SLOW DOWN....

The last week of 2010 has been EXTREMELY hectic.... I am not one for New Year's Resolutions, but, if I was - mine would be to SLOW DOWN and soak in my boys and enjoy life!!!!!

Happy New Year!  See you in 2011!!!!

The-At-Least-Once-A-Month-Random-Pics Post...

Where do these random pics/posts come from??? Mostly my camera phone.... because it's always handy to capture those funny/special moments that don't necessarily require the 'big' camera!  Technology is awesome! Enjoy......

My three boys spending quality time...

Two sick boys...

Getting better when we mention getting the Christmas tree out!!!

Their new hats and gloves for the winter...

This time, Jake is doing HIS homework... you see Sam with a 'red horn?'

The tree... no ornaments...

Changing light bulbs... Sam LOVES to do this!

Good thing we had two out - Jake wanted his own too!

I'm sad to say that I found these in MY stuff when cleaning out a drawer... they were put to good use!

And the Snowman tree-topper (a few days later)... the blur at the bottom is Jake's head - you can see they got better rather quickly!

Sam has a set of Legos in my bathroom, and he is forever creating new spaceships...

Awwwww.... Reading with Dad (The Grinch, I believe!?)

And they NEEDED socks to keep them warm too...

Sam on Uncle Bo's iPad after Thanksgiving.  It was a rainy day, and he didn't put it down ALL day... his neck was hurting by the end of the day!!!!

My crazy Jake...

Sam about to brave the cold in carpool...

Jake aka Batman...

Sam thinks he has to strangle Jake to get a picture together!?!?

NOW... ornaments are on (about 3 weeks later)!!!

Another one of Sam's robot/ship things... and we always have to email Daddy a picture!

On this particular morning, he couldn't quite decide WHAT his alter-ego was going to be..... Batman, tool man, Buzz, birdwatcher, Iron Man!?!?!?

Jake either, actually... Batman or Woody?

I love it when Sam helps his little brother!!!

So now I'm caught up on random pictures lying around!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas... full of laughter, joy, family and love!  And remember the reason for the season.... but enjoy a few presents along the way!!!!

Luke 2 (NLT)

¹ At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵ He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.
   ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. ⁷ She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.
   ⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
   ¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
   ¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven,
      and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
   ¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
 
   ¹⁶ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. ¹⁷ After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, ¹⁹ but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ²⁰ The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
 
   ²¹ Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.
   ²² Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. ²³ The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.”^{[a] 24} So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”^{[b]
 
   25} At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him ²⁶ and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. ²⁷ That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, ²⁸ Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,
   ²⁹ “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
      as you have promised.
   ³⁰ I have seen your salvation,
      ³¹ which you have prepared for all people.
   ³² He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
      and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
   ³³ Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, but he will be a joy to many others. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. ³⁵ As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
 
   ³⁶ Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. ³⁷ Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.^[c] She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. ³⁸ She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.
   ³⁹ When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. ⁴⁰ There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

Where is that Elf Now?

Big E has been a fun addition to the Christmas holiday season this year... although, I must say that sometimes I remember at 3 AM that we haven't moved him - then he's not as much fun!  Yesterday, he was spotted on top of the kitchen cabinets wearing Jake's jacket (we have a few jackets for the kids, so don't worry that I was freezing the baby for the sake of the Elf!) I think he was trying to tell us that our house is cold!!!!

Sam has been 'wondering' if Big E would ever show up on the fan, so one night I 'guilted' BJ into getting the ladder out and making it happen! It's so fun to hear their giggles when they finally spot him... wherever he is!

I am so glad BJ was smart enough NOT to put him on the blades because the first thing Jake did was go turn the light on and then the fan!!!!! Whew... I got them to turn the fan off because it would make Big E (aka Mommy) too cold!!!! I'm glad no extremities were in the path of the blades - it could have been catastrophic!!!!

The next day, he was on top of the tree with Frosty-the-Tree-Topper! [Since the ladder was already out and all!]

And apparently we busted him playing the Wii...

Then catching a ride on Handy Many's motorcycle!!

Big E has has a lot of fun at our house this year!!!

Ahhhh....

So THIS is what organization looks like.......

Just in time for Santa to come and cause it to explode again!!!  Well, at least I have a picture to remember what it looked like!!!!!

We Saw Santa!!!!

After their Christmas Program - since BJ was home for the day - we ventured out to see Santa... we opted for the Mall of GA again - because it was convenient and it was close to dinner time!!!! We walked right up and right to Santa!

Well, right after I snapped this picture!!!!

Talking to Santa - well, Jake talked; Sam clammed up!

Wandering around the mall afterwards...

And the final product!!!

I always have to add this picture to show how far we've come!  It's STILL my ALL-TIME FAVORITE Christmas picture EVER!!!!!! (Is that bad - because they look petrified!!!)

Checked that off the to-do list!!!

The Boys' Christmas Program and Party

Each year at school, the preschoolers do a special Christmas Program for the parents and family.  It's always so sweet... and special to see your little ones up there performing!  This year, Sam and Jake were BOTH in it - double special!!!!

Here's Jake's class coming in (they only went on stage for one song)... I'm surprised Jake stayed with his class and didn't even try to talk to us!?!?

Here's Sam going on stage...

And singing... errrr, checking out the girl next to him!?

And Jake for his debut...

Sam with Mimi and Pop Pop...

And mommy...

Opa and Dad with Jake (we had to divide up and switch off being at each of their parties... that's one downside!!!)

Mommy and Daddy with Jake...

Jen was there too!!!!

Mmmmm.... cupcakes frosting are is favorite!

Not sure what's in there - but there's a lot of it!

Ahhh... powdered donut!!!

Jake and Ms. Cindy - one of his teachers

Sam and Ms. Kim and Ms. Lisa

This was in the hallway outside of Sam's class.... his teacher is always doing cute things where she asks them things and writes it down! She also did a cookbook from the kids that was pretty funny!

Sam's goodies/creations to give us at his party...

This is a manger scene with all the kids in his class!  Too funny!

And I thought this tile was precious - the angels are his fingerprints!

 And Jake's goodies/ prizes for us from his party... I loved the handprint plate!

They are learning so much and enjoying school very much!  I'm so glad I have them in preschool!  Even if Jake does still cry when he gets out of the car... he just loves his mommy!!!!! ;-)