Sophie loves to paint and draw things, usually pictures of her family, but she just started drawing lots of animals and flowers. She gets really excited to share her pictures and I love to share them to.

The theme for Sophia's Christmas party this year was 'Twas the Night Before Christmas'. Santa came but she wouldn't even go near him not even for the candy cane. They had a book exchange, played games, got their faces painted, and ate lots of sweets. Everyone including the teachers also wore their pajamas and slippers to the party to get the kids excited for Christmas.

The kids posed in the front yard for Christmas pictures this year. Owen wouldn't even let go of his Golden Grahams long enough to take the pictures. And Sophie of course loves the camera, so much in fact, that this was the only one she wasn't posy posy for the camera. Merry Christmas!!

With the snow came ice. We have a huge Magnolia tree outside and the leaves were covered in ice and the branches hung about a foot lower than normal. I thought the ice looked neat after you pealed the leaf away. A perfect ice leaf!

Well we had our first snow on Thursday and Sophia was so excited. We played in the snow for awhile and she made snow angels. The snow was so powdery we couldn't throw snowballs or make a snowman, but Sophie enjoyed eating it. I don't think she would have gone inside if it weren't for the fact she couldn't feel her cheeks anymore.

Thanksgiving Day!! Ashley spent Thanksgiving with us this year at my mother-in-laws house. We had lots of good food, watched football, and relaxed on the couch. Ashley read about 15 books to Sophie and Owen even warmed up to her enough to sit with her for awhile (he is an absolute moma's boy). We missed spending the holiday with the rest of the family, but are very thankful that everyone was is healthy and happy!

"Falling Leaf" is the name Sophie went by at her pre-school Thanksgiving dinner. When I asked Sophie what she is most thankful for she said "You (mom), because I love you. My daddy and Owen, Gretel (the dog), and my kitty". It doesn't get any sweeter than that.

"Just Chillin" as Sophie would say.

Look's like Ariel's made a new friend!

Here's Elmo!!

Sophie's Princess Party. Everyone came to Sophie's 4th birthday party dressed like princesses. They ate cupcakes, cookies, strawberries, and had milk served in teacups. SOphie gave out crowns, rings, necklaces, and Disney Princess journals, pencils, and bubbles. Everyone had a great time changing clothes and acting like little ladies.

It's Pumpkin Carving Time

Welcome!!

Here's a little tidbit on what'g oing on in our lives. Jake is working at General Mills, bowling, and going to school part-time. Becka is a stay at home mom, babysits 3 days a week, and is also attending school part-time. Sophie is in her second year of pre-school and is currently taking gymnastics. And Owen, oh my little Owen. He is currently into everything including breaking things, getting in the fridgerator, climbing shelves, and yes, occasionally beating up his big sister. Life is good for us, we stay at home a lot watching movies and making brownies (Jake's favorite snack) and other than our weekly jaunt to Wal-Mart our favorite thing to do is just being together. We are very lucky to have both sets of grandparents near and cousins for our kids to play with (and fight with!) We hope Jake will be graduating from College in the next 2 years so we can move on to the next chapter of our lives (maybe another baby, hmmm!) including building a home and taking lots of trips. As for now we are just sitting back and enjoying the ride that having a family brings and hoping we all stay healthy and happy!!