I bought one of Samuel’s Christmas gifts months ago and was so excited about it!  A friend from church that I visit regularly has it for her kids, and it seemed so fun.  IT IS!  It’s a ball track – German made – all wood – great quality – a tad expensive (but I justify…

Today we celebrate Mr. Samuel who is turning 2!  I have been combing through pictures of him in the last year amazed at the difference that a year makes.  Here are just a few of the big changes for him since last January 1st: – a full head of hair now with curls – walking! …

I love the GIVING part of Christmas.  Isn't there something magical about picking out/making something that you are excited to give?  A gift chosen just for that special someone.  I think my favorite gift to give this year was a tiny scrapbook that I did for Jacob.  He has been asking for months if I would help…

While I was choreographing the costumes for the nativity program in my bedroom…the cast was laughing at my son. They were calling him the "redneck" baby Jesus.  Thank goodness he wasn't aiming it at his great-grandmothers!

Christmas Day was WONDERFUL as always.  Here's a rundown:  - we torture our kids by making them stay in their rooms until we give the go-ahead.  We always say a family prayer first too.  - EVERYONE got what they wanted from Santa.  Jacob got a personalized letter in response to his letter, which he was…

We hosted Christmas Eve at our house this year.  We had our normal bunch of family here…my mom and Steve, his mom Kay, my Grandma, and Mark.  And we had our friend's the Hicken's.  They normally have a gig with our friends the Dalebout's, but when the D's went out of town we begged the…

Today is a day of recovery for us.  It's the day that I walk around aimlessly picking up a thing or two…a piece of trash here, a candy cane there, sorting through gifts…mostly doing nothing at all, because I don't know where to start.  It's the day that we eat ONLY leftovers…I will not cook.  In…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!   From: King Herod, a shepherd, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus 

The cookies have been set out for Santa…       And the oats (and glitter) for the reindeer…   We had a wonderful evening with family and friends! 

That's what my kids say, instead of anonymously.  We've had a great lesson of secret service this month as we've gone every week to drop off treats to a special family that we felt needed some extra cheer this year.  Each week the kids have run up a new plate of special treats to deliver…