The Cutest Laundry

Jeff & I have started folding laundry in the living room vs. upstairs in our room - really for no particular reason, other than we can tend to both kids better downstairs where all their toys are. The other week, we found Noah on the couch in the empty basket. What I find funny, is he was "reading" his New Testament Bible he received at his Dedication back in February '07. He often can be found taking this to bed with him, too - he'll say "My book, my idd-le (little) book. My read." It makes my heart warm that he wants to hold/read his Bible...
Even more recently, now that Noah is sick, he often lays on my lap, looks up at me, covers his eyes & asks me to pray. As much work as it is when he is sick, he's so precious - and I'll pray with him a million times a day if he asks me to. All I know is, he's learning and growing - and I'm proud of my lil' man.

Christmas Eve Night

After getting home from my parents' - Jeff & I had a few last things to wrap & get ready before Santa arrived that night to deliver special treats for the kiddies. Norah, our night owl, was perfectly content playing by the tree & gazing at the lights, while visions of sugarplums danced in Noah's head.

5-Month Dr's Visit

Norah loves taking a bath - we were getting her ready for her 5-month check-up. Lil'Miss visited Dr. Kassas on Dec. 22nd and weighed in at 13 pounds 13 oz. She's just a little squirt. She's now 25 inches long -- which in clothing translates to such: she's still in 0-3 month clothing. We are thankful that she has a few newborn pants - because those fit the best; she occasionally wears a 3 month onsie, but we have to roll the sleeves up. I'm starting to worry that she'll be too small to fit into 12-month clothing this summer! (I've already bought some really cute sundresses...grow Norah, grow!) Big or little - we love you lots!

Christmas Eve at Ma & Pa's

I may be biased, since they are my parents & I grew up here, but my parents' house is the most beautiful house I've ever seen. Pa & Ma have spent their entire lives redoing the house to their liking - and every nook & cranny oozes their character. I think part of it is that I just simply enjoy being home & having "mom-food" & great company to boot.My parents redid Jeff's great-uncle's dresser. It is AMAZINGLY beautiful. Pa, at the dining room table, ready for round-two of treats with a nice hot mug of coffee!Noah enjoyed unwrapping presents this year -What is it?!Ah, perfect - ELMO!Uncle AJ & Aunt Sherry got Noah an Elmo doll...and Noah couldn't be happier!Nothing beats cuddle-time with Rah-rah & Elmo!Lil'Miss was quite content with Papa rocking her...AJ & my sister-in-law Sherry in their holiday-cheer glory...and Lil'Miss Norah was tuckered by the end of the night.

Noah's 1st Christmas Pageant

Unfortunately, this is the only picture I got of Noah before he saw me (yep, he can see further than 6-8 feet away)...
Nonetheless, he's the CUTEST shepherd this side of Bethlehem.
There was cookies & punch following...so, Noah had three (I lost count) frosted cookies & pop...and Pastor sent him home with a candy cane. I believe Noah will want to do this next year...what were we thinking?!

Heath Bar Delights

Jeff's new favorite Christmas candy that I make...
Very simple - start out by laying club house crackers down on a foiled-jellyroll pan that's been sprayed with non-stick. Noah - assuming the position on the kitchen floor with his blankie, at my feet...

Brown sugar & butter

Bring to a boil & boil for 4 1/2 minutes - nice & bubbly!

Pour over the top of the crackers & spread evenly and bake for 5 minutes at 350 degrees.

Once out of the oven, dump chocolate chips all over & let them melt...

Once chips are melted, spread with a knife and I then put chopped up walnuts on the top.

Let the bars cool, then cut all fancy-shmancy-diamond-like & put in your favorite Christmas tin and ENJOY!

They are so yummy.

Joy in a Train

Jeff & I both grew up having trains circling our Christmas trees. This year, I decided to look for one for Noah. Thank you, Dollar General, for having exactly what my boy(s) love! Jeff assembled the train before Noah got up...Noah could watch the train for hours... After Noah asks for the tree lights to be turned on in the morning (if he wakes up the same time as us) he then says "Choo Choo on, please!" I could listen to Noah (and Jeff) call, "All aboard!" all day long.
And yet, another reason to love Christmas.

Night Lights

Jeff decorates outside with lots of lights during the Christmas season. One of my favorite things he does is putting a red bulb above our garage. White lights are the best!

Snow Day

Yesterday, Friday December 19th , Jeff had a snow day. My work even let us out early at 1:30! Despite having a "day at home" - Jeff was busy trying to shovel out the driveway. My in-laws had plans on visiting us on Saturday, so I stayed inside & made bread for tomorrow's dinner...

Nothing like the smell of homemade bread baking & warming up the house to boot.

Monday, December 15th

I turned 5 months old! Norah is a busy little girl. She's been eating rice cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, pears and anything else we give her. She's easily distracted, though, by Mr. Noah - whom she adores. Sometimes it's hard for her to finish her bottle, because Noah is entertaining her. She's almost rolling over; has discovered her toes - and enjoys sucking on them, even if they are covered with socks or jammies. It's rare to catch her without a huge smile on her face.
She's beautiful, a blessing - and growing much too fast.
We love you, Lil'Miss.

This time of year

Jeff & I are decorating the tree with the ornaments tonight. I always get sappy as I think of my Grandpa & Grandma Weirich who have passed away - and the ornaments they have given me - as well as loved ones who are far away.
Laura, I miss you!
The hot water is on...

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

We started decorating today! It still a work in progress, but it's starting to look beautiful!Noah discovered the lights:Ok, so having young children around the holidays is the BEST thing ever - it's so much fun watching the kids discover things!Time for bed - it's fun reading by the lights of the trees.

My Office

My office is participating in a decorating contest. Our theme is a Gingerbread house - I made the red snowflake:I also did the tree. During our lunch breaks, as well as after-hours we've been busy working - it's still in progress but almost done & I can take more pictures. Judging takes place tomorrow (Monday morning!) and if we win - we get a dessert luncheon. Hope we win!I took these on Friday (the 5th) - snow, snow, snow. (If you click on them to make them larger you can see it snowing, Laura!) It's so cold...winter has arrived.