A Christmas Visit

We got a special gift this Christmas season.

Chelsey came for a visit!

Chelsey was the boys' babysitter when they were little, 

around 3 and 1.

Then she left for Penn State, and after that, Hawaii, where she has been stationed for almost 2 years, as an ensign in the US Navy.

We haven't really replaced her since she left.

She has a certain something that you just can't put your finger on.

Maybe it's because she knows what she's getting into....

Or maybe she just knows how to deal with it...

Either way, we were so glad to see her.

Thanks for the gift of your time this Christmas, Chelsey.

We love you and appreciate it very much!

Grateful....

This Thanksgiving and every day, I am grateful....

for this....

 and this.....

 for his kindness and sense of responsibility....

and for the courage he displays in the face of his burden...

for his passion and energy....

 for her playful ways.....

and her soulful gaze....

and how she makes our family complete....

for this guy, who takes on alot, and asks for very little......

  for the silly....

for the sad....

for the simple...

for the sweet...

for friends who support and inspire....

for a family who loves....

I am blessed.

And I am grateful.

And thank you to Jessie from 
Jovial Photography 
for the awesome and fun family photos!

Josh's Soccer Celebration

This is Josh. After an indoor soccer practice. Red-faced, sweaty, and covered in dirt. Imagine what he looks like after an actual GAME, especially an OUTDOOR one...

This is one of those "a picture is worth a thousand words" examples. And I think it illustrates my point well. Josh LOVES soccer. ALOT.

So when we were discussing birthday party ideas, a couple thoughts were thrown around, including a Halloween party, but it didn't take long to come to the conclusion that a soccer party would fit him perfectly. Lucky for us, SU Soccer had a few more games, so we scheduled his party on 10/22, so we could bring him and a few of his and  Ben's friends down to a game.

We started the party off with a juggling contest. Here are Ben's good friends, showing the younger ones how it's done...

My awesome helpers

Pinata time-no hands allowed, just like in the game...;-)

Little G, taking in all the crazy

And the birthday boy does it!

LOL-look at all the pine needles-a little extra fiber never hurts! ;-)

Boys will be boys...=)

It wouldn't be a birthday party without those crazy "josh" faces. Here he is opening some fishing gear. =)

Gracie giving her approval on one of the gifts...

Games, pinata, dinner, presents, cake:check; 8 boys bundled in layers:check.

And off to the game we go....I didn't really broadcast the fact that the team's record wasn't the best this season-1 or 2 wins, 10 losses, 1 tie...but as it turned out, the team did NOT disappoint, and played probably their best game of the season, just for us. =)

Halftime Crazy.

And George wins a shirt!

Another goooooal!

A slim jim cigar ;-)

Uh-oh-Cinncinati scored.

Another goooal!!

And SU wins!!! 4-2

Now THAT'S a lens! I have camera envy!

Waiting for autographs =)

Back at the house-Gracie wanted in on the sleepover...

The boys only took a couple hours and 3 bowls of popcorn to settle down, once we were home...

Sleep well, dear Joshy. I think you're gonna need it.  We love you and your passion for life, and we wish you your best year yet!