December 2016 (post one)

We've had a crazy December with lots going on but lots of special memories made as well. We were busy with church events the first three weekends: parents night out (youth fundraiser), our youth Christmas party with a tacky theme, the widows banquet (we escorted a widow and dressed in the roaring twenties theme), Dynamic Duo themed Christmas party for our staff Christmas party at Brother Jacky's Barn (we were Charlie Brown and Lucy). We finished up school for the semester pretty early in December (James and Stephen!) and took about a three week Christmas break that ends tonight/tomorrow (doing a few things this evening!). We celebrated Christmas with Stephen's family on one of his off Monday's while his sister and family were here but unfortunately no one was feeling well as all three boys had, yet, another bout with a stomach bug (luckily James was able to watch all the Start Wars movies that came on TV throughout the break as a result of being down and out and he was in heaven!) and Stephen had strep throat and pneumonia. Somehow I managed to stay well and take care of everyone! Stephen also filled in for our pastoral care pastor this month (rotating with another pastor) and did lots of hospital visits in addition to his normal responsibilities, and he also had the chance to preach this morning (on January 1st) while our pastor was out and did a wonderful job! We also squeezed in some fun events with the boys on this school break/Christmas break which included model trains at McWane, Zoo Light Safari, Build a Bear (which was one of their Christmas gifts), saw a double feature of the new Star Wars movie (for James!) and Moana at the Drive-In because its cheap cheap and the boys can move around and make as much noise as they need and not disturb anyone!, and a bowling, laser tag, and arcade place for the final hurrah! Thankfully our yearly memberships to the special places of Birmingham come in handy on weeks like this (and the boys are too young to know we are being thrifty and fun!). We also did a special Christmas eve dinner and grilled steaks and used my fancy china that I had been saving for basically ten years and have barely used, and I finally decided that my kids were plenty special enough to be the honored guests! I lit candles, read the christmas story, used the fancy dishes and they just thought the whole experience was awesome! That night they opened matching christmas pajamas and each opened a board game that we played as a family! They loved it! I plan to make that a tradition. We also unwrapped a christmas book (most we already owned) for every day of Advent and read them as bedtime stories and I will definitely do it again. Some favorites: The Little Drummer Boy, Mortimer's Christmas Manger (or something like that!), And the Best Christmas Pageant Ever! (all three of these books made me cry!). We also did a lot of baking to give candy as gifts to all our teachers, leaders, coaches, etc. but unfortunately the second round of people did not get to have the candy we made because of the stomach bug and I was afraid to infect everyone days before Christmas. We still had fun baking it. Here are most of the pictures from these events (in a very scrambled order!). Some are still on my camera or on my phone and have not been uploaded yet:

The last four years of matching pajamas at Christmas

James and I at the family craft christmas party for children at church (When we got there Jude threw up so he and Joah went home with Stephen and James and I stayed and make this picture together!)

They were all sick but we still made our annual gingerbread house. Joah got to help this time!

The boys ask me to pick them up and dance many mornings after we wake up!

We enjoyed some unseasonably warm weather and played Wubble Bubble, raked leaves, and did power wheels (gifts from previous Christmases)!

James wore his Star Wars costume to the drive-in! We just wore pajamas!

Joah is so obsessed with his kitchen! Its his favorite toy at church and so we got him one for home! They all love it!

Church on Christmas Day this year. The next time this happens James will be 12, Jude will be 9, and Joah will be 7!

Their build a bear Christmas gift experience. James picked Star Wars for his same Buddy (he is so faithful that that little dog!), Jude got a glittery troll that is so like his dynamic, sparkly personality, and Joah got a sweet bunny. These animals depict their personalities well!

His finished lego creations. He loved all his Star Wars themed gifts. You can also see his first loose baby tooth that is just hanging (and still barely hanging) in this picture. 

A few professional wedding photos

Here are a few of the professional photos my sister shared from her wedding!

Joah at 18 months Old and a few other fall randoms

Joah is 18 months old and this age is just so much fun! He's busy climbing, starting games of hide and seek (and squeals to be chased), digging through the contents of drawers and unrolling toilet paper. He is a little imitator and thinks he can do whatever he sees his big brothers doing: whether it's scaling baby gates and furniture, dipping cookies in milk, or attempting feats on the playground he will not be left behind (full on screaming or throwing himself on the ground when he is denied!). He is friendly and happy and waves to strangers in public without any prompting (and will try and get their attention if they aren't looking to wave back)! He bounces his head along to the beat of the music in the most endearing way. He loves bath time which works out nicely because he rubs lots and lots of food in his hair almost every single meal. And speaking of food, he loves to eat more than his brothers ever did at this age. It makes me laugh at just how interested he is any food that he sees even just strolling down the aisles of the grocery store or that strangers are eating and let's us know by screaming, leaning toward the desired item, or signing "more." He loves being outdoors, playing with balls and has quite the arm, being read to, and just being near his brothers and their adventures. He's pretty patient (but i know he has to be to some extent as a third child). He is talking more than ever. Some newer things that he says: "James" and "Jude" and points, ready set "go", "my drink", "I want Mama" (if that doesn't get you what you want at this age then I don't know what will!), "key", "cheese" and holds out the phone/camera, "stinky feet", "bye bye" and when I say "Joooah" when he nears something he shouldn't (like ornaments on the tree) he says "yeah?" He has 12 teeth, blonde hair, eyes that are both blue and brown and seem to change colors. He is very tall/solid and was officially 27.8 pounds and 31.25 inches (both just above the 75th percentile). He wears a size five diaper, seven in shoes, and mostly 24 months or 2T clothing. I'm so thankful that God's plan included a third baby boy to love because I couldn't imagine our world without him.

Some friends gave us their Bama tickets a few weeks ago! So much fun to have a date day at my first game at Bryant-Denny!

Let's Play/Birthday Party fun for a friend

School Pictures/ Joah: 18 months, Jude: (almost 3.5), James (almost 7)

We took some of our own school pictures rather than buy the picture package with our homeschool cover school. I'm really happy with how they turned out. Joah was also about to turn 18 months old right after we took them so I guess we'll count these as his 18 month photos. Hopefully we can update the frames and use these for the Christmas card this year!