Christmas eve and Christmas day pictures!

Milestones...

I wasn't planning on posting today; however, this girl:

decided today is the day that she would roll over for the first time! And that is definitely worth a post!

She was pretty surprised when she ended up on her tummy--there were a few nervous tears on her part the first time, but these two:

quickly helped her realize her accomplishment (with cheers and hugs and big, big smiles)!

Way to go, Bridget!

Favorite Christmas pictures....

Henry's first Christmas, 2003

Jonah's first Christmas, 2005

Henry and Jonah, 2006

Bridget's first Christmas, 2007

And finally....the whole family in one picture (a rare occurance!), 2007

Five more days 'till Christmas!!!!! :)

This cracked me up . . . .

Buddy, Blanket and Rufus

I know this picture might be a little hard to decipher, but this is Bridget with Rufus. Rufus is a super-soft, floppy-eared, white and green puppy dog. Also known as Bridget's FAVORITE toy in the world! It has become her lovey, and I'm happy with her choice. (By the way, a speical thanks to Beth, my sister-in-law, for giving Bridget this wonderful gift!)

Bridget doesn't prefer to sleep anywhere besides her crib. Unfortunately, sometimes it is a necessity--we're on the go during some of her naptimes or out past her bedtime. What I've found helps her to fall asleep is having this little dog with her....it doesn't seem to matter where I put her as long as Rufus is along! She pulls the ears down over her eyes and rubs them along her cheeks, and she is instantly comforted.

So all three of my kids have a lovey, or comfort item. For Henry it was (still is!) Buddy, a formerly yellow giraffe. Buddy is always nearby, but sometimes he is out of sight. In this picture Henry has put him down for a nap:

And Jonah is still a blanket boy. I think he would have a mental breakdown if he lost his blanket. Sometimes we wonder if it isn't attatched to the end of his fingers!

Anyone else out there have kids with special comfort items?

A (weekend) day in the life of Sam . . . .

I think it's time to dedicate a post to my wonderful husband. This guy amazes me. He has such an incredible work ethic, and he has a need to stay busy even when he has some down time. Sam is the first person I've ever met who relaxes by working! If I find some free time you'll most likely find me curled up in a comfortable chair with a good book. Sam, on the other hand is more likely to be building a new piece of furniture or coming up with a new way to improve our house or lives. It is inspiring!

Anyway, here is how Sam started out Saturday morning. First he changed the oil in my van, then he fixed an oil leak in his little beater car, then he pulled his dad's truck into the garage and replaced all four struts. Henry helped out a little on the truck--he wants to be just like his daddy! :)

In the afternoon Sam found time to head to the local library's Grinch Party, where he was enticed into helping Jonah at one of the many craft tables. (Even though this wouldn't be Sam's favorite thing to do with the kids, he knows that Jonah's eyes light up when there is glue around!) Sam was not the only daddy at the party, but he was the only one helping out with crafts!
When we got home from the Grinch party, Sam noticed that there were a LOT of wasps flying around in our backyard. So he took the time to hunt (yes, hunt!) them until he found where they were living (they apparently built their nest in the soffit on the back of our shop!) and then he attacked! As you can see in the picture, Sam has a can of wasp-spray in each hand. He had to take a break mid-way through to run to the store for more cans of spray. It was pretty funny to watch--the boys and I cheered him on from the safety of the house!

And by the time evening rolls around, do you think he was too tired to read stories to the kids? Absolutely not! Sam cuddled up on the couch with the boys and read books to them and then he even put them to bed!

Yep, he's one of a kind. I appreciate my husband so much. I am so very grateful that God brought us together, and I just love every moment of being his wife.

Thank you Sam for being you! I love you more than words can say. You inspire me and make me want to be a better person. You are the best friend I could ask for and an amazing daddy to our kids. Oh yeah, and you make me laugh too! :)

Holiday Home Tour

This is a great idea, hosted by Heidi Jo--a (virtual) tour of homes all decked out in their beautiful Christmas decorations. Fun, huh? Well here goes....

Welcome to our home! You'll be greeted by a small army of snowmen (there are twice as many as are shown in the picture!) and an angel on the front door.

Next you'll find our stockings hanging from the word "NOEL," which is one letter short for our family of five! I'm planning on finding another stocking hanger during the after-Christmas sales--for now my stocking is not hanging.
Here is our lovely Christmas tree, decorated ENTIRELY by the boys (with the exception of the angel on top--that was my job). They were so cute contemplating where everything should go! I was a little nervous with them up on the step-ladder, but finally we all agreed that just Henry would be allowed to hang the very high ones.
This is a Christmas count-down clock--a gift from my mom. The boys run out and check it every morning to see if Christmas is getting closer! The smaller decoration is a polar bear decorating a tree with bottles of coca-cola. It plays the song that goes, "I'd like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony...." That one is a gift from my brother. Henry carries it around the house playing the song--he especially likes to stick it right beside Bridget and insist that she loves it!
This is a project we made in MOPS this year out of coat hangers. I have it hung up in the play room to make it more festive. I'm planning on replacing the ribbons with something prettier, but I haven't found the time yet.

These are in the boy's room. Henry loves the little house and turns it on every night.

Also in the boy's room is this fun nightlight. We have a really pretty snowman one too, but the picture just wouldn't come out right!

Saving the best for last! If you were actually touring my home, this is the first thing you see when you walk in, but I thought it would be more fun to leave it for the end of the tour. This is our nativity--it is rearranged almost every day, sometimes by Henry and Jonah, and sometimes by Sam!

Thanks for joining me and touring my home this Christmas! :) Hope you have a wonderful and Merry Christmas!

It's all about ME!

We were at a Christmas party this weekend, and at the end of the evening we were singing Christmas carols together. It was beautiful. I love singing in a group and Christmas songs are my favorite--such simple, but powerful songs and all so joyful! Anyway, Jonah was pretty tired, so I was holding him. We were singing "Oh Come All Ye Faithful:"

Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

Oh come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem.

Come and behold him, born the king of angels.
Oh come let us adore him, oh come let us adore him

Oh come let us adore him, Christ the lord.

During the part of the song that repeats "Oh come let us adore Him" Jonah thought he had it figured out.

He got a huge smile on his face, put his hands around my face, turned it towards him and shouted out, "Hey! You're singing about ME!"

Christmas Cuties....

Isn't she cute?

See the intent look on her face? She wouldn't take her eyes off of Jonah!
These two handsome fellas love to dress up......but they know how to cut loose too!
And here's where their crazy/silly streak comes from! :)

Hope your Christmas season is off to a great start!