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!

"Thank you god for the world so sweet!"

I can't explain how I felt watching Mea at her preschool program today. I am so proud of what she is becoming but on the other hand my heart hurts watching how much she is growing. You were an angel today Mea! You melted my heart along with Daddy, Nana, and Bumpas.

At the program Mea told how she was thankful for her kitty, baby Henry, Mommy and her daddy. This is a picture she drew of her, baby snuggles, daddy and me holding Henry.

Way to go Daddy!

There is nothing more peaceful to Hank then bow hunting on a fall day. I am grateful for all you do for our family. Enjoy the rest of your season daddy,you deserve it! Love you!!!

Henry's 9 month checkup!

Their is truly one word for this little boy, LOVABLE! Henry had his 9 month wellness check today. Most 9 month old babies develop a fear of strangers. Not Henry, he burrowed right into Dr. Gangs chest. This little boy LOVES to cuddle with anyone! Henry is now 29 inches long and 18.6 pounds. Thank you god for such a lovable little boy!

Miss Picaso!

Painting has always been a fond childhood memory of mine. I remember always painting with my Grandma Tutland (an amazing artist). She always brought out the artistic side in me. The concentration in Meas eyes when she paints shows how much she enjoys it. Their is a lot of artistic blood flowing through her!

Mea loves mixing colors together and seeing what color she can create!

Catch Mea!

For the past month Henry has been obsessed with playing catch. Actually, he loves to through everything lately!

It has been fun seeing them interact together!

History has been made!

Congratulations to Barack Obamah on becoming Presidential Elect! It was an exciting day in American history. Our children will read about this day, the first African American being elected for President of the United States. My heart was for McCain, but I am ever so happy to see that anyone of race or gender has the opportunity to lead this great country. God Bless America!

COUNTRY FIRST

I have never been so energized over an election! Between the war on terrorism and the hardship of the economy our country is facing some very difficult times. This is my first election having children, which has made me realize how truly important this day is. It is our constitutional right and responsibility to make an educated choice who is best to lead, protect, and serve for the better of this country. GET OUT AND VOTE!!!

"Happy 30th Birthday Becky!"

Your birthday is the perfect chance to remind and thank you for all the times your friendship has blessed me. It started when you moved back to the area and we became co-workers. Only you and I can relive that hilarious Upper Cut experience! We were blessed to be engaged to two boys that have been friends for all of their life, which made our weekly going out to eat even more fun. (But did they ever get a chance to talk?!!) Our shopping trips were full of sugar, laughter and some pretty funny clothes! We moved into our first house, got married, and became pregnant together. God sure had us walking down the same path! Then came the birth of our children, both girls! We got through it together, when I had a doubt you were the first one I called. You helped me get through many hard times and I love you for that. Our paths are not completely the same anymore but we have such a strong foundation we are both bonded for life! To many more memories, Happy 30th Birthday!

Tagged!

I have been tagged by Becky to post the fourth picture from the fourth file and describe it.

I have to laugh, this picture is of Sarah and I at a Valentine party. This was the day Henry was born! How funny is it I was tagged by someone pregnant and the picture came up to be me pregnant, this better not mean something!

"Happy Halloween!"

What a beautiful night! We had four special stops and by the end of it the kids had so much toys and candy it looked like Christmas! Little Henry was so sweet, he just went along with it all. Happy 1st Halloween my sweet boy!

Oh Nana, what you do for your grandchildren! (She made this kitty costume to match Mea!) As you all know their are two things Mea is obsessed with. Cats and the color blue. As of a month ago Mea was adamant she was going to be a cat. Then she decided she was going to be Cinderella for her Halloween party and a kitty for Trick or Treating. Last night she decided she was going to be Cinderella. I guess we should now add a third thing to Meas obsessions, Cinderella.

Can it get any better then this? Candy, Kitty's, Nana and Gracie!

A surprise Halloween lunch with Daddy!