V-MAN 6

My #3 is 6. I was obviously not ready for this because I put a #5 and 5 candles on his cake. Thankfully my daughter caught it and the evidence of my desire to keep him forever 5 was removed.

Van you are a trip! You are sweet and silly, loving and serious, and I think you are a perfectionist. You are a true joy in our family and I can't imagine our clan without you. Happy Birthday Van the man!

You celebrated with your Joash and the rest of us. Superheroes are a big deal! Gifts from everyone including a duct tape wallet made with love by your big sis. 

December Part 2

There I go again with my AWESOME post titles.  Really, we don't need to dwell on this.

We lived out the remainder of our December in California with my family. It was the first time that we were able to spend time with my brother and his wife, unless you count their wedding. She's a gem and we are thankful for what she brings to our family. 

Our trip in a summary: weather was lovely, we did not starve, 2day colds, lots of family time, outdoor time, and naps. Superb.

Some of the things I miss: Mountain view, fields of green, sunsets, and other little things.

Dad built a smoker. Ribs and tri-tip. YUM.

Desert day

I had never seen tarantulas in the wild before! I also had never climbed up to a mine.

Eden was in animal heaven, my nephew is a poser(albeit a cute one) and Dennis didn't have to go through any work withdrawals.

Den turned 40! All he wanted was good food, and a nap. check and check.

Christmas day: family, walks, playing with gifts (outside!). Eden made the orange scarf for Jennifer. She worked really hard to learn how to crochet and this was what she wanted to make and who she wanted to make it for. Very proud of her.

Rows by row, left to right: playing on Grandma Linda's stairs, the dogs love Dennis, cousin bath time(buddies), grass kayaking(it's a thing), swinging from trees, badminton, Grandma!, picking fruit, the cats love Dennis/fire and wine, InN'Out, twilight bike rides, more badminton, climbing trees, breakfast with old dear ones, girls coffee date, lights, Grandma!, wheel barrow rides, family came to visit and play games and yell (the best!), drive by of the old house (lived in from age3-11)

December Part 1

Yep. I'm awesome at coming up with creative titles. Let's move on.

December greeted us so quickly that I have to remind my self that the New Year is just around the corner. We've had a lot going on, but all good things and I am thankful for what we were able to squeeze in together as a family.

Tree decorating, play nativity table, favorite ornaments, making new ornaments (kids did the glass balls), buddies and spending an evening with some of our favorites.

Christmas Party with Bible study girls, Mary Poppins with girl cousins, puppet shows, cello concert, rites of passage (first buck)

Longwood Gardens

Here is where I will say what I really think positive things about the snow: Beautiful wonderland, ultimate playground for the kids. And it ended up cancelling half of our extremely busy week. I AM thankful for that. 

Sunday morning we did our own family Christmas.

Can you guess what his favorite gift was?

Never fear. The Caped Crusader is here.

Eden and her cousin Elliot are a part of the Solfege Choir and were able to participate in the Living Christmas Tree.

Coming to an airplane seat near you.

Thanksgiving 2013

Thankful for a second year of hosting Thanksgiving dinner in our home. Thankful that everyone brings most of the food. Thankful that I am hosting people that know me and love me and therefore the pressure for a perfect house is off!  And of course I'm thankful for my family, and friends who love me in my crazy, and hold my hand in this thing of life. And for my savior, who leaves me speechless and in awe of his mercies and grace.

Steaming pots, roasting turkey, pretty table and reminders of gratitude.

A few of the faces I'm thankful for, dessert,  and mad lib reading.

“The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It's about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.” 
― Shauna Niequist, Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table, with Recipes

10 For the Girl

Happy Birthday to my spunky, kind, note writing, reading to her brothers, fort building, kitty adoring, singing in her room, roller blading, eye crossing, crafty, independent, so much more to come, rock my world daughter.

Celebrated cake and ice cream on her birthday and roller rink on Saturday with a couple of her girls.

The requested gorilla cake. Toothpick stuck into the 0 candle because it came without a wick. We make things happen around here. 

So My Mom Came for a Visit....

...a few weeks ago!  Finally sharing our wonderful time with her. I surprised the kids (except Eden who had to get her room ready for grandma) by secretly packing our things and just heading to the airport without any real explanation. She was a fabulous surprise and to top it off mom got us a room in Philly for two nights!

She always comes bearing gifts, and she took us to the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and fed us! We are spoiled.

We came back to our place and she did grandma-y things like playing cars and baking and staying up late at night with Eden in her room talking . We went a corn maze (where Beck was super excited/surprised about every ear of corn he found...in a corn maze) and collected fall leaves. 

Her last day we went to Longwood Gardens. So many beautiful flowers. It was the first day of their chrysanthemum festival. 

She also took pity and got my hair did. Like I said, I'm spoiled.

Thanks again mom for a great visit. Love and miss you!

The days

The days have been coming and going and I've felt the weight of monotony. I've also learned to see the moments that I can be thankful for.  And for even that, I am thankful.

A son who is eager to get his work done.

A daughter who does her work well. 

Spicy candles from a friend who is near and my favorite mug to remind me of friends that are far.

We celebrated my MIL's 60th birthday with a meal of her favorite foods and a family picture at her request.

This was no small feat.

Catching the first signs of colds as they come and watching them go.