10 YEARS

This weekend, we went to the annual Paul Miller company party.

It was a big one for Mike, because he has been working there for 10 years.

He had to do the whole routine this year of going up and getting his diamond-studded pin, and taking the 10 year picture.

Of course, if you know him, you'll know that all these things take twice as long because of all the detours he makes to "shoot the breeze" with this and that person. (xo)

My husband likes to chat.

He chats enough for the both of us.

So, I don't have to.  Ever.

I guess though, the company party is THE place to do it, right?

;p

I didn't take too many pictures this time around.

Sorry.  I'll try to do better next time.

Us.

Ice sculptures everywhere..

used to make the margaritas in this case.

The 10 year pin.

Congrats!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Travis turned one a couple of weeks ago.  I'm finally getting some pictures up.

This is from his actual birthday.



Once he got the hang of ripping the paper, he went to town.

Now all the kiddies have their own guitar.

Makes for some loud afternoons!

Uncle Bill, Aunt Cathy, and Abby came over that night with a big package.

He ripped little bits of paper off for quite awhile.

A nice new wagon!!

He loves it!

Thanks Uncle Bill and Aunt Cathy!!

More party pics to follow.



ABBY CADABY

We finally got to meet Abby Cadaby, our newest niece/cousin to date.

She is 2 months old in these pictures.

We did have plans to go down to meet her sooner, but sickness put a halt to those plans.

Oh, I should mention, her name is not really Abby "Cadaby."

That is just what the kids call her.

Her name is Abigail Ruth.

Just in case you were confused.

They're twins..can you tell?

Little miss.

Daddy's girl, already?

It was so nice to meet you, Abby.

(and see your mommy and daddy)

I hope it won't be so long between visits.



I THINK WE FIT

"Studies have shown that the more books in a child's home the more likely that the child will be intelligent.  The books in this home are not confined to the learning room but are easily available in every room in the house.  They are in baskets in the family room, the living room, and the bathroom.  They are on bedside tables, in bags to take to the pool, and on tapes in the car."

~Elizabeth Foss

According to this, my kids will be just fine.

Well, more than fine.

They'll be geniuses.

;)

I personally believe that one can never have too many books.

ESPECIALLY when homeschooling.

My house can attest to that fact.

I mean, you might get a little cramped, trying to squeeze in and find a seat next to all the books or have to move a pile off the table in order to find room to put your plate...(I exaggerate only a little), but my kids all LOVE books.  AND, my husband has learned to enjoy books as well since we've been married.  (Don't tell anyone, but he actually carried a book around this past summer to different places we visited in order to fit in some reading time!!  A first!!)

So, if that is what it takes, it is just fine by me!!

Bring on the books!

THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving Day 2011.

So much to be thankful for.

Thankful we have One to be thankful to.

Just a few shots from our Thanksgiving celebration this year.



A full table.

24 in total.

Room full of nappers.

Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow!!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SILAS!

Remember that weird snowstorm in October? 

Yeah, the one that ended up being worse than Hurricane Irene, in terms of damage??

That one.

Yes, we were crazy enough to venture out in it. 

No, we didn't stay close to home either.

But how could I resist all those eyes pleading to go to a special friend's birthday party??

Several times I was tempted to turn around and just go home, but I kept hearing the chorus of "you can do it!" from my backseat.

So, we braved the storm.

This was a picture from when we left the house.

I don't have an after shot.

But I will tell you it took me 2 1/2 hours to get home.

Normally it is about 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic.

The things I do for my children.

It was Silas' 5th birthday party after all. 

 They had been looking forward to it for a couple of weeks.

Pinata time!

I wasn't the only lunatic, you'll see.

They had a pretty good turnout.

Travis was too little to take a swing..but he enjoyed himself anyway.

Then there was a variation of the pin-the-tail on the donkey game.

I forget what you had to pin on what.

Firetruck!!

A recurring theme.

Time for cake!

Birthday boy!

Enjoying some cake...

..and the spoils from the pinata!

We left shortly after cake..

Thanks for having us and we hope you had a great birthday, Silas!



HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZIPPER!

This past Wednesday, Travis turned 1!!

Party pictures will be coming soon.

We don't have them yet, because his party is tonight!

His birthday fell on the day before Thanksgiving and I figured with everyone prepping, it would be too crazy to have a birthday party thrown in the mix.

We had a quiet day at home instead

 (and we got to meet Abby Cadaby--more on that too!)

I'm so bad at keeping up with the baby books.

Can you tell this is my substitute?

Or at least a record so that I can go back and fill in the baby books!

Mister will dance when he hears music and sing (gibberish) if one of us starts singing.

He loves to be outside..but is still at the point where he puts almost everything in his mouth.

He is still a climber.  I'm thankful he hasn't managed the couch yet (though he hasn't tried in awhile).

He gives nice hugs and on occasion will still fall asleep in our arms.

He is a little stinker.

He will look at me with that glint in his eyes and

we just know he is up to some kind of mischief.

Mister sports a mouthful of teeth.

We're done with baby food.

BUT, he does still take a bottle before napping or bedtime.

All the other kids were done with bottles by the time they turned one..

He has been walking now for 2 months..or should I say running?!!

Not too many words right now, Mama, Dada, Up, Hot, and he will "woof." 

I think that is it.

I'm not up to date on height and weight.

His appointment is next week.

He is wearing 12 month pants and some 12 month shirts but mostly 18 months.

He loves vehicles and will make the brrrmm noises to make them go.

He also likes books (good boy!!), animals, and balls.

I should add, he has quite an arm on him!

Love you, big boy!

Happy Birthday!!