Fun in the warm winter sun...

Wheels from Santa

It was about 20 degrees outside, so we weren't out there for long...:)

Christmas Pictures

We enjoyed our family Christmas on the 23rd, Christmas Day with the Moores and Jones this year, and Saturday after Christmas with the Houcks. The kiddos were showered with wonderful, and useful gifts (clothes, toys, books, etc...) But we adults enjoyed for the second year in a row (and what we all agree must become our new tradition) giving our Christmas gifts to various charities in honor of the Lord and each other. The wonderful feeling of meeting real needs for our oppressed brothers and sisters on this planet sure beats another cute sweater to add to the closet! Merry Christmas indeed!

A Happy Thanksgiving, Indeed!

Gavin got to visit the Dinosaur Museum with Grammy and Papa on the day after Thanksgiving!

Our family photo

Chloe metting Ryan's Aunt Corrine for the first time

Here are a few pix from our holiday with the Houcks, and some of my thankful musings....Last year, on Thanksgiving Day 2007, we were surprised with the news that a new member of our family was coming. With the perspective of the past year in mind, all it's ups and downs, I don't think I have ever felt so gut-wrenchingly thankful, as I do this Thanksgiving season! Never in my life have so many incredible life changes come in one year. Thank You, Thank You God, for being You, and loving me! You are GOOD and Life is Beautiful!!

Big Girl Play!!

This is a cute video and some pix of Chloe trying out a couple of her hand-me-down toys for the first time...

Outdoor Fall Fun!!

Gavin loves his "lawnmower"
Baby Snuggle Bear swinging for the first time!
I'll post more pix of our beautiful autumn foliage around here later!

Happy Haloween!!

Marcella's Halloween Cupcakes, anyone???

How's my hair?

Scary!!

The Little Chloe Bug!

The Cool Dino

Well, Gavin's first real trick-or-treating was pretty fun. Gavin looked at himself in the full length mirror and said, "I'm a cool dino..."

We got to see lots of other little kids as we walked, and he liked that. All in all, the dino and the ladybug had a good time. The Jones came out for the evening and helped us celebrate!!

Sorry this video is sideways. Try to tilt your head or screen cause it's pretty cute!

Boo Shirt...

Thanks for the fun shirt Aunt Emily!!

As you can see, I think I look pretty cool in it!

The not good, very bad day...

Well, Yesterday was a rough day for both Gavin and Mama! We made a mad dash to the Pediatrician's office in Norman, so we didn't have to wait all weekend to get medicine. Gavin has his first ear infection. Thankfully it's just outer ear and he is alread feeling better. But this comes at a difficult time for us all. Gavin has been extremely "two" for the past few weeks! He is proving to be a an extremely strong-willed child! For example, at the Dr.'s office yesterday, he freaked out when we tried to weigh him, and ran for it! I mean he ran 100 yards down the long hallway, into the business office with all the receptionists, and hid in the file room, Screaming like a wild banshee all the way! Every man, woman and child in the place came out of their exam rooms and stared at us. What can I say?? I guess he got my genes. I once crawled under the exam table at a check-up and wouldn't come out. He had to one-up me!

Floor time...

Chloe likes playing in the floor. Looks like she's not the only one. Meme came for a short visit this week. Gavin and Chloe got lots of good lovin!

Mama's Boots!

Gavin is absolutely intrigued by my new boots... He has worn them numerous times since they came to live here. Chloe was talking in this video...watch to the end for a surprise!

Saturday Picnic at the Park

Yummy picnic lunch...
Slinging in an African chitingi
eating blueberries
big boy on the toys
bigger boy on the slide

New Kitchen shade

I finally got my roman shade for the kitchen made. Tell me what you think...

War and Peace... (Election Issues Continued)

This is a toughy! Who really wants American service-people in harm’s way…. Ever? But, we will all acknowledge that there is a need for a strong military, should anyone ever attack us.
Without debating the original necessity of the Iraq war, what is the answer now? Where does our responsibility to the people of Iraq (human beings with families just like us) end… I would argue that our responsibility to them ends only when we have cleaned up the mess we made… Again, whether or not there was just cause to occupy, we can all admit our presence caused the Iraqi people some problems…
We should probably not leave them hanging, in our magnanimous American wake, to rebuild their shattered infrastructure…. (We did the shattering, you know) It’s so easy to invade and occupy when you know what’s best for the whole darn world… a little harder to clean up your mess in a culture you don’t really understand!
Let’s apply the wisdom of hindsight to the future potential conflicts we face. Isn’t it kind of arrogant to snub the U.N.???? Oh, I forgot… America isn’t arrogant; we’re just right! Without exception or ratification!

Phasing out the High-Chair...

Well, it has become well known around here that Gavin doesn't enjoy being cofined in the high chair. We pushed it for a while, for Mom and Dad's convenience and Gavi's safety, but the meal time blues are getting to be to common place. So, we've started phasing it out.... Here he is eating his sandwich and apples lunch at the bar! The crazy thing is, Chloe will be in it in about 3 more months!

HAIRCUT!!!

Well...We did it. And, it went better than ever before. Maybe someday he can do it without tears, though... breaks a Mama's heart!

Before Pictures