Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!! 

We had a joyful month of anticipating the celebration of Christ's birth as we added a magnet each day to a special calendar we have hanging in the kitchen. We talked about many different characters that played a part before, during and after Christ was born, and had the treat of letting the littlest one (it was Leila this year) place baby Jesus in the manger on Christmas morning. 

God is so good, and we are thankful he so graciously carried us through another year! 

We pray that you too find comfort in His nearness as we enter into 2014.

(See the baby shoes next to Leila?? Only a few more months to go and we get to meet this little one!)

If only I had time to learn Photoshop better :) This was taken at Gretta's 7th birthday bash with the relatives.

Gampy and Leila singing to Gretta...

And here is the cake Gretta decorated! I can hardly believe she is seven. Gretta loves loves loves reading (Nancy Drew, American Girl, you name it! though it is getting tough to find quality reading material in her age group these days). She also enjoys playing in the snow, building legos, & sharing with us the latest Leila quote that gets us all rolling with laughter!

Here is Mr. Eric with the kids from Sunday school singing a few of the songs they had worked on for weeks leading up to the service, including a clever rendition of "Happy Birthday Jesus". 

Gretta and some friends are standing in front of "pin the antenna on the butterfly". She requested dirt cake and crafts. Tim took the boys to grandmas while we worked on our art projects.

The girls colored for WAY longer than I anticipated, almost an hour! They were in their element.

We made some graham crackers with "graham" flour. Who knew??

Grandpa Jer works for the mill, and every year they host a Christmas party at the movies. Each kid picks a toy to bring home (organized by age group after the show). Leila, of course, chose a doll. Gretta picked an outfit for her doll. Sam chose an angry birds set and I can't remember what Sy got. Too bad it's not in the picture. Grandma Lo is fun!

At VFW with Uncle Phil and Auntie Danielle celebrating Phil's graduation a year after the fact. 

Phil was surprised, I think!

Kids and stockings...we actually remembered St. Nick's Day this year! Maybe a first? They were pretty excited :) 

One last good bye for now from Gretta and her doll in adorable matching outfits...thank you GG! 

It's a.....

Surprise! Pretty sure if we wanted to find out if this little one is a boy or girl, we wouldn't have been able to. We decided not to find out going into it, but I was thankful that this little one wouldn't budge so we couldn't change our minds :) Praising God for 5 months of a healthy pregnancy. A few more months to go! By far the fastest pregnancy yet. 

November is one of the fullest months we have all year, with birthdays and anniversaries and holidays, oh my! We started the month with crazy hair day at AWANA (Approved workmen are not ashamed...based on 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth). 

Sister love!

The kiddos have not taken a bath together in FOR-e-VER. We needed to get things done quick this morning, but not sure all in one tub was the best solution. They had fun though!

We took a trip to the Barlow Planetarium with a bunch of other families, and learned about constellations and how to find them in the sky. The show was dynamic and the kids loved it!

Our traditional triple birthday party hosted by Jer and Lo once again! We had a good time eating sloppy joes and chicken soup, followed by great conversations and gift opening. 

Cousins from left to right: Sam, Grey, Leila, Sy, Jax & Gretta

Daddy's special homemade cake for his birthday. We love you daddy!

Here's Sy opening a special present from Aunt Reena and Uncle Roj on his birthday morning. We celebrated (by request) with blueberry pancakes.

Red Robin turned out to be the ULTIMATE for all four kids! They were digging their diet Sprite (something they never get at home...I am not a proponent for diet soda, but when it comes to blood sugars and special occasions, it seems to be the better choice!) The staff sang to Silas and he got his very own ice cream sundae, which he so graciously shared with his brother and sisters.

Sy weighed in at 36 pounds at his four year check, & as our pediatrician said, short & husky! Silas is a bundle of energy and loves to make everyone laugh. He often flings himself on me and says, "I love you mom!". He is just becoming interested in school work, and wants his own math assignments, so I am often scrambling to throw something together for him while the others are doing their school work. He is so lovable. Good thing, because some days......!!

Gretta and I made some thankful turkeys for Thanksgiving. 

We celebrated Thanksgiving lunch at Phil and Danielle's beautiful new home with my parents and her parents. They are also expecting in April! 

From November 23rd to December 18th, we will have a 6,5 &4 year old and a 2 year old :) This is probably one of my favorite times age-wise, because it takes zero effort when people ask how old they all are.

Our monthly "prego" picture!

Danielle and her parents~ so great to see them again. All the way from GA! 

GG & Gampy with the crew.

And finally, we celebrated Thanksgiving dinner at Uncle Roj and Aunt Reena's. A bedtime story from Grandma Lo before we left. We have so much to be thankful for!!

We're Pumped!

Gretta started her insulin pump a week ago. We are in the middle of a two week boot camp of checking her blood sugar every two hours around the clock and no snacking. We are learning a lot about her body and how it responds to carbohydrates and insulin!

These couple of pictures were taken at Bayshore park on Gretta's two year anniversary of being diagnosed. We played and grilled out...yum!

Daddy and Sam resting by the "big ship".

Best Buds

Crocodile Style

My cousin Beth got married a few weekends ago, and the rainy morning turned into quite a beautiful afternoon for an outdoor wedding! Above, they are tying a knot to symbolize their commitment.

All dressed up and a wedding to attend :)

May as well use the props as a backdrop!

Cheese!!!

My prego buddy and beautiful sister in law Danielle...we try to get pictures every month of us together..hey if Leila can look so cute in a frame.... :)

A field trip to Barkhausen studying the ecology of the pond and getting our hands dirty.

A glimpse into the life of our two year old...don't open the cupboard!

Let the potty training begin! But not before a trip to the salon and a cup of chocolate pudding :)

Trick or Treating in Sherwood and celebrating cousin Grey's (the adorable monkey) second birthday.

Dum dum da dum....beautiful bride!

Hi-Ya!

A mix of characters, but all superhero :)

"Meow" for now!