O Christmas Tree

We continued the tradition started last year of choosing and cutting down our Christmas tree.  You can see last year's post here.

 

 

Two little boys in the tree sled this year!  Grant was with me staying warm in the Baby Bjorn.

Nathan wouldn't wear his mittens but we were able to convince him to put his hands in his pockets. 

We had much different weather this year than last year.  Snow on the ground and COLD temps in the 20s.  The boys were troopers.

Our tree was taller than last years - 7.5 feet tall. 

 

Tyler got to help cut it down. 

Starting the haul back to the barn. 

 

Tyler liked to stop occasionally and play in the snow.

So we put him to work.  He really did pull the tree all the way back to the checkout. 

Pull!

Family photo...kinda. 

Grant is under the blanket staying warm.  ;)

 

More photos of our tree coming soon!



Grant photos

I thought I would post some photos of Grant...because he is just too cute not to share! :)

 

This was my attempt at a baby photo shoot.  I am no Jeanne though. 

 

 

I found the hat on Etsy here. 

 

While we were disappointed with the outcome of this past weeks SEC Championship game (our Tigers could have been playing for the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP) we will always love our Tigers! Grant loves them already!

 

He loves to have his hands near his face.  I have had to keep his fingernails diligently trimmed so he doesn't scratch himself too much. 

I just LOVE baby yawns!

Absolutely precious! 

Nathan wanted to give him a little kiss during our photo shoot.

Okay, mom, I am getting cold.  Could we finish up and put some clothes on me please!



Christmas Parade of Lights

The day after Thanksgiving is the Annual Parade of Lights in Downtown Washington and even though Grant was only 2 weeks old, we bundled everyone up and headed downtown. 

 

Tyler was finishing up some french fries while we waited for the parade to start. 

 

Nathan was a bit confused while we waited in the cold for the parade to start.  Grant slept in his car seat until right before the parade started and then I "wore" him for the remainder of the parade to keep us both warm. 

Nathan was fascinated with his mittens.  Also, notice his coat...Jeff bought Nathan a Carhartt version kids coat and bibs.  Every 20 month old needs gear to work on the farm, right?  I do have to admit that Nathan was warm. 

Nathan enjoyed a great view of the parade on top of Popo's shoulders.  We had quite the crew at the parade...about 15-20 family members.  Never a dull moment!

 

We put the camera away during the parade but had a wonderful time and immensely enjoy this holiday tradition. 

 

Another highlight of the night was Tyler getting to play hide and seek with the big boys (Zach and friend, Jonathan) back at Great Aunt Susan's house after the parade!  They kept us all entertained. 

 

Red is BACK!

Our Elf on the Shelf, Red, returned to our house December 1st. 

 

Here is what he has been up to:

 

Dec. 1: Red brought Tyler and Nathan advent calendars purchased from the Plowsharing sale.  I am trying to incorporate the fun of Red while still keeping the boys focused (as much as humanly possible) on the reason for the season.  Each tab opened on the Advent calendar tells part of the Bible story of Christ's birth.  Tyler looks forward to reading it each day and is always trying to get to open the next tab a day early.  And let's be honest, both boys love the chocolate candy they get to eat each day. ;) 

Dec. 2: Snow/flour angel.

Dec. 3: Red lifting marshmallow weights. 

Dec. 4: Red requested cookies and got out all the ingredients.  Tyler said "We'd better make some, Mom!" 

Dec. 5: Red brought a Gingerbread kit to make him a house...which we still have yet to do.

Dec. 6: I didn't take a photo and I don't remember what Red was up to.  #momfail

Dec. 7: Red sent the boys on a candy cane scavenger hunt.  Tyler LOVED it!

Dec. 8: Red was drinking the syrup.  Tyler proceeded to tell EVERYONE at church.  We had to have a conversation to explain that not everyone knows who Red is.

 

Dec. 9: "Red was trying to steal the star off the Christmas tree" - Tyler

I thought Red was just goofing around and didn't think he meant any malice but apparently Tyler is a bit protective over his tree (more on our Christmas tree search in a later post). 

 

Tyler has been VERY into finding Red and Nathan will point him out when he sees him.  It has been a fun tradition that we will continue. 

 

Do you have an elf at your house?  What has your elf been up to?  Red is always looking for easy, creative ideas the boys will enjoy.

 



Thanksgiving 2013: Thankful!

I did a HORRIBLE job of capturing Thanksgiving 2013 with my camera.  It was our first holiday with 3 boys so I will use that as my excuse.  I promise I will be better for the next big holiday! 

 

We started out the day at home with a light breakfast and I did some online holiday shopping.  Why would I want to go out in the crowds for the Black Friday (and now Thursday shopping) when I could do it all online, get the same deals and have it shipped right to my door?!?

 

Our first stop was Grandma and Grandpa Francis' and the feast was amazing!  I didn't take any photos...probably because I was too busy eating!  Mid-November is a bad time to have a baby if you are worried about shedding the baby weight right away.  Good thing I am not one of those people...I love that my pre-pregnancy jeans are a little tight.  Surely the weight will come off chasing three little ones eventually, right? 

 

Next stop was Grandma and Grandpa Zick's.  A large crowd and, again, lots of tasty food. 

 

The boys enjoyed Krista reading books to them.  Krista was also excited that she was the "favorite since Zach was not there." 

Aunt Sandy is a big favorite too...Tyler had a slight meltdown when Aunt Sandy left at the end of the night and he did not get to go home with her. 

 

We are extremely thankful to live so close (like 200 yards away from my parents) to family and friends that are an ENORMOUS help with our kiddos.  The saying that it takes a village to raise a child is oh, so true.  We couldn't do it without all of you! 

 

Other photos of things/people we are thankful for:

 

Protective older brothers. 

Nathan has just recently transitioned from his crib into a big boy bed (more on that in a later post) so I am not sure if he was checking to see who was laying in the crib or just checking on his little brother...either way, I thought it was cute. 

 

These two hams and their brotherly relationship that often involves pushing and the daily spats but it is moments like these that they play together and watch Christmas movies together that are so precious. 

 

 

Speaking of brotherly spats, we initiated this one.  I made a turkey breast a few days after Thanksgiving.  I really love leftover turkey sandwiches.  We gave the boys the wishbone to break and this was my attempt to capture the moment.  Too bad you cannot see the wishbone at all.  I don't even remember who won and luckily the boys didn't really care after it broke.  Maybe next year they will get it. 

God had truly blessed us with these three wonderful little boys.  They keep us busy but we wouldn't have it any other way! 

We have so much to be thankful for this year!

 

Remember:

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

 

 

 



End of season soccer pics

Tyler's soccer season ended quite some time ago.  We are almost finished with basketball season now...maybe while on maternity leave I will actually catch up on my blog posts...probably not. :)

Here are a few more "action" photos from his season:
(Notice how dirty Tyler gets...)
 

 

Team captain or just bossy? 

 

I just love their little huddles. 

Go team!

Cheering section...with snacks.  He doesn't exactly sit still without snacks and even then, you can see he appears to be on the move.

Participation ribbon displayed proudly.  He didn't care that EVERYONE got one. 

 

His coach gave him the superlative of "Best Tackler." ;) 

Jeff was okay with soccer not being Tyler's sport. 

Either way, Tyler had fun, got to run around with his friends and enjoy a snack after his games each week. ;)

 

 

Here is Tyler's team photo.  Check out his cheesy smile (upper right hand corner of picture).  These are the photos I think are so fun to look back on in 14-15 years when they are seniors in high school! 

His individual pic was actually pretty decent. 



Grant's 1st Doctor Appointment

We had Grant's first doctor appointment on Wednesday, November 20. 

 

He was not thrilled to be woken up and stripped down.  Then dad uses the camera flash in his face...

Look at those huge hands! 

Skinny and long.  Grant loves to stretch out with legs straight.  I often felt him attempting to do this same pose while still in the womb.  :)

Grant weighed 8lbs, 1oz. and was 21 3/4 inches long. 

He is doing great and is a healthy, sweet baby boy! 



Thanksgiving Eve Painting

Thanksgiving Eve is one of the biggest party nights of the year; however, the party at our house was a bit different.  We had a painting party!  Life sure is different than it was 5 years ago...and we LOVE it!

 

Tyler was pretty happy about it!

Cheese!

So was this guy!  He loves the go ahead to get messy and sure did.  Thank goodness for Crayola washable finger paints. 

He was really concentrating on his masterpiece.

 

Book Reading Brothers

Tyler has always LOVED to read.  Nathan previously struggled to sit through an entire book but in the last few months has been a book worm just like his brother.  One night after baths, I caught these two snuggled up in bed together reading books. 

 I love it! 



Going Home!

Grant and I were released from the hospital around noon on November 17.  Yes, it was less than 48 hours after he was born!   

 

The doctors and nurses were shocked that the only pain medication I had was one Motrin that I requested Saturday night to help me sleep a bit better.  I am not sure if my pain tolerance is really that high or if I was simply mentally prepared for it since it was my third go around.  Either way, Grant and I are feeling great and I am so thankful of the wonderful care we received while in the hospital. 

 

Precious and so tiny!

Grant's discharge weight was only 8lbs. 1oz. (and that was measured at his Saturday night evaluation). 

 

Even though the nurse said to go home and take it easy, we had one stop before we could head for home.  My cousin and Godson, Zach, was confirmed at church on Sunday morning and I wanted to swing by his party.  I was sad to miss the confirmation so to be able to make the party was awesome!  Every newborn should attend a party before headed home, right? :)

 

Welcome home, Grant!