Cross-Eyes

We were all trying to make cross-eyed faces....Sam can totally rock it!Luke couldn't quite master it! I can not remotely do it, and (not to mention) look quite evil in this picture! This is my new stink eye....next time you see me, ask for the cross-eyed pose...it could scare the begebers out of you!

There have been sequels...there have been prequels...But never a squeakquel!!

We have been on the countdown for a month for this day to arrive....the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie comes out tomorrow!! We are ready to overindulge in some popcorn and rootbeer!!

Candy, Candy Canes, Candy Corn and Syrup....

When I really need to work on this massive mountain.....all I want to do is sit by my pretty tree and watch my favorite Christmas movies!

Pajama Craze

I love mornings where we can laze around in our jammies... It is a little hard to laze around when a 100 pound dog is needing some attention!!

It has been a fun-filled, but relaxing holiday weekend. I got my fill on mashed potatoes, warm rolls and pumpkin pie (all my favorites)...although my hubby deep-pitted our turkey this year and it was amazing!!! that may be my new favorite Thanksgiving dish. 18 foot slides, decorating Christmas ornaments, small town parade, putting up the Christmas tree...lots of good stuff!!

Redemption

When the music fades, and all is stripped away, and I simple come....

I'll bring you more than a song, for a song in itself is not what you have desired....

You look much deeper within, through the way things appear....

Your looking into my heart.

I'm coming back to the heart of worship, when it's all about you, Jesus....

I'm sorry, Lord, for the things I make it....

Spooktacular!!

Luke's sixth birthday was a costume Halloween theme. My mother-in-law helped me with the party and did all the decorations and activites. We had alot of activities....pumpkin carving, paper bag puppets, monster matching, popcorn ball making and we didn't even get to all the games she planned. Thank you to my mother-in-law for all her hard work! Some of the pumpkins we decorated.

I made these monster treats for the kids to eat. It is green pudding and crushed oreo's. I think I was more excited than they were about it. It was a fun evening!!

Six Sticks!!!!!!

My little man is six years old today!! He is all the "firsts" for me. The incredible feelings and emotions that come with parenthood were all experienced first with this little boy. His story starts out with a bang!! Grace turned into Luke. Here he is.... He is my dirty man....if there is dirt anywhere within a 15 foot radius; he will find it. This took me a long time to deal with and get over! It would drive me crazy at first, but he has taught me that clothes are washable and bathtubs are my best friend.....and not to be so OCD all the time; to let him experience things in his own way.

He loves Disneyland, just like me...and he is starting to get really brave on the roller coasters. It makes me so happy to go on some cool rides with him...he just needs to grow so we can meet the heighth requirement!

He loves to play dress up and "be" the character. If he is watching anything on tv...he gets that character to play with while he is watching the show. He is really creative in this way. He gets into his own world and imagines....

This picture is Luke to the core...multi-tasking (especially when it comes to sweets)...he takes after me in this way. He loves cookies and ice cream (me too!!!!). He also always gets holes in the left knee of his pants...never the right?!

He is the light of my life! Jesus gives us such amazing gifts!! He has the most contagious laugh, is a good friend to his brother (and his little cousin Rusty), practices something until he masters it, has some mad gymnast, ninja moves, likes a good beat he can dance too, and has melted my heart to his!! Happy birthday Luke Joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Were posed to dance, Sam"

Consumption

I am still alive...although most of my loyal followers know that because they see me...but for you randoms...I have been consumed with...school, soccer, gym, bible study, driving alot in the car, work and..................Drumsticks (the kind you eat and not play) ( I have had five in the last two days) ( I have no willpower when they are in the house) (that is why the gym is on my consumption list!!) and since I am always supposed to have a picture on my posts (according to the blog nazi ((my sister)) here is a random one of the fam-damily....

I don't get it!!??

Everywhere I peruse (I have no idea if that is how you spell peruse, but I am trying to sound educated and am too lazy to look in a dictionary, but want to use a cool word to say: I have been looking at a lot of blogs today for no apparent reason other that to occupy my time and checking facebook every half hour)....everywhere I have perused (huh?huh?) lately, I see these amazing pictures these moms have taken to put on their blogs or facebook pages. Have I missed the free tutorial on photo 101 for blogger/facebook moms? If someone else was taking this picture above....the background would be artistically blurred and the pine cone in focus, the lighting would be much better, and there would be a magical glow about the whole picture. I just want to know how they do this?? Am I missing the obvious or do my picture taking skills really lack that much needed enthusiasm...

Goooooooaaaaaaalllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!

Today was the first of many Saturday's at the soccer complex. From 8:30 to 1:00, I watched my two little guys score some goals (not always on their team's goal), inhale snow cones, and get thoroughly drenched from sweat (nice....them and myself). I don't know the first thing about soccer, but have the feeling that I am going to learn fast. Thanks to all the grandparents who showed up to support the boys. You guys are awesome!

Sam started off his first game with a goal.....only a minute into the game. He was really proud of himself, I could see that (I can't believe I just did that!!!) face....priceless.

Luke is lightning fast and really tries....and was so excited when he scored a goal....but pretty heartbroken when he realized it was for the other team! I could see the slump in his shoulders and was preparing myself for the crying about to unleash, but he held it together (he is very competitive) and went on with trying his best. I was extremely proud of him!!

I am sitting in the sun and soaked through, but have the biggest smile on my face....I realize that the boys are learning life long lessons in what it takes to have humility, learn teamwork, and not always have things go the way you want. I am looking at my hubby who is coaching one son's team and reffing the other son's team, who is also soaked through and is graciously giving up his last bottled water to a parched 5 year old....and I realize what a good man and dad he is! There are alot of other things that need to be done these Saturday mornings, but there is nothing more important than spending time with my guys....the yard work, laundry, cleaning can wait!!! I may need another snow cone!

A Little Boys Dream of a Playground.....

I have never seen so much sand in my whole life! The boys loved rolling down the sand hills. Some others even had snow saucers to help get going...we may try that next time.

Card Dealers

Travis was teaching the boys how to play war this weekend....they loved it and really wanted to learn how to shuffle and deal out the cards....maybe a future career path!!?? Travis would probably like that...

Sam was so cute trying to learn how to shuffle...he was so impressed that daddy could shuffle like a "bridge"....but even more impressed when mommy came along and shuffled like that too!

the game boys are never far behind. I was quite educated this weekend in Mario Brothers, the lands, and all their catch phrases! Oh Joy!!

Fun in the Sun

Luke very proud of the castle he made all by himself.

Another fun day at the beach....the weather was so nice...no wind and warm enough to get in the water. It is a happy time in this house....the boys have learned how to swing by themselves!! Woohoo!!!

i-i-i-as in Indian

I am going to have to brush up on my phonics (because you know we haven't been doing any of that around here!) My little men are leaving me....for school. They were so excited when I picked them up and were jabbering the whole way home about their days.

Sam melts my heart when he asks his brother, "So, how was your first day?".....he is so thoughtful! As I walked into Staples after I dropped them off...all by myself; it hit me...these days are precious with them. They are such a gift from God!

Noise.....

This is how I found Sam the other afternoon.....the music blarring (volume all the way maxed out). I could here the music from the other room....my question is....how could anyone fall asleep with this noise! I'll tell you (because I know you are on pins and needles), only the V. boys could. This is how Travis falls asleep at night...the i-pod or the tv on. I am constantly surrounded by noise...and it is such useless noise to me. Only late at night or early in the morning can I be still in the silence before or after the noise has consummed my life!!

Wooly Mammoth

...what fun was had posing for pictures....