Final weeks of 2012!

Our final weeks of 2012 have been very full!  I will do my best to sum them up. 

I will start with my little cutie pie.

 We took the kids to a basketball game. Fernie was all eyes!

 We celebrated Nana's birthday.  Jack really liked all these December birthdays! 

Caption should read: "Nana would you like me to help you blow out your candle?"

We met Santa at a Rotary lunch. 

 

Last year's Santa picture - what a difference a year makes.

We had a cousin birthday party for Jesus!

 We went to a live nativity. Jack was very perplexed when there was only a doll in the manger and NOT a baby!

 We went shopping with the cousins.

 Only a cousin can pick your nose!

 Papa and Nana took the grandkids on a train ride.  My mom said Jack talked non-stop the entire ride.

 

Two cute passengers! 

 Jack did some painting with Daddy.

 Jack had a visit from the elves Christmas eve night.  He thoroughly enjoyed the cupcake and eggnog.

 Two gift highlights...

 

 Fernie spent some good one-on-one time with GiGi.

 It was so fun to see the cousins together.  They played together VERY well.

 Jack wanted to give J a ride...J wasn't so sure about it!

 Boohya!!!

 This picture is only to show you Fernie's CRAZY hair!

 I just love this cousin picture...I can just hear them laughing :)

 NO MORE PICTURES!

 Jack sent an email to Nana and Papa...

 2012 has been a GREAT year.
I'm excited to see what God has in store for us in 2013!

Happy New Year!!!

A FUN few weeks!

It has been a fun few weeks for everyone!

Two weekends ago we picked out our CHRISTmas tree.  Jack was just a little excited!

 It was fun to watch Jack "decorate" the tree.

 The weather was beautiful CHRISTmas tree weekend so we hung our lights.  I had a cute little helper.

 This week our baby girl turned 1!

 Fernie is growing up WAY too fast.  If you say "Fernie do you want to read a book?"  She will bring you this...

 On her ACTUAL birthday we had a little family party.  She did not hesitate to stick her finger in the frosting!

 Of course Fernie had a helper to blow out her candle...

 ...and open her presents!

While Jack opened presents, Fernie did gymnastics.

Then on Friday "MI Nanny and Poppy" arrived!

"I'm so happy to see you again Nanny"

 We had Fernie's party this weekend!  I tried to make it as girly as I could!

 Fernie LOVED her cake!

 It was so funny she picked the fondant off her cake and just ate that. When I took her cake away to cut it she started crying.  I guess she loved having her cake and eating it too :)

 "Nana, you gotta try this!"

 And of course Fernie had help opening presents! 

Cute story story about Jack's present to Fernie:  I asked Jack what he wanted to get Fernie for her birthday.  He told me a tea set.  So one afternoon I told him we would go shopping and he needed to get money from his piggy bank to buy her gift.  Sure enough he got 5 coins and put them in his pocket. When we took the tea set up to the cashier I asked if the tea set was 5 coins and thankfully she played along and said yes.  Jack took ALL his coins out of his pocket and gave them to her.  He was so proud and so was Mommy!!!

 All that cake and presents can wear a boy out!

 Our weekend came to a close with Jack's CHRISTmas program!!!  He was so cute.  I can't believe he is old enough to be in a program. 

 

Fernie and Papa time, so sweet. 

 This may have been the fastest year of my life.  Where has the time gone with these little ones?!?!  I can't wait for all the birthday parties, CHRISTmas programs and fun times yet to come!!!

SO Thankful!

We were fortunate to spend Thanksgiving in MI this year.  Our trips always seems so short so this year we decided to spend a week with Nana and Papa.  Everyone had a great time!  For weeks (maybe months) Nana and Papa will find little reminders of our trip...cheerios, misplaced decorations, hidden dinosaurs...

 

Papa, Zack and Jack went to pick up the turkey and on the way home stopped by the cider mill and checked out the play area and animals.

 

"I think I will let YOU pet them Papa!"

I am so THANKFUL the kids have such loving Aunts and Uncles.

 My sweet precious baby...who by the way will be ONE very soon!!!  I am so THANKFUL for little Fernie and her feisty personality.

 No rest for the weary here!

 A sweet friend let me borrow this cover for our carseat (Fernie has outgrown ours) and mentioned in passing that it might work on the stroller...sure enough!!!

 The boys checking out the ducks at the Detriot zoo.

 

 LOVE this face!  I am so THANKFUL for my sweet and energetic Jack.

 I am so THANKFUL my kids have wonderful grandparents who love them to pieces.

 The weather was very nice so we were able to burn up some energy outside. 

 "Gotcha!"

 Papa, Zack and Jack went to the library to get some books.  I am so THANKFUL my kids enjoy reading. 

 I am so THANKFUL my kids have the most amazing father who loves them more then they will ever know!

 Puppet show with Nana.

 Nana took time out of her busy workday to show Jack pictures of Zack and his siblings when they were little.  Jack loves looking at pictures.  He saw a picture of his aunt Emily when she was a baby and asked if it was his cousin Nomi!

 Oh Fernie!  She enjoyed all the new toys and all the new places to explore.

 Papa had his hands full with these two!

 Jack loves baths at Nana's house.

 While the big kids watched football and Fernie napped, Jack and I headed to the park!

 

 

 We let Jack choose his dessert for thanksgiving and what did he pick?? Carrot cake!  He ate every bit of it! 

I think Fernie wanted some too!

 The little cousins!

 

Jack enjoyed every minute with Nana and Papa.   

 

 What a crew!

These next two pictures are so funny.  Jack has NEVER made this face before and Fernie has just started sticking out her tongue... 

 The kids are so happy with Nana and Papa. 

 We had a wonderful time in MI!  Zack and I even got away for a movie and some shopping - thanks Nana and Papa! 

I am SO THANKFUL for my dear Zack, Jack and Fernie.