December 28, 2009

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!



Looking for his FAVORITE tree




We found the perfect tree! 
Our very own ... REAL Christmas tree!



O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 
How richly God has decked thee!  
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 
How richly God has decked thee! 
Thou bidst us true and faithful be, 
And trust in God unchangingly. 
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 
How richly God has decked thee!

December 2, 2009

Christmastime Is Here...


Mark & Jonas put the lights up outside a few weeks ago.
It was our first "taste" of Christmas...

and we love every bit of it!


SOME of us love it so much we turn blurry!!

We're having fun getting ready to have a very Merry Christmas!!
We hope you are too.
More decorations to come...

Our Thanksgiving Trip to Maryland



On long trips - we need our buddies with us!
Especially his favorite puppy who doubles as a pillow.

The trip was 10 hours (on the way there).
It was our first time driving & we arrived
at 2:30 am Thanksgiving Day!

After getting some sleep, we enjoyed a wonderful meal.

Shortly after, Jonas was ready to ride!

And play...
the leaves were very crunchy!

He loves it at Grandma & Grandpa's

And CUDDLE TIME!

And as if the Thanksgiving food wasn't good enough,
he ended the day with a bowl of ice cream
from the local ice cream shop!
His Grandpa says,
"Jonas, you can have ANYTHING while you're at our house!"
What a wonderfully tasty day.

We're so Thankful!!

****************************************


The next morning, Mark made his homemade
caramel pecan rolls!!  The dough was perfectly
fluffy.  The caramel was sweet & creamy.

Our hands were sweet & sticky.


But it was OH SO GOOD!

****************************************

On Sunday, we enjoyed a great church service! 
Jonas was able to check out the sound booth
while his Daddy practiced his songs. 



Jonas loved going to Sunday School &
playing with the other kids during church!
After church, we went & enjoyed a great meal at
a restaurant called "Batters Up".  I had a Patty melt. 
Jonas & Mark had breakfast.  It was yummy!

Our drive home was scenic!  Mark took a couple
pictures from the Bay Bridge.  It was really pretty.






It was a great trip!  We can't wait to
go up there again!

*****************************************

JOYFUL for GRAPES!


For years now (a total of about 1 1/2) we
have tried to entice Jonas to eat grapes. 
We've cut them in half &
even served them with fruit dip!

He has never completely eaten a grape.
I know - it may not seem like an important thing -
but grapes are good for you - and yummy!

I bought some wonderful tasting grapes &
he decided to give them a try again. 
Today was the day!

He LOVES GRAPES!

BY THE BUNCHES!!

Oh, what a JOYFUL snack-time it was!

Marching Band & Fun in the Sun

At a playgroup Jonas & his friends marched out
playing instruments!  What a talented marching band.



 Jonas loved playing the DRUMS!
Maybe he'll be our little drummer boy!!

After that...

We headed to
the park... it was so sunny!





He loves it at the park.

Pony Birthday Party

November was a great month for fun! 
Jonas' friend had her birthday party at the
military base in Augusta, GA.  For the pony-themed party,
all of the children had pony rides!


Jonas loved riding his pony!






All smiles on this fun day.

November Turkey Fun!


Jonas loves to use the glue!

The googley eyes are my favorite!


Gobble-Gobble!




December 1, 2009

November North Carolina Trip

We recently joined Mark in NC for a work-related trip
where we stayed in a hotel & visited some friends.

Jonas had to try out the bed!  It works perfect...
While his Daddy was at work, Jonas & I went to the
mall with our friends & had some fun.


A boy after my own heart...
he's driving an ICE CREAM truck!

They had a great time!!


So much fun in Charlotte, NC!

Time to relax

November 17, 2009

In His Words - TOUCH DOWN!

At 3 years and 2 months old,
our sweet little boy, Jonas, is talking more than ever!
It is so much fun to listen as he expresses his thoughts. 

The other day he told us, "I'm watery". 
Can you guess what he meant?




Thirsty!

We giggled and he just looked at us
probably thinking "Well, where's my water?"
Priceless.

Another thing that amazes me is bedtime. 
We have gone through many "bedtime cycles" with him. 
Sleeping well, not sleeping well & everything in between.
He is now in one where he doesn't want to go to bed...
no matter what our routine is.  This, of course, is trying.
 
The thing that God has shown us is what really matters...

Just as we were going to go down to his room & talk to him,
Jonas started singing... so we stopped & listened.

 In the darkness of his bedroom - as though no one were listening,
Jonas sang
"It's a big, big house with lots & lots of rooms,
with a big, big table with lots & lots of food,
with a big, big yard where we can play football - touch down!
with a big, big yard where we can play football - Touchdown! 
A big, big house, it's my father's house!" 

Yes, he added the "touch down" part himself - to the lyrics.
He likes football, so he sang that line twice!

If you'd like to hear the whole song, check out this link:

We love when God speaks and we hear him!
Wanna come & play football?

TOUCH DOWN!

November 11, 2009

Thank you

"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." -Colossians 4:6



I read this verse on another person's blog and I just have to say... Thank you.  It's a beautiful thing to remember & practice.