The Blessing of Friends!

We recently had a spontaneous super fun weekend with one of our best friends, the R family. We love them all so much and cherish their friendship, and we are so blessed to have them in our lives! Thankfully they put up with us for a couple days, and we were able to visit with them and their 4 beautiful children.

Here's Michael with Henry (left) and our godson Luke! Luke is 8  mo, Henry is 4 (in this pic) and they are the same size, teehee! Yes my best friend makes teeny babies and I make huge ones ;) 

The big kids all had SUCH a great time together being silly and just playing and playing! 

Leah, Lydia, Josiah, Megan

Who knew so much love and so many miracles could grow out of our two families?? When we first met it was just their oldest Leah, and Josiah and they were just 2 months old.... 

Now look how we've grown! :) 

Leah with Luke, Lydia, Josiah with Henry, Megan, Benjamin, Peter

The one time they all settled down a bit, thanks Backyardigans! ;) 

Megan (our goddaughter) and Lydia, having some lunch and some girl time! ;)

Field Trip! Walters Art Museum

Also in October we had a field trip to the Walters Art Museum, where Josiah took a class called "Art Detectives!" He learned SO much and came out talking about museum conservators. I was so proud of him and I'm glad we all had a good time. Daddy was able to meet us there mid-day and then spend the rest of the day with us, which was just icing on the cake. 

I can't remember the older child's name, but Henry was charming these fellow homeschool boys who came to visit him. They were making him smile and then one little boy said, "He has the best smile ever! I love how his eyes get all squinty!" haha. Adorable :)

We ran into our friends Matthew and MaryAnne which was also a pleasant surprise! (brown shirt and rainbow jacket) Josiah and Lydia (white shirt with flowers) were building with blocks before his class began.

Josiah built this fantastic castle/garden/fortress thing.... Definitely could be an architect one day, right? ;)  

I got a quick shot of Josiah's class (he's in the back you can't really see him!) before they went off to explore and learn. 

Daddy with all the kiddos in the "Knight" room!

cool insect display- beautiful butterflies!

Short but Sweet! Soccer Season 2012

Josiah played soccer again this year, he was on the purple team. But since he broke his ankle after the first couple practices, he wasn't able to make most of the practices or games this season. He is finally all healed up and he was able to play goalie for the last 2 games of the season. He loved it and did a great job!

Warming up before the 1st of his 2 games left in the season.

got it!

Grandpa and Ben- his cheerleaders in the FREEEZING cold! haha

Josiah in action!

Way to go my goalie!

Backtrack- Halloween 2012

Now that I have a new computer (after my laptop died) and I found my camera, I can finally post updates and photos about everything else going on around here!

Here are some pictures of our cutie pies on Halloween. I told them "go into your dress-up bin and see what you can find to dress up for Halloween." genius! easy and they were happy as can be. They also got lots of candy and Mommy cheated way too much on her diet. ;) Fun times all around.

Grandpa visited! Reading books to the little boys...

Lydia the Bumble Bee! 

Lydia and Josiah- the "Roman Centurion" ... so he said. (Knight costume, roman centurion hat, whatever!) ;)

Daddy and kiddos

Benjamin-o-saurus!

All 4 kiddos

The loot!

He's getting so grown up and handsome

sweet little boy!

big pretty girl

Henry the mouse! (4 months here)  He looks JUST like Josiah did when he wore this costume. haha! 

Sick kiddos, but lots to be Thankful for!

Hello everyone!
Where have we been? Oh I don't know... just keeping up with all these little ones really keeps me busy.

Right now we have a sick little baby who has been coughing and wheezing for almost 2 weeks. BOO! :( He went BACK to the doctor this morning and lo and behold, it moved to his ears so he has an ear infection. Bummer. Little guy is on a nebulizer with albuterol as well as an antibiotic now for 10 days. Here's hoping he turns a corner in the next few days! The doctor said he should, and that he's "not allowed to get worse" so if he does I am supposed to call. We are hoping and praying he is well again soon. On that note, he doesn't really ACT sick (just uncomfortable or clingy sometimes) but he is pretty sick! He is trying so hard to be his usually smiley happy self.

What a hoot ;)  (owl hat lovingly made by Mommy)

I swear he never stops chewing on his fingers! 

(Henry- almost 5 months)

Lydia and Benjamin woke up sick this morning too. Booooo. So here's hoping they get over it quickly this week and aren't having to go to the doctor as well. Please pray for my kiddos if you can! :)

Despite sick kiddos, we are looking forward to spending time as a family this week for Thanksgiving...although we miss Mom who is in TX (LOVE YOU MOM!!) and will be thinking of her and all our family that lives far away. We are so thankful for all our loving friends and family, our home, our Church, our faith, our children, our godchildren, food, clothing and being able to share God's love with the world. 

We hope you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving!!!