school days . . .

 Philip is just looking and touching the ornaments and telling me what he likes about some of them.  He really pays attention to details.  I think I recognize and enjoy so much more in my life thanks to being around him and trying to see things the way he does.

 Samuel is doing his Math.  He is pretty good at counting money. 

Philip took this picture of us next to Samuel.

Keeping busy . . .

 pipe cleaner candy canes

 tri-corner bead candy canes

banana cream pie

Lego creations

 Alien Conquest

Enjoying our Christmas Decorations

 Jess caught Sophia this way.  Note the pig snout on her head though.

Samuel and Philip are enjoying the corn husk nativity set that my brother, Billy, gave me years ago.

 We made popcorn chains for the tree.  During this time, our neighbor sent over some M & M cookies.

 Sophia has a hot cocoa mustache!

Biscuits and gravy . . . this is the life!  The kids and I absolutely love all our Christmas dishes and use them for about every meal!  They are from my Aunt Veronica and Uncle Chuck, my Aunt Flo and Uncle Larry and Jess' cousin Mandy, mostly, if I remember right!  Fun times!

Grandma Peggy's Christmas Gift

Thank you, Grandma Peggy!  We love you! 

toy store

Sophia and the boys had fun at the toy store before the 4-H meeting last Tuesday while I got a bit of exercise walking laps around the outlet store parking lot.  :)

More birthday fun!

 alien conquest legos

 pocket knife

 DQ ice cream cake

Samuel is 8 years old!

 The Phoenix zoo--at like 7 am--by 9 you have to leave because it was 120 degrees!

 His first plane ride at 7 months--to Arizona to see his Great Great Grandparents

Sarah and I took all five of the kids from Michigan to Illinois.  I so enjoyed that trip with Sarah!

 Check out Samuel's basket!  Who allowed this?!

 what cousin Harper wore this Halloween  :)

 Rachel and Grant's wedding rehearsal