2011 Christmas cards

Warning!! There are a LOT of pictures in this post. 

I got the idea from a friend's blog to put up pictures from our Christmas card photo shoot. I love seeing these pictures and our family together. My sister Mae captured some sweet moments. Of course, we had a little rough start. Sadie would NOT take her fingers out of her mouth (she LOVES those two fingers).

But she eventually warmed up, with a little help from her daddy. I love this picture. You can really see how much this man loves his little girl.

 And he loves, LOVES, to tickle her. If you hear her laugh, you'd want to tickle her too, just to hear her laugh again. Its pure joy in a laugh.

Of course, there are the boys. These boys and their dad are three of my favorite people in all the universe. 

Especially when they get their goofy on!

 Sadie and I couldn't resist a little goofiness too.

 But I really live for the kisses...

 and hugs...

 a few more kisses and...

 that means the Christmas season is off to a good start!

We hope you all had a JOYful Christmas season!

a burglary and some cookies

We got home from church today and our neighbors across the street had a cop car parked infront of their house. We proceeded to just get everyone inside and the normal post-church routine of changing clothes because they were headed to my parent's home to spend the afternoon (one of their favorite Sunday activities...and maybe its nice for me too). Our neighbor crosses the street to let Steve and I know what had happened - they had been burglarized! Someone had broken in through a window and rifled through their things. After we were done talking with our neighbors we went into the house and Ethan began telling Steve and I how concerned and saddened he was for our neighbors. He got the idea (from my dad) that he could do something nice for them and take them something. I told him we could make some cookies and deliver them but that he would have to stay home with me and make them but I would take him over to my parent's house afterwards. He thought for a minute and then said that's what he wanted to do. We pulled out my recipes and made some chocolate chip bars after Luke and Sadie had left. He helped mix and break eggs and measure flour. We haven't really baked together because I have little patience with it. I rarely go into the kitchen for leisurely baking but this time there was no one else demanding my time and I was thankful to have that experience with Ethan. The cookies finished and we walked across the street to deliver our treats. Ethan let me know his legs were shaky on our walk across the street and that I was to be the mouthpiece and he would deliver. He's such a funny guy. Needless to say, our neighbors were touched and appreciated the gesture. We walked away and Ethan told me he had a warm feeling all over. What can I say? As a mom this was one of those priceless moments. I knew I had to get it down in writing. I love you, Ethan!! Thank you for being sensitive to the Spirit and following through, that was a great lesson to me.

Construction updates

This is for those of you who can't come over and check out the construction updates.

Our new floors in the master bedroom, living room and hallway. I love sweeping floors instead of steam cleaning carpets all the time!

Our master bedroom. We still need curtains and closet doors but thats cosmetic for now.

The master bathroom 

The new paint colors in the dining room.