although it's been said many times

many ways... Merry Christmas!

We went the holly, jolly route again this year.

Matching brothers on Christmas Eve

I did find something non-Ninjaish to wear for the holidays and I was really glad I remembered to throw a burp cloth over my shoulder in case Graham spit up in church. Unfortunately, it would have taken a Snuggie to protect my clothes...

After our church service, we headed to Nanny's house



That night the boys had a sleepover in our room and were up bright and early Christmas morning to see what presents were under the tree.

Harrison was surprised and excited to find a DS. I was able to get a sweet deal on one a few months ago, and now I'm kicking myself for not buying two. I mistakenly thought Sawyer would be happy to inherit his brothers outgrown Leapster.

He was however, thrilled that he got his very own drum set! Not passed down from his older brother, since we didn't take Harrison's with us when we moved 2 years ago. I'm hoping Sawyer will outgrow his "Rock Star" phase quickly...this time I'll hang onto the drums in the basement until Graham is 3...just in case.

I picked out a mother's necklace for my gift this year - but Jonathan thought it would be pretty anti-climatic to unwrap a gift I chose for myself. So he wrapped the empty box and made me solve a riddle to find the necklace. It was worth hunting for - I love, LOVE it.

We spent the rest of the day at Grandmom and Grandpop's house

Merry Christmas! Peace on earth between two brothers in a house with only 1 DS and two Spiderman Bop Bags. Things have the potential to get ugly around here...

favorite sunday of the year

I've been crying at the children's Christmas Musical for years now - long before my own kids were old enough to be on stage ringing bells and waving to their grandparents. Today was no exception!

Sawyer was almost in tears too...because he wanted to rip his "itchy" costume off at the end, but mean ole mom wanted some pictures.

His other mom, Mary, was nice enough to pose for a picture - as you can see, she too was eager to ditch her burlap headdress.

Harrison on the other hand, was all smiles, since he was chosen to be a Wise Man after the originally cast 4th grader came down with strep throat.

Harrison was also excited about his brother's role as young Jesus. In fact, he was the one who announced the news to Sawyer when the Children's Director called to ask for his participation.

Harrison - "Sawyer! Sawyer! Guess What?!
You're going to be Jesus!"
Sawyer thought about this for a moment... "but, I like being Sawyer" he announced.

Thankfully, both boys behaved as piously as their roles called for.

P.S.

Dear Santa, I'd also really appreciate an extra set of arms.

I positively do not want to put this cherub down - but someone has to wrap the gifts and bake the cookies. Maybe you could spare an elf?

two months, too fast

Baby Graham is two months old today! Impossible, right?

He is adored by his big brothers

Sleeps for an 8 hour stretch at night
After a bottle, he sleeps for another 3 hours (yes, he's my favorite child)

Doesn't love a binky (wait.....he is my child....right?)

Love, loves his bath

His belly button is an outie

His eyes are as blue as the sky - but impossible to photograph inside without getting red eye - hate that!
He's my longest and thinnest baby, he has chicken legs

I'm amazed that we don't need to size up on hats

His hands and feet however, are huge

I could kiss his sweet face all day long

And that face? I don't know who it looks like???

Harrison - 3 months

Sawyer 2 months
I think he's a combination? Maybe?

Two months later, I'm still not fitting into most of my clothes. I NEED something to wear for Christmas. I thought this shirt was it. Until I tried it on today and Harrison told me I looked like a Ninja. And then laughed because I was only a white belt.

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is my body back.

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas

On Saturday morning we set out to pick our Christmas tree.

Graham was the only one not complaining that it looked crooked once we got it in the house.

Harrison & Sawyer were excited to help hang the ornaments.
Until they saw the snow falling.

They quickly ditched the decorations and grabbed their snow pants and sleds.

Thankfully, Jonathan kept at it, and got the job done!

one little, two little...

Today was Harrison's Thanksgiving Feast at school.

Clearly, these little Indians are picky eaters. The cranberry sauce was spooned onto Harrison's plate before he could protest.


And we are all still thanking our lucky stars for this baby - he is such a total love! Lots of smiles this week - is there anything better?

lead me on....

Graham was baptized on Sunday, November 15th.

Dear Heavenly Father, we stand before you this morning praising you for being the giver of life and thanking you for the life you have given us in Graham.

In celebrating this outward sign and inward work of your grace, we want to acknowledge the truths that this sacrament represents regarding our relationship with you.

We want to thank you for being a God who loved us first. Before we, like Graham, could do anything to earn your favor, you chose to reach out and love us.

We want to thank you for being a God who pours out his grace on everyone, not just the elect or those predestined to believe, but all mankind, even the littlest among us.

We also want to thank you for your saving grace, which allows all babies to go to heaven. We rejoice in the fact that because of your grace, today we can welcome Graham into the fellowship of your church.

While we believe in this moment, by your grace, Graham is a part of the family of God, we also acknowledge that your grace is resistible and that in the fullness of time, there will come a point where Graham will need to choose for himself whom he will serve.

On that day, we pray that your grace, as it has been symbolically poured out over Graham’s head today, will serve as a marker, drawing him to you. So when the siren call of the voices of this world seek to lure him away from truth, may he recognize your voice, and because of the grace we celebrate today, follow in the light of your way. May your grace go before him, making him your own, and guiding him in the paths of righteousness.

We also pray that your grace would be evident in our home. Jan and I confess that we cannot raise three boys in our own strength. We pray that you would be our strength and give us the wisdom to train up Graham in the way he should go so that when he is older, he will not turn from it.

We pray for Graham’s brothers, Harrison and Sawyer and for our extended families represented here today, together with those in this congregation who will be people of influence in his life. May their affect on Graham be positive and pleasing to you.

So as we stand before you this morning, acknowledging these truths and thanking you for the gift of our son, we ask for you blessing upon Graham. We pray dear Lord that your grace would keep him, preserve him, and protect him. May you give him one pure and holy passion, one magnificent obsession, one glorious ambition for his life, to know and follow hard after you.

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we pray, Amen.

Okay, so Jonathan gets credit for writing the prayer, but hey! I picked the song! LOVE this. Take a listen!

happy halloween

We kicked off Halloween at Sawyer's preschool, on Friday morning, with a fantastic puppet show!

What's a witch's favorite subject? SPELLing! I came home with lots of new jokes. Harrison appreciated them...Jonathan not so much...

Then in the afternoon we went to watch the parade of costumes at Harrison's school, and crashed his class party. The sweet and generous room mom had plenty of extra cupcakes - including one for Darth Vader and she didn't make me help with the hot glue gun to get it!

We brought treats too! Thanks to Hilary for the CUTE inspiration!

Darth Vader & Jango Fett ready to Trick or Treat!

My boys really wanted Graham to dress up as Yoda...

but I think he was cute enough without a costume ;)

two weeks...

of baby bliss!

We are all madly in love with this baby boy!