the most wonderful

time of the year, right??

We've been enjoying much of the fun of the season. Baking cookies, Christmas concerts, piano recitals...the stuff that life with 5 kids brings.

brian + julie

happy day!! Uncle Brian and Julie got married!! Jason was the best man, Abby the flower girl (the littles were 'honorary flower girls'), and the boys were ushers, and I did a reading from Colossians.

Emily said the other day afterwords, "mom, Brian and Julie got married. They're in love!" :)

We are so, so happy for them. Brian was beaming. It was emotional. We were honored to be a part of their special day and we pray that they have a long, happy, Christ-filled marriage.

tween

Ben turned 12 today!!

I think I say the same thing every year....I can't believe how fast time flies.

I wish it would slow down.

He is a wonderful kid.

Very kind. Loves sports.

Really proud of who this kid is becoming.

Love that he made me a mom all those years ago...

ready or not.

I was so excited to be a mom...to be his mom.

Love the big brother he his to his siblings.

Love this kid.

Happy Birthday Ben!

Halloween

What a crazy bunch!!

oh my gosh!?

What has happened to me?

Have I really not posted for almost 2 months??

That's pathetic, and I'm feeling really bad about it!

Emily had her first day of preschool (back in September!).

She absolutely loves it, as I had no doubt that she would.

When we went to sign up in the spring, she cried when we left that she couldn't stay!

So, needless to say, she was ready.

Baby of the family with 4 siblings? Yep, totally ready.

She has blossomed since then too.

She loves going.

She has her first best friend, another Emily.

They are also in dance together, and hold hands most of that class.

She loves preschool, like, looooves preschool!