Thanksgiving 2012

I've been thinking a lot this week about things that I am grateful for.

I am truly grateful for it all.

I serve a God who has blessed me with this life that I do not deserve.

I have a husband who adores me and our children.

I have beautiful healthy children who are mostly good. :)

I have parents who support me.  They have given to me unselfishly and love me unconditionally.

I have a brother who lives a life filled with adventure and is always willing to lend a helping hand when around.

I have a wonderful group of friends who are there for me in both good times and bad.

Life is good, and for that I am grateful...

We enjoyed Thanksgiving day at our home with our family.

After lunch the girls got busy decorating the house for Christmas.  

Erika has now helped us decorate 3 years.

I will give her the title "lead decorator."

She is such a lovely gal with a kind and gentle spirit.

She is also blessed in the height department and reaches the top of the tree which is an added bonus!

A bunch of turkeys hanging out around the turkey.

The boys.

Tio John and Cohen.
My boys just think the world of Tio.

Cohen checking out the food.
"Ma when will I be able to get some food?"

Santa 1, Santa 2 and the Elf.

Tio and Griff enjoying a friendly Angry Bird competition.

The tree and front door is gorgeous this year!

Kenton has fond childhood memories of enjoying a Christmas train with his Dad and Brother.

He has carried along the tradition with his boys.

This is something that they look forward to every year.

Kenton picked up a new train this year to share with the boys.

Look at Roman's expression.

I so love watching Christmas through the eyes of my children.

It is so magical...

I love this picture.
So much goodness captured in this one shot.

Cohen may be small, but still wants in on the action.

I love the look of joy on all of their faces.

I especially love that Griff wore the Santa hat the entire time.
That's my boy!

"Hey Ma, does this hat make my ears look big?"

This child is filled with such sunshine.

Thanksgiving was a lovely day shared with those closest to my heart.

What a perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

Little party planner

Yesterday was Big Poppa's birthday.  Griffin started planing the perfect party as soon as he woke up.  He jumped into action like the professional party boy that he is!  First on his agenda was decorations.  He went to the party supply cabinet and pulled out the necessities.  Party hats, horns, mustaches, candles, and balloons.  You know important stuff!   

He then sat down and made a card for Poppa.  At this point I had to duck out to go to work.  MiMi said that he planned the rest of the details throughout the day.  He pulled down all of his board games to play at the party.  About mid day Griff asked when Pop's friends were going to come over for the party?  Pop explained to him that his friends were at work and he was happy just to celebrate with family.  You have to love the innocence of a child...

By the time I got home from work Griff pretty much had everything set for the big shindig and he was bursting with excitement.  Once Kenton got home we kicked off the celebration with cupcakes, candles, and the birthday song.  

Thanks to Griff for putting together such an awesome party.  I was impressed with Griff's first party that he planned all on his own and I'm pretty sure Big Poppa was too...    

Big Pop's card made by Griff. (a cake with lots of candles)

Happy birthday Pop with a balloon

This guy LOVES him some cupcakes!

Roman just noticed that silly Daddy had cake on his nose.
That is soooo funny!

Griff proud of his work!

MiMi, Pop, and the boys (minus sleeping Cohen)

Cohen Jacob 5 months old

Dear Cohen,

You did it again.  You went ahead and turned ANOTHER month older.  My sweet, precious, lovable, cuddly, smiley, and giggly baby boy.  You are such a joy to all of the lives that you touch.  You have me wrapped around your tiny little finger.  One flash of the gums and I am all yours.

You already have such a way with people.  I am always stopped by strangers because they love your smile.  You love people and they love you!  Your little personality is shining through already.  I pray that you always keep your smile, and easy going ways.  These 2 things are such good qualities to carry you through life.

Your brothers adore you.  They love to hug and kiss on you all day long.  Even though you are little you already hold your own against them.  Quite funny to watch!

Today I had to video you before I went off to work.  I was afraid that you would be crawling by the time I returned home.  You are pulling up on all 4s.  You are not sure what to do once you get up.  Once you lay back on the floor you move your feet really fast.  Apparently you are really in a hurry.  You are so fun to watch!  Slow down baby boy.  You are moving way too quickly for this Momma.

You are excellent with eye contact.  You now work really hard to grab objects.  You are not quite sitting up on your own yet.  Even though you are not crawling you still manage to make your way around the floor.  You really love to suck your thumb and have also been known to suck your toe on occasion.  You are still sleeping REALLY well.  You are truly a mother's dream!  You are still exclusively breast fed and by your stats are clearly not missing too many meals.  :)

Stat update:

6/13/12 birth weight- 9.2

7/12/12 1 month- 12.2

8/11/12 2 months- 14.8

9/14/12 3 months- 17

10/14/12 4 months- 18. 4

11/13/12 5 months- 19.4

Sweet baby, I love you so very much.  You bring such joy to my life and have added so much life to our family.  We are all crazy about you.  You are soooo loved...  Just when I think it is not possible to love you any more I wake up to a new day and love you even more.  I am so blessed to be your Momma.  Always remember, "You are a good boy and will do great things in this world."

All my love,
Mommy

NO MORE PICTURES!

Since no one is looking I'll go for the toe!

Oh how I love this boy!

Sucking your thumb in your happy place.

Giraffe comparison shot

Photo bombers on the scene.
See how much these brothers love each other!

Roman sneaking a little kiss. 

5 month boys side-by-side shot
Griffin and Cohen look so much alike.

Halloween 2012

The boys practiced trick-r-treating for almost a week before the main event.

Halloween! 

By Halloween they had earned professional status!

We usually stay home and trick-r-treat in our neighborhood.

This year at the last minute we decided to head out and trick-r-treat with friends instead.

Other than being attacked by blood thirsty mosquitos we had a wonderful evening with friends.

When we arrived the boys
were having too much fun playing to stop for
another picture for Mommy.
Can you believe we almost went without a family photo?!?

Baby Bear's super power?
Killer eyes and a killer smile.

Our dynamic trio taking a break from being awesome for a picture.

Spidey pulling his girl Rapunzel.
NEED. MORE. CANDY.

They are just TOO CUTE!

Griff had such a great time collecting candy.
Trick-r-treat was always followed by the sweetest little
"thank you."
These little words make a Momma so proud.

Mommy and Bat the Man.

Halloween 2012 will certainly go down in the books as a success.

We had so much family fun!

What a wonderful kick off to the holiday season...