What have we been up to?

For those of you that update your blog more than once a week, I commend you. I love to blog, but have come to the conclusion that if I put up a new post a couple times a month, I am doing good!

My boys keep my active, so here's what we've been up to...

1. We are playing outside as much as we can.

2. They love putting on costumes...this is their version of Zurg's costume. I am too cheap to buy the real thing and I'm encouraging their imagination!

3. These two drum on anything that can handle it. My fake tree is their victim here!

4. I have finally put some things up on our walls. My dad and David worked very hard one weekend to create my collage wall. It isn't perfect yet, but we have a start!

5. My boys took my on a sweet date for Valentine's Day!

6. I made a fancy dinner of beef dip sandwiches and tater tots for my honey on Valentines!

7. We are getting ready for Gavin's 2nd birthday.

8. And of course, we have been spending time with family.

Thank you Lord for such a full and busy life. I am so blessed!!!

I am way behind

After posting the last picture of the boys sleeping, I realized I haven't posted about Christmas. I will try to capture our wonderful holiday with a few pictures!

Our first Christmas in the new house was perfect!

The boys and their stockings on Christmas morning.

When it was all said and done, the boys were ready to watch their favorite present of all...Toy Story 3. Gavin literally wore his helmet ALL afternoon! Merry "Belated" Christmas!

Another Great Visit

I love my family, immediate and extended, so I tend to post about them a lot! Scott, Abatha, Nate and Lila made the trek to my parent's house last weekend for a visit. We had a wonderful time!!! As always, the boys played perfectly together. And of course, Baby Lila was an angel. I mean, I love that little girl and her chunky thighs!

David was so excited about meeting baby Lila in person this weekend!

Our "group shot"

We headed to Monkey Joes on Monday! We had the place to ourselves.

Paka even got in the slide action!

I told myself to take pictures of the adults during our visit, but it just never seems to happen. We all had a wonderful time and always look forward to our next visit together!

I Love My Life

This afternoon I was able to have a little time to myself to run some errands and do some shopping. It was great! This is what I came home to...

...which is even better!

In the News...

Hello all! We had a blast in the snow, but I am glad it has finally melted. I almost lost my footing a least a dozen times walking around in parking lots. The last thing I wanted was to re-injure the foot! We have come so far!

We have a sweet friend, Rachael Wadsworth, that works at the Seneca newspaper. She grabbed some pictures from our sledding adventures at the Zelmers, and they made it in the paper. Gavin is definitely going to love this article when he is older! This will be a keeper!

My Mess

God completely surprised us with Gavin, but boy am I glad He did. Gavin is 21 months old now and is becoming his own little person. To say this child is busy, is an understatement. He will sit down and watch a Mickey Mouse every so often and he does enjoy a good book, but unless he is sleeping or eating, he is getting into something. I have found him a handful of times in the bathroom sink with the water running, on top of the kitchen counter "drawing", and most recently opening Christmas presents that have just been wrapped. Of course the mess he creates can be a bit unnerving and annoying, but I love his fearless, free spirit.

We are working on the smile.

I had to get a picture before discipline time came!

He enjoyed my nieces' presents a bit more than his own!

I love you Gavin! Your smile is infectious and I love that you still like to cuddle!

Christmas is Coming...

...And I am worn out...already! Lord knows this is not the first time I have shared with you all about my busy schedule, but man, I feel like we have been living in our car. I love traveling, spending time with family and friends, shopping, eating out, etc. You know, the things that keep you in constant motion, but I definitely feel God tugging at my heart to tell me I need to slow down. I know most of you can relate to the busyness, especially this time of year. I don't necessarily think the "going" is the issue. My body is (somewhat) capable of carrying out my day-to-day tasks. My main concern is that I haven't been as consistent about being still before Him and continuing to lean into Jesus. As I look into the New Year, I know that God wants me to have a season of rest-time to rejuvenate my relationship with Him. Of course, I am sure my schedule will not lend us to stay at home much, but I have to decide to be persistent about my pursuit of Him. I am so thankful that God is consistent to stick around while I wander off.

We had a lot of fun decorating our home this year for Christmas. As the boys grow older, it is nice to see them want to get more involved!

Gavin is growing up so quickly! At least he still likes for me to rock him like a baby!

The day after Thanksgiving we headed to St. Louis to meet my precious baby niece, Lila and to spend time with the rest of the family. There were a couple of hiccups during the trip (my cast about ruined me and Gavin had a little tummy bug), but the trip was well worth it! Lila definitely delivered on the sweet, cuddly, perfect newborn factor, the boys and Nate did tons of fun stuff together, and the adults were able to enjoy the best hot wings in the world. I am bummed I won't be able to see Scott and his family over the Christmas holiday, but look forward to our next visit. Who knew I would cry while writing a blog post???

They are a mess and make a mess while together!

I love this baby girl so much! Don't you think she looks like her aunt?

I am just not the aunt she looks like :-)

Noah had his Christmas program at CBS last week. I was so proud of him standing up there and doing what he had rehearsed. It made me feel a bit accomplished as a mom.

I am sure the mom of this king was very proud of her son, but I wish he hadn't stood right there the whole time! I mean, how I am supposed to get a good shot! :-)

My handsome boy!