Merry Christmas!

"...no word from the Lord will ever fail...

the baby leaped in her womb...

But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people...'

'Glory to God in the highest

and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests!'

taken from Luke 1 and 2

Merry Christmas and wishes of a holiday with unexplained Peace from the One whose word never fails!

A Day with Natalie - Christmas edition

Thursday was our last day with Natalie until January.  I decided to have a day inside, which was perfect!  The kids exchanged gifts first thing and then enjoyed a day with their new things and each other!  With preschool, dance, errands, playdates, etc, days in are rare.  We all loved this lazy Christmas day together!

A rousing game of Hungry Hungry Hippos was first on the list!

A break for "ice cream" was needed after that.

I was excited to surprise the kids with their own "super capes."  

And they're off!

Apparently Sofia needed some help.

I think Natalie needs a new nickname, maybe "Flash" or "Speedy."  Put a cape on her and she could not be stopped!

Meanwhile, Benjamin was thinking more about another [lego] Popsicle.

Anna-Kate and Natalie teamed up to put together Nat's new Doc puzzle.  

Lunch time, who knew this would feel like a special Christmas lunch?!  I had some chips, cheese, and salsa left over from a party the night before.  I gave both the girls some cheese to dip their chips in.  Natalie has not enjoyed lunch at my house so much in a long time!  There was one happy mess to clean up when lunch was over!  

Merry Christmas Natalie (and family)!  

7 hours and one dance class later, Sofia and popsicles are still out!  Two quite loved presents!

First Santa Letter

I grew up writing letters to Santa, and I was excited to start that tradition with Anna-Kate this year!  

Dear Santa,

I have been a good girl this year.  I would really like to have Sofia castle and family and Baileywick.  Thank you!  Anna-Kate

PS Benjamin has been a good boy too.  I think he would like a fire truck.

My Homing Pigeon

My buddy, my buddy, wherever I go, you go!

My buddy, my buddy and me!

(Any other child of the 80's here that commercial in their head?!)  Benjamin is absolutely in that stage where he wants me to be within 2 feet of him, at all times.  He is playing happily, until he realizes mommy disappeared for a minute.  Then I hear "mayeeee!"

I really can't resist sleeping baby lips

 And, I really can't resist this sleeping boy's little feet! 

"Hack!! hack!!"  Uumm, I think we need a ball cap in this house, because the only hat Benjamin can find is this gold-sequined top hat.  He wears it all.the.time.  "Hack!  hack!"  

Photos of November

Getting Anna-Kate's room ready meant I really didn't blog much in November (see previous post for that finished product!).  So, here are the missed images of November!

Will doesn't obsess over the yard.  But, he also doesn't rue yard work.  That is a good thing.  As summer yard mowing ended, leaf blowing began!

Because of working on the inside project, we missed 2 weeks of leaf blowing.  This is the pile of leaves that happened!

Daddy's cheerleaders

Quite a few times I came home from tutoring to see this image.

This has happened one time, ever.  Anna-Kate do you want to read books to Benjamin.  Sure, Mom, I love reading books....over heard from the kitchen a few minutes later...Benjamin, why don't you sit on my lap.  It only lasted about 2 minutes, but it sure was a cute 2 minutes!

Gramps and Benjamin at Thanksgiving!  (uummm, I think this was my only picture from Thanksgiving.  Family watch out!  I have some making up to do!)

Look at my cereal, Anna-Kate!  

A favorite car activity, glasses!

My buddy for errands while big sis is at preschool

They really don't play the same thing very often.  I have to capture these moments when they do!

Lots of painting in November.   The garage became the site to paint the closet doors and shelves from Anna-Kate's room.

The final stage of sewing the quilt for Anna-Kate's bed.

Anna-Kate was reading the Bible to Benjamin and Natalie while they waited on me to finish packing our bags to go somewhere.  Love how attentive they are!

They all three do something together so rarely; it really is special enough to capture it on camera!  They had rediscovered this train and were playing with it.  LOVE their grins!

Anna-Kate, do you want to read to Benjamin?

No, Mom, I need quiet for my Bible time.

Last week both kids were sick with bad colds.  Anna-Kate's turned into an ear infection.  Benjamin's turned into a sinus infection.  After too many nights of interrupted sleep, a double doc appt scheduled, and a light work day, Will worked from home.  Daddy at home on a week day, yes please!

This sweet hug

was really intended to be a tackle.  (and a Rare moment when big sister allowed it!)

Anna-Kate's Room

Lots of silence on the blog lately, and this room is the main reason why!  I have been designing this particular room before we even picked out our house.  Over a year ago, I bought some of the decor.  Almost a year and a half ago, I picked out the material for the bed spread.  Seeing it all come together this weekend was wonderful!

Our house has 4 bedrooms, but we only had furniture to fill three.  As you can see from this before picture, until now, this room served as storage for baby things and Natalie's nap time room.  This picture is also a reminder of what this house looks like:  every wall has been painted white and there is dark trim.  (Random note:  don't you love for storage purposes the two closet set up in here!!  For painting purposes, ugh, two closets and lots of shelves!)

Over Thanksgiving Will and my dad drove to Will's grandparents house in Memphis, TN.  His grandparents have downsized and his aunt has moved into their home.  She has offered some of the furniture to grandchildren. We accept!  So, this bedroom furniture is what Will's grandparents bought his aunt for her bedroom after outgrowing a nursery.  I love furniture with family history!  

Now the trim and closet doors have been painted white.  The walls have been painted "accessible beige" by Sherwin Williams.  The main door and frame were not painted.  That particular door is in the worst shape.  So, the final phase of this room will be buying a new door and frame to replace that old one.  Hopefully the only one we will have to do that to.  (So, final phase includes replace that door/frame as well get a lamp more suited to this room.)

And, now with the closet doors back in place.  (photo-bombed by a certain little brother and his friend Elmo)  The AK on the wall is from her nursery.

I love this image!!  The bird cages.  Anna-Kate has the best bedroom window of all!  The vanity desk that for now is serving as a doll house table.

 I love how feminine the bed is!  

You can see here the bed and dresser.  Love the mid-century design!  I tried to keep the decor to a minimum so that it could grow with her.  I included the verse I like to pray over her on the wall, Zephaniah 3:17.

About a year and a half ago, knowing moving was in our future, I picked out fabric I liked.  I made a top and another top for a quilt so that it would be reversible.  While Will was in Memphis over Thanksgiving, I was working on this quilt, finally finishing it.  Anna-Kate and her 4 year old love of pink clearly likes the pink with more pink side the best!  Designed with her in mind.  I love how the green looks in that room, but for now, pink wins!  

This past weekend while we decorated, we kept the door to that room shut.  We both wanted to see AK's face when she saw the room for the first time.  Anna-Kate gives the best reactions, and she didn't disappoint this time either!

A happy Anna-Kate with a tender daddy touch...melt my heart!

That sweet smile

We do love you Anna-Kate, and we can't wait to watch you grow up in this new room of yours!

With Thanksgiving

in view of God's mercies

...that you may participate in divine nature

And the peace of God...

His Goodness....a refuge in times of trouble...