Merry Christmas from our Home to Yours!

Gotta love the process of trying to get "the" picture for the christmas card!

This one looks good enough!
Merry Christmas to all and hopefully we can all remember that the pictures are nice, but the real reason for the season is Jesus Christ and his gift!

2 Months

Trae had his two month appointment yesterday and he was 50th percentile for height and weight. Which is very different from my other two kiddos, they are always way high on the chart for height and they start out really low for weight. Even the Dr. asked if we had switched babies with someone else in the hospital. :) However, there is no denying he looks like his siblings!

And now, since it's the day after immunizations, I am off to spend the day comforting the little guy!

No wonder I am starting to get gray hair.......

One Month!

Trae is one month old today! Here's a picture of his sweetness for you to enjoy.

As some of you may know, I have had some health problems this past month so things have been a little rough! Your prayers would be appreciated!

A Little Late

I'm a little late on the Halloween pictures but I figure that's better then never! For the last few years we have taken the kids to Kayla and Aaron's for Trick-or-Treating and they love it! This year Kayla, Trae and I hung out at the house while Aaron and Paul made the rounds with Ali and Dakota.

A jaguar, a fireman and a giraffe. And yes, this is the only group shot I got. Considering Trae was only a little over a week old in this picture, I was way too tired to try for perfection! :)

A better view of Dakota's fireman costume.

My little giraffe! And no, he did not actually go trick-or-treating. The costume was purely for cuteness and pictures! :)

Such sweetness!

I think they like him....

When Dani brought the kid's home after being away from me for 5 days I may as well have been invisible as they raced past me with cries of "Where's the baby?"

I did feel better a few days later when I made a very short trip to the grocery store and upon my return they l greeted me like....well....like I would have expected them to greet me after a 5 day seperation! :) Hanging on to me for dear life and smothering me with hugs!

Ali has now serenaded him with every sunday school song in her memory and we have to watch Dakota pretty closely as his idea of "loving" on his brother can get a little rough. I am sure in what seems like no time at all they will be rough housing together and tearing apart the house!

Introducing....

Trae Michael

Fall Fun

Ali wanted so badly to carve a pumpkin this year and I decided to brave it! Last year I just let them paint faces on. We found out that Daddy is a much better carver then Mommy but the kids had fun, which is the important part!

We also tried roasting the seeds for the first time this year but it didn't go so great. Guess we'll try again next year!

Diaper Bag by Dani

My sister Dani was nice enough to make me a diaper bag and it turned out really well! I love it!

First Sewing Lesson

My mom gave Ali her first sewing lesson tonight. She did a good job and enjoyed it, I think! Aren't these pictures so sweet? I am so thankful we live close and my kids get to spend time with their grandparents!

Portia's Birthday

My niece Portia turned 2 this week and most of us got together on Sunday at my in-laws to celebrate. I made the cake and I think it turned out pretty well! Isn't she just a doll?

Dakota was anxious for his cake and ice cream. He looks a little wet because they were having fun with water ballons right before!

Getting ready to open a gift. I think she looks a little overwhelmed!
Ali was more then glad to "help" her open the present!

Fall Fest

I am sadly slacking on blogging. My energy level is pretty low lately tho, so I'll blame it on that! :)

We spent this past Saturday at the Francesville Fall Festival. The kids loved it and the weather was great for a day like that! My mom had a float in the parade for Five Loaves and the kids got to be a part of it which they thought was just the best thing ever!

All dressed up in Aunt Dani's clothes for the float They had all the kids dressed in adults clothes and drinking out of coffee cups. It was very cute!

Dakota's ready to go too!

Dakota's favorite ride, the "baby ferris wheel" as he called it.

Ali on a ride with my cousin's daughter Larissa.

Good Times

This past weekend was our annual get together with some friends and we had a great time. I didn't manage to get my camera out except for a group picture but there was lots of talking and laughing! We are so thankful for good friends. Thanks for hosting Scott and Kate!

Off to School!

My baby girl is off to the first day of school! She agreed to let mommy take her in the first day but is insistent that after that she will be riding the bus!

Dakota was not real thrilled to have to get up earlier then usual to take Ali to school! I think he'll be happier when she gets on the bus and he can stay snuggled in his bed!

Overheard...

A few of the things I overheard while Ali was washing the dishes by herself for the first time a few nights ago.....

"This is so much fun!"

"I can do it myself mom, I've watched you a hundred times!"

"When I get bigger I am going to teach my daughter to wash dishes."

"I am going to do the dishes myself all the time."

This mom is definitely going to enjoy this phase while it lasts! :)

Finally!

I finally got a chance to go see my new niece Cosette and she was as adorable and sweet as I thought she'd be! Ali and Dakota enjoyed holding her also and this makes them all the more excited for a baby of their own. I wonder if they will feel the same way after they experience a crying fit? :)

Dakota is clearly more excited to be holding Cosette then she is about being held! In his defense, she was hungry!

You can't tell from the picture but her big eyes are a beautiful blue color

Natalie was also babysitting for our sis-in-law Rachel's 2 kids so the house was full of little kid noises.

Using the markers on your arm is WAY more fun then on the paper, right Portia? :)