My Big Ol' boy

My eldest...the funny boy, the performer, the thinker, the talker, the question-er, the nosy one :) He always wants to know what is going on in everyone else's life. He has a soft heart for senior citizens and the poor and needy. He has currently had the jewish people on his heart. He is full of questions and always inquiring "why" this and "why" that. He also comes up with some deep theological questions (usually really late at night :). He is very, very smart in a quirky kind of way. I really cannot believe everything he has learned academically this year. He loves provoking his sister and that is a quality we are going to try to work on this year. Self Control is another area that we hope to strive in more this year.

He is a full disclosure kind of guy, which is a good quality and hilarious and a little annoying sometimes :/ He always tells us when he has done something wrong. He particularly tattles on himself when it comes to things he has done while he is away from our care, like for school. First thing he says when he walks in the door is "I had to move my guy today." Meaning that he got in trouble. I was concerned about how often he was having to "move his guy" and I contacted his classroom teacher. She was so kind and said that he did indeed have to move his guy a lot but that it was due to how "social" he is. She went on to say that he certainly does not have a problem with being sociable and that he is a leader. I have certainly noticed his leadership abilities. Not quite sure whether it is always a positive path of leadership, but yes...he is a leader :) He is very opinionated, very vocal, often speaks before he thinks, and always considers his own opinion as the best (Shutup, I know what you are thinking.)I predict he will be a broadway star, a very persuasive preacher, a missionary, an engineer, or a rock star for his occupation.

CK loves getting in on secrets and is always asking me about my childhood. He loves to hear "stories" about us growing up, about our siblings, about when he was born and when he was a baby, etc. He loves telling details and stories about his brother and is really good at carrying conversations with any one no matter what their age.

He really brings joy and excitement to our home. It is awfully quiet around here on the days he is at school away from home. I know many of you think you could never homeschool but let me just tell you it is indeed a calling. If I can do it with my eldest as a student and with me as a teacher, it must be Divine Intervention. I wouldn't change it for the world. I am overwhelmed with gratitude that the Lord allows me (with my many misgivings) to do this and has given me the ability to make it through day to day.

I love my little CMK with all my heart, the little toot..no matter how much he wears me out.

I'm dreaming

of a white (of a snowy white) Christmas

The whole family made of snow
Detail shots of dada and mama
and the kiddos (Ree was all about the accessories-that's my girl!)

Christmas at Mim's

Crazy cousins....(next year there will be one more boy---little Jackson (kels is prego!)The girls....Love em'
Finally....a photo of J.D., Jill, and Elphie (I wish they were here all the time!WAH) . Elphie's actual name is Elphaba...you know, Elphaba of Wicked the Musical. Yep, pretty sure Jill is wayyyyy up in Creed's book.
The guys were so thrilled that the ladies all got them matching PJ pants.


Every year mim has an angel food cake that is our Happy Birthday Jesus cake.
For some reason all the kiddos congregated around Ky.
One of my lovely sis's
Have I mentioned I am glad they are home for the holidays :)!
Poor Elphie, she had to be fully overwhelmed. She's inspiring me to be open to the idea of getting a small dog (that's big...I always prefer big breads).

The boys love posing sorority style


Jude is obsessed with popping Mim's bubble gum bubbles.

Welp, looks like we are snowed in. We attempted to get home and there was NO WAY. We drove about 2 miles in the all out blizzard. There were 30 or so cars stranded so we turned back around. We did not have a THING and weren't prepared at all for staying the night. Can I just say we didn't even have lovey for Jude (this is HUGE!!!!!!!!). I was in a small state of panic while the boys were singing ever so lovely around the piano not a care in the world.
Our make shift shelter.....
A few hours of sleep later and a long road trip (watch for another post...it really was an incredible journey the whole trek of 30 miles north) we are HOME. Santa has postponed (there were no gifts at mim's house) until tomorrow...yippee.

Merry Christmas

From Mary and Two Josephs....

One Joseph who happens to be proud of his 6 pack and insisted on taking his shirt off for the photo...Oh, he happens to have a major drooling problem too.

LL can throw a party...

Juju and party host extroidinare'





Yes, this is the best photo I can get off all my children together...you try it if you think it sounds easy.
Finished products from each of my kiddos... (notice Jee's was pretty elaborate !)

My friend, LL (and baby bean) can sure through a party. I would give her hubs some credit for it. But seriously.....we all know that Mrs.PR herself threw this one together and Ryan came along for the ride. We had a blast carvin' out some punkins and I loved seeing my old buddies. They are my life long friends and no matter how far away we may be or how TERRIBLY bad I am about contacting people that don't live around the corner we will be forever friends.

Weekend O' Fun

Oh my gosh....melt my heart this little one can.


The following girlies and their mommies are AWESOME. Love em' all.



Ree and her little "Korey Lynn"...she's obsessed with her. She didn't even have to think about the 5 choices of baby dolls. She went directly to the one with dark hair and almond shaped eyes....hehe, I wonder why.






Okay, so...have I ever mentioned that you HAVE to get in a small group if you don't have one? (hehe, I know I have) but, I do have to say that it will change your life. We heart our small group.

Plus, how hot are these chicks?

The one on the left has two kiddos...who would've guessed..on the right mommy of 3. They are happy to be at the American Girl Store, as you can see ;)
Mommy of 7......I know I know. She even has time to put on makeup and wear a trendy little hat AND she is always WAYYYYY earlier than I am to events. Gag me.
Mom of 5.....and talk about cutesy patootsie. And you should see how fast she can go on the eliptical and treadmills in the mornings.... not to mention her amazing weight lifting abilities.Wowzers.
Mommy of 3 and getting ready to take her skinny behind down to Taihiti and soak up some sun. Talk about funny gal. You have to read her blog....it's hilarious. She makes me laugh.
The girls in doll heaven.
The boys made it back in time to meet us outside the store (they weren't even brave enough to step inside the store...pansies).

Awhile back (bad blogger) some of our friends and us went to see Mary Poppins live (theatre) and we did a little girls side trip of stopping by the American Girl doll store. Wowzers. I've never really understood the whole phenomenon. Except, I do like the books that go along with the dolls. At least it's educational. Ree LOVED it! She had some money stored away that had been given to her as gifts and so she got a bitty baby. I surprised her when we got there and remind her about the money. She was thrilled.

We had a blast with our buddies on the road trip. Mary Poppins was amazing. Live theatre makes me cry it's so beautiful. It really is amazing to see the talent God has given to people.

Get ready for picture overload....sorry 'bout that.