been a long work-week for my man

just an ordinary walk

baby's got chins

but where is his neck?

grateful

it was a low-key Thanksgiving for us. since adam was working all week, our parents came to us. adam and i really missed our siblings, but we are grateful for the lives they are leading near and far and we thank God for our parents and how they love us and our children. since we hosted, the kids enjoyed helping in the preparation. this is the first year for that kind of helpful participation and it truly was a joy.  

from earlier in the week.  no shirt because he pulled my soup into my lap all over us.

pie helpers

bma came with stories and songs to share

grandpa came with carving and gravy-making expertise

my 25 lb turkey.  adam's brother and fam could not come at the last minute (we missed them!) so we had way too much food!

place-cards made with love

i did not communicate well about pie and so we ended up having about 7 pies for 9 people

teaching graham the slapping game

my sweet man loves windex and cleaning the kitchen.  that is a gift.

playing some Christmas songs they are working on

marit caught us a little blurry

papa wins again with his fixing skills...the zipper on my boots works again!

a little chilly exercise

big day for gman

graham graduated from his violin class today, which means he had to play a solo. he is very brave, but is not one to enjoy the attention of being a soloist (unlike our other violinist). he wanted to back out, but pushed through and did it! also, this morning i was late to appear out of my room (being up early is definitely my preference, but baby with a cold and up a lot has made for a weary mama lately) and i found the boys in the kitchen eating breakfast that graham had served for himself and miles. there are a million struggles in parenting everyday, but let's celebrate the victories.  i'm grateful for this independence!

cold!

the freezing, dying skink they 'rescued' with a missing leg and a bleeding ear.  at least he died in a warm house and with a name.

the face of compassion

chic-fil-a date while the big kids were at a party

the chattiest lil date

stuffing it in

adam had some art framed for my bday.  the kids painted this together for adam a couple months ago.  i LOVE it.

one of my sweet grandma's watercolors

i love how they love me.  so grateful for a husband with a sense of humor for these wild days!

my mom's hand-painted bday card.  this one is definitely getting a frame!

too tired to read another book

one of owen's new friends

forts in the woods

they each had their own 'room'

listening to the neighbors tell about the death of their dog

lizard-catcher and his trainee

been experimenting with sour dough thanks to my sis-in-law.  this beautiful loaf was raw inside...too big!

grabby mcgrabbers is always trying to get the spoon, and then rubs his face. oh my!

bath time!

peruvian hat troubles

that's better!

toe jam yumminess

so grateful for this snuggly boy...been getting those luscious thighs stuck in the crib slats

costume carnival

we snagged a quick visit with some sweet missionary friends in town for the day

"queso!"

"cheese!"

1st time singing in the morning worship service.  she did great, but being one of the shortest choir-members, was completely hidden by the piano...