Photo Friday...Week 35

I guess, it's actually a Photo Saturday.  Better late than never, right?!?

You and Your Child, Nose to Nose

And, now, she's pointing at my nose

 Not sure what is going on with our faces here.  Oh well, she's cute :).

Instagram...

I've been instagram-ing a lot lately.  Don't forget to click the icon to the right to see what we've been up to.  Instagram is faster than blogging :).

Preschool Cuteness!

Ethan's spring program for school was last night.  His class sang 2 songs and then joined the 4's class for a joint Happy Mother's Day song.  It was so good, and Ethan did great!  He wasn't the yeller or the dancer, but he knew the words and actions, and did them all.  It was adorable!  My pictures aren't great, but they will give you the idea.

Ethan's Whole Class (check out that tutu!)

Cute, smiley boy!

Action shot

Nora was busy in the pew...but she did well too  :)

Here's a snippet of one of the songs they sang.  In the very beginning, they are pretending to be bacon sizzling in the pan.


We are so happy with Ethan's teacher this year.  Last week, was Mrs. McDevitt's last week for this year, as she is taking maternity leave.  But she will be back next year.  Ethan loves her and finally let me take a picture with her.

Ethan and Mrs. McDevitt

Mother's Day 2013

It's been a nice day around here today.  I feel so blessed and happy to call myself a mother to our kids.  There are good days, there are not so good days. There are days with lots of laughing and then there are the tear-filled days.  Everyday, I learn a little more about myself.  And sometimes, what I learn, doesn't excite me.  But I am striving to be more patient and grace giving to my children.  We have been given so much grace, and I try to remind myself of that daily when there are tantrums and disobedience.  I love my kids to pieces and look forward to watching them and helping them grow.  (Just not too quickly!)

I am learning that my mother must have the patience of a saint!  And I am so thankful for her and the example she has given me.  I can only hope that I am doing this mothering thing half as well as her!  Thank you, Mom, for your example, for your guidance, for your love and for encouraging me over the last 30 years.  Especially during this last 4 years or so of my life!

And to Jared's mom, Karen.  Thank you for welcoming me into your lives and family, so many years ago!  Thank you for the mother that you are to Jared and the example you have been for him.  He is lucky to call you Mom!

You are both wonderful grandmas and our kids are the luckiest around!  THANK YOU!

Now on to what you all want...pictures :).

Me and my babies (this was the best of the bunch!)

Ethan being his sweet self

His Mother's Day flower for me, from his school program

 Karen and Dustin came up for the afternoon and to go to Ethan's school program.  Couldn't let them leave without a Mother's Day picture for her :)

Happy Mother's Day!

Picture taking today, wasn't all smiles...this is one of the 'better' out takes :)

Happy Mother's Day!

A Girl, and Her Dog

Nora loves Max.  She loves all dogs, or doggies, as she says.  She plays with him, she hugs him, she lays on him, she lets him kiss her, she makes him growl from time to time too and she feeds him...

So proud of herself :)

We are blessed to have such a patient dog!

Photo Friday...Week 34

These are some pictures from this afternoon. It was a, hold the phone out and take lots of pictures, kind of photo shoot.



Talking and laughing together




It quickly got goofy. But that's ok :)!








Happy Friday, everyone!

Some Morning Play

I realized that I haven't posted any normal playtime pictures for a while, I haven't, actually, taken any for a while either.  The kids were happily playing (in separate corners of the room) this morning, so I grabbed my camera and snapped a couple pictures.

He's pretty serious about his playtime!

She is too, today.

And now I've disturbed her, so shes coming to check out the camera...drool, snot and all!

Soon we will be off to the outlets!  Yay!!  Have a great Wednesday :).

Some Nora Talk

I've taken a couple videos of Nora recently and wanted to share them!  She is learning so quickly.
Animal Sounds

Applesauce and Thank-You

Photo Friday...Week 33

I'm not sure if cooking qualifies as a daily chore...but it does for today's purposes :).
Homemade pizza night!

Doing a daily chore together

It was a yummy chore!  Ethan really is a good helper :)

Basketball

We were given a basketball goal for Christmas this past year, and today, we put it together.  Actually, Ethan and Jared put it together.  After it was all put together, we aired up the old basketball and shot some hoops!

The builders after it was all set up

First dunk!

Coach Daddy, giving Ethan some pointers :)

Having a blast

Nora played some too!

Thanks Grandma and Pop!  I'm sure we will get good use out of it for years to come!

18 Months

Our baby girl is 18 months old today.  A year and a half?!?  How did that much time pass already?  She is developing quite a personality.  She is into everything.  She is sweet.  She is happy.
She is so very ornery.

 

She loves 'doggies'.

She chased this one down the sidewalk a  few times.

She loves to do anything her brother does.  And most of the time I love watching them interact with each other.

Our little golfers.

She's not always happy :)

But still cute.

A few more pictures from today...

Looking so big here.

"Cheeeese"

Applesauce face.

We love this girl more everyday (if that's possible).  Happy year and a half sweet girl. 

Photo Friday...Week 32

This is something I do everyday...but it isn't a usual photo op :).

Wiping sticky faces

...and hands.

All clean!

Chocolate cake face.  He is big enough to wash his own hands and face.

Busy Days

Jared has been super busy the last couple of days, so the kids and I headed to Salem. My Grandpa Bob was also in town, so it was really great to spend some time with him too. The only pictures I have were from my phone, so I don't have a lot.
We stayed pretty busy...
First, Ethan and I got haircuts. And Ethan is pretty excited about being able to spike his hair in the front :).


We also, both got our teeth cleaned. Ethan did so well! He had some trouble warming up to the idea on his last visit, but no problems this time!!


During nap one day, Ethan and I went to see a movie, The Croods. It was cute and a fun time for us.


Nora spent some quality time with Grandma Terri while all this was going on. The van had a few things that needed addressed at the dealership, so we accomplished that too! I was also spoiled with a massage and a trip to Produce Plus for a couple topiaries and a plant stand.
Here they are on the front porch, with some added color :).

Daddy's Girl

This was no coaching or prepping at all.  I asked her before I got my camera out and she said the same thing.  :)

Photo Friday...Week 31

Ethan has become quite the coloring expert, these days.  And he wants to color with me and Nora and anyone else who is willing, all the time!

Coloring together.

Nora Captures Ethan

Ethan likes to hide under laundry baskets.  Nora uses this to her advantage...