Merry Christmas!

First off I want to say how truly blessed we have been this year. We have had some rough moments but are so very grateful for the people we have in our lives. I sometimes don't know how we get to be so lucky. I feel nothing but gratitude for those around.


Last night the kids put cookies and milk out for Santa and would you believe he even left crumbs this morning. That Santa, what are we going to do. Emma spotted the crumbs first thing this morning ans ate them up.

Emma got some fun in with daddy before the opening started. Faith and Levi both donning guitars. Maybe we'll have some musically talented kids.

Levi was so happy he wasn't sure what to do at first.

Faith said this was the best Christmas ever. What more can you ask for than that as a parent.

We got Emma to popen a couple things and then shw got distracted by what she had already opened and just wanted to play.

We had so much fun with our family today. I can't tell you how much I love having great family memories. Don't get me wrong sometimes I think I am going to go crazy but it is all worth it.

Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope your Christmas was as love filled as ours.

Can't we all just get along?

YES! Sometimes we can. Occasionally I found all 3 children keeping themselves busy and not getting into trouble. These moments are cherished.

Sisterly love

Emma loves Faith so much. Today I found her like this. Emma was tired so she went and laid on Faith while she was watching TV. She zonked out.

It was so sweet. I asked Faith if she wanted me to move Emma and she said no I'll just hold her. It was so sweet.

Faith's new haircut

My baby is growing up. She chose her own hair cut today. I made her call her dad and she said, "Please daddy I want my hair short." So out we came from the hair place with her new shoulder length hair. I have to say I love it but she looks so old.

Faith's Christmas Party and Mrs. Durbin's last day

Faith had a Christmas/Pajama party at school today. All of the kids wore pajamas and watched the Polar Express. The teachers even joined in on the fun.

At the party they got to make reindeer ornaments. They were very cute only the noses weren't staying on very well with regular glue.

They enjoyed snacks and then got a visit from Santa himself.

Last they had to say goodbye to their wonderful teacher Mrs. Durbin. She recently got married this year and her husband got transferred to Washington D.C. We wish her well but will miss her very much. She has been such a help to Faith and Faith loves her dearly. I couldn't have asked for a better teacher to care for my daughter during her first school experience.It was very sad when it was time to say goodbye. Faith cried and Mrs. Durbin was doing her best to stay composed. You can tell she will miss these kids dearly.One last goodbye. Thank you for being so great to Faith. We hope to see you soon when you make it back to Kansas City.

Look I can point and see myself!

Emma has learned to point recently and now it is her favorite thing to do. She found out today that she can see herself in the oven. She may not know it is her but she likes to laugh and smile at herself.

Everyone has to have one of these pictures and yummy my first real apple!

I apologize Emma but everyone has to have one compromising picture in their lifetime.Just like the other two kids Emma apparently loves apples. I tried a few times to take the apple away so I could cut it up for her but she wouldn't let go of the death grip she had on it.

I'm just glad it's an apple and not a sucker or something.

What a Ham!

We love Levi so much. He can always make us smile. Every time we say look this way he just looks at you with the biggest grin.

You can't help but not stay mad at this face for too long. We love you Levi you brighten up our day.

Christmas Party

What a fun time we had at the Christmas Party. The kids loaded up on candy and some dinner. They did do alot of running around also so by the time we got home they had already used up the sugar supply and were exausted.

Emma of course caught attention with her super cute smiles. You can't help but talk to her when she smiles.
Levi and his friends Jonah and Max did some BOY horsing around. It is so fun to watch him interact with other kids his age. He is getting big so fast and looking more like his daddy each day. My mom and dad had a good time too. My mom made bread with some other women and of course got compliments all night.

Bradley after being tackled by Joe. Ouch!

Emma loves to walk with us. I can't believe the big 1 is coming up already.

Michael and Emma. Emma loves Michael, probably because he is such a goofball.

My beautiful Faith. She is giggling because she was talking about boys or one boy (Nick). I can't believe that in Kindergarden my baby is talking about boys. Excuse me while I go cry about that now.

Grandma and Emma. Grandma is always there to save the day if Emma falls and Emma knows it so she always goes right to her.

We had a blast and are so excited for the Christmas season. This is such a wonderful time of year to celebrate.

Emma's so sleepy

Emma's new thing when she is tired is to go lay next to the couch or chair and just go to sleep. It is so sweet one minute she is playing blocks and laughing and the next it is silent and this is what you find. I always have to go put my hand on her just to make sure she didn't get something she's not supposed to have, but no sure enough she's just taking a break.