5 months old

Sean is now 5 months old and getting so big!

Christmas 2011

This is only the second time in my (10 year) marriage that we have not traveled over Christmas. The first time was when I was pregnant with Nora. It was SO nice to be able to be at home during this busy time.

Ok here it is confession time! I said that I was not going to ever lead my kids to believe in santa. I truly want them to know the real meaning of Christmas. I never thought my kids would make it so hard! Nora wants to believe in santa so bad and I have told her (yes I have) that santa is pretend. I told her that santa is just something that people do for fun, but that we can have fun and play along. Then I realized that she really wants that "magic" of santa. So I went against what I had said and played along! If I was going to do it I needed to do it all out. First thing I did was put flour on some boots and stomp them across our wood floors to show santa had come throughout the kitchen. Then I wrote each of the kids a letter (each was just a little different) here is the one to Nora.

Oh my word was Nora amazed! Molly was still asleep and Nora made her put a blanket over her head to come down the steps so she would be surprised. It was a lot of fun to see them so excited and have that magic. We talked before opening gifts about why we have gifts and what the day is supposed to be about-Jesus.

Here is a photo of the kids before we let them open gifts.

We had such a fun morning just hanging out with out family. Later that afternoon we went over to Brian's parents for a late lunch and stayed until bedtime. We are so lucky to be blessed this Christmas season with three wonderful children and a loving family.

Noras Winter dance recital

This is Nora's Just For Kix winter dance recital. They danced to the song, When You Wish Upon a Star. Super cute!!

Santa and Mrs. Claus

We went to the Elks and the kids got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. It is a fun time because there is not a long line like at the mall!

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year we traveled to Indiana to be with my parents. My brother and his girlfriend Maegan came down from Michigan to join us. Right before we left on Tuesday Molly got sick with the flu. She did great on the drive and was really only sick the day before and the morning that we left. Nora then got the flu when we got to Indiana and was sick most of the day Wed. Everyone was fine on Thanksgiving, but of course my dad got it Friday night and then my mom was sick all day Sunday and Monday! It seems that whenever we travel to Indiana we are sick!!!

The actual Thanksgiving day was really fun we had my grandma, aunt and uncle, my great-aunt and her boyfriend, and my cousin for lunch. Then in the evening my dads side of the family came over to play Bingo and eat some more! It was fun to see everyone and laugh a lot.

On Friday we did our annual black Friday shopping. We left my parents house at 3 am in order to be in South Bend by 4! It was a long day when we got home that evening. I was able to get most of my shopping done in those 12 hours:) I always love black Friday.

Molly and I made a turkey cheese ball-I know hard to tell it is a turkey-look close!

Great Grandma, Nora, Sean, Molly and aunt Mary

Grandpa with Sean and Molly before bedtime.

4 months

Sean is officially four months old~

sean dedication

We had Sean dedicated at Grace Community Church on Sunday the 20th. We view dedication as our way of saying we as parents will raise Sean to honor the Lord. We had lots of family and friends come to support us. Following the service we had them all to our house for a brunch.

Here is a letter we wrote to Sean for his special day;

Dear Sean,

We love you and we are happy that God has given us the opportunity to raise you. You are and will always be God’s child and we are excited to have the responsibility of helping you grow and develop a relationship with Jesus. Your bright eyes and big smile bring us great joy each day.

In addition to the love and support that we pledge to you as parents, you are blessed to have family, friends and a church that will be there to support you in your walk with Jesus. Your two sisters already love and adore you and we are excited to see you grow alongside them as well.

As parents, we promise to love you unconditionally and pray for you always. We can’t wait to see what your personality becomes. The choice to believe is yours, and we will pray for you in your walk, that you may know the love and power of Jesus.

Love,

Dad, Mom, Nora and Molly