Isaac

Journey Through Bethlehem

Every year the town of Huntsville (about an hour from us) puts on an event called, Journey Through Bethlehem.  Each year I've said that we are going to go, but we've never been able to make it.  I was determined to go this year since it will likely be our last opportunity.  We really enjoyed it.  Volunteers dressed in clothing like that would have been worn around the time of Christ's birth.  We tasted food native to the area, Elaina & Mike wove a basket together, the girls participated in making bricks out of clay, they made crafts, and we participated in a traditional wedding dance.  

Tucked away in a back corner was a stable with Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus.  Erin kept asking when we would see baby Jesus, and it took a while for us to find the nativity scene.  It struck me that with all the bustling excitement of the city of Bethlehem, nobody was really aware of the miracle that took place there.  The event was very well put together and I'm really glad we finally attended.

 Erin, grinding oats

 Elaina and some traditional household items

 The girls making bricks out of clay

 Petting a donkey

Heading off to jail with the Roman soldier

My little boy

 

These are some pictures of Isaac when he was about five months old. 

 

 He has the cutest cowlick on the right side of his forehead.  It is so prominent and I'm sure will really be annoying to him later on in life, but I think it is the cutest thing.

 I love that I am his favorite person for now.  Babies sure are good for a Mom's ego!

 He sure is a joy to have in our house.  He is a happy baby and has the sweetest little smile that will melt your heart.

 Look at that perfect little face

He can always be calmed by having me hold him.  I love that I am so important to him :)

He is also a great cuddler.  He wraps his little arms as far around my neck as he can get them, and he wraps his legs around my hips like a little koala bear.  He is so fun to hold and cuddle.

 His smile really is magical.  It's impossible not to smile back at him when he smiles

  I love to see babies discover and enjoy playing with their toes

 

Santa Claus Came to Town

Santa came to our ward Christmas party! 

Toothless Girl

 

Thanks to Elaina, the tooth fairy has been making frequent visits to our house this past year.  She lost her first tooth last August (2010) and in December (2011) she lost her 8th tooth!  In this picture she has four adult teeth and four holes.  Her little smile is so cute.  I wish she could stay young forever!

The many (cute) faces of Isaac

 

My Mom got distracted by taking pictures of Isaac when she was watching the girls at gymnastics.  I love every single one of his little facial expressions, so I am posting them all.  Isn't he cute?  By the way, these were all taken last October...

Lucky Me

These 3 kids make me the happiest Mom in the world. I love them so much!
(This was last October, the day of the Primary Presentation at church)

Texas in the fall

Texas may be lacking in the beautiful colors of Fall, but one thing it is not lacking is beautiful weather this season.  October & November were mostly in the 80s.  Even the winter has been mild (mostly in the 70s).  Mother Nature seems to have forgotten that winter is supposed to be cold - even in Texas!

The nice fall and mild winter has meant lots of bike riding, exercising outdoors, parks, backyard fun, scooters, and sidewalk chalk!  Enjoy some pictures from last fall:

 Elaina on her big girl bike

 Erin on her big girl bike

 Out for a walk

 She loves her scooter!

 Wagon rides

Elaina on the scooter

 Isaac was content to lounge in his bouncer and watch

All three kids on the swingset

 Erin loves to push her brother on the swing

 Isaac loves it!

 Elaina is a hula hoop champ.  I'm amazed that such a skinny little person can master the hula hoop like she does

As Elaina was learning to ride a two wheeler Mike decided the he could use a motorized scooter to keep up with her...probably just a good excuse for a cool toy :)

 Our family of five.  Wow, five??  I'm still not used to the sound of that

 He loves walks in the stroller

We don't know where we'll be a year from now, but I'm not sure we will handle cold weather very well if we end up somewhere with a real winter.  Regardless, we are enjoying a mild winter and being able to play outside year round.