Is it possible to get a good family Christmas picture?

These two say no . . . .

This one is always willing to cooperate . . . .

And this one only smiles when she has the camera all to herself!

Thanksgiving recap....

Thanksgiving is such a fun holiday!

This year we went to Dallas where Sam's sister Amy lives. They rented out the clubhouse that is available in their neighborhood--it was beautiful! There was a roaring fire keeping us toasty and warm, a media room with big screen tv and comfy chairs, a kid's room with toys and a separate tv and bean bag chairs, a work-out type room with big balls for the kids to bounce around, and Amy set up a LOOOOOOONG table to seat all 25 or so of us!

The kids had so much fun! Henry and Jonah will be talking about it for years to come. :)

The food was great, there were more pies than we could handle and lots of pre-dinner snacks. The guys watched football and then headed outside during half-time to play football even though it was a little chilly outside!

It was a really great day.

Yes, Sam actually wears these sunglasses. I have no comment.

Henry had a fun Thanksgiving feast with his pre-school class on Tuesday before the holiday. It was adorable! They had a great time together and got a little crazy.

One final story. We've been wondering if the boys are getting the true Christmas message, or if they're just getting caught up in a more worldly view of it. Sam and I have been really working with the boys and praying that they would really "get" it this year. We were in the van today and Jonah saw some Christmas decorations. He shouted out, "Hey! It's almost God's birthday!" :)

A fun and useful way to spend a few minutes....

This is a great site. When you go to the site you can play a simple vocabulary game (a great way to improve your mind!) and for each correct answer they'll donate 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program. All the details are on the site--it's fun and an easy way to help those less fortunate than we are.

Sleep Issues

Somebody likes Lightning McQueen, can you tell?

This boy finds it impossible to stay covered up at night!
My two boys are truly best friends. They play everything together, they love to dress alike and they LOVE to make each other laugh. A little over a year ago we decided they should share a bedroom (as a way of learning to get along and share, and also just to foster a positive and good relationship between the two). It has been great, and they absolutely LOVE sharing a room.

Here's the problem. They do not let each other go to sleep! We go through phases of this, for a while they will do fine and then they fall back into their old patterns. They don't (generally) get out of their beds, but they lay there (or sit there) and tell each other silly things, sometimes they'll throw things (like their blankets) back and forth, and they really just get more and more worked up and before you know it an hour (or two!) has passed and they are still awake!

Their bedtime is 7:30. When they are separated they both fall asleep right away. When left together, they don't fall asleep until after 9 or later--which is much too late for boys who are used to getting more sleep--and who get up at 6:30 am regardless of bedtime!

Here are the things we've tried: Bunk beds, separate beds, putting one child to bed earlier, putting both to bed earlier, disciplining them for talking, taking away special privledges, praying (with them and for them). And now I've run out of ideas. This is where you come in. Anyone have small children who do or did share a room? How did it go for you? What things worked or didn't work for you? Is it just a matter of waiting until they are a little older?

For now, we have set up a bed in the playroom. At bedtime, Jonah goes in there and Henry goes in their bedroom. I think we'll keep it like this through the holidays just to make sure everyone is getting enough sleep. The goal is certainly to get them back together, so maybe in January we'll try it again with some of the ideas I know you're going to toss my way! :)

And just for fun....a picture of the sleeping princess!

random thoughts

Jordan and Jonah, playing at the park.

Where does the time go? Does anyone else feel that the days are flying by? Henry (whose birthday isn't until the end of May) is counting down the days until he turns five. I find myself amazed that my little Jonah is going to be three years old in a few months. And how is my baby already three and a half months old? Seriously, how did it happen?

Being a mom is such an amazing thing. I love everything about it.

I'm not saying it's easy. I'm not saying some days aren't rough. I don't mean to insinuate that I don't struggle.

I just want to remember that they are little for such a short time. I want to enjoy every bit of their childhood. I want to feel the joy that they experience in every little thing. I don't want to rush through one stage just to get to the next.

There isn't really any point to my post today, just some things I'm thinking on.

Hope all you moms out there have a great day!

Our week (so far) in pictures....

I think Henry has finally conquered his fear of creepy, crawly things....he caught this cute little frog all by himself! He was quite proud of himself. He only lost his composure when he let it go and it jumped up on his shoulder--that was a little too close for comfort! I just love the things two year old say. Jonah was playing with Bridget this morning--getting her to look in different directions, and he said to me, "Look Mama, she keeps looking back and forest!"
"Would you please turn that camera off so that I can smile?"
The boys are finally loving playing outside again! It got a little hot for them this summer and my boys who have always LOVED to be outside have been hibernating inside as much as possible. Lately the temperatures have been upper 70s to lower 80s and low humidity--absolutely perfect!
A sunset walk/adventure. This was at the start and the sun was already setting. We thought we were on a loop, but after two miles we weren't getting any closer to our car. By the time we got back it was completely dark and we got to see some bats flying around.

I just love pictures of all my boys!

He's a funny guy...

Henry was dilligently cleaning up the playroom, so I asked Jonah why he was playing instead of helping. His answer? "Mommy, I'm not the picker-up man. I'm the player man."

Bridget's first slide show!

Okay, so you didn't exactly have to twist my arm.....ask for pictures of my kids and you shall receive! :) Thanks for the idea, Heidi Jo.

Hope y'all enjoy the slide show!

Henry the ladies man!

This is Henry with Isabella (his BEST friend from preschool); the picture is from her birthday party. We hear about Isabella non-stop, from what she was wearing at school to what game they played at recess. Isabella was sick and missed school last Thursday--Henry was distraught all weekend. Every time he thought of her we had to pray that she would get all better. He even suggested that we send her flowers!
And here's Henry with Lexi, his favorite friend from soccer. These two are inseparable at practices and games--the coach finally figured out that if they're going to actually play they can't be on the field at the same time! (Notice the other kids in the background--they're actually practicing!)

And here's a recent picture of my three munchkins. Even though Bridget isn't exactly smiling, I love that she and Henry have pretty much the same expression on their faces!

Some fall/halloween pictures....

Captain America and a cute little puppy dog!

Picking out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch!

One of the hay rides that I love so much!

The jack-o-lantern designers. They're not old enough to actually carve yet!

The faces that have lined my porch for a week!