The Beauty Of Winter

There is nothing more beautiful then being in the woods covered in a blanket of snow.....

and seeing a sweet little face enjoying it too!

Make a Smilebox photobook

Make a Smilebox greeting

"It's A Christmas Parade!"

With all the excitement Christmas can bring our family spaces each gathering. We are able to enjoy each others company and gifts, instead of all at once! Last night we celebrated with my family. Thank you Nana, Bumpa, Nick and Ang for the wonderful night!

Mea decided her and Henry were in a parade!

I love making the table look special....

for very special people!

A Birthday Gift From God

Everyone that knows Hank would say this was quite the gift from God! What a beautiful day for a rewarding hunt. Way to go Daddy!

A Birthday Tradition

Last year Mea gave Hank roasting sticks and marshmallows for his birthday. They love having campfires during the summer so she decided they could roast marshmallows in the fireplace! Well, she did not forget about them this year. I think they have made a tradition!

"Happy Birthday Daddy!"

Henry Is Crawling!

Mr. Mellow can move! Last week Henry decided he would like to explore and began to crawl. I think he has a love for the woods already! He has been crawling under the tree and hiding. Oh no Grandma Sue, we have another little hiding Hankie!

"Happy Birthday!"

I am so grateful for this day! In so many ways December 19th was the start of everything that matters most to me. Thirty one years ago, your mother brought you into this world. I am forever grateful for the amazing man she raised you to be.
Thirteen years ago, two teenagers were beginning to fall in love. December 19th was the day you asked me to be your girlfriend! We had no idea how much our love would grow, that the attraction that first brought us together would lead to a lifetime of happiness and two beautiful children.
Not only is today the celebration of your birth, it is the celebration of the start of the wonderful life we created together! No doubt about it, December 19th is the luckiest day of my life!
"Happy Birthday Hankie!"
XOXOXOX

From Four to Eight!

Wow!!! This was our eighth Christmas with the Duggers! I can recall the four of us celebrating, exchanging gifts from our dogs! (I still sleep with the Sushi blanket Bec!) With each child we add, the merrier it feels! Thanks for all the memories Duggers! We love you!

"I love you Becky!"

A Loving Teacher

I am so pleased with the experience Mea is receiving through preschool. The excitement she shows each day makes me elated on the decision of sending her! We adore you Mrs. Larson!

Mea was so excited to give Mrs. Larson a gift!

The Christmas program was adorable, Mea is quite the performer!

Henry was most intrigued by Ava, during the program he was yelling "Ava! Ava! Ava!"

"Do you believe?"

How does your heart feel any warmer? As I watched Mea so eager but shy, to meet this magical man I felt nothing but happiness!

Henry was speechless!

We believe!

"All Aboard!"

Absolutely magical! The snow was falling as we climbed aboard a Christmas train heading to the North Pole, greeted by carolers, luminaries, and Santa!

We began this tradition with the Moravchik family last year!

How exciting for Mea to be going to the North Pole with her best friend!

Follow the luminaries!
The story of the Polar Express was being read when Santa arrived. Mea stood up she was in such disbelief. It was really Santa! The kids all got a bell and were able to sit with Santa before boarding the train back to cookies and hot coco!

Here Comes Christmas!

It is finally here!!! The start of gathering with great friends, eating good food, and sharing the gifts we so eagerly want to give! Thank you Moravchik family for your friendship throughout the year! We love you all!

Ava inspired Henry! He decided to crawl the next morning!

Can't we just sleep here tonight?

The Perfect Gifts

We all have the means to bestow on others the most lavish gifts; love, joy, peace, hope, kindness, acceptance, encouragement, laughter, forgiveness, time. There is not enough money to buy them and not to little money to give them. The more you spend, the wealthier you become, yet nothing will cost you more than you freely possess to give.
Eden Eliot

A Gift To The Birds

I had so much fun this morning with Mea, we decided to make gifts for the birds!

First we painted a pine cone with Crisco.

Next we covered it in bird seed.

Walla!!!

They look so cute hanging on our pine trees outside!

Were There Cats In The Stable?

Mea and I read the story of Christmas several times through out the day, she loves playing with the nativity and reenacting Mary and Joseph taking the long journey to Bethlehem. Each time they arrive to the stable Mea asks me "Were there cats in the stable?"

As you can see in Mea's nativity there are cats in the stable. That little girl sure has a love for cats!

10 Months Today!

It is hard to believe that in two months my baby boy will be a year old! The little man has no teeth, (Mea got her first tooth at 13 months) scoots but not so interested in crawling, he loves to talk, but most of all Henry prefers to cuddle. He is such a little love!

"Santa!"

During lunch this week Mea decided Henry should know who Santa is, well watch and see it did not take him long!

Tis the season to decorate!

Mea had so much fun decorating her tree in her play room this week. I could not believe how particular a three year old could be! Well, she is my daughter!

From top to bottom she did it all!

"My sweet baby"

Mea loves to sing to Henry, they looked so cute in their pj's I could not help but get the camera!

Hunting, Hunting, and more Hunting!

Hank is usually VERY serious when it comes to hunting. A lot of time and preparation goes into all of his hunts. This year he could not stop thinking of being able to share his love of hunting with Mea and Henry. "I can hardly wait till the kids are old enough to hunt with me." Hank has many fond memories of hunting with his dad as a child and is eager to share it with Mea and Henry!

He brought Mea on a little hunt. They looked for deer, he showed her one of his tree stands, and visited with other hunters. She sure loves her daddy!

Henry wants to hunt with grandpa Hank someday too!

For now all Henry wants to hunt for is hugs and kisses!

"I want to be BIG like Maggie!"

Mea absolutely adores her cousin Maggie! After spending some time with her this weekend she is convinced she is big like Maggie!

We miss you Maggie!

Gingersnaps Daddy?

While daddy was out hunting Saturday morning we thought we would surprise him with some of his most favorite cookies. GINGERSNAPS!

This was the first time baking with Mea were she actually did every step all by herself!

"Sometimes I like to have lots of frosting!" So she decided to entirely frost two of the cookies.

Mea insisted on waiting to have a cookie with daddy when he came home. Mommy on the other hand did otherwise!