Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, we gave thanks for friends and family. We were especially blessed to have a healthy Poppy and Grandma Lane at our house for Thanksgiving dinner. I made the family stop for a second to snap a few group shots. They reminded me that dinner was getting cold and the kids (and grown-ups) were growing impatient , and we just needed to hurry. But after seeing these sweet photos they all told me they were glad we did it. And I am too!

Christmas Card Take 2!

Sometimes it takes us a few times to get it right. As my boys get older they are accepting the fact that I am going to take their picture so they might as well do it right the first time. Miles loves to challenge my authority during our family "sessions"! I am not sure what the incentive was this day, but they are getting a little better. Thanks boys for cooperating for a few minutes. I was able to get our Christmas card picture on the second try!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

Our Pumkin isn't ready to go...

Miles and Barnes couldn't wait to go through all of the ornaments and decorate our Christmas tree. They were so careful decorating and took so much pride in their work. We saved all of their ornaments for their "Charlie Brown" tree in the playroom. They had the most fun decorating it! They want everything for Christmas-the marketing strategies of the toy companies are right on target! Miles wants everything Star Wars or Lego-if it is Star Wars Lego that is even better. Barnes wants all things Mickey Mouse. We will have to see how Santa does.

A Mickey Party

Barnes and his best friend Sae!

Precious Reese

Our birthday boy!

Poppy and Bradley

Thinking about his birthday wish!
Friends big and small gathered a few weeks ago to celebrate Barnes' third birthday! Our family has been blessed with Barnes who is a ray of sunshine in our lives. He has the happiest personality and makes the best of everything. He loves with all of his heart and chooses to be happy! The week of Barnes' birthday my dad, "Poppy", had a little heart scare. One morning we were not stressing about a routine stress test on a very healthy man-that afternoon we were wondering what was going to happen next. Luckily my daddy "only" had to have two stints put in his heart and did not have to have surgery. We felt doubly blessed during Barnes' birthday week! We love Barnes but we also love Poppy! We are so glad Poppy found the problem before it found him and we were able to celebrate together.

Christmas Card Take 1!

My boys do not enjoy having their picture made by their mommy. Just when I thought I had them "trained", we have to do not 1 but 2 different sessions to get a Christmas card shot. Here are a few from the first try!

Finally!!

Friday was the big day. Sweet Barnes turned 3! He was so excited. He woke up and blew out his candle on his cinnamon roll and headed off to school. His Daddy went to school and helped him celebrate there. That afternoon we surprised the boys with a trip to Build A Bear. They screamed when we told them. Barnes made a puppy and Miles made a soft bear. They had so much fun!

Barnes has had a big year being two. He started school, made many special trips to neat places like the zoo and Carowinds (his favorite) and has grown a mile. He has a sweet nature that I hope he keeps no matter what birthday. He loves unconditionally and is so inquisitive. If we could only get the potty training licked!

Almost Three

Barnes has been ready for his birthday for 2 months! Finally since Sae's has passed he knows he is next. This little one is so excited. He keeps saying, "Sae's birthday and then mine." Now that hers has passed he says, "Sae's birthday was first and now it's my birthday!" He is so ready for his Mickey Party!

Happy Birthday Sae!up

Sara Preston celebrated her third birthday last weekend. She was a beautiful birthday princess and all of her friends dressed up too! Happy Birthday Sae! We love you!

Halloween

Hotdogs at the Hall's is always a fun event in our neighborhood! Friends, neighbors, and family come by for a train ride, a little trick or treating, hotdogs, and so much fun. The kids had a blast and had no problem heading to bed that night after wearing themselves out on the playset.

Miles dressed up as a Star Wars Clone Trooper and Barnes was Mickey. The other kids looked so precious. We hosted cowboys, indians, lambs, pigs, every superhero, and princess! What a night.

Cherub Choir

Sunday at church our precious Cherub Choir serenaded the congregation with, "God Made Me",  "Praise Ye the Lord", and "God Is So Good".  They were so sweet and well behaved.  I was so proud of them!

Five!

He's 5!

Luke says "Cheese"!

Singing "Happy Birthday" at church.



For Miles turning five has been an experience full of excitement and pride.  I feel like he now feels a little bigger and stronger.  Ever since his birthday one helping of lunch or dinner won't do, he needs two.  So along with the birthday comes a growth spurt.  For me Miles turning 5 means that what seemed like yesterday was five years ago and that is just incredible to me.  Little ones have so much to learn and do and Miles has been no exception!  He spends everyday making his way through life the hard way (instead of listening to his most knowledgeable parents)!  He figures things out and takes his punches which I think will be a good thing down the road!  We are so proud of him and I could just squeeze him everyday.  We love you Miles!  Every growing inch of you!