Christmas Spectacular

15 Years

15 Years with my guy!  So thankful and continually blessed by him.

The kids watched our wedding video with us this year.  They got a kick out of it!  We spent the rest of the day hanging out together - lunch, enjoying the sun outside and family time together.

Brunch at one of my favorites...First Watch

Madelyn's BIG Decision

Christmas was very special this year.  A week or so before Christmas, we had our Christmas Spectacular at church.  At the end, our campus pastor was talking about how Jesus offers us the gift of salvation but we have to make the decision to reach out and take it.  It hit home with Madelyn.  When he had people raise their hand at the end, she looked at me and stuck her hand in the air.  They brought around a card for her and she clutched on to it tight.  Over the following week and 1/2 she didn't want to talk about it much, but wanted to keep the card close to her.  We continually prayed for Madelyn and her heart.  On Christmas Day, we asked if she wanted to sit down and talk for a little bit with just the three of us.  She opened up and wanted to pray with us.  We were overjoyed!  Praying for our little girl as she walks through life on the narrow path that leads to Jesus.  That she will let her light shine for HIM daily.  Best Day!

Christmas

We stayed home during the holidays this year.  We missed extended family but it was nice just to be home with the dogs and to stay in our PJ's most days. 

Christmas Eve 

Reading the Christmas Story

Christmas Morning

Madelyn's Chorus Concerts

Madelyn's chorus from school did all kinds of singing during the holiday season.  We love watching her!  Theo was there every time supporting her.  So thankful for the friendship these two have.

Christmas Decor

We decorated the Christmas tree and house this year before Thanksgiving.  I'm normally a scrooge and don't want to decorate, but was actually excited about it and left it up longer than we typically do.  The kids got a kick out of looking at all the ornaments this year. 

Madelyn thought this ornament was so funny

sweet boys hand is so much bigger

November Wrap-Up

Jump Jam

Snow Day!

Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving week this year my parents, Gigi and Pops, came out to visit.  We love having them here!  The kids were still in school so they were able to eat lunch with them.  It's such a special time for the kids.  They also house/dog sat for us a couple days while we headed to Georgia to spend a couple days with Tim's family.  So grateful for this!  We enjoyed spending time with them as well.

Tennessee

Georgia

Theodore: 7 1/2 Years Old

Theodore Joseph,

You are seven and a half!  We just love celebrating you every chance we get.  You love making people laugh and are such a charmer.

You started first grade in August and are flourishing.  Taking everything in and such a smarty pants.  So incredibly proud of you. You are the sweetest person to your friends in class.  We love watching you interact with them.

You weigh 47 lbs and are 47.5 in. tall

Currently in size 7t shirts, 6T pants and size 1 shoes

Your favorite foods are shells and cheese, nachos, fruit and anything with sugar.

You love Salsaritas, Chick-fil-A and Panera

Going to sleep at night around 7pm and waking up for school at 6:30am. 

Some of your favorite activities are building, crafting, jumping on the trampoline, making paper airplanes, soccer and hanging out with your sister.

You enjoy making all kinds of things.  Your room and the rest of the house are full of your crafts.  Such an imagination!

You played soccer this fall and dad was your coach.  You absolutely loved it!  You're playing indoor over the winter.

We love you so much little boy and are very proud of you.

June

Field Trip to the Aquarium

First grade took a field trip to the Aquarium for their fall trip.  Tim met up with them and chaperoned a couple boys from Theo's class.  They had a blast!  It's always nuts because so many schools and classes are there at the same time, but Theo had so much fun.  He loved having his dad there!

October Wrap-Up

October was packed full of activities.  Soccer continued...in the rain and cold, but I absolutely love watching them play!  We bundled up and trudged on out there.  The kids had their school fun run again this year.  The staff make it such a fun activity!  We also had the fall fest at church.  A time of bounce houses, food, raffles and all kinds of fun.  Madelyn had her fall field trip to the Muse.  So much stuff to do and learn.  She loved it!

almost game time

triplets!

The kids love reading but also being read to.  I try and read a chapter or two out of a book every night before they dive into their devotional/bible and head to bed.  Most of the books I've never read because they didn't come out until after I was out of Elementary school.  It's fun to see what all they're in to.

Halloween

A fun Halloween once again this year!  The kids school had book character day on Halloween again this year.  Madelyn was in the middle of reading Little House on the Prairie Series so went as Laura Ingalls.  Theo's teacher loves Charlie Brown so he dressed up as Charlie Brown.  I love that their school does this!

Fun time carving pumpkins

Great Wolf Lodge

This year for fall break, we headed up to Cincinnati for a few days to Great Wolf Lodge.  We've been wanting to take the kids there for awhile and were able to swing it this year!  They had a blast and were so sad to leave on our last day.  They enjoyed the indoor waterpark, the arcade, restaurants and all the fun crafts during our stay.  We'll definitely be going back!

ready to get out there and play!

September Wrap Up

The month of September flew by! The kids started back to soccer.  Tim is coaching Theo's team and our good friends are coaching Madelyn's.  They're both doing great and love it.  Even though some of the games are early on Saturdays, I love watching them and the joy they find in the game. 

Madelyn made chorus at school and has started practicing.  We are so proud of her and that she had the guts to tryout.  It's hard sometimes when you know there's a chance you won't make it. Love this kid and the choices she's making. 

Preschool started back up for me and subbing has picked up so I'm working pretty much every day.  We're worn out at the end of the day, but starting to figure out a good routine. 

Before school one day