Santa baby!

We took Jake and Ava to see Santa.  Jake recently turned 7, so I wonder how much longer he'll be interested in going to see the Big Guy in Red??  He said, "Mom, what should I say if Santa asks me if I've been naughty or nice?" I said, "tell him the truth, Santa likes the truth."  He decided he was going to tell him, "I try to be good but sometimes I make bad choices."  Oh Jake, me too honey...me too ;-)

Listening very closely

Smiles for Mom and Dad!

Before Santa

After Santa (they are giddy!)

Won't be long until Santa's up on the roof top!

Moon Festival and Pumpkin Patch

Marla of Legos and Tutus, hosted an awesome Moon Festival!

Gread food + wonderful people + a hayride to the pumpkin patch +

painting pumpkins + a balloon release + yummy s'mores = one fun filled night!

The next day we took a trip to the Pumpkin Patch!

Happy Independence Day!

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July!  Thank you to the
men & women who have fought for our freedom.

God bless the USA!

Wordless Wednesday

Favorite Foto Friday

Siblings and an "Over the Moon" Referral

Do you all ever have those "Calgon-take-me-away" moments when the kids are bickering and pestering each other just for sport?  I know I have them in my household.   And then, there are moments when they swimmingly and tenderly get along.  Those are the moments and memories I love to capture...

Ava "reading" to her big brother.  And wow, what a story she made up :)

Big brother hanging on every word!

A proud big brother!

Speaking of siblings, cutie-patootie Leah is about to get a precious mei mei.  My sweet and dear friend Melissa, just got the referral for her beautiful daughter Kate.  Isn't she adorable?

Please visit Melissa's blog "Over the Moon"  to wish her well and follow her journey.  Melissa is eloquent, positive, and always optimistic.   You'll just love reading her blog.  Melissa, congratulations to your beautiful family!!

Fun with the kiddos

Making Cookies

Jake and Ava had a big time decorating Christmas cookies.  Ava was all about the sprinkles and Jake was all about the icing.  They each had their own little bowl of icing and individual spreader.  They got to eat the cookies they decorated, as they were licking the spreaders and double dipping. Oh, but they had big fun!
Ava decorating her cookies

Jake decorating his cookies

 

"Designer" Gift Wrapping

The kids and I bought a gift for Daddy, and Jake wanted to wrap it with paper he and Ava designed. So, I covered the gift with heavy paper and Jake and Ava got out the crayons and went to town. Jake was so excited!  He ran and took the gift to Daddy and begged him to go ahead and open it.  He was so excited he couldn't get his words out, he said, "Mommy drew the jolly (he meant holly) and helped with the bow tie :) but Ava and I did everything else.  His little heart had such joy in giving...that's what giving is all about!

A visit with Santa

"He had a  broad face and a round little belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowl fully of jelly

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, 

And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself"

Clement Moore, "A visit from St. Nicholas"

Whether you call him Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, St. Nicholas,

Pere Noel or St. Nick...it's fun to watch the joy Santa brings to the face of a child at Christmas time!

Listening so intently

Delight and excitement

 

Right after meeting the big guy...still on cloud nine and tickled pink

Oh happy day!

And to all, a goodnight :)

What a difference a year makes!

I was cleaning up my photo files and found some pictures from last year.  I can't believe how much the kids have grown....especially Ava.

2007

 

(scanned in blurry)

2008

Let them eat cake...

...cupcakes that is!!!

If I were a cupcake

what flavor would I be?

chocolate or vanilla

with pink icing maybe

Thanks Aunt Sheila for bringing by the cupcakes.  

They were a yummy treat.  As you can see we enjoyed them!

 

 Aunt Sheila, I love these pics of you with the kids!

“Ganbei” 干杯

Ganbei (cheers)!! What are we cheering about? We actually made it to church on time today (although we overslept and had to go to a later service.) Every week I feel like I'm yelling at everyone to get ready and out the door. Then on the race there I think, Wow! that was a really bad example to set for my kids on being patient and christ-like. Does anyone else do this? I have to say the extra time this morning was nice.

Having a mommy/daughter moment before church
Ava overly "cheesing" for the camera

The kids were having an afternoon snack today when I heard "Ganbei". They have
gotten into the habit of cheering and actually say "Ganbei" each time.
Any reason is a good reason to say "cheers"!

Tagged!

Jake and Ava got tagged last week by Ella and Lily
It's taken me that long to try and get some answers out of Ava, but here we go:

Name:
{J} Jacob Reed
{A} Aye-a (Ava Mei-li)

Age:
{J} 5
{A} Aye-a (she's 2)

Favorite Activities:
{J} baseball, riding my bike, riding my scooter
{A} draw

Favorite Foods:
{J} spaghetti & meatballs, pink lemonade, tangerines
{A} I want juice

Least Favorite Foods:
{J} soup with rice in it
{A} I want juice

Favorite Music:
{J} bible music
{A} big

Favorite Toys:
{J} vtech educational game, lego star wars
{A} Jake speaks Ava - he said she answered baby doll

Favorite Books:
{J} More Spaghetti I Say!, Story of Jesus, Fiddle-I-Fee
{A} nite nite book

Favorite Items of Clothing:
{J} All of them
{A} mamma kiss

What makes me Happy:
{J} Vtech, family
{A} I'll answer for Ava (taking my shoes off)

What makes me Sad:
{J} When I get a boo boo
{A} boo boo

Next we tag
Emma & Ryan