Micah and Baby Jesus

Oh, these days are precious.

The Tree that Joshy Picked

I swore we'd never do it again.  I even made a blog entry three years ago that said, "If we ever think of going out to a tree farm to find our Christmas Tree, RE-READ THIS BLOG ENTRY to remind you of the pre-holiday headache!"  But on the Saturday after Christmas--after nap time, no less!--when Jeff says, "Let's go have a family adventure!" (and I reply, "Are you sure this is the adventure you're wanting?") we jump in the van with whining kids.  It was not looking promising.

But as soon as we get to Dietz Farm, the crisp air and the mission of finding a tree ("It doesn't have to be PERFECT, Dad," Gracie reminds us) take hold of us and we are jolly.

Don't we look jolly?  Jeff and Josh leading, Gracie and Micah and I following with hope...and in TEN MINUTES, people, Joshy finds our tree.

Jeff doesn't hesitate, but takes to cutting down that gorgeous tree.  (I get sort of sad when I see them being cut down.  I want to hug them).

But these helpers were too precious to let me dwell on the cutting.  It was a tree adoption in process!

And we're in and out in 30 minutes.  I am shocked.  And overjoyed.  Jeff says we reclaimed our family-hood at the tree farm this year.

And the day gets even better with to-go pizza on the way home and a SLEEPOVER night--girls at Van Sickles, boys at Lochheads', and Daddy put up the outdoor lights.  It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, people!

And as a PS, our tree this year turned out to be our best tree EVER!  It stayed fresh all season, it had great space for decorations, and it smelled great.  And that Joshy picked it out was like icing on the cake!  It was a sad day in January when I watched the green recycle truck take it away...but I'm getting ahead of myself!  There's Christmas coming, still!

Kai Kups

Look at this architecture!  I'm pretty sure this was a throne for a queen...

Thanksgiving, 2015

 Bust out the kid table!  (I felt like it wasn't too long ago that this was ME...)

 G'ma and Papa warmed up the garage for our feast--and BOY, was it delicious!  Turkey, dressing, green bean casserole, brussel sprouts, cinnamon jello...and ROLLS!  Foundering...

 And of course I only take pics of the kids.  Drew's and Angela's families were here at Scott and Colleen's this year, as were Granny & Pappy, Gigi, Slick & Bama, and Dee, Linda's mom.

After dinner it was Scott and Annie's birthday celebration!

We always talk about staying to play games, but by the time evening comes, everyone is tired.  There will be a day that we'll be able to stay late and play games!  But we'll treasure the time we have with littles until then.

Grace and Sarabeth

Grace has been doing so well with her piano.  I couldn't help documenting...

Break out the snow pants!

This tub being torn apart could mean only one thing:

IT SNOWED!!!

We busted into this bin before 8 o'clock on a SCHOOL MORNING, no less!

What a stellar mom these kids have!

 The joy of the first snow is really something you can't pass up.  Even if...

 ...they're back inside after ten minutes.  Sigh.

I had conferences this week, so on this late night Daddy offered to take the six sillies to dinner if they would run an REI errand with him.  Of course they were up for this deal!

Just Keeping it Real.

My teacher friends send pictures like this to one another to remind us what's really important in life.  Pile of laundry?  Toys covering every surface of the carpet?  Kids eating mac and cheese again?  None of us have it all together...and who the heck cares!?!  It's all about relationships, G'ma Caroline would say...

Celebrating our TWO Year-old!

The birthday theme was easy to plan with this boy...

...fans, propellers and windmills stop him in his tracks!

Daddy and I looked for months for the perfect Micah windmill for our yard.  On the week of his birthday we found this one on Craigslist!  Micah was enthralled with this gift!

 And the cake...SPINS!

We were so blessed to have so many come to celebrate our boy:  G'ma Colleen and Papa Scott, G'ma Colleen and Papa Scott, Granny and Pappy, Gigi, both Ben's and Katie's families, Drew's, Angela's, and Jen's families, Mimi & the Van Sickles, and Slick and Bama.  We were packed like sardines!

 Micah was so excited to have everyone sing to him!

 New raincoat and rain boots and remote control cars and pull-ups and books and clothes...

It was such a great day!  We are so grateful for our sweet boy and for family and friends who love him like we do...

Almost birthday...

Odie and Nels got to come over to play while their parents went out to dinner!  We love cousin nights!!!

And G'ma Joan and Papa Greg came up the night before Micah's party to deliver (and install) Micah's birthday present:  HIS VERY OWN CEILING FAN!!!

 What a hit!  Good work, Papa Greg!

"Take a Picture and Send it to my Mom!"

...says my husband who likes to torment his poor mother with dangerous pictures.  He also sent her a picture of himself with a toe hanging over the Grand Canyon some years back...

Is Someone Turning Two?!?

Micah started getting so excited when we started decorating for his birthday.  The birthday table was new and exciting, the cake batter was new and exciting, the "Big Micah Fans" banner was new and exciting...

It's almost here!