My Boys

We've been adding to the dress-up wardrobe, hoping that Grady will gravitate to the more manly costumes. I'd say we're about half way there....

(cowboy vest, gold sequin skirt, pink and silver high heels)

Emma (aka high fashion guru) has made it her job to pick out Landon's clothes. Oh boy.(orange brown striped shirt, dog sweatshirt, pale green pants with owls and forest creatures, and blue striped socks)

Reflections and Hope

Have you ever felt like you were running around like a chicken with it's head cut off?

That's how I felt in 2009.
(unorganized, disheveled, frustrated, tired, uninspired, discouraged, unfocused, chaotic, uncreative)

In spite of all of my shortcomings, the Lord blessed us greatly. He provided continued work for Dylan. We were able to stay in our house for another year. Our children are continually growing and thriving. Our new baby is healthy and wonderful. We celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.

When I opened up my new devotional on New Year's Day, I read the scripture: "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2Timothy 1:12)"

So, even if 2010 proves to be as challenging as 2009 (which it very well may), we are going to hold fast to the promise that He, the God of the universe, our Creator, will keep us and sustain us.

And with that, here are some pictures of a New Year's Day stroll along the bay:

Iron Chef and some other fun

How did you spend your Christmas Eve?

Did you go swimming in 50 degree weather?

Did you win a poetry competition?

Did you frost and decorate sugar cone Christmas trees?

Did you have a cooking competition (secret ingredient: alcohol)?

How about a baking competition (secret ingredient: hot peppers)?
Did you lose both a cooking AND a baking competition to your older brother?

(southwestern pot roast)

(ancho chile flan)

No?

I didn't think so...

7th Annual Christmas Costume Party

A few years back I wanted to have some people over for a Christmas party, so I invited some friends from church and encouraged people to wear Christmas colors, Christmas sweaters or a Christmas themed costume. Surprisingly, lots of people came and the outfits were AMAZING.

Seven years later, I'm still having the party and people are still showing up. If you're around next year, you should come too!

Some of the brilliance:

some cute kids:



peace on earth & christmas tree cutter:



GAP holiday cheer & some good lookin' sisters:



george's cohorts & stewart in his red birthday shirt:



one big happy family:

Christmas Choir

If you want to see a lovely video of Emma's Sunday school class singing some Christmas songs, click here

I'm pretty sure our Children's Choir is on their way to greatness!

Another Fat Kid

Since Landon turned 2 months a few days ago, I thought I'd share some statistics with y'all...

When Emma was 2 months, she weighed in at 10lbs 5 ozs. She was tiny. She was below the charts for her weight. The doctors were a bit concerned. In fact, it wasn't until her 4th birthday that the doctor finally said that since she's at least on the charts for her weight that we don't have to be concerned anymore. She's still the skinniest kid EVER and, aside from the lengths being wrong, she can still very easily wear her size 2 clothes.

When Grady was 2 months, he was 12lbs 7ozs. That's more than 2 pounds heavier than his sister. So we started referring to him as the fat kid. In a totally nice way, mind you. Compared to his waif of a sister, he was fat. And now, 2 years later, he weighs more than her and is one big solid chunk of exuberance and excitement. Seriously, I sometimes have a hard time lifting him because he is so heavy. And he doesn't even fit in size 2 clothes anymore; he's getting big for his size 3 clothes!

So, when Landon went in for his 2 month check-up, I knew that he would be bigger than Emma was (because who isn't?), but I didn't expect that he would be bigger than Grady. Well he weighed in at a whopping 12lbs 14ozs. So yes folks, in case you were wondering, we have another fat kid on our hands.....

It's that time again.....