Memorable

Well, it's February and I am finally posting Christmas pictures. Micah will be the first to tell you that we get a little camera happy when we are all together, so I'll just hit the highlights.


Each year we are part of the Fine Diner Santa party with, what is now three generations of "fine diners." Here is our whole crew pictured with Santa. Yes, we all fit on the couch, barely.





First thing Christmas morning. Grammie likes to get the kids matching jammies, but the Holmes Fam sure made us laugh when they came out dressed in theirs!




It was the year of tools. Micah and the boys had fun revving up their drills together, and Poppa scored the hybrid saw of his dreams! Grace had to try on Isaac's goggles, and this picture still makes me laugh.



Grammie is always coming up with creative new projects for the kids. Here they are showing off their reindeer shirts made out of their handprints. Too cute!


Buddies.




Yes, we're crazy! We ventured out ice skating with three toddlers. You'll notice the red tubing Isaac is pushing. We had one for each of the kids & they were quite helpful, but still a lot of work. Grace tuckered out quickly, and Kolby decided he preferred skating in Mom's arms. It was a short lived outing, but lots of fun, and certainly lots of laughs by the mamas!






There wasn't a lot of snow, but enough to get out and play a bit. The kids are always so happy to be outside!!




I'm pretty sure these two are getting cuter by the day. Runny noses and all.



We had a joint birthday party for Kolby & Eli while we were all together. I love this picture. Can you hear the noise?!

Yes, five adults and five children under the age of three in one house is PLENTY, but it made for a memorable Christmas! We are sure fortunate to enjoy each other so much.

Gift

I can hardly believe a year has passed since Eli joined our family. What a year it has been. It is difficult to mention Eli's name without a smile, as he really is a joy and a delight. He reminds me more & more of Isaac - strong, sturdy, busy, & a great eater. Like Grace, he loves to sing, dance & be held. He is still very much his own little person and remains easy-going, jovial, curious & playful. He is becoming more communicative with each passing day, though he has very few real words at this point. Here are a handful of pictures from his first few days in this world, as well as a few of my favorites from the past year.






















Elijah Hope Matthew, you are a gift!

Photo Shoot

If you received a Christmas card, you've already seen a few of these photos, but I had to post them anyway. My friend, Doug Edmonson took them for us. Doug is a talented photographer & great with kids - let me know if you'd like his contact information. He & his wife Sarah are in my church small group and have become great friends. I love the way the photos capture the personalities of each of the kids.













We're currently in Moscow and the Holmes crew is here as well. Needless to say, it is a wild and festive time!

May peace and joy be yours as we celebrate the incarnation of our living God.

November Highlights

Now that the weather has turned and we are inside most of the time, the days can drag on, and yet, I can't believe that Tuesday we turn the calendar to December!

Eli has been growing and changing rapidly. He is now a speedy crawler, but prefers to stand and cruise along the furniture. He has begun to play more with Grace & Isaac, which they love. I say it frequently, but he really is the happiest child I have ever known. Truly a gift.

We had our first snowfall of the season last week. It didn't stick around long, but the kids loved watching it fall. Eli was especially taken with it, as it was his first memorable experience with snow. I love the pictures of him peering out the window below.




We were in Moscow for a nice, laid back Thanksgiving this week (if you can ever call life with three under three laid back, that is). The highlight of the trip for Grace & Isaac was our venture out to feed Gumbi. Gumbi is a horse up at the U of I that the kids have come to know and love. One of his buddies was there as well and was sure to get in on the carrot action.






Grammie dressed the kids for our Thanksgiving meal. She recently found this dress - one that she made for me when I was young. I love Grace's coy little smile here as she snuggles into her brother.


I had to try to capture this contraption of Poppa's, it has provided hours of entertainment already! Grace doesn't look too amused here, but they both usually squeel with laughter as they pull each other around on this scooter.


We also decided to introduce the kids to their first full length movie - Lion King. They watched intently for about twenty minutes and then pulled out the puzzles and books.

Though Thanksgiving is officially over, I have much to be thankful for each and everyday - our home, my job, the beautiful northwest. I am especially grateful for the incredible people God has placed in my life - my children, my family, my friends, and my church community...gifts beyond measure.

Family, Family

We recently enjoyed a visit from Lindsey, Kolby and Eden. We spent part of the week in Moscow with everyone together, followed by a few days here in Spokane with just Linz and I with our kiddos. With five under three, it is always a little chaotic, but lots of fun!



Always have to take a few pictures in the leaves. Poppa even managed to get everyone to smile at the same time!


This girl has been cracking me up lately. She looks sweet as can be here, which she typically is, but she has definitely got some spunk!




This series had us all in stitches. We were trying to teach the kids about the notorious jumping shot. First Poppa gave a lesson, then the mamas showed their skills, then everyone tried it together. Hilarious - at least to us!







One of the highlights of our time together was a morning spent out at Spring Valley Resevoir. We went on a leisurely hike and Poppa taught the kids how to fish - they each even caught one! Grammie was sure to point out the beaver-chewed tree stumps, and helped the kids collect leaves and various pieces of nature for an art project.











The post-hike snack. Love their expressions.



We are so fortunate to have fun cousins, and so close in age. Now if only we could get them to move to the northwest...already looking forward to their next visit at Christmas WITH Uncle Micah!!