Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

"Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him."

 Luke 2:14 (MSG)

Open House

The kids' school had a Christmas Open House last week, where the kids can show their parents and grandparents what they've been working on the past 4 months.  Here are some pictures:

Southern Lights

We went to Southern Lights, a Christmas light display and festival at the Kentucky Horse Park, for the second straight year.  The kids loved the model train display and the petting zoo, among other attractions.

Smiles in front of the model train

Feeding an animal

In front of a .... llama maybe?

Last year Judah was scared of this snowman ...
what a difference 1 year makes!

Ezra, along for the ride

Santa

Santa took time out of his busy toy-making schedule to visit a nearby farm supply store this weekend.  The kids were a little shy at first, but warmed up soon enough.  We got a great picture of all three kids with Santa:

 

Happy Birthday Uncle Kevin!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Kevin!  Hope you have a great day!

From last year's Christmas gathering

 

Ezra - 4 Months

Ezra turned 4 months old yesterday!  He's a delightful little boy, as he's become more and more interested in exploring the new world around him.  He's learned how to roll over from tummy to back, and after a few difficult nights, he's now started to sleep well at night.  But no matter how well he sleeps, we can always count on a big smile from ear to ear when he wakes up each morning:

Eliana's Birthday

Eliana had a great birthday.  That night, her words were "that was the best birthday!"  It was a Saturday, so were able to have a restful morning with pancakes and relaxing.  We went to Ramsey's Diner for lunch, and then did presents and cake in the afternoon.  At night, we went to our town's "old fashioned Christmas" which featured treats, carols, and checking out downtown shops.

Her party was the next day at the bowling alley with the 4 other kindergartners at her school.  She loved her first bowling experience with her friends!

Eliana and her presents

Checking out new books

I love her expression here -- her big gift
was a new bike, but she will be able to pick
it out herself.  For now, a new helmet!

Eliana and her friend Sullivan at her party

The 5 Kindergartners ready to bowl!

More presents!

Happy Sixth Birthday, Eliana Hope!

Happy 6th Birthday to our baby girl, Eliana!

Eliana loves to learn.  She has excelled in Kindergarten, and now knows addition & subtraction, and has learned how to read.  We call her our "helper girl" as she enjoys helping with tasks around the house.  Eliana is bursting with creativity, and enjoys all forms of art.  She loves being a sister to her younger brothers, and loves to teach and help them.

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!  We love you!! 

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving Day in Indiana at Great Grammy & Boppa's house.  It was a great day of family, food, and relaxing.

 

Ezra snuggling with Great Grammy

Mommy with Ezra, sporting his "1st Thanksgiving" bib

E's Feast

J's Feast

The kids and their great grandparents

Kids + Great Grandparents + The cousins

Eliana spent much of Friday playing with her second cousin Addey

Ezra snuggling with Great Aunt Donna

 

Happy Birthday Theo!

Happy 2nd Birthday to our nephew (Eliana/Judah/Ezra's cousin) Theo!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all our loved ones!

We're excited for Ezra's first Thanksgiving.  Here's what he plans to wear:

We also wanted to share a picture Eliana drew.  It's essentially a turkey's "circle of life."  Starting at the bottom left, here is the explanation: Live Turkey -> Cooked Turkey -> Turkey Bones -> Wish Bone -> The Turkey's Wishes

Las Vegas

Elizabeth gave several presentations at the National Communication Association's annual conference, which was in Las Vegas this year.  Daddy and Ezra tagged along, so that Ezra didn't have to spend 5 days separated from Mommy.  Here are a few pictures from exploring the weird city that is Las Vegas:

 

Ezra's first flight! (and the only pic we got all week with all 3 of us)

Daddy and Ezra exploring the Vegas Strip

M&M World, where we got gifts for the big kids

We took a walk to the famous Vegas sign

Bellagio Fountains (as seen in Oceans Eleven)

Ezra was with us but didn't see the fountain show :)

Photo Shoot

We had a photo shoot last week.  Our talented photographer did a fabulous job.  We'll be using some of her pictures on our Christmas card.  Here are a few of our other favorites: