I admit we get a little crazy around here when it come to Christmas cookies.

This year we did something good with the results of our obsession.

Emma I and delivered MANY cookies to a local assisted living residents.

We had a really good time and she wants to go back to visit some of the residents regularly.

Our "Thankful Chain"

Every supper we had together between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we would each write something we were thankful for on a tiny slip of paper, then tape them together forming our "Thankful Chain".

The chain became an added decoration to our tree this year.

This ritual along with lighting Advent candles each evening has been a highlight for our children.

Christmas Eve and happy about their new Christmas jammies.

Christmas morning ready for church.

Enjoying some stocking stuffers.

So glad they can still be thrilled with something as simple as bubble gum!

Hope YOUR Christmas is merry and bright!

Someone had a birthday!

The little cutie came for an overnight visit.

Fun, fun, fun!

Rachel now thinks she needs a little sister for real.

P.S.

A p.s. to yesterday's post on 2 year-old-isms.
When you finish reading a book the ending is not "The End", it's "AMEN"!

SOME 2 YEAR-OLD-ISMS:

When asked to do something he doesn't want to the reply is "I'm too busy".

Likes special treats such as "lickypops".

If he wants you to stay and play when you stop by for a visit he will tell you to take off your shoes and coat. When Grandma didn't comply the last time she stopped by he proceeded to explain to her how to take off her coat!

Last night when looking at deer in our back yard I explained that if they saw him they would be scared. His reply was "Me not scary, me a nice boy!"

Birthdays Past, Present, and Future

We recently celebrated Pa's birthday with a dinner and cake at our house.

Thanks to my sister Lois for picking up the delicious cake.

We are still enjoying

the last

few

crumbs... Cowgirl Emma turned 8 in March. I flubbed up a section of the horse's neck but none of the cowgirls seemed to notice. Princess Rachel turned 6 in January.

The sparkly pink cake was just what the princess ordered.

Thank goodness for Family Fun magazine.

They have saved me more than once with simple to make cakes!

And Evan the Builder became a 2 year old last October.

Thanks to my sister Julia for creating this cake.

We were invited to a party for Ken's Grandpap last August.

And we're looking forward to celebrating his big 100th birthday with him summer.

How Evan Likes To Spend His Time

Learning his way around the kitchen.

Today's dishwasher

tomorrow's master chef?

My Two Favorite Men

Soccer Season Ended

Soccer is over for the year.

Next sport up... swimming, lessons start again soon.

Kendra your right, those refs really are hot! The junior refs are pretty cute too.

Post Father's Day Post

Trying To Fill Daddy's Shoes

Ahhh, the power of the remote control.

Evan's First Encounter With The Christmas Tree

Road Rage!

Birthday Boy

Evan

At least for a few more days. The months are sliding by way too fast!

Evan's 9 Month Photos

There's that camera again!

Just strike a pose, flash a smile, and it will all be over soon.

As usual, way behind on pictures...

As usual, well behind on pictures. Here is Evan's 7 month picture. Somehow I missed his 8 month pic. I took his 9 month pics several weeks ago just finished photoshop on them and now he is 10 months old! Where does the time go? So, 9 month pics to follow when I get back to the computer and guess I'd better pencil in a photo shoot with my son before he turns 11 months!

Title Suggestions?

Anyone have a title suggestion for this picture?

Bath-time Blues

Evan just loves taking a bath. When he hears water running in the tub he comes crawling fast as he can. This time he was disappointed to see the bath wasn't for him... Big sister Emma assured him his turn was next.

As you can see by that middle dangling tooth this picture is a few weeks old. I will try to catch up on more pictures (including wedding shots) soon.