Caleb is 2!

Two years have come and gone and we have a toddler! Caleb thoroughly enjoyed singing "Happy Birthday" along with everybody and even blew out his own candle. He is a smart and happy lil guy who knows his colors, can count to ten, sings songs, plays tackle with brother and daddy, and loves making silly faces. 

Friendship is a blessing. We were blessed to be able to celebrate Caleb's two other lil friends, Thomas and Adam,  as they all have birthdays in the same week.  Us moms met either with baby in belly or shortly after, and we have been nourishing our friendship ever since. 

Happy birthday Caleb, Thomas, and Adam! How cute are you and your friendship!? 

 Happy Birthday, Adam!

Happy Birthday Thomas! 

Connor's First Communion

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

What an amazing weekend we just had. Grannie and Uncle Mark came to visit for Connor's First Communion. It's funny. You get your child baptized and think it will be such a long time until his or her next sacrament. Well, alas, Connor's First Communion day has come and gone. What a sense of pride, calm, and peace surrounding this day. It was so joyful to have our family in church with us as Connor received this holy sacrament. My only wish is that I took pictures facing the other way so there weren't so many cars in the background! ;)  By the way, 

Connor did decide to receive "the blood of Christ too." He said it was gross. Well, I guess he won't be drinking wine anytime soon! I'm looking forward to going to church and getting to share in receiving the Host with my oldest. What a special bond that will be. 

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me

Psalm 51, 10 – 12

Preschool Prom

Ellie had a "Preschool Prom" on Friday night. She was so excited that she requested a "twirl" from Tom first think in the morning. E waited patiently on the stairs for her Daddy to get ready once he got home from work. Some may say a preschool prom is over the top. Some may think it's absolutely adorable. I thought it was a little bit of both, however, seeing her excitement and giddyness just brought so much joy. I look at it like this: Tom is teaching Ellie just how she should be treated, with gentle words, simple gifts, and quality time.

Their connection is so special, it brings tears to my eyes. Tom's compassion, understanding, and selfsessness for his little girl is undeniable. She is the twinkle in his eye, a joy so deep in the heart that bringing her to "Preschool Prom" was just what the two of them needed on Friday. It's a memory that, I know, Ellie will talk about for many years (because kids seem to remember EVERYTHING!). 

The Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve is probably right up there on the top of my lists of favorite days (I have quite a list). Mainly, because it's my mom's birthday, and the memories I hold of this day are just so darn happy! And, now that we have children, Tom and I feel just as giddy and anxious as the little cherubs this day and night before Christmas.  

Our day started out with Ellie helping me make Mimi's birthday cake. Connor wants nothing to do with working in the kitchen, but Ellie loves it! Of course, though, he likes it enough to meander his way over when it's time to lick batter or frosting of the beater. Of course I snuck some as well. Nothing beats homemade frosting!

Later in the day, it was time to don our best Christmas Eve garb and head on out the door to Mimi and Papa's house to celebrate Christmas Eve and Mimi's birthday. 

After a yummy dinner, it was time to be silly and goofy. Ellie learned what it means to "photobomb." 

  Singing "happy birthday" to Mimi and helping her blow out her candles. 

fancy Christmas Eve dinner date...

Time to change into Christmas PJ's!

 After Mimi opened her presents, the cake was devoured, and the kids opened and put on their pj's, it was time for the kids to open one present each. This time, it was from Papa. They have a running joke together that all he is going to buy them when he takes them out is underwear. So, that's what they got! They were laughing and understood it was a joke, and totally loved it. Caleb even got new diapers! haha

Getting cozy with Mimi for the traditional read-aloud of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." 

That one gets me emotional. So, here are some silly afters: 

After a couple of hours of putting the kids to bed, and organizing presents, it was time for Tom and I to relax and have gratitude for all that was before us. The image beneath the beautiful Christmas tree was something to admire and be completely grateful for. 

 The children were snug as a bug in their beds, maybe dreaming about sugarplums, but more likely they were dreaming of Santa eating cookies and the presents that he would bring.