Holiday Highlights #4

Our church participated in two Christmas parades. The boys and I were able to do the first one and James loved throwing out candy and Jude loved waving to everyone. Stephen went without us for the second one and threw out around 700 pieces of ice cream from the ice cream truck (one of our evangelism/outreach tool). 

A successful nap on the bottom bunk. Mama was even squeezed in there on the bottom. I love these sweet brothers. 

A much needed date night with Stephen! The church gave us a gift card for pastor appreciation to Seasons 52. It was so good! And then we did some last minute strolling/shopping at Toys R Us! The boys had a blast with Nana and Grandpa. James loved showing them all the "booby traps" on Home Alone. He is obsessed with the movie and Jude says "oh oh oh" and grabs his head - hopefully we aren't awful parents. 

The finished product! And they ate every piece of candy off in the days after... All dye-free. The dye-free diet we've been on for close to a year now has been a total game-changer for James and really all of us. Digestive issues, headaches, and more have all been improved/eliminated. 

 The kids Christmas Pajama Party at church (and parents night out...I worked it but I like it that way!)

20 weeks with baby Joah on Dec. 21st!

Their favorite Christmas presents. Our three main gifts to them from us were a riding toy (this is all James really wanted and we were so fortunate that their was an incredible black friday deal!), some building blocks  for each (legos and magformers), and an event (Monster Trucks for James in about a week and Disney Jr. Live for Jude). There were some other things from Santa and stocking stuffers, but we still try to aim for three meaningful gifts from us. It's hard though!

Model Trains at the McWane Center!

Wearing our Sweaters from Grandma K

The boys and I caught the first part of the youth new year's eve party and then we came home and watched Dolphin Tale 2 and slept in a tent in the living room (on a mattress!). James and I almost made it 'til midnight but we tuckered out shortly before. :)

What a great year 2014 has been (God performed so many miracles and opened so many doors) and looking forward to all that is ahead in 2015!

Holiday Highlights #3

They are very excited about their baby brother! I still can't believe we'll have three boys in the mix next year at this time...

We did some rearranging of the rooms. We were hoping to fit all three beds in one room (and have a play room) but it was just too cramped, so eventually James will sleep on the top bunk, Jude will sleep on the bottom (don't think he's completely ready for it), and Joah will have Jude's crib in the other room. 

Stephen's dad made us a bookshelf (that we'll use for homeschool curriculum and manipulatives) as part of their Christmas to us. I love it. 

Gingerbread making... It was a first for us this year!

Christmas Eve dinner with just the four of us!

Sining "Happy Birthday" to Jesus over peppermint chocolate chip ice cream pie! 

 They opened Christmas pajamas and the boys gave a gift to each other on Christmas Eve (Mickey for Jude and Paw Patrol for James). 

Holiday Highlights #2

I took way too many pictures of James and Jude playing in the leaves one day while we were raking the yard, but this was just one of those spontaneous moments that turns into an hour of giggling. I'm so thankful for these days that I know I will always look back on as my very best days.

A snowman pancake for breakfast! 

Going to see Santa at a local dentist's office. I read they were doing free professional pictures, and I'm so glad we went. It was so low stress and Santa spent ten minutes talking to each family. James warmed up to him for the first time and even sat on his lap. 

Grandma Collins gave us Christmas money for a Zoo membership. We got to go enjoy Zoo Light Safari. 

His favorite part was the train ride when Santa came out and chose him to receive a bell (like on the polar express!) and these roller racers. Our little boy thinks that he is a race car driver or maybe even a race car. He loved them so much that we found some to rent for his racing themed 5th birthday party coming up at the end of this month.