Christmas morning

Here are a few pics of our Christmas morning. We opted not to wrap all their presents this year (this was something my parents used to do), but just arrange each child's gifts in one spot with their stocking as the marker to show who's gifts they are. We did have one "family" present wrapped under the tree. This is a great way to reduce the amount of trash in the morning and the kids get to enjoy seeing each others gifts.
It is such a delight to see how excited kids are on Christmas morning. The night before, Jake asked how early they could get up and we told them not before 7. So right at 7, as I walked out our bedroom door into the dark hallway, Luke says "Is it 7 yet?" and I about jumped out of my skin! And he is our late sleeper! Notice that there are no pics of Norah because she was sleeping in!

Christmas Eve

Norah and her Daddy on Christmas Eve . . . she had a really cute red outfit on, but I must have put it on too soon because she pooped and made a mess of it . . . oh, well! Grandma and Grandpa Books ready to open some gifts!

Norah and her Daddy (again!) . . . she just wanted the paper!

The boys getting busted playing with Norah's new toy!

Finally . . .

On Tuesday, Micah asked "Are we going to get our Christmas tree in time for Christmas?"
Papa ended up taking the boys on Thursday to pick one out and we got it up and decorated!
That seems to be a big accomplishment this year for some reason.

Random

Luke just started attending Bible Study Fellowship in the evening with his Grandpa Gorbics. He came home so excited and had written down all the names of the kids in his group! He did comment on how big the name tags were! (BSF is known for their large name tags!)

Jake was asking us about the difference in what we believe and Catholicism on the way home from small group. Not sure if I got it all correct . . . He then asked "If they think they are right and we think we are right, who is really right?"

Norah has given us a couple of chuckles lately. Her first one was when Dan was holding her on his lap and playing with the dog with his feet. She started cracking up! I've gotten a few other little chuckles out, but none as good as the first - what a great sound to hear!

Micah is reading now! He is about 1/4 of the way through our reading book and doing great! I just love teaching my kids how to read!

Pumpkin Carving Time

Our annual family tradition is to carve pumpkins around Jake's birthday. These are ones we grew in the garden this year!

Dan does most of the cutting while the boys wait to dig in!

Hey Micah - you want some of this?

Eeww! Pumpkin brains!
Designing what the jack-0-lantern will look like.
Making the cuts!
Jake designed and carved all of his this year! He still let Dan do most of the cleaning out though!

Here they are! Along with some of our silly faces!

Lunch party

The older boys went to Camp Eberhart for a day camp a couple of Fridays ago . . I know I'm a little behind! Micah and I decided to have a little lunch party for his Aunt Terri and cousins Sophia and Cooper. He had picked flowers from the garden and wanted to decorate with balloons. Luckily we had a bicycle pump, because I cannot blow up balloons and Jake (the only one who can) was gone! Micah had received a "new" hat the day before, so everyone else needed to wear one too! Aunt Terri tried a favorite at our house: peanut butter and dill pickles. Her reaction "Not terrible, but confusing".

And of course, some pictures holding Norah. Sophia always asks as soon as she is over if she can hold her and this somewhat bothers Micah. I think he might be more jealous that she isn't playing with him, than that she is holding Norah. So on this day, he asked before Sophia could! They both got to hold Norah and were happy to go play afterwards! Look how big she looks!

Tugging on my heart strings

Some firsts . . .

Norah's first bath . . . Her first doll . . .

and her first meeting with Toby!

Nature Walk

Micah's preschool had a field trip to a local park for a Nature Walk. It rained most of the time, but we still had fun!

Taking a break and trying to stay dry!


A goose family.


Working on a craft.


Micah's bud and family friend - Jaden - celebrating his 5th birthday!

Micah's Preschool Graduation

Don't they all look happy?!

Each preschooler grad received a Bible they couldn't wait to look at.

He did so good! He even sang and did the motions to the songs!

After graduation he wanted to go to Build-a-bear. A new experience for us all!

A great garage sale find!

Do you know . . .

. . .what is yummier than mushrooms?!


NOTHING!!

Happy Easter

Decorating eggs with friends . . .

Heading back to Nana & Papa's on Easter . . .

Checking out the goodies . . .

Life with . . . .Micah

Micah turned 5 this month! More Legos! Just what our family needs!

Playing his new favorite game HISSSS with Grandma and Grandpa.

Preschool field trip to Healthworks! Museum. Playing market with Jaden.

Skating with Luke.

This one's for Alana

Micah and Grandma enjoying the ice cream part of an Ice Cream Social


On the playground


In his favorite room at preschool - it has computers!


"Micah thanks God for hot dogs, his family. He also hopes he gets a dog soon!"


Micah showing off his handiwork and his smile!