What a Year

I just wanted to put a few notes down about what the boys are saying. Seth and Joel are both saying "ball." They also say "Mama" too, so of course this is their first word. :)

We went to our neighbor's house for dinner. We turned around and Joel was standing on top of the table. He'd found a chair not pushed in and quickly made his way up there. Later that night he came walking out of their kitchen with a spatula in his mouth. This spatula was used to get cut the cake out of the pan. Of course he had a big smile on his face.

Seth hates wearing socks - he pulls them off immediately. Joel gets upset if his socks aren't on.

Today we went to the gym so I could work out. When I came to pick up Seth and Joel in the children's area, everything had been rearranged. They told me Seth and Joel had climbed on everything. I tried to look surprised.

Nathaniel had a great first semester at school. He gets along with everyone, helps out, and has had great report cards. His reading is excellent. We are so proud of him.

All 3 boys hug each other - Nathaniel especially sets a good example of always getting hugs and kisses from the little boys. Sometimes Seth and Joel will randomly come up when I am sitting on the carpet and hug my back. I love that!

As we close out this year, we are so thankful for our family. For all of the growth we have experienced. When I look back at all 3 boys at the beginning of the year, I am shocked at how much they have all changed. While we celebrate the blessings of this year, we are excited to start another year with these fun boys. 

Birthday Lunch

I can't believe Nathaniel is 6! We started out the morning with Daddy making pancakes. It feels like just the other day he was running around like Seth and Joel . . .

We had a birthday lunch for Nathaniel a few days later with some of his close friends.

This is a Pachycephalosaurus. Nathaniel's choice!

I wish I had more pictures. We got to celebrate with Mimi and Granddad since they were here also. I will post more if I find them!

Hats

We finally had some cold weather here. The boys needed a hat to go outside.

Seth

Joel

Christmas Vacation Fun

Once we arrived home from the airport on Christmas day, we found Santa had visited our house and left some presents. Nathaniel is the one who noticed the stockings were full. Of course I didn't have my camera out. We opened a few others presents.

Presents from Aunt Hill

Presents from Aunt Hill

Presents from Aunt Hill

Presents from Aunt Hill

Joel

Me with the little boys - Seth on left

Will was off between Christmas and New Years and had some smoke some meat

Seth left - heading out for a chilly walk.

Everyone enjoying their footed pjs. Seth on left.

The boys doing their favorite thing - wrestling

 

Seth

Seth left

Joel

Nathaniel doing his JJ Watt impression - love this one.

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They love boxes

Joel

Joel

My unpacking helpers - Joel in front

Christmas with Cousins

Getting to celebrate Christmas with family was so fun. Nathaniel ran around with the older cousins the whole time - it was like a pack of animals roaming the house.

Joel, Brad, Nathaniel, Zach

Seth left

Joel left

Decorating cookies - yum.

Seth on end - very far right

Joel left Seth right

Joel left Seth right

Joel left Seth right

Joel left Seth right

The little boys were really tired - too tired to open presents. Not many naps.  I'm holding Seth.

While playing outside the cousins got to run around a football field and track

Joel on left - they were trying to pull stickers off of each other. It was really funny. I think the big kids had put the stickers on them.

So much fun. What a wonderful Christmas.