his dating profile picture. Haha!
Or maybe this one.
Evan and his firemen buddies.
Evan and Cole, another pal from soccer and t-ball.
The birthday boy!
Porter's Dad gets to play with fire at the firehouse.
Porter with his Mom and Dad.
Evan gets a yummy cupcake.
Brody enjoyed some cupcake icing.
Videos: Brody in action!
Brody is just doing so much these days that photos just don't capture. He has really come alive and is trying to get around, talk, and play like a big boy.
Video: Brody tries to crawl!
Video: Brody drives his first car at the mall.
Video: Brody learns to play like a big kid and sat in front of this little puzzle game for a long time totally entertained! He is just so curious and really loves to figure stuff out on his own now.
Video: Man, he just jibberjabs all day long. He is definitely going to be a talker like his big brother. Sometimes he sounds like he is trying to say "mama," "dada," "lalala," or some other almost word. He actually started saying "lalala" after I sang the Elmo song (La la la la, la la la la, Elmo's song). He was definitely trying to sing along.
Video: Brody tries to crawl!
Video: Brody drives his first car at the mall.
Video: Brody learns to play like a big kid and sat in front of this little puzzle game for a long time totally entertained! He is just so curious and really loves to figure stuff out on his own now.
Video: Man, he just jibberjabs all day long. He is definitely going to be a talker like his big brother. Sometimes he sounds like he is trying to say "mama," "dada," "lalala," or some other almost word. He actually started saying "lalala" after I sang the Elmo song (La la la la, la la la la, Elmo's song). He was definitely trying to sing along.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
The Sweetest Present Under the Tree!
Yes, I know he is not a newborn, but he is our family's best Christmas present. He has brought us so much joy all year long. We love you, little snuggle bug!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Where's the line to see Jesus?
I love Christmas! I love seeing the excitement on little children's faces when they talk about Santa and the presents he will bring them. I love all of our happy Christmas traditions that we have shared through the years. But sometimes we have to stop and wonder "What's it all for?" Of course, as a Christian, I believe the Christmas season is about celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know many go through the motions of "celebrating" this holiday as just another tradition or day off from work on the calendar. Although I enjoy sharing the fun traditions of Santa and giving presents with my children, I have strived every year to incorporate the true meaning of Christmas into this season. We have several traditions we began with Evan to help show him the true meaning of Christmas: (1) We sit down to watch a movie about the nativity story and talk about when and why Jesus was born. (2) We read the Biblical Christmas story. (3) We make Jesus a birthday cake on Christmas Eve and go to our church's Christmas Eve service. Enjoy watching the beautiful music video below and hopefully you will also think of ways to share and incorporate the true meaning of Christmas into your Christmas traditions. Also, please notice that I do not like to use the term "Holiday" in place of Christmas. It just doesn't feel right to me!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Thankful for Miracles!
A friend on Facebook recently shared this sad story about a family in our hometown who recently lost everything in a fire. It really makes you count your blessings and remember what is truly important in life. If I were home right now, I would be hugging and squeezing my babies and husband! Please join me in praying for this family:
http://groeneveldfamily.blogspot.com/2011/12/to-god-be-glory.html
As you can see from their blog, they are missionaries scheduled to return to Africa next year with their three young children. They are also both nurses who give selflessly to others everyday of their lives. My heart breaks for the many memories they have lost in this fire because I am so attached to the photographs and memorabilia of my children and family. The loss of those items is tragic, but the loss of any of their lives would be unimaginable. Thank you, God, for keeping this family safe! Please help me to remember that every blessing I have comes from you and can be taken in a second, and please help me remember to always keep you first in my life and remember that treasures on earth are not what we are meant to treasure most.
If you can and are willing, you can find out how you can help this family by visiting their church's website here:
http://www.faithfwbc.com/
http://groeneveldfamily.blogspot.com/2011/12/to-god-be-glory.html
As you can see from their blog, they are missionaries scheduled to return to Africa next year with their three young children. They are also both nurses who give selflessly to others everyday of their lives. My heart breaks for the many memories they have lost in this fire because I am so attached to the photographs and memorabilia of my children and family. The loss of those items is tragic, but the loss of any of their lives would be unimaginable. Thank you, God, for keeping this family safe! Please help me to remember that every blessing I have comes from you and can be taken in a second, and please help me remember to always keep you first in my life and remember that treasures on earth are not what we are meant to treasure most.
If you can and are willing, you can find out how you can help this family by visiting their church's website here:
http://www.faithfwbc.com/
Sunday, December 4, 2011
A Visit With Santa
Of course, we had to pay our favorite jolly ol' man a visit this year so the boys could whisper what they want this year. Evan was prepared with his list: a Wii and some batteries (for all those electronic toys we can never keep batteries in). I suppose a year's supply isn't too much to ask for, right? Hehe! Brody enjoyed his first meeting with our dear ol' Santa (yes, he was the same one we always visit)...the one and only real one, of course. (*wink*) Although Brody didn't pull his beard as his big brother did at his own first meeting, Brody seemed content to sit on the big guy's lap and be read a story. Brody and Santa do have something in common -- they are both pretty jolly!
Waiting at the door for Santa.
Big brother shows Brody what to do.
Santa seems to like this little guy.
Santa reads Brody a story.
Our boys share Santa's lap!
Waiting at the door for Santa.
Big brother shows Brody what to do.
Santa seems to like this little guy.
Santa reads Brody a story.
Our boys share Santa's lap!
Meet Brewster
We started a new tradition this year.
Yep, our Elf on the Shelf came to stay with us.
Evan named him Brewster after his Pilgrim name from school...that was still fresh in his mind, I guess. I do think Brewster is actually a very cool name for an elf or a person! We also think Brewster looks amazingly similar to Brody...notice the full round cheeks, long lashes, and big mischievous grin?
Evan wanted to show Brewster his gingerbread man he made at school this week to tell Santa.
Brewster has already made our mornings more fun by making it a game to find Brewster's new hiding spot. We have already discovered that Brewster likes candy canes and will be making more discoveries as the weeks go by until Christmas.
Yep, our Elf on the Shelf came to stay with us.
Evan named him Brewster after his Pilgrim name from school...that was still fresh in his mind, I guess. I do think Brewster is actually a very cool name for an elf or a person! We also think Brewster looks amazingly similar to Brody...notice the full round cheeks, long lashes, and big mischievous grin?
Evan wanted to show Brewster his gingerbread man he made at school this week to tell Santa.
Brewster has already made our mornings more fun by making it a game to find Brewster's new hiding spot. We have already discovered that Brewster likes candy canes and will be making more discoveries as the weeks go by until Christmas.
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