Off To Maryland

I realize I haven't posted in awhile. My sister inspired me to get busy because I know there are family members that check to see pictures of the children. I am going through my January pictures and getting some posts ready for this week. Be sure to check back.
In January my brother was ordained as a minister. Nathan and I and the children drove up to Maryland to be there. We stayed in a brand new hotel and it was so nice. Sadly I did not take pictures of us taking the children to the lobby for breakfast in their pajamas.
The service was really nice and everyone had an opportunity to pray over my brother. Auntie Linda, or Grandmother as some call her, made a delicious cake for the reception afterward.
We ended up leaving late and getting home even later. But Nathan had arranged for a co-worker to take his early shift so he got a chance to sleep in.

Praying over my brother.

Auntie Linda and Maggie- family friend. Mom and Dad. Grasshopper says, "What?" Family Picture.

Puddle Jumper

So I Was Wrong

This was Saturday. We had 3 snow days for two inches of snow. Life in the South.

Yeah Right

We're supposed to get a 'heap' of snow tonight. Let me just say for the record. I'm not going to the store today. I will believe it when I see it actually stick to the ground.

Outdoor Fun

Yesterday was a beautiful day outside. There was no wind and a lovely 60 degrees. It was partly cloudy and perfect for playing outside. We spent most of it outside running around and playing. I'm loving the new telephoto lens Nathan got me for Christmas.

Advice Gone Awry

This past summer I went to my 10 year high school reunion. It was awesome to catch up with people that I hadn't seen since graduation. Among the most amusing things to announce was that I had four children. I can't tell you how fun it was to watch peoples' faces when I told them that.
During one of my conversations I mentioned all the trouble we'd had with crayons in our house and that I was seriously considering getting rid of them. Ken, a graphic designer, pleaded the crayons case and said that maybe my kids would grow up to be designers and I shouldn't stifle their creativity.
I decided to give the crayons a second chance. It was okay for awhile, paper and coloring books have always been in large supply here. But, alas, Ken's advice has gone awry. I now have a beautiful mural in my living room. Three purple stick figures who owe their very existence to Ken and to one handy little man named JM and the fact that JM gets up at 5:30am to do his wall art.
Thanks Ken. I owe ya one. :) And no, I haven't gotten rid of the crayons.

Christmas Update

We had decided earlier in the month that we weren't going to travel for Christmas because Nathan only got 4 days off. Wednesday morning we decided to drive to Ohio when Nathan got off work. We left home about 4:30 pm and got to Ohio at 4 am Christmas Eve. My sister knew we were coming but that was about it. It was a lot of fun surprising people who thought we weren't going to come.
We stayed at my sister's house and her kids were really excited to wake up on Christmas Eve and find their cousins there. We stayed until Sunday morning and then drove all day to get home. We got home about 11 pm. We spent about 3 hours in traffic on the way down a couple mountains.
It's a Cousin Party!
Papa and Grasshopper.
Christmas morning. Peanut had a fever and didn't feel good.
Grasshopper, Thaddeus, and Sarah.
Sarah, Doodle Bug, Peanut, and Abby.

Uncle Peter's Visit

A visit from an uncle is a great excuse to set out on an adventure. And if mom just happens to follow along behind with her new toy, well, that's fine too. We enjoyed some nice weather while Peter was here (70's one day) Don't hate us...just move south y'all!

JM's Birthday Party

Last week JM turned 5!!! Can you believe it?? I sure can't. He's getting so big. Next year he'll be in kindergarten! Goodness.
We celebrated his birthday at a local restaurant that he likes after church last Sunday. Uncle Peter was in town from Ohio and made it that much more special. He asked for a Batman cake and batman toys. Target had a great Black Friday sale on the Batcave so he was really happy.Happy Birthday Little Man! We love you very much!

Cause we can Always Use more Sugar

On Friday at the grocery store I saw a really cute gingerbread kit. JM and Little Peanut thought it would be a good idea for us to make it and I agreed.
Saturday morning we put it together with AJ. Grasshopper was asleep on the couch during all this fun. I think they did a good job. Here are a few pictures.

What a Memory

Two years ago we went to KY to visit family for Thanksgiving. Grasshopper was three months old at the time, this was before he ever got sick. While we were there my brother shot a turkey on the farm. AJ had just turned 5 at this point. That's my brother and his son is holding the turkey.
Today we were in the store and I was picking out a roasting pan for our turkey. AJ asked what it was for and I said that I was going to roast a turkey in it on Thanksgiving.
His face light up and he gasped, "Is Uncle Michael going to shoot a turkey for us?"
I laughed and told him no.
"Then where are we going to get one?" he asked.
"I'll buy it at the store, it will already be dead."
His face fell, "Oh, I wanted to watch Uncle Michael shoot it."
I cracked up.

Happy Birthday AJ!

This past Wednesday was AJ's 7th birthday. I can't believe he's 7. It seems like yesterday that he was just a baby. sniff sniff. We didn't throw a big party this year. We usually have a big family shindig but being so far from all of them we just had cake and he opened his present from Mom and Dad.