Just the way it is

When you have two older brothers like me, your toys selection becomes a bit more plentiful.

Cars and trucks for the for everyone!

 

And you know what? They love sharing with me! (For now)

Destructive Duo

These two are always busy...there latest craze is recycling. Sounds like a good and wholesome activity.
However their idea of recycling is a bit different than mine. Everything in sight can be recycled and must be moved to a central recycling facility i.e. bed or closet. Everything means everything.

Here they cleared their shelves and yes, decided to perch themselves on it to oversee the recycling.
(Not an authorized activity.)


I have quit asking why. Boys are just different and I will never understand.

Friday Photo Favorites

Good-bye 2!

 Hello 3!

Friday Photo Favorites

Life is not Fair!

Nor are snowball fights!

Proud Owner

Of two new pearly whites!

Friday Photo Favorites

Background Alert!

Friday Photo Favorites

"Now where do you want to put the bear Vevry?"
These two played so well together over Christmas.

I asked for a picture of the two and all I got was tons of giggles.

When Avery expressive a desire for a cookie, Luci jumped in, "I'll take you."

"Which one."

Here they are playing with Avery's new train track.
Notice that Avery has the train.
Now watch something amazing.

A very smooth transition from one little one to another. This is as unbelievable as, well, global warming.
It was truly amazing to watch these two and their precious little voice conversing with each other was absolutely priceless.

Cousin Buddies!

Top 10 of 2011

We have been richly blessed indeed in 2011. We celebrated so many milestones and new little ones. We watched our family grow both in number and in maturity as both boys became big brothers to a Mary Colette. This year went by much quicker than excepted. I am told that is usually the case.

Here are our highlights from 2011.

1. Avery turned 2

It's funny how most of this year I thought of Avery as being 3. He was very vocal and had the most interesting way of talking. He would say each word separately which perplexed his cousins. This year he really held his own with his big brother. He grew into a great sense of humor and true understanding of humor, which is well beyond his age. This trait also gets him into a bit of trouble.  The twos were not at all bad. However, moving towards the threes, all are bracing themselves.

2. The Sandbox

From building the foundation.

To filling it with sand.

Testing it out the first time.

And finally filling it with cousins.

This is where you will find Avery all of the time and PT most of the time.
It has been worth every sweeping of the house.

3. Easter

This past Easter we were blessed with a visit from Uncle Stephen, Uncle Tim and Miss Jessica.

We had beautiful weather and many adventures.

Even in the kitchen.

We were so happy to share this Holy Day with family and very grateful they made the trip!


4. Paul Thomas turned 4

3 to 4 seemed as quick as the candles being blown out on his cake. And of course a few days after he turned 4 he was almost 5.

 

We all had fun celebrating this milestone and what was more joyous was spending it with our Michigan parents.

Thank you for  making the trek to Texas!

5. Mary Colette

Mary Colette entered our lives in a very calm, relaxed and normal way, which is maybe why it was so remarkable.

Her brothers meet her on the bed where they were use to snuggling on, which seemed fitting as we add one more snugglie little one to the mix.

Gia and Poppy welcoming Mary Colette into their lives and home.

It it different now being a mother of girl. I am now more aware that I will be her biggest influence. Just as Philip is for the boys.

...

6. Mary Colette's Baptism

Obviously welcoming a new member into the church is worthy of a celebration. We were blown away, and humbled with how much of our family made the trip to welcome and celebrate with us.

Grandma and Granddaddy made it extra special.

Mary Colette's Godparents Uncle Chris and Aunt Ruth.

 

7. The Mountain Bash

We took a trip to New Mexico for A Mountain Bash this year. It was so much fun and really low key, which is what I needed with a two month old.

"Hiking" with the little ones.

The whole gang.

At the top of the mountain.
This group rode the chair lift up.

What goes up...


8. Two new cousins

Brenna (can't wait to meet you)

Marielle, the quietest baby ever.


9. New Fire Home

With a new fire home comes...

Moving,

Lots of personal touches,

And guidance from a Jedi House-Fixer-Upper-Master,

And a whole lot of love and fun.

...and a new toilet, light fixture, paint, bead board, screw gun, bunk beds, couch, crown moulding, and the list goes on

10. Christmas

Strengthening relationships.

And forming new ones.

Counting Blessings

Happy New Year!