1st Snow

Someone was a wee bit excited to see the snow. Did you forget something, Avery? Brrr!!

 Just enough snow for some rides down our hill. Good thing we don't care too much about our grass ;)

 Not much for snowman building.

Leafboarding, it's the newest fade

After a 4 day weekend, this momma was glad to be back in a routine today!

Together At Last

Remember how our New Year's Eve plans came to a smashing halt when Owen got a stomach bug? Well, this past weekend we made up for lost time. The Cassada clan hosted our noisy bunch for the weekend and Sunday night we drove off with full, happy hearts.

The kids watched a movie after a delicious (grilled) pizza dinner while the adults chatted ;)

Sunday morning, we all went to church together and then enjoyed an afternoon of random activities: games, nail painting, basketball and wii. Courtney and I went for a walk by ourselves!!

Avery was pretty clingy to me, but thankfully Bailey was close by and always willing to play. I was thrilled for the break.

The Cassada's got a fire pit for Christmas and pulled out all the stops for us. Roasted marshmallows and hotdogs for the kids' dinner. After the kids ate, the adults enjoyed a yummy ham dinner (INSIDE) while the kids played!

 A neighbor joined making it 11 kids. Cause what's one more?

 Such sweet memories made.

 Still the cutest pair.

I love this girl. She blesses my heart. Her walk with the Lord and her love for Him and her family humbles me. I am grateful for the time we had together sharing our hearts.

Youngs and Ayers we missed you!

Flyin Ryan

This kid's imagination cracks me up. The conversations we have are mind boggling. If he isn't talking about farming, it's something to do with animals or art. Yesterday, it was the later 2. He made (with my help) a "dragon." Thankfully his imagination is so great, his creations can take very little effort ;)

Well, as soon as it was done, he jumped inside. When the dragon didn't take-off flying, he was flabbergasted. Seriously?!? Oh, the things we should prepare our children for ;) "How can I make it fly, mommy?" Uh...

Again, his imagination came to the rescue and he decided putting it on the swing would do just the trick. Genius, this kid :) And happy as a lark!

His newest idea... "we need a pet pig, momma. To eat all our garbage."

14 years {Belated}

We celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary in Dec. We didn't get a picture, then, because our dinner date was sandwiched between basketball practice drop-off and pick-up. A couple of weeks ago, we we went out again and my sister took a few photos of us. It's a treasure to have intentional pictures of just the two of us!

Our 14th year definitely stretched us as we adjusted to being parents to four and more importantly a daughter. I know girls are different, bc I am one, but wow ;) It's hard to admit, but I miss being the only female in the house ;) I love that EJ adores his daughter, despite the stiff arm she gives him, but it has been an adjustment for me.
We faced many medical challenges over past year, a reminder of how our bodies are fragile and miraculous all at the same time. Thankfully EJ's back is much better, but he is still taking it easy and counting his blessings on the good days.
I am amazed and thankful at the team we have become and I am grateful that God continues to draw us to Himself and each other. 

How We Roll

I took the kids bowling this morning on their day off. I don't usually attempt this sort of thing on my own. It's nice that Owen and Mason are old enough to help me. They were especially sweet to their sister. Avery wasn't sure what to make of the sport. She hung in there, but I think it was sensory overload. She asked to use the potty several times (a rarity). Perhaps the quiet bathroom was a refuge of sorts ;)
I bowled too. I almost didn't, to save money, but I am so glad I did. They loved that I played, at least until I won. hee hee!
Next year for Christmas, I am going to try and remember all these Jan/Feb holidays and suggest gift cards to an indoor activity place as gift ideas for the grandparents :)

Might As Well Jump

Shh... don't tell the big boys!

They have to get their energy out in the winter somehow.

Kickin It Camo Style

Yesterday, was our first "snow" day. More like an ice/cold day. I didn't take any pictures,but it was full of games— board and electronic, plus Grandma was here for the first half and we braved the roads go out to lunch :)

Today, we had a late start. Lots of arguing and walking around not knowing how to spend their time. We all walked to the bus, that doesn't usually happen. We needed to be in the light dusting of (1st) snow that had fallen overnight.

 

The only real girly thing about Avery is she loves shoes. Even more she loves being like one of the boys. So imagine her surprise, when she got to wear (new to her) snow boots, camo style :) Even on the wrong feet, she loves them!

Good Stuff

This might not look like much, especially to all of you who have played Candy Land enough for 2 lifetimes, but for me it's a sweet picture. Ryan hasn't had the privilege of playing many board games. Avery tends to keep that from successfully happening. Today, I thought I would give it another shot, it's been awhile. He did great staying on task and following the rules (another reason we don't play often). Avery sat squirmed on my lap and picked my cards for me. If I could track her movements per second per day, oh my goodness!
We played several rounds without her frustrating us both to the point of quitting. It might sound silly but it felt like a small miracle.
I was delighted to give my boy the satisfaction of beating his mom at a game and I rejoiced in the progress I saw in Avery to engage with us.

Seeing the Light

It's really cold here. It could be worse, but it's plenty cold enough for me. Yesterday while the littles rested, I decided I needed to find a sliver of sunlight, hoping for added warmth. I would love if my house had more natural light, but we make the best of it. I moved a chair, it works ;)

After more than a year, I am finally desiring to be in God's word again. It was a dry year, following the spiritual high of adopting Avery. Hard to beat that.
I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It feels good to again find "rest" and "comfort" in His word. I have hated feeling like I am constantly digging deep in my back pocket for the Truth that I once read, rather than it being fresh from the pages. He faithfully carried me along the way and I am thankful that I could still feel him with me even when I couldn't glean much from His word.

While I was in my sunny spot reading from John and my SRT devo, I stopped on these verses and pondered a little longer.
^"After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:66-69

"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life..." 
So why does it take me so long to come? Why is this not the first place I run? Why am I always pleasantly surprised when I do?

Thankful that "[God's] word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105

Museum Hopping

On Tues, we joined friends at a local children's museum. I think it was the best day of Ryan's life (so far). We don't take advantage of places like this, primarily because of cost. Ryan and Avery are both at perfect ages to enjoy. My boys were always spaced so that only one would benefit and the other was likely nursing or needing a nap. I am so glad they BOTH had fun.

Ryan is a little obsessed with eggs. The fact that he could climb in one, was a hit. They also had a pretend Chicken coop with eggs that dropped down. Dream come true ;)

We had so much fun in the morning that after our friends left, I fed them a quick picnic lunch (indoors) and headed to one of the museums' other locations. I figured I might as well get my money's worth ;) It was definitely risky as nap time approached, but they rarely both actually sleep now, so I thought I'd gave it a shot. They did great, we stayed less than an hour and I still managed a little quiet time to myself before the bigs got home from school.

Dinner was very lively as Ryan tried to recite the events of the day and he was very excited to show off these pictures.

Thanks, Michelle for the invite. It was a big hit!

Sad Start

On New Year's Eve, our bags were packed and we were waiting for EJ to get home from a half day of work. I had told Ryan a dozen times that we were leaving for Levi's house as soon as Daddy got home. Per tradition we would be spending NYE and day with dear friends and we were ALL so excited. I fed the kids lunch while we waited. Owen, who had been complaining of a stomach ache, took one bit of his sandwich and started looking really green. He did not make it to the bathroom :(

I called EJ to tell him the bad news and he mentioned feeling nauseous himself.

So with deep sadness, I called all 3 families and told them we wouldn't be making the trip. 4 of the 6 of us cried. It was a sad day. Owen slept most of the day and EJ took a long nap. 

This is our sad, quiet dinner. EJ and Owen too sick to join us.

We watched a movie after dinner. I don't usually sit for movies. It was good for me to sit. And clearly my lap was needed ;)

On New Year's day, I taught the older 2 how to play Clue. We've played at least 5 times since then. 

We also made gum from a kit we got in May for Ryan's birthday. They have been chomping at the bit to make it and we never thought of it at the right time.

 

I stayed in my pajamas ALL DAY.

  

I made a Chocolate cake with Salted Caramel Icing to take with us, I was so sad not to share it. I couldn't bring myself to try it until New Year's Day. Half of it is in the freezer if anyone wants to come over and try it ;) It probably won't help with New Year's Resolutions, though.

  

Despite our disappointments, we did try to make the most of our extra family days together.

The kids got this platform swing for Christmas.    

 crew.

We really missed being with our friends but it was good to be reminded how much we love and are loved by them. We are definitely blessed. I am so glad we usually have our NYE planned way in advanced because it's just not the same without our NYE crew.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Header Year! 

Oh, how I love making new blog headers. If only my neck and wrist agreed ;)

2014

 

2013

2011-2012

 2009 updated- 2010

2009 2008

I think I am missing one. argh!