It's That Time of Year

Last year our family ticked off all the "must dos" for the Christmas season: caroling, Christmas cookies, hot cocoa, lights, projects, Christmas movies, etc.  This year we hit a few of those but not all and you know what: we still had a fantastic Christmas.  We spent December reading Advent devotionals in the evening and the kids attended Miss Patty Cake's Birthday party for Jesus.  Neither Siena or Carson was consumed with presents or wish lists, but the fact of being together and celebrating Baby Jesus.  What a joy to see the kids truly grasp what so many of us adults totally miss!

 Christmas Eve service at World Outreach Church

I believe this was Carson's only gift that was NOT train related.  The boy owns nearly everything Thomas but his thirst for "choo-choos" still is not quenched!

 Hearing The Night Before Christmas read by Papa. 

 The joy of Christmas morning and seeing what was left under the tree. 

I know we were very grateful to be surrounded by family and friends during this special season, especially with the journey home of our close friend, Jon Bufkin, just days before Christmas.  None of us are guaranteed another Christmas so enjoy the ones around you, drink a little extra cider, sing carols a little louder and squeeze those near you just a little harder.  

October!!!!

My second favorite month of the year is October, right behind September.  And we had a fantastic one full of play (yup, they play in puddles), visitors, leaves, pre-school and of course, HALLOWEEN!!!!

 

Sebastian come to visit and played with us for one week.  We kept the kids busy every day with different activities, and the weather was nice the latter part of the week so we could burn off some energy.  He had fun with both cousins but he could definitely play with Carson more than before.  Our little man is growing up fast.

 

 

Siena started a pre-school co-op with some of her best friends once a week.  She was so excited to have a back pack and a special pillow to sit on.  Carson got to tag along and play with kids his age, but he won't get to participate for a while. 

We had the hardest time picking our costumes this year but Simba, the Lion King, fell in our lap and finally we turned to Siena's favorite animal, the zebra.  We are so blessed to have good friends with incredible talents who could paint Siena's face into a masterpiece.  We had cold temperatures here with high winds so we were only out for an hour or so but we got enough candy and had enough fun to last us the whole year.  

Birthday Month

Birthdays consume the month of September around our home and I couldn't be happier to share my birthday month with two sweet kids.  Last year we celebrated big with 2 big parties and this year we scored things back with family time together at home and at the beach.  It's hard to focus a day on a two year old, including a menu but we managed to melt his heart with pancakes for dinner. 

Carson adores trains and is a little over the top with them.  So he got a few things that were train centered, including a cake.  

Finally, it was Siena's birthday which is torture after having to wait through Carson's, Milo's and mine, but the day did finally arrive as we promised.  

Siena has more friends than I could ever dream of having but just a few joined us for play time at her favorite restaurant, Chick-Fil-A and joined us for a few Tinkerbell cupcakes. 

 

Most of Siena's gifts were Frozen related and one of those gifts was a trip to see "Frozen On Ice" with a few of her friends.  She enjoyed the experience, the ice (she wants to try ice skating now), the snow that fell several times during the performance as well as all the goodies that came with the day.  But when asked what her favorite part was, just like every other girl her age, the response was, "ELYSA!"

It's All About the Water

Let's be honest: summer is all about the water.  Whether it's the beach or the swimming pool, it really isn't summer until you have done one or the other.  We have fish for children and they have been so lucky to go to the lake and several pools in the area and most recently the beach.  They have made huge improvements with their comfort with the water since last summer.  Here is just a few clips of the kids swimming with their Daddy

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And then there was the beach.  We visited the white sand shores between Destin and Panama City Beach Florida.  We spent three mornings down on the beach and every single one of us is dark and luckily not red.  Siena raced for the waves every time to jump in with her Daddy and though it took Carson a few attempts, we really enjoyed wading in and seeing how wet he could get.

It's just starting to cool down (below 85 degrees) here so I am not sure how many more days of swimming we have this year, but we have sure made the most of every opportunity we have had this summer.

Keep the Good Times Rollin'

We have had a beautiful summer and the kids have thrived in the sun.  Carson's hair is incredibly blonde and is growing what was affectionately referred to as a curl-hawk.  He only has hair at the crown of his head and it refuses to lay flat.  He is a camera hog and is ready for his picture to be taken at any moment.  He has also become obsessed with the planes that fly overhead and trains thus one of his favorite words is: Choo-choo!  Did I mention that we have a new driver in the family?  A power wheels driver, that is, but this little man is ALL about it!

Siena is sounding out every letter she sees which is fantastic.  I can tell she will be able to read very soon.  Her prayer life is growing as well and her tender heart cares for so many, including our cancer friends, Jon and Jennifer.  We attended a fundraiser for Jon and had so much getting our faces painted and both kids rode a horse for the first time.  

 

Our front door has opened to so many this summer so we have had some great times this summer with our young friends.  We have blown bubbles with Garrison and played dress up with Lacie.  We have gone swimming whenever we could and that is always an activity for more than one. 

 

 

Carson had his 1st dentist appointment this month and both he and Siena were great patients and have good strong teeth!

Simple Summers

What happened to the lazy days of summer?  This family has chosen to embrace the slower paced lifestyle, and we hope that it will follow us as our children grow.  We are all given 24 hours in a day; how we use that time is up to each one of us.  So if you ask us what we have been up to, we are so blessed to not have much to share but the daily adventures of our time together.  We spent last night dining alfresco (per Siena's request) and going for a bike ride afterwards.   Some of our other fun summer activities included a trip to the blueberry farm in Wartrace.  Carson did the picking and Siena sampled the ice cream. 

We took our kids to a minor league baseball game.  I think our family provided more entertainment than the game itself of the mascot with their constant motion, checking to make sure the stairs would hold them, and their balancing techniques.  They may be daring, but they can truly hold their own.  

We have been to several swimming pools but never the same one twice this year.  We are so fortunate to have friends who love us enough to invite us to enjoy the day with them and their kids.  Not only are they acrobats, but our kids are also fish and take to water quite well.  Siena has enjoyed her swim lessons this week and Carson has been envious that he couldn't participate.  I am sure his time will come next year.  Until then, he knows how to play the part. 

Siena and Carson are growing together and learning together.  Siena is teaching him all that she knows and so often we have to remind her that she is influencing her little brother.  Siblings are the best and toughest friends we will ever have. 

We have spent the summer playing with sweet friends, who are typically in Mother's Day Out or school.  Before Carson came along, Siena's friends were the ones who showed Siena how to share and be kind to others.  They have given Siena plenty of outlets to learn so many fundamental rules like sharing, taking turns and patience.  How rich is a man who is blessed with friends.