Finally walking!!!

Abby is our latest walker at 16 1/2 months.  She is so proud of herself, and we are so happy to see her toddling around on 2 feet.  This makes going outside so much more fun for all of us.  Go Abby!

Mommy & Abby

 

    

1977

     

2011

Little Rednecks in Training

Papaw and Ellie were very gracious to buy each boy a present for Jake’s birthday.  This is what Jake chose as his special gift.

Happy Birthday to Jake!

 

Jake made this cake as a special activity with Grandma Ellie

Lego party with friends- our first “big kid” party!

Lego car race track.

Bunk beds

Just for fun we thought we would try moving all 3 boys into the same bedroom.  Jake and Ben were thrilled at the idea of bunking their beds.  Little Sam was very excited to be sharing a room with his older brothers.  He was so excited in fact, that he was talking, getting out of bed and “using the bathroom” repeatedly, despite many corrective measures, until after 9 pm each night.  And the excitement continued when he woke everyone up each morning around 6 am or even earlier.  All of this excitement was a bit too much for the rest of us, so after a 2 week trial we have moved happy, excited Sam back into his own room for now. 

change of plans

Our daily afternoon trip to the boat ramp was not possible today… the trail was flooded.  The boys had a great time testing the waters, under mommy’s very close supervision!  Just a few feet from where we were standing the river was moving very fast!

 

Happy Birthday to Sam!!!

       

Sam had a sprinklers and popsicles party for his big #3 birthday.  He continues to be the life of the party in our family as our loudest, happiest, most extroverted child.  As long as he is feeling well physically, Sam is having a GREAT day, EVERY day, ALL day, and he wants to tell you all about it.  We are so thankful for how God has brought Sam out of so much suffering and into a much healthier place in his life.  He still has many food intolerances but his sick cycles are not nearly as debilitating as they used to be.  At his 3 year check up, he was up to the 50th percentile on weight, from 5% a year ago.  The doctor was shocked to see how big he has grown.  Thank you Jesus for your merciful goodness to us!  Sam is such a blessing to our family.

Piggies

The boys were delighted to see Abby’s new hairstyle, and wanted to join in…

 

Guilty

 

Sam was banished to the Time Out Chair in the dining room, to remain until the time of his penitence was complete .  But when I came back to get him… there were postage stamps stuck all over his face!

Happy Birthday to Daddy!

To the very best husband and daddy in the whole world.  I definitely got the better end of the deal when I married you.  Thank you for dying to yourself every day to love and serve each one of us- you are truly a picture of Christ to our family.

13 Months

  I may not be walking quite yet…

But I am

into

everything!

Loooong in coming.

Jake and Ben can write their names.  The fine motor skills have a ways to go yet but its encouraging to see they are making progress.

Guns.

These boys are OBSESSED with guns!  They “earned” their latest weaponry by filling up their sticker charts by doing morning chores.  There was much celebrating and rejoicing when I got out the much anticipated GUNS!  Only 5.99 for a 3 pack at Target.  Sweet times that they can be thrilled with these simple prizes, at least for now.

Cure for the winter blues

Swim lessons!  Even little Sam is getting in on this one.  “Coach Josh” at the GJCC is like the Toddler Swim Whisperer.  Amazing results.  Can’t wait to take all my swimmers to the pool this summer. 

Ben in quiet time

I took this picture because it perfectly captures the personality of my precious Ben!  He loves his “things” and the way he carefully arranged them all on his bed and then somehow fell asleep made me laugh.  The red streak next to his ear?  That is a piece of gum.

A perfect snow day!

First, check the quality of snow and see if its packable for making a snowman.  Then eat some snowballs for breakfast.  (Ben likes to wear his bike helmet all the time, not sure why)

Next, spend 30 minutes stuffing children into their snow gear and then commence making snow angels.  The above pictures are actually two different children, who happen to be wearing similar snow gear. 

Now hook up with some neighborhood friends and collaborate on making the largest snowball possible when you only weigh 40 pounds a piece.

Go ahead and eat some snow if you get thirsty from all that work.

Dress your snow people in appropriate attire, stand back and admire!  Nice work fellas!

I can’t wait to read this.

By Ann Voskamp

Happy Birthday to Abby!

Baby girl loved her strawberry cake!

CHEESE!

Sam is tolerating cheese!  Here he is eating his first grilled cheese sandwich.  A momentous occasion for him.  I am so thankful he is doing well…each day is such a gift.

Snow day!

The boys were SO excited to have a “fire” in our gas fireplace.  We hadn’t used it in 3 years, so they had no idea it was actually meant to have a fire.