A BIG thank you to our Grandparents for these things....

This set is amazing...Jonathan loved building it!!!




new outfits for Elizabeth & McKinney....






The baby dolls get lots of kisses.




Cute Christmas PJ's....



and morning cereal in a fun bowl!



Thank You!!!!!

Merry Christmas

Enjoying our time at home....

This picture of Jonathan was taken after he did what he calls, "a face wash" (sticking his face directly in the snow!)

Taking Pictures

This past month I've loved taking some pictures of dear friends here in Rochester.... Here are a few:

Almost everything that our girls wear has been passed on from these sweet 4 year old twin girls! I told their Mama that I give thanks for her everyday while I dress our girls....
They are a beautiful family.

Our neighbors just had a baby girl. She is beautiful.




...and this dear family. I've already spoken much about how they have been such precious neighbors and friends. When our real estate agent asked us what we love about our house I said, "Our neighbors!!!"


We love this family...I cry when I think about leaving them.

A Real Blizzard!

We've never seen this much snow!!!!

Jon ventured out to go to Target which he said was a ghost town. As Jon was walking out the door he said that he was excited to get to see what it was like out there! Then on the way home he took back roads, again, just to see!!

For me, it was a perfect day to stay home, play outside in the snow with Jonathan, & address Christmas cards.

After supper we watched "It's a Wonderful Life".

We'll miss these snow days...

Hampton Hills Tree Farm

Yesterday afternoon we drove to Hampton Hills Tree Farm to get our Christmas Tree. On the way there we stopped at Caribou Coffee & Jon ran in and bought Dark Chocolate Mocha Mint Lattes. YUM! We loved driving out to this farm to pick out our tree!!

Thanksgiving

We are so excited to see all that God has in store for us as we prepare to move to Oxford, Mississippi.....and at the same time, leaving this dear family is truly heart wrenching for us.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with the Nymans!




Do you see who is in the far left hand part of the picture? This picture didn't make the final cut but I love these facial expressions!!

M Walking

E walking

our wonderful neighbors

We are so thankful for this family! It has been such a blessing to share backyards, summer playdates, meals, a daddy/son camping weekend, celebrations, baby girl summer'08 (4 precious baby girls in a row on our street!) and even a winter playdate once when it was -24 outside!

On Friday we met in the backyard and watched the kiddos play together. When I walked with the girls into the backyard Isaac (pictured on Dad's back!) came running up and said, "Ceresa!!! I missed you!" Isn't that cute?!?!

Thank you, Potters, for being such dear neighbors!!!

p.s. patrick & amy, he loves this shirt!!! thank you!!!

Playing in the backyard

Jonathan wanted to have the girls come down the slide to him.

Both McKinney and Elizabeth are taking steps! They can stand in the middle of the room and then take 6 - 9 steps! They still crawl if they are in a big hurry. Jonathan often sits on the floor, holds out his arms, and begs the girls to walk to him.

Look at this sweet grip on Daddy's hands!




Elizabeth loves to go down the slide! She's reaching out for her Daddy.



Oh my!
I'm so thankful for these kiddos!!!

Jonathan Practicing Cello

"Allegro"

morning frost

frodo

crazy weather!

this was yesterday:



& this was today:





We played at Soldier's Field Park until everyone was wet and covered with sand. Then we drove through the neighborhood behind St. Mary's Hospital to look at leaves on the way home. We found this painted street....



& then picked up cookies & ice cream from McDonalds.

a return to autumn weather

On Saturday McKinney stood up in the middle of the room! If we ask her to stand up she stops what she is doing, stands up, and laughs.

legos

I think Jonathan's legos creations are amazing! This one shoots dynamite.