Occupied

The other evening Steve took a handful of kids out and Morgan and I were trying to get some things done in the kitchen.  Josiah was not cooperating.  Morgan suggested that we put on a show for him.  That was a first for him.  He sat so still...for about 5 minutes.  But at least we got 5 minutes of work done.  :)

Cookie Helper

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve gratitude

In the midst of my small little world, it is very easy for my heart to grumble and complain about my everyday trials.  This year more than ever I am aware of the tremendous sufferings of those around me.  Slain children, a mother dying prematurely, a young husband's battle with a merciless brain tumor.  The list could go on.

This morning as I was cooking breakfast, I took a look around me and knew that I had many, many undeserved things to be grateful for.  My husband's mess, the steaming waffles, content baby chomping on his banana, and siblings playing peacefully together are just a few.

Birthday Party

Aaron was very happy to have some of his favorite people join him for his birthday party.  Grandpa and Grandma, Uncle Jer, and is 2nd cousins, QY and Oliver and their family.

Legos from QJ.  Score.

Morgan knows him so well, she found this sword and shield at a yard sale and knew he would love it.

I just love these next 2 pictures.  My parents wrote Aaron a note telling him that Grandpa was going to take him to the Laserdome (indoor laser tag).  Obviously, Morgan is reading to him here...

The look on his face is priceless.  Dreaming of laser tag with grandpa...

Stinker

Believe it or not, this actually happened when I was standing 2 feet away from him.  I was doing birthday party prep and he was playing happily.  Little did I know he was playing happily in my brown sugar.

Aaron, age 6

Happy Birthday, little bud.  It makes me teary to think of my boy turning 6.  I love this little guy so much.  He brings such a unique dimension to the life of our family.  I love that he is inquisitive, tender, sharp, aware, and very, very conscientious.  He asks questions all day long and remembers everything you tell him.  I am looking forward to seeing this guy grow up and what God has for him.  He reminds me much of Steve and I think that's why I love him so.  :)

Aaron is in kindergarden this year and really loves school.  It comes easy for him and he is fun to teach.  He is doing well with his reading and is finally starting to sit and read in his own.  His recent favorite was a short bio about Henry Ford.  Most of his days are filled with playing legos.  He loves, loves, loves to build with them.  He also loves to play with Morgan and Greta, going along with whatever Morgan has set up for them to do.  He is also drawn to golf and baseball though he doesn't get to do too much of that now that we have dark, cold evenings.

Though he is surely not perfect, he is very loving to his younger 2 siblings.  I love that Steve is being very purposeful to cultivate masculinity in him and it sure is catching on.  He is very aware that daddy wants him to protect his sisters and brothers.

I had a nearby park where I wanted to take Aaron's pictures but he did not want to go there.  He made up his mind that he wanted to go take them at the Rails-to-Trails right behind my parents house.  That was just fine with me.  We had such a special time together, I am so rarely with just him.  He's stuck in the middle and when he's alone with someone, it's usually Steve.

We love you so much, Aaron Jeffery.

For the first time, he actually seemed "into" his pictures.  He had different poses he wanted to try and was extremely cooperative.  Though there are not nearly as many as when I do my girls, I think they capture him so well.

This pose was his idea.

When I told him how to pose for this one he said, "Ok, I haven't done one with just my right knee up yet."  Who remembers things like that???

He wanted to do a Statue of Liberty pose.

The Hobbit

My older kids were beyond thrilled that daddy organized an early gift for them to see The Hobbit at the IMAX last night.  Sounds like they had a great time but are all very sleepy this morning!!

Steve sent me this last night.  Love it!!

Brute

True story, not exactly sure how it happened.  Josiah clubbed Aaron in the eye with a mag light.

Wild Man

12-12-12

My friend, Helen, often posts pictures on her blog of what all her kids are doing at the same time and I love it!

So here is what we are all doing at 11:30 on this crazy day...

Still in jammies, snacking on black beans, snotty nose and all

Listening to Bible songs, doing a puzzle

On-line math class (sorry, Claudia, you're blurry!)

Spelling

Took over the puzzle, and she took to jumping!

Nativity Warriors

Lego/nativity fun by Aaron...

Obsessed

Jumpin' G

We took our family Christmas picture the other day and as we were finishing up Greta wanted to do a jump shot.  Love this precious girl.

Putting up the tree

Maybe I should keep my fruit out of the reach of the 1 year old...

C.R.A.B.B.Y.

This little man his been giving me a run for my money the last few weeks.  As sweet has he can be he has been a complete crab.  I can tell that his eye teeth are coming in and they sure are giving him a tough time.  As I type we are heading into the 3rd hour of trying to get him to take his afternoon nap.  He is fighting sleep, fighting food, everything.  All he wants is for me to hold him and walk around.

I'm ready to get some sleep.  Here's to hoping for some eye teeth for Christmas.

Birthday Party

Josiah's first birthday was pretty low key.  His big sis, Claudia made him a delicious cake and we had a few gifts.
Morgan had my camera for the gift opening.  It was fun to look at the pics and see his face.  When I was holding him he didn't seem too interested in his things.
Still can't believe this little dude is one.  It's breaking my heart...

You would think this boy is fed cake every day.  He picked that piece up and shoved it right in.  

Someone is constantly in this kid's face