This is What You Get...

when you ask a four-year-old to smile for a picture with his double-decker car transporter that he built.

Kicking Off the Christmas Season

As promised, here are some more pictures of the fun night we had with Dave and Jen and all the kids on the day after Thanksgiving. This beats Black Friday madness, don't you think?

Ella and Delia are Play-doh experts and cranked cookies out quickly. I didn't realize that my two cookie sheets wouldn't be able to keep up with three little cookie makers! (I must confess that I used store-bought dough. I'm not much of a baker, but I didn't want that to slow down our fun!)

Two years ago when we got together and only Jonathan and Ella made cookies, our two kids didn't seem so young to us. But when Jen and I looked at Delia, we realized that's how old J. and E. were last time we had done this. We thought nothing, at the time, of getting our two-year-olds together to bake cookies. I guess that's the fate of the oldest children...we always expect a lot of them. They didn't seem to mind at all, as you can see in this quick movie I took. And also this one. They were awfully cute!

(Oh my goodness, do these look like my mom's hands, or what?) I thought it might be fun to put cookie dough in the molds my sister found for me in the Target dollar section last year. It was fun. And yummy.

Getting ready to taste the fruits of their labor.

After the girls were done making cookies and decided to go play upstairs, Jonathan stuck with it. He was very focused. The adults got to chat while the girls played and Jonathan kept going with the little bit of dough that was left. (Grace was in bed by this time.) It's so fun to see the personalities of each of our kids come out as they grow. We really enjoyed starting the Christmas season with our dear friends. Maybe it's the start of a Christmas tradition!

Thanksgiving

Here's a quick snapshot we took on the way out the door on Thanksgiving day. These three people make my heart overflow with gratitude. God has blessed me beyond measure with a wonderful husband and precious children. We have longed for both of them so much and can never take them for granted. I have so much to be thankful for.

These Didn't Make the Cut

A Quick Walk Down Memory Lane

Here's one picture just to leave you wanting more...

Ella and Delia's family and our family got together and made cookies tonight, and I'll post more pictures soon, but I had to share the one above so that we could reminisce about the last time we got together and made cookies. Thanks for making our evening so fun, Dave, Jen, Ella, and Delia!

The Tights and the Jumper

She received these tights as a gift when she was born. I had to make her a little jumper so she'd have the chance to wear them.

Jonathan took this picture of us before church on Sunday.

She is starting to get a little peach fuzz on that bald spot...really! And Jeff says it's time to cut the rest of her hair. I can't bring myself to do it. What do you think?

The Train Museum

Last Saturday, we enjoyed a couple of hours at the train museum. (It's nice to just spend a couple of hours there and feel free to leave when we're done, which we can do since we are members.) My mom came with us this time. In addition to the great train exhibits, there was an old-fashioned toy exhibit. Here, there was a sandbox full of old construction toys and even shoes and socks made to look like a little boy had left them behind. Jonathan loved the whole experience.

One More Way She's Her Own Girl

If you knew Jonathan when he was little, you may remember that he hated to get his fingers messy. He hated it so much that he barely touched his first birthday cake.

Well, Grace is her own girl. When I spill food on her bib, she wants to touch and feel it, and possibly even taste her messy fingers afterwards. Maybe she'll entertain us with cake at her first birthday party!

If the Shoe (or Shirt) Fits...

What to Do While Mommy Vacuums

Changing Table Cuteness

Sweet Slumber

The Airport

The Lid Game...

then... and now.

Jonathan was nine months old, and Grace is eight months.

I Think Blue Is Her Color...

Just look at those eyes!

Brother and Sister

You can see who was feeling very affectionate this time around.

Peas

Quotes from Jonathan

"Daddy, here's something fun that you'd enjoy! Here's the company that we're going to build out of Legos: The Rust-eze Medicated Bumper Company."

"Mommy, do you see that road grader over there?" (Yes, I do! What's it doing?) "Making the road great?"

"Did Daddy have to get trained to do his job?...How?"

"How did you get teached to be a mommy?"

"What would happen if none of the things in the world were heavy?"

Eight Months

Can you believe it?! She doesn't visit the doctor this month, so I don't know how tall she is, but she's just shy of 19 lbs.

This picture is for my sister, who is still concerned that Gracie does not own or wear enough hairbows.

This shirt was a Christmas present to Grace last year from one of Jeff's coworkers.

Jonathan read it this morning, and this is what he said to Grace: "Perfect...just like my dad. And, perfect, just like my big brother!"

Splish, Splash!

Some More Not-Brand-New Pictures

Here are Jonathan and Jeff bonding over race cars after Jeff returned from a business trip.

I had wanted to get a picture of this and finally did. Not her legs, but the way she sleeps with her hands. She usually sucks her left thumb and puts her right hand behind her neck, even when she's sleeping on her tummy. Jonathan sucked his right fingers and rubbed the front of his neck with his left hand. I guess they've both needed comforting places for their hands!

I took this one because of her legs.

Snuggles after Grace's bath time.

And, hanging out with her grandma.

Random Cuteness

I've been meaning to post these random pictures, but hadn't gotten around to it! this first one is from a few weeks ago.

"The Big shiP" drawing and words by Jonathan. You have probably noticed the geometric theme in his art...he still doesn't draw very often. I loved that he labeled this one himself.

I let him give Grace her first try at drinking water from a cup. He thought it was great. She wasn't so sure.

After-bath handsomeness

Practicing sitting. She's much better at it now and doesn't have to hang onto the basket, but she still prefers her tummy. She is rolling and rotating on her tummy quite well, and started scooting backwards on her belly last night. She can push forwards with her legs, but only if her face is on the ground. Crawling is just around the corner, I'm afraid!

Avocados. She wasn't so sure on the first bite, but loved them after that. Avocados are my new favorite baby food. They're already soft, they come in their own bowl, they're very portable, and have lots of healthy fats and calories. They've also been very cheap and great quality lately. The perfect baby food!

Family Day

Jeff had the day off today, and we took advantage of the family time to do some exploring and sightseeing in some little towns and lesser-known places that are not too far away from here.

Two very content people.

Jeff with the kids. Jonathan is displaying his favorite leaf.

Jonathan loved these teepees. That's not the correct name for them here, but you know what I mean. J. kept forgetting the right name for them, so he substituted other letters for "TP" which was pretty cute. I fed Grace while the boys explored the area, and when we joined them a little later, Jonathan decided to be a tour guide. Or docent. Actually, docent might be a good role for him when he's older.

I first heard about these in fourth grade social studies. It's been a long time, but it's still so cool to picture the Indian women grinding acorns in these mortars.

A pine cone as big as his head.