Too Many...

There were just too many to not include them all. Eleanor is so easy to take pictures of right now. She is saying "cheese" and posing more and more also. What a crazy gal!

Paw Paw Snuggles

Recently Eleanor is like a totally different person when she gets around her Paw Paw (Josh's dad). She goes into what we've been calling the Paw Paw Coma. The other day He arrived to babysit for a couple of hours and Ellie walked right up to him wanting to be held and laid her head on his shoulder. He didn't even get a chance to take his coat off before she fell asleep. Last night we did a drive by to their house for about 45 minutes and she sat in his lap the entire time playing with the same toy as Jon rubbed the back of her neck. What I wouldn't give to have those kinds of snuggles from her!

Merry Christmas!

We hope everyone had a blessed Christmas day and time spent with families. After spending the morning at home with our own family of four we headed to my moms for yummy brunch and the Ferwerda Family Christmas. Here are a few of the many images we captured throughout the day.

Jodi and the kids (Jack kept looking away from the camera so I finally had to hold his head in place)

Nana(my mom) and Ellie

Jack and Hailey watching videos on Uncle Scot's computer. We haven't seen my brother Scot since he was home last Christmas. It took a little while but the kids finally warmed up.

Jack got a pizza making kit from Nana and Grandpa Buzz

Eleanor received baby doll and a handmade cradle that her Great Grandpa made, but wait, where's the baby?

I think it would take me a while to warm up to someone with hair like that too. Love you Scot. Glad you're home, but get a haircut!

Hee-Haw

I'm a clonkey-bonkey donkey I sing hee-haw, hee-haw, hee-haw! Well actually those are the words from a book we have, but I could picture Jack reciting them as he played the part of donkey (at the birth of Jesus) for our church's preschool age Christmas program. Other than being stuck in the very back behind a kid whose "donkey" ears were covering Jacks face so I couldn't see him, he did a great job and had a lot of fun. I was bummed Josh couldn't be there with Ellie and I to watch our little clonkey-bonkey donkey!

Jack with one of his closest friends Annalie...The fake smile is great :)

A Friendly Face

Just in the past week or so Eleanor has become much more friendly with the camera. She says "cheese" now and smiles and tilts her head. It's pretty darn cute! One night this past week she wouldn't stop opening her mouth and saying Aaahhh... Everytime she did it, Jack would laugh and giggle at her just egging her on. Oh the personality this girl has!

This one above is my favorite. You can tell just how goofy she's being.

One week down...

Well, we made it through our first week of Josh working on second shift. Having known the change was coming for almost two months It didn't seem real like it was ever going to happen. (Some of you may or may not know that Josh was given a promotion at his job, however he will be working 2nd shift 6:00pm - 3:00am indefinitely but hopefully not more than a year) The adjustment will be harder than I thought. It's nice having him around during the day, but I miss having him here to put the kids to bed and to lie down at night with me. With winter upon us, Josh leaves for work, the kids and I sit down to a simple dinner and we hunker in for the night. There is not much socializing going on in the evening hours anymore. Thanks to all of you who were praying for us especially this week as we made the transition. Honestly I think the saddest part was on Wednesday when Josh was getting ready to leave and saying goodbye to Jack. Jack said, "Daddy, I don't want you to work nights anymore." (with a big pouty lip hanging out). God is faithful and good and I'm so proud of Josh for taking this step. If anyone wants to chat on the phone before bed, I'm available :)

Snow

The first substantial snow fall of the season. Of course the kids are outside playing. Jack was so exited to wear his snow boots for the first time and now that Josh is working second shift he can play outside with them during the daylight hours...that means free time for me :)

It took me a while to realize all she wanted was the mittens off.


First time eating snow...mmmm!

It seems like the second child is always crying about something the older one did. Is it like this for others too, or just my kids?

Christmas Palooza

Christmas Palooza...the term Josh uses to describe the weekend after Thanksgiving where we cut and decorate our tree, The kids get to open one gift (Christmas pajamas) and watch a Christmas movie. All this and more to celebrate the beginning of the advent season.

Jack is very excited to watch the Polar Express!

At first Eleanor was not sure what to think of the tree, but quickly it has become her favorite toy. I think I need one of those circular gates or something to keep her out.

I tried many times to get a good picture of the two of them with their new pj's on. Jack just wants to get down and continue playing while Eleanor creates continued drama

Her favorite word, and why shouldn't it be...Cookie!

Cut Your Own Tree...

One of the great things about Michigan is the many tree farms in our area. There is always the option of stopping by any number of the corner businesses who are also selling fresh cut trees, but who wants to do that when you can have the experience of cutting your own. The hot cocoa, marshmallows, Christmas music, bonfire, tractor rides, muddy boots, and sap all over your gloves and hands is just too good to pass up! I love as our kids get older to hear how they actually remember past events of their short lives. The car ride to the farm all we heard from Jack was "remember how last time when we got our tree, Nana and I went on the tractor wagon and then it broke and they had to stop and get a new one. Remember that Daddy?" Though there was no tractor drama this year we had a great time.