Slinky! Slinky! Everyone loves a Slinky!

Oh My! Anything that holds the babies' attention for more than 3 minutes is a favorite of mine. These Slinkys had us in stitches for a good hour yesterday. It was truly revealing of the childrens' individual personalities. Sarah was trying so hard to make it work precisely the way that Matt had showed her to. Thomas dragged it up the stairs, bending and busting it...and then chucked it down, repeatedly. Look how excited he gets at how it works!

As a side note: Sarah's outfit is an original. She is wearing a cape and lace shirt my mom made for me when I was a child. She painted and sewed her own ziti necklace. The Fancy Nancy tutu and pajamas just make me giggle. It has been painful in the past to allow her to pick out her own clothes. Now it is so much easier at the store...I don't even have to try to coordinate tops and bottoms. The louder, the better.

1-23-11 Tommy's Second Birthday!

It's hard to believe that our little Tommy-Boo is 2 years old already...and yet it feels like he has always been with us. He is a joy to all of us and brings such an incredible amount of energy and laughter to our family. We love you, Tom! "Haggy Barfy!"

Some of our favorite "Tom-isms"

-"Don't do dat!"

-"I can't. I'm too biddy!" (busy)

-"I don't want to be two! I want to be an engine!"

-"Sorry, Jesus!" (as we walk out of church every weekend)

2 Corinthians 12:9

If I could get super-personal for a minute, I would tell you that one of the greatest struggles for Matt and me (as parents) is patience. I have been praying that God would grant me more patience, an especially helpful gift during these cold months. (The children have been bouncing off the walls, literally. It is really funny.) Anyway, the moment my plea for the gift of patience left my lips, I began to get a little anxious. God has an incredible sense of humor, this I know.

CROUP. All the way around. Every single child.

What can I do but praise Him for the opportunity to practice patience?

This picture was taken at 2am. It was way below freezing outside. This was the second round of cold, dry air for Nate. Poor Matt barely slept at all. I was in charge of the warm, humid shower therapy inside...Matt wore his jacket, hat and gloves all night long. I absolutely HAD TO document this moment. This picture speaks so loudly to me of God's grace. When Matt came back inside, we looked at eachother and said, "I have nothing left." An incredible peace came over me. His grace was sufficient. We could do this...He could do this through us.

Now that we are healthy, I think back to those late nights and early mornings and marvel at God's grace.

I am done being grateful now. No more licking the shopping carts at Wegmans, Sarah! I am done with sickness for the year.

Laughing All The Way

Just random things that have made us laugh lately.
I cleaned out the upstairs closet a couple weeks ago...obviously this was quite an occasion for the family. Should I be offended?

Sarah loves to torment Nathan. Here he is playing dress-up with her. My First Communion veil and Sarah's fairy princess wand made for a very unhappy Nate. He actually ended up whacking her with the royal scepter...that made him happy.

Nate just figured out the magic of suction cup removal. Now, EVERYTHING can go in his mouth.

The Worth of a Sibling

*Note: If you are sensitive to loud and repetitive noises, please turn down your speaker volume. The video is just as funny with no sound. As a side note, if you are one of my friends that complains that I never answer my phone: Now you know why. I can't hear it ringing.* ;)

Nathan is a hoot these days. While I was making dinner this past week, I heard a great deal of noise in the dining room (where all memorable commotion begins). This is what I walked in to...

I would have walked in and picked him up. But moments after this video ended, she had him in stitches. He was laughing so hard that he ended up getting hiccups, and I was able to finish making dinner. I love moments like this.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

4:30a- Standing Vigil
4:32a- Bored and brushing teeth

4:37a- Tommy too!

5:10a- My good sleeper

5:11a- Irritated, but still smiling

5:12a- "Mom, can we just go check to see if Santa came? Joseph never wakes up. EVER!"

Christmas Eve

'Twas the Night Before Christmas


Thomas partaking of Santa's cookies

Proof that there WERE three cookies!

Joseph getting Santa's milk ready.

Christmas Vacation- Catching Up

Thank you Aimee & Co. for the Christmas crafts. We spent two hours decorating and snacking! Even more delightful than the finished products was the time we spent laughing.

(Tommy's sugar coma was fun too! We "wearry wike" candy canes!)