Christmas Card Outtakes

It seems like every year it comes time to think about sending out Christmas Cards I can't find a single decent family picture to use. So, on Saturday I made everyone get dressed and we ran out inbetween rain bursts and snapped a few pictures. Next time, I think I'll leave it up to a professional. We did get a few decent ones despite Ben being super sick and the rain.

Giving Thanks with the Blacks

My brother, Josh, and his family drove up from San Antonio to spend Thanksgiving dinner with us. It was so fun to have them here!

On night we visited the Botanica Light Display. (Jeff stayed home with the little boys.)

Santa was in one of the green houses and there was no line. Blessed day. 

He was a great Santa, so gentle with the kids. Anna asked for a "Sort-of American Girl Doll." (There's a story behind that I'll get to in another post.)

 Isaac asked for "presents."

 Anna and Caleb were so cute holding hands.

 The kids just love Uncle Josh. He is so much fun.

Another day we went to one of our favorite Wichita stops, The Nifty Nut House.

And of course, we had a Thanksgiving Feast! Josh and Julie made some really delicious sides and I made the turkey.

We always love when family come to visit and this was no exception. Thanks for coming Black Family! (And thanks Julie for taking all these pictures!)

Kindergarten Feast

Anna's kindergarten class hosted a Thanksgiving Feast right before the holiday break. I left Ben and Sam with a sitter and Jeff was able to take a long lunch break.

The kids put in a ton of preparation including place mats, place cards, napkin ring and even made some of the food. Anna was silly-excited for us to be there.

 While families were arriving and the food was being prepared we played a turkey drawing game.

Jeff was serious about his drawing.

 Anna's turkey.

The mysterious side dish on the left is "Friendship Salad," one of the kids' contributions. The students in the class each brought a can of fruit to school. They got to open and pour their fruit in a big bowl. Mrs. Chamber finished it off with some Cool-Whip. Anna was very proud.

I love seeing Anna at school. She's always happy to have me there and I'm just as delighted to be there.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bedtime Boys

Sam and Ben started sleeping in separate cribs when they were about five months old. They were kicking each other and none of us were getting much sleep. But they love to be in the same space, so after baths I sometimes put them in the same crib to play.

You can really get a sense of their size difference in this picture. (Even though the lighting and resolution is terrible.) Like a lot of moms with multiples I get stopped a lot when we are out. Usually I get, "Oh, twins! Wait...are they twins?" Yep. One minute apart, more comfortable together than not, best buddy twins.

Botanica

  I've been wanting to visit the Botanical Gardens since they opened a new Children's Garden. Anna had a day off and the weather was agreeable so we hopped in the car and went. 

 This statue greets you as you walk into Botanica. I think it is called Mother and Child. I love it.

There were only a hand full of other patrons at the gardens. We hardly saw a soul, except volunteers putting up Christmas lights for Illuminations.

 Looking through the kaleidoscope.

All the flowers were long gone but there was still lots of beauty to be found.

The Rainbow Bridge is the entrance to the Children's Garden.

There was a great play area with a tree house and tunnels.

 The Eric Carle Hungry Caterpillar Garden.

Boy, I love botanical gardens. There is something so inspiring about art and nature coming together. It stirs the soul. Even the little ones feel it. Anna was so interested in all the sculpture. And Isaac wanted to know what every little plant was. It was fun to discuss form and beauty and nature.

Heavenly Father has blessed us with so much, hasn't he.

Cousin Chase

Jeff's mom found a great last minute deal to Wichita. Larry couldn't come so Jeff's sister, Jenny and her adorable little guy, Chase, came out instead.

I'm recording this a couple of months later and I'm having a hard time remembering what we actually did while they were here. What I do recall, however, is how wonderful it felt to be around such amazing women. How great it was to remember what a good friend Jenny is to me. And to just bask in the love that you only really feel from family.

 I wish I could remember what Anna found so funny.

 Right before church, watching Baby Songs. I cannot tell you what joy this DVD brings to my kids.

Why Oreos and Babies Shouldn't Mix