Our Christmas House

Even though Christmas is only 4 days away, and I've been a terrible blogger lately, I'd still like to show our Christmas home this year.

I've never done anything like this to our mantel before. Mostly because it's awkwardly shaped like a triangle as opposed to straight on the wall, but I'm really happy with how it turned out.
This is the pianeo. With the mantel and the piano, I used fresh christmas tree trimmmings. You can get A TON of them at Lowe's for free.
You can't really tell in this picture but this is my little ECU tree that I put up every year. As a side note, you can see in the back the buffet table my mom built and installed while she was here.
Here is our Christmas tree! We don't have a matching tree just an "every kind of ornament imaginable" type of tree. and we love it!!
And finally, our outdoor lights. We've never been able to reach that top point but hopefully one day we will.

There are about 5 houses on our street that are total Griswold houses. It's awesome.

Tomorrow I'll try, TRY, to post about all our Advent activities.

Merry Christmas!!

Isaac literally teaching Simon how baseball. Here he's telling him that first you hit the ground with the bat before you hit the ball :)

Felt Advent Wreath

I've been meaning to post this. I made the boys a felt advent wreath to use during the week. They love getting to "light" the candles!

Annual Thanksgiving Movie

Every Thanksgiving Luke shoots a movie. They're usually so funny and creative. This year was extra special because it was all kids. It's kid funny. Also, my little Isaac is so cute! He was so obedient and happy to do this with daddy!

P.S. Luke does all the editing and puts in the music and the credits. He's so creative.

Another Turkey Craft

Simon's tissue paper turkey. One of my favorites. He needed LOTS of help.

Today's Fall Craft

A fall tree made from different kinds of colored noodles.

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Simon's First Haircut

This happened on 8/20/11, so it's a little late. He looks so cute with his big boy haircut! I kept giving him bits of graham cracker to keep his attention.

Fall at the Rose Garden

Here are a few pictures from our trip to the rose garden after story time today. I love fall and I love my boys!!

A Thanksgiving Craft

Simon's hanprint turkeys!

Family Fun Night

Luke won free tickets to the first basketball game of the season! We love free tickets!! Go Wolfpack!
We were at the very top level but still had some pretty good seats! The guy said we could sit anywhere we wanted!
Simon thought sitting in his own seat was really fun!
Isaac stayed so focused. Luke has to keep reminding me that he was screaming on the inside. Since I show all my emotions on the outside (good and bad) i can sometimes think that Isaac is not having a good time, but he is, just on the inside :)
After a while, Isaac would clap when I clapped and scream "Oh man!" when I would. Too funny.

What a great time. We praised God so much for loving us in this special way. We would never, on a normal bases be able to take our boys to a game like this. I love my family!

A Fall Craft

Isaac's family tree.

Justice League Forever!

Never would I have thought that the day I walked into Luke's dorm room 10+ years ago and proclaimed "I'll be Wonder Woman" as he watched TV that the Justice League would have such a deep affection for our little family.

This Halloween was something of a little dream coming true for Luke and I. We love the Justice League and love having little boys that are our super heroes.

Here are pictures from this Halloween.
The Dynamic Duo. I said this before, but I dedicate these costumes to my mom who taught me how to sew. Making these costumes for my boys was a labor of love.
On halloween night, I totally forgot Batman's utility belt. sad. And as grampa pointed out, without his utility belt, Batman is just a man with a costume. But of course, my little Batman didn't even notice!
I should add that being Batman was 100% Isaac's idea and even told Simon that he was going to be Robin.
Luke and I mostly dressed up for Isaac. He spent the whole week, and is still even now telling everyone that daddy was The Flash and mami was WonderWoman. He was so excited to see us that night.

Here we are, ready to save the Day!

Courageous

Luke and I saw this last night on our date night. It was so good. I cried alot. Not always because it was sad, though it was was at times. But because the call on men in this movie is so strong and goes straight to the heart. It made me thankful for my husband and drew me to worship God for the great and heavy call to me as a mom of boys. One quote the dad says says, and I'm paraphrasing, "It's my responsibility to call out the man in my son." At the end of the movie, there's a long monologue that almost dropped me to my knees. I won't give away too much but he says in a loud commanding voice to the church, paraprhasing again, "You don't have to ask who's going to teach my son about Christ, I WILL! You don't have to ask who will lead, protect and teach my family, I WILL! You don't have to ask who will train my children to honor authority and live responsibly, I WILL!" and it goes on.

Very few movies do you leave from a changed person, with a heart drawn to God and challenged in such a way. But that's how we left this movie. Praise God for the men who took courage to make this movie and call out men of this society in such a way.

Please go see this movie.

I love having a warm and cozy fire in the flip of a switch. I think Missy likes

I love having a warm and cozy fire in the flip of a switch. I think Missy likes it most of all.

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Really Late Birthday Post

I am ashamed. Not only have I not been the greatest blogger in general, but I TOTALLY forgot to post about Simon's birthday. Poor Simon has totally been neglected. But even though it's late, here we go.

The first birthday is usually smaller scale and we only invite family and very close friends. We were honored by all the people who came to celebrate.

Here's the spread. Because I'm usually so ambitious in crafty things, small scale turned into slightly larger scale :)

I, at the last minute, decided I "needed" to make a cupcake stand for a fun addition. Everything was purchased at the Dollar Tree! On the day of the party, Luke caught Isaac behind the table sneaking in a cupcake. He thought it was so cute and funny that he should take a picture. Silly, sweet Isaac. Here's a picture of the birthday banner I made for Simon. It matches the crown you'll see in a minute.
Now to the guests. His future wife Grace (who was born one week after Simon) was there along with the rest of the Thompson family.
Tom and Cathy, who are dear dear friends (really family) came representing the Watkins family. Simon's BFF Silas was also there! And my sister and her kids. Here's Malikhi. He loved holding Simon. Cupcake Time!!!
This is the collage that we gave for everyone to take home. I have to admit, I miss the mohawk!
After a hilarious afternoon playing Cranium (it's so different and fun with big kids) we all went out to Moe's for dinner.

Since Luke's parents couldn't be there for party day, they took Simon and us out to Red Robin the next day for another birthday party. (As a side note, this was the day before Sharon's big car accident. It's amazing how quickly things can change.)
There Simon got a birthday sundae. He didn't know what to do when everyone came clapping and singing! Afterwards, we came home for more presents!!!
It was a special weekend full and joy and disbelief that my sweet SimonBoy was 1! I was also humbled as I looked back and remembered the goodness and grace of God to Luke and I on the day he was born.

Oh SimonBoy! I love you so so so much!

A small picture of God's grace and goodness to us....a free playset! We never th

A small picture of God's grace and goodness to us....a free playset! We never thought we'd have one of these.

Simon's First Step!

Technically, it's his second, b/c he had JUST taken one before the camera was turned on, BUT he still played his role and took another one! Hopefully, he'll be walking around for Thanksgiving when both families come to visit.

Isaac "Playing" the Piano

Here is a video of Isaac playing some of the demo songs from the keyboard (thanks Drew and Jamie)!

I just love matching these boys!!

I just love matching these boys!!

Mother & Son (Double) Date Knight at Chickfila

There are so many reasons to love Chickfila but little events like this make even more special! I took my two boys and doubled with Leah since both our husbands were working at the event. It was a fun night. It was also special to see teenage boys out with their moms and to imagine my 15 year old Isaac and Simon. Jeepers. I hope they still want to go out on dates with me by then!

A Day at the Park

The weather this weekend was so amazing. AH! Fall is coming! Sure it's going to get warm again, but this little taste was great. It was too nice to stay cooped up so we went out to the park. We took a walk around on the path then took some time to play on the playground. Isaac is learning to ride the bike so we brought that too. Simon will only walk with a push toy so we also brought that along. Even Missy, who is very often neglected, got to come too.We could have stayed out there all day. I value our time as a family so so much and a day like this fills my heart with so much joy and a humble thankfulness for all that God has blessed us with.
I'm also so very thankful for my husband. Luke not only values our time together as a family but puts it as a top priority in his life and supports (sometimes reluctantly) all the silly little traditions I want to incorporate into our family including my not-so-crazy obsession with family pictures. He loves our boys so much and boy do they love him!
Can't wait for the fall weather to stay for good!