We had a great Christmas! My mom came down to visit for a week and a half. We were not able to spend this Christmas with my sister and brother, but maybe next year. The boys really got into the excitement of Christmas a lot more this year. Miles attended his first Christmas Eve service(in the past he's been in the nursery). He did great sitting there!

Gavin enjoyed all his gifts. He was excited about everything. It was so cute. Miles was excited, but did not react the way we anticipated. I guess you never know with kids. Gerald has this week off so we're enjoying having him at home. He injured his ankle playing basketball so he's having to take it easy.

Miles and Grammy before our Christmas Eve service.

The boys got a train table for Christmas.

This is "what Miles always wanted."

I think he likes it!

Gerald LOVED his gift!

Christmas Fun

Okay, so I'm way behind on my blogging. We've been busy with the holiday season! I'm planning to catch up this week. My mom's been in town and we've had numerous Christmas parties and events to attend. It's been lots of fun. Below is photos of our family night. We made a gingerbread house. We learned a lot about what we will do different with it next year, but for our first gingerbread house it wasn't too bad. Gerald did most of the work. I'm really not a crafty person! I left that part up to him, but Miles and I decorated with the candy. I will post photos of Christmas and other things this week. Maybe one of my new years resolutions should be to blog at least once a week.....what do you think??

Miles is ready to go.

Miles looks intense in this photo.

Gavin just ate the candy.

The finished project.

Miles turns 4!

Miles has been anticipating his birthday since January. We were in Publix last January and he saw a spiderman cake. He decided then he was having a spiderman party and has talked about it for a year. Needless to say, we had a spiderman party. We had his party at a park in town. Typically it is in the upper 70's maybe the low 80's this time of year. We woke up that day to the mid 40's. Figures, right? It turned out great. We wore long sleeves and coats and by lunch time we were able to shed the coats. Miles had a great time. I can't believe he's four.

As always he is saying humorus things. Maggie was helping Miles into his carseat and was trying to figure out his seat belt. Not having kids herself, this can be a difficult thing. I ended up finishing the task and Miles said "Maggie maybe when you're smarter you can help me." Of course he got in trouble for saying that, but I must admit it gave us a big laugh. Saturday, the day of his party, was my birthday. I was opening my gift from my sister and she gave me new lounge clothes. I was excited and I said yay now I want have to look.....without finishing the sentence Miles said "so ratty". Really, my four year old thinks I look ratty. I think I'm in trouble!! Miles is a character!

For my birthday I went to eat Mexican with two of my girlfriends with no kids. Thanks to my friend Becky's husband. He watched my two and her three that are under the age of four. All five of them are. Anyways, THANKS ROB!! This week we celebrate Gerald's birthday! It's a festive time for our family with three birthdays and Christmas!!
Miles is showing off his spiderman ring.

Miles opening his gifts. He was soooo excited!

Gavin was content doing his own thing during the party. Thanks to Maggie for watching him as he basically played and explored the park the whole time. Fairly oblivious to the whole party thing.

This is a picture of Miles saying the blessing at his party. I couldn't resist the picture.

Miles' friends at his party during lunch.

Spiderman is swinging at his party. When asked if he was spiderman he replies. No, I'm Miles. I'm just wearing the spiderman mask.

Miles and Jonathan are showing off their spiderman tattoos.

I was talking to one of Miles teachers at his Mom's Day Out Program today when I went to pick him up. During his music time with her she asked the kids why God created us. Miles raised his hand and said to love Him. God created us to love Him. It really is that simple. Then she was talking to the class and she told them that she wished she could just stay and talk to them all day. Miles said you will one day. She asked him when and he said when we all get to heaven. How at four he understands and says some of the things he says is a mystery to me. Well, he will be four in less than a week. Miles is such a blessing to us! My hope and prayer for him is that the simple message of Jesus will stay in his heart. As adults things just seem to get more complicated. Complicated Jesus is not, but sometimes when life isn't going exactly how we planned or when we get thrown a curve ball we begin to think of Him in that way. What He wants from us in a simplistic four year olds mind is for us to love Him. That is not complicated! I'm realizing, as a parent, as I strive diligently to teach my kids that they are teaching me so much more. I'm learning how to love unselfishly, to listen, to treasure the moments, to focus more on today, that time goes by way to fast, patience.......I could go on and on. I say "I'm learning" because this is a life long process for sure! Below are a few photos of the Christmas decorating process. The kids get more into it each year and it is fun!

Gavin made a new friend. He's giving the snowman a kiss.

I love to capture these moments. Moments when you see the curiosity of a child and their amazement with the simple things. Snow globes.......is the snow going to melt?? No. Well, how do you know? Oh, I just know. The classic line, right?

This snowman sings and dances when touched. The kids enjoyed making him sing.

Thanksgiving in Georgia.

We went to Georgia for Thanksgiving. It was a long drive, but worth it to have the opportunity to spend time with our family. My sister and her husband flew into Atlanta to stay at my moms as well. For some reason, I don't have any photos of them. While we were at moms we had a bonfire. Something you really can't do in FL. Well, you can, but it might be a little too toasty!! The kids enjoyed spending time running around my mom's land. Here are a few photos of our trip below.


Gerald's cooking our dinner.

Gavin taking in the fire and the cold weather.

First time roasting marsh mellows. You're probably wondering first for who, right? Gerald or Miles.

Miles first s'mores.

Gavin just ate the chocolate.

This is just funny!

Well, at least everyone is looking at the camera. It's a good picture of my mom, but the boys.....not so much.

Look at those eyes. This is a Gerald expression!!

Gavin totes this bear EVERYWHERE!!

Let's go fly a kite.......

We went to the beach Friday to fly a kite. The weather here is perfect! A little cool at night and in the morning, but great during the day. It took us a while to find a kite. It always in season here, but for some reason the stores don't sell them. We made one last attempt at a store right by the beach and we were successful!

Miles flying his kite.

Peek-a-boo

Oh......the mind of a three year old.

Miles has great one liners' or stories. Today he said "mom, I love you so much. I'm not going to ask God for a new mom." Well, that's good to know!

The other day he asked me if it was going to snow in GA when we go there for Thanksgiving. I told him I didn't think so, but that he could pray about. He stopped what he was doing, closed his eyes, and bowed his head. He said "dear God can you make it snow at my Grammy's house. Thanks God." I said "what did God say?" Miles said "God said yes". I said "how do you know?" and he said "well you can't hear him because he's way up high." I said "how did you hear him and he said he speaks to me in my heart." I said what else did God say. Expecting something equally as profound and Miles said "God said oh man, now I have to go get the snow people." 

One last story. Miles and I went to a garage sale one day. Yesterday, out of the blue, Miles said mommy I don't want to have a garage sale. Then he said, well we can have one, but I only want to sell Gavin's things. Oh......the mind of a three year old. 

Cupcake

Gavin learned to say the word cupcake. Below are pictures of him wearing his cupcake. Yesterday I threw the last two cupcakes away and I stepped outside to pay our lawn man and I came back in to find Gavin eating the cupcake out of the trashcan!! Now that is gross! These are not the pictures of him eating that cupcake b/c I obviously did not let him finish it!! Gavin is a bit mischievous.

I took Miles to his first dentist appointment today. Miles has always been a bit timid with new things, but he went into the event excited. All was well until she started polishing his teeth. He then proceeded with some crocodile tears. In the end the dentist said it was successful because he was able to look in his mouth and check things out, but we did not get a full cleaning and ex-rays. We will take this process in steps. I have to admit I remember as a kid hiding from my dentist. They had an upstairs play house with only a small ladder to get up there. Anyhow, I climbed up and refused to come down. Whose idea was it to put the play space up high anyhow? I eventually came down after a lot of coaxing and threats from my mom!! Overall, I think Miles did pretty good. He was excited to come home with an electric toothbrush. I was at Target today checking out the 75% off candy(love a sell!!) and Miles said he didn't need any more candy. Apparently, he doesn't want to face the dentist again any time soon.

What??

Miles loves posing for the camera.

Um........good.

Gavin doesn't like dirty hands.

Miles posing.......again.

Gavin being thoughtful.

Halloween Part One

The reason this is part one is that we took 175 pictures. Love digital cameras!! We went to a fall festival at our church, but we took a ton of photos before we left. I will post the family festival photos a little later. Miles was Batman and as you'll see from the photos he got into character. He had an awesome time. He's been excited about his costume for months. Gavin was a giraffe and he had fun, but I think he just was just tolerating his costume. I love dressing the kids up. They're only little once!!

This is the biggest smile he had in his costume. He wore it like a trouper, but was a little unsure of it all.

Gavin's not sure what's going on! I'm so glad he wore his costume. I was afraid he wouldn't have anything to do with it, but when he saw Miles wearing his and Miles was excited about it he wanted to put his on. He wants to do everything like his big brother.

Look at that tail. This is the last year I can get away with this kind of costume on Gavin.

Striking a pose.

I've got the power.

My boys!

Watch out..........I'm Batman!