The past two months have been filled with activity and now things are beginning to slow down again and get back to somewhat of a routine. I always enjoy January as we usually take time during this month to look ahead and make plans as well as look back and see all that God has brought us through and blessed us with. We are blessed beyond what we deserve and are learning more and more to be thankful and satisfied with what we do have.
Here are few pictures of highlights from the past two months...
Another "miraculous" find this year of the perfect Christmas tree right in Nana's backyard. ;)
Micah and I got free seats to see Steven Curtis Chapman here in Burlington last month. It's really inspiring to watch God continue to use him over the years to reach so many people for Christ.
Let the decorating begin! The ornament Owen is looking at was a little egg-shaped snowman made by my Mom. :)
Liza's first Christmas!
The Christmas bears made another appearance this year and for about a week they did everything with the boys. :)
One shot from Liza's 6 month portraits (homemade as you can tell by the wrinkles in the sheets I used a backdrop)
The tree fort continues to be a big hit outside. Many a caped super hero has sought refuge there in recent months.
Some of my preparation for an "Ugly Sweater Party"... hehe
A little help with the laundry...
We went to a Christmas celebration in Downtown Burlington this December and enjoyed some 60 degree December weather. The boys got to sit in a firetruck!
Liza is really growing lately! She will be 8 months old at the end of January, can you believe that?!? She is more and more fun to play with and has recently found her voice and has been serenading us with impressively high-pitch squeals of delight. :)
Well, mostly of delight... :)
Each baby has received their own stocking as their first Christmas present.
There's so many of us! Crazy!
Christmas Sunday :) I'm discovering that the chances of getting at picture where everyone is looking and smiling at the camera decreases dramatically with each new addition to the family, so I'm happy to just have everyone at least visible. :)
We have a tradition of sleeping in the living room on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, the air mattress decided it was on vacation too and was just a tad on the deflated side come Christmas morning. :)
Everyone got guns for Christmas!
Love this clarification added by our first born.
Just a LITTLE excited on Christmas morning!
After opening presents at our house, we headed over to Nana and Gan Gan's for more Christmas celebrations.
As you can see, the Tooth Fairy has been VERY busy around here lately! You can probably guess what the boys put on our wish lists for Christmas...all I want for Christmas is my... :)
The day after Christmas we got up at the crack of dawn, loaded the kiddos in the van, and started out for a 18 hour drive to Kansas! We had planned to take two days to do it, but we got about half way and everyone was doing so well, we decided to make a go of it and drive the rest of the way. So glad we did!
Liza and Grandfather Shoemaker. Pappy says they have a special bond and I think so too.
Me and "My Boy" Scott. Sporting a bit of military-approved facial hair. Well, the 'stache at least. :)
Finally got to meet my little chunky monkey, Clark! Oh my goodness, I feel immediately in love with this guy. :)
The boys with Scott and Roger
Spent a few hours with the Fox folks, Hannah and Isaiah and Susanna in Kansas City at the mall.
Owen's got a lap-ful of cousin! This is Bryce, Kate's youngest.
A trip to an indoor sporting goods store. This place was amazing, with much more that just shopping! We got to see their huge fish tanks, play on a playground and ride a ferris wheel that was three stories tall inside the store!
Lots of game time together :)
All the cousins! We took turns getting up early with all the babies so the adults could sleep in a little after late nights.
I LOVE this picture where Liza is nonchalantly holding Clark's ear and looking so innocently at the camera. Hehe
We had SUCH a good time at Kate and Noah's! It was really hard to say goodbye when it was time to leave. We keep saying that maybe someday we will all live closer to each other...someday. :)
Well, I started this post about five days ago now and I think I'll finally wrap it up. :) Hopefully, it won't be so long until the next one!
Here's a few parting funnies to leave you with...
Blake- "It's so warm out today, it feels like the third day of Spring!" As opposed to the 5th? :)
We were transporting a baby bassinet in the van to give to a friend and it was crowding Blake a bit in the way, so he says "This bayonet is crushing me!" We've been reading a lot of Revelutionary War stories, can you tell?
Blake- "The best kind of chicken I like is ham" :)
Love to you all!
Micah, Kari, Blake, Seth, Owen & Liza
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