Life has never been more full (chaotic/fun/crazy/busy/tiring/joyful/stressful), but God is good.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! These two wild ones had fun together at GG and Gampy's. Though they missed out on the delicious ham, turkey, potatoes, pie etc, they had fun catching up with giggles and clapping hands :) I wish I had more pics to share of our amazingly full day, first at the Gremores and then at the Stoffels. We are blessed!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is traditionally the day that Great Grandma and crew set up her little village. The kids made a total of 34 HUGE snow balls in the back yard, too heavy probably to lift to make a snow man. They made a little Olaf too, and went sledding down a little hill in the back. Here, they are preforming Do-Re-Mi as a trio. 

James, Theo and Addison are in awe of the singers.

Mom and I went to an enormous craft fair last weekend, and this little ballerina was a hit (thanks for the dress, GG!). Sitting like a lady? I don't think so!

Lyle Lovett Look-Alike

November is a month full of Birthdays and Anniversaries in our family! Here is Daddy and kids for his special day.

And Silas at his triple birthday party (celebrating Tim and Uncle Bri too)...lego man cake made by Auntie Amber- so cute!

Pin the brick on the lego man. Silas won!

Operation Christmas Child is an amazing organization which sends not only gifts, but the message of the gospel to thousands of kids across the world. Gretta wrote a special letter for hers. We are eager to find out which country they end up in! 

So fun to pray for and to pack a box for a boy Sammy's age.

Yes, we are behind on posting- this was a while ago! But I just couldn't skip these pics from October. Sammy and Silas were both ninjas this year (and last year, and the year before that...)

I was so happy Lou happily agreed to wear this tiger costume. She wants to be a mermaid when she grows up, and talks about princesses A LOT. So this just makes me smile.

Theo was a baby tiger (maybe why Lou was ok with being one too!) and Gretta was a Diabetes Educator, stethoscope and all! 

Almost every Friday we are here; the brown county library auditorium, rehearsing for the Sound of Music to be preformed in May. Gretta is Marta, furthest left in this shot. We are so thankful to be a part of this production!

While Gretta is working out her vocal chords, Leila is working out her biceps by pulling Silas barefoot across the floor at his request.

Our friends the Carlson's came to WI all the way from AZ to visit. It is always a shock to see how much each of the kids has grown. The kids had so much fun together!

Leila turned 3 in September...had to add her on here too!

And Silas doing some map copy-work. U.S. Geography this year. I had learned a states song as a kid and it has come in handy so many times in life. So glad these guys can know their states too, thanks to the Anamaniacs (if you haven't heard it yet, google it! It's good!)

Sammy and I went to the pancake place for our mother-son date. This was seriously WAY bigger than we both had imagined! He fit a few bites in, but we definitely came home with more than we ate!

Gretta and her bridge creation.

Theo at 5 months...

6 months...

First two bottom teeth and started sitting on his own.

And 7 months! 

Started clapping hands and eating mushy food about twice a day and loves it. 

Tim started assistant-coaching middle school basketball this year. Go Eagles!

Watching the game and eating popcorn. Go Daddy!! And Go Eagles!!

Summer 2014 Stoffel/Golackson/Gremore Pics Before Saying Goodbye

GG and Gampy

This lovely duo headed up our photo session...ahhhh-choo! (more on that later...)

...next one is with GG, Gampy and kids, with mom and dad's favorite order from left to right. Just wanted to see if anyone is reading the comments or just looking at the pictures :) he he!

This one wins the most random award..uhh...grab a kid that you see and jump in, make sure the spouses join too!

And everybody!

....Take 2....

....Take 3...

1...2...3...4...yep, 12!

Sweet faces! This all seemed like such a blur. Last time we did this, we had suckers and toys and food and more candy hoping that something would help the kiddos look at the camera all at once. This time, we just sort of showed up, posed and left. Huh. 

Did I mention we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner afterwards? Everyone said cheese to that!

Sy & Vivi in the back crack me up...pondering mischief...

The Gremore Gals & Guys.

This is where the explanation comes in for the sneeze. The camera person had a duck on her head and would tell the kids to blow the duck off, or she would sneeze it off and then ideally the kids would laugh. This shot was a split second too fast...one big guy is still trying to get that duck off the ladies head!

That's better! Team Golackson.

The Stoffel Trio.

Almost finished...one more!!

I think we all liked this one the best! Not to mention...time to eat!

Dear July and August, where did you go?

Forgotten bottles of silly string are now in full force!

Some of my favorite summer memories are from our trip to Monroe to visit Linds and the kiddos. We stayed for five days and soaked up every minute of time together. I wanted to get candid shots of what we normally saw each day as the cousins interacted. Above are Leila and Obs in the far bedroom putting something in a bucket =)

Brody was often in his high chair waiting for the next meal or snack or anything to get him through to the next meal or snack.

The three stooges getting some ipad time. Since it is a special week, everyone can watch!

And of course, the artists working hard on creating their first book....

if we weren't sure where the boys were, we'd just look outside...yep!

Someone stole my camera! Proof is in the picture =)

I am not sure if my brother reads this blog. One night, we were skyping with him and I couldn't resist capturing this moment on camera. His incredibly thoughtful wife had a gorilla gram sent to him at work and this is what he got.

Cade won the baseball game that we got to see and his coach treated the team to snow cones- yumm!

Fast-forward to August, where we all met at a park near Phil and Danielle's house. Popsicles for all!

One of many Theo and Reuel shots. I can't get over their faces. I think they know something we don't...

Here is our happy boy at 3 months old...

And here he is at 4 months old...over 17 lbs of pure happiness (except for last night when teething made us all unhappy campers)

"Make a silly face if you want a piece of gum!" Bribery at it's best.

Cousin Owen is in the middle. He and his beautiful mommy came to visit from California to meet all of his cousins here. All the boys...say GO PACK GO!

Leila's favorite topics: princes and princesses

Olivets favorite topics: books and bubbles

They keep each other well-grounded.

Here we go! Off to play!

Gretta and mom's date night, first mini golf, then 49 cent cones at Mc Ds...

"What can we get into today??"

Theo's pretty comfy on Great Grandma's lap!

We started school the first week in August this year. Here are the boys putting their flags together after reading about them. Silas is almost five and just starting to enjoy these little projects. Sammy would probably still prefer running around outside waving a flag, but he was a good sport in making a paper one.

This picture cracks me up. It is one of the only ones I have from the Brown County Fair. This is how Leila spent the whole time walking through the barns of animals. She is her mother's daughter =)

James and Theo are a day a part. Quite the duo!

James sister Ally with Gretta for Ally's 6th birthday. What a princess!

Silas before his much-needed haircut (sniff sniff...I love it long!)...

And after. If only he would sit still for longer than a mili-second...oh well, we get the idea!

Looking sharp Sam! Totally forgot to take a before picture. See the picture of our flag-making for an idea :P

While Auntie Linds and Uncle Josh and cousins were flying in an airplane back to China, Theo and I had an uneventful trip to Urgent Care confirming that he didn't actually have an ear infection, or a bladder infection, or strep. He was just a really fussy teething baby with a fever. Jeesh! 

Praying for a speedy and uneventful trip overseas for the Golacksons!