First sledding adventure

Charlie took the kids out sledding at my parents today. They really enjoyed it!

Note the time!

What time am I up blogging? Almost midnight which isn't a big deal some nights but for the last few as Charlie and I have been extra tired while being under the weather, Dominic has screamed most of the night. Yuk! It's like having a newborn again!!

Tonight nothing would calm him so I feed him and that helped but now he thinks it is playtime as you can see...

Emma this and Emma that

Emma Alice, born on Friday Dec. 14th 2012 has fill everyone's hearts with awe and joy! Carissa, my sister and her husband had the joy of calling us with the exciting news just as we pulled into Sioux Falls Friday night. Charlie and I eagerly went up for our first peek that night and then we took the kids in to see their new cousin on Saturday morning.

Since then Lydia says "call me Carissa" and Eli says"I'm Ike". Their baby doll is Emma and they can frequently be found at the "hospital".

Praise The Lord for he is good! Thank you God for bringing us a Christmas Angel!

Oh so Dominic doesn't feel left out; two nights ago he climbed onto a kitchen chair all by himself and then last night when gpa Brad asked him why he was sucking on his thumb. He pulled it put and looked at it like "you mean this?" So cute!

A Precious Moment in our Home

Every night I look forward to a few peaceful moments laying and nursing my baby. I know he's 13 months already but it feels like just yesterday he was a newborn! Well each night we have some bonding while Eli and Lydia play nicely or not so nicely. Tonight after multiple falls through the evening by Eli I hear another "ouch" and assume my bonding time will
be short, but in steps big sis and this is their conversation...

Eli says "ouch!" And starts crying. Lydia says "did you bump your head". Eli responds "yeah". And here is the kicker Lydia empathizes and says "oh, that hurts!" And then continues by saying " come on Eli". Off they go to play another game but for me it was a precious moment because Lydia is developing into a kind young lady. It is all parents prayer to raise kind hearted kids and we have hope, but some days I wonder so this put a smile on my face. I would say it was a great end to the day but let's see what I think after bedtime. That's a whole other subject for a different post...

Oh by golly what a wonderful weekend!

It was a busy one, but sooo much fun. Friday night Lydia and I got together with my mom, aunt Barb, cousin Michelle and her daughter Madison as well my other cousin Sara to make cookies. In 5 hours we made 5 varieties and are all sweater than before. Second year of doing this and I hope a tradition for many years. Madison and Lydia are the same age and love to play together. They were great
helpers decorating, cutting, and unwrapping candies!

Saturday, Carissa and Ike came home. The ladies went for pedicures as a treat before Carissa has the baby due on Dec. 20th. So excited and can't wait to be an auntie! Lydia even got her nails polished. She sat so still for her first nail salon experience. Then Charlie and I took the older two kids to the Holidazzle parade in Minneapolis. They enjoyed the trip with mom and dad! :)

Oh and we got snow! Yea! The kids and I had fun playing and shoveling. It is so pretty!

Why even buy gifts...

When a box of garbage bags will do? Dominic entertaining himself this morning. :)

1 or 2

So this afternoon as we're are all spending the day home sick as Eli and Dominic have fevers, I decided to do our Jesse tree devotional early. Today we needed to read from 1 Samuel, but I didn't notice the 1. Oops! After reading about concubines a couple of times and wondering why we had a harp picture it dawned on my to check the reading numbers again. Oh we'll!

We are enjoying the holiday season as we saw Santa at breakfast on Sat. As usual our kids weren't fond of the big man! Dominic broke down crying the second he sat on his lap. We also enjoyed the beautiful weather putting up outside lights and picking out a tree. Slowly but surely adding decorations inside which has been a change from my overwhelmed stressed outlook. Trying to do what we can and enjoy instead of go crazy doing it all and not enjoying.

Eli loves the lights and points them out at every house. Lydia is learning cute Xmas songs at preschool which she enjoys performing for us and Dominic likes to dance to our gingerbread man that sings jingle bell rock.

Hoping the sick bugs are visiting now and will be gone by the holidays. Blessings to all as I sit looking at the twinkling light :)