"Big Boy" and Gang

These are some pictures from my parents front yard/front door. They are crazy, but they are real, I promise!

What they're up to

We are vacationing in Lake City (headed home tomorrow) and have taken 665 pictures with our new camera! I am not kidding. I just counted. You'll be seeing a fraction of those, they'll come!

But for now, what my kiddos are doing these days.

Eleanor - singing songs, riding her new trike, counting past 16, learning letter sounds, wanting to choose everything and control her life down the color of straw she drinks out of or how her sunglasses are folded, asking lots of questions about God and Jesus, loving holiday sweets, using her imagination, doing lots of things herself, playing with Will and bossing him a little, talking all the time and giving commentary on her life, saying funny things like:
"Who is going to pray in this family?!" at mealtime...
"When my piggy jammies are dirty, I like to wear my hippo jammies, and when my hippo jammies are dirty I wear my piggy jammies, because I love them both and they are cozy and beautiful!"
"Can I see your underwear?" (She is not shy about asking this question - watch out!"
"Daddy, are you going to ask me about my day?"
"Can we go see some other old people now?" (visiting my grandparents at the nursing home)

She keeps us on our toes!



William - shaking his head NO (shakes his whole body actually), saying words "yep" or "yeah", "all done", "amen", "nana"(for banana), "juice", and now, in addition to "Dad-Dad" and "Mama", he is saying "Eleanor"! Her name sounds a little like "On", but he is definitely talking about his sister! The night after we got back from WA was the first night they hadn't been in the same room in a week, and when I put him to bed he cried and cried and pointed at the door, "On! On! On!" Oh my goodness melt my heart! He does a lot of animal sounds - bunny, frog, snake, sheep, lion, bear, tiger, cat... Also the sounds of cars, helicopters, and airplanes. Signs for airplane, all done, and please. He can identify 6 or so body parts. He loves to be outside, loves to be tickled by his Daddy, loves to play with Eleanor (often trying to destroy something she is working on!), loves to cuddle with and hug his Mommy. Doesn't love car rides, but enjoys then more now that his carseat is facing front! Loves to eat snacks and loves to be chased. Understands so much of what we say. Finds things he shouldn't have. Likes to play with non-toys, carries things around like tupperware and empty pepsi bottles. Still has a grin that melts me.


Wow, I love them both!

Promised WA Pictures

Christmas

I have been absent from the blogging world for a while! I hope you all had a joyous celebration of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us. This was a wonderful Christmas season for me, with all of Eleanor's questions about Jesus, and many opportunities to discuss the birth of Christ and the reason for His coming...to save us! We spent the week in WA and had a very fun and relaxing time with family. Eleanor and Will adore their grandparents and aunt and uncles, and they did so well with all the travel! Here are just a few of our favorite pictures.

Playing in the snow!






Opening presents - 2 times! With Uncle Mike and Aunt Julann before they left for NY, and on Christmas morning. Oh, and one present each on Christmas Eve - jammies! Eleanor enjoyed helping everyone open their gifts. Will enjoyed the boxes and wrapping paper, as well as some new toys! Thanks to our family for being so generous with us! And GUESS WHAT - Todd got me a cell phone! A PINK one, ringing inside a pink water bottle (no water) when I opened it!! I feel like a real person now. *grin*





Our beautiful children! They had some great fun together on this trip, especially getting to share a room!

And more...


Okay, I have about 8 more pictures and I CANNOT get them on this post!! I'm done for the night.
We got an amazing gift this Christmas...a new camera! So lots and lots of pictures will be coming!

Leaving Tomorrow...

...time for a few quick pictures!

Eleanor and Will got to open their gifts from Faris grandparents today...too big for the plane! You can see, they were thoroughly enjoyed!




And here are pictures from the lights at the zoo:





AND Eleanor and Will with their beautiful new scarves from Miss Amy!

Bye-Bye Pacis

Will said goodbye to his pacifiers today. We had some great reasons for doing it at this time, but as I listen to pathetic sobs coming from Will's crib, they don't sound so great anymore!

Way, Way Behind!

Maybe someday I'll catch up on blogging...maybe I won't! This picture will have to do for now!