Live Nativity

Our church had its Christmas program today and guess who was Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus? Merry Christmas!

How NOT to take a family Christmas photo.

I have been trying to get a good family photo for our Christmas card this year since Thanksgiving! But getting everyone (to include a husband who hates dressing up, a 2 y/o and a 3 month old) ready, awake, smiling or at least looking at the camera, is a just a little challenging! Here are the out-takes, and I hope you enjoy your Christmas card!

Baby Laughter

Isn't baby laughter just the best? And the craziest things crack them up! Here's Rylan playing with Ava on the playmat!

Grandma Margaret

We enjoyed a visit from my grandma today, who also informed me that she would NOT like to be called Great-Grandma, so Grandma Margaret it is! The prince and princess were spoiled with attention!

HOUSE!

The house has slowed down a bit as they have been working on the ceilings. But Chris' monster shed is almost done! We just got the windows in yesterday - on a rush order separate from the house windows. ($500 extra, but after Chris expressed frustration, the window guy offered to pay it) The reason we need the shed done ASAP is that all of our furniture and large boxes have been stored by the army for the last 5 months -- and will be delivered to us at the end of this month! We need somewhere to put it! Anyway, the house is looking good, we extended a few more areas and added several beautiful tray ceilings! Can't wait to move in!

Happy Thanksgiving!

TRAINS!

Rylan is fascinated with trains. For a starter, I got him this train set from Ikea for $15. (The Thomas and Brio sets are crazy expensive!) Anyway, he loves it and continues to love trains!

Adoration

Rylan and Ava's first bath together -- just look at her watching him!

A hole in her heart....

Waiting patiently in the waiting room with Papa


Little baby, big exam table


Getting the echo done


So many wires for EKG!


Worn out!

Ava had her cardiology appointment this week in Rome. First she had an echo (heart ultrasound) and then an EKG. Turns out the murmur is from a very small hole in between the two large chambers in her heart, called a VSD. Babies who have a problem with this have trouble breathing, trouble eating, and poor weight gain. As you can tell by looking at her, this has not been the case! Dr. Donner was a very nice and patient pediatric cardiologist, who explained that most of these close up by 3 years of age. So she will be seen yearly until it closes. Ava did so well throughout the whole appointment and all the procedures, not a single cry or frown! We knew she was going to be fine, but it's nice to know exactly what is going on and what to expect! It also reminds me of one of my favorite songs by Plumb, called "God shaped hole". We all have a hole in our hearts that we inevitably try to fill with so many things of this world, but nothing fits except Jesus! Let's make sure and ask him to fill us up daily!

Barn Party

Last week the church had their annual barn party! For the kids they had a costume contest, so I decided to get one more use out of Rylan's Halloween costume. They had a little "runway" they made all the kids walk down and Rylan kept trying to walk it before his turn! Then he was chosen in the top 3 and they picked the winner by audience applause and he definitely had the loudest! It was so funny! He even won a Walmart gift-card!

SMILE!

Ava is smiling all the time now and also I have found her tickle spot beneath her chin! She has more of a cackle than a laugh! So much fun! Also, she is now riding in the baby carrier facing outward!

My boy!

Sometimes I forget that Rylan is only two! He is such a little boy and I love re-experiencing the world with him! Here he is with a centipede, building a "castle" out of cans, trying on the construction toys (real tools! box said age 8+!) from our builder "Uncle Dan", and in front of the fire with Daddy!

Baby Diva!

Having a girl is so much fun!

HOUSE UPDATE

The house is really coming along -- the framing is going up fast! Unfortunately we've had a lot of rain this week. But, Chris' shed is almost done! We just have to make the final decision on the shingles and brick! Check it out! (Chris is really glad he's not building it himself this time!)