2013, In Review

Seconds, Please

Since Christmas Day was a little crazy with newborns and hospitals and all, we did 2nd Christmas with the Vaughans/Lantings a couple days later...

Christmas

 Someone would have loved the 60's!

 Someone else is just silly. :)

 Christmas Eve!

 What else do you do with CD holders?

Awww, Judah Schmooda

 Annual Muppet Christmas Carol, which started earlier than planned, as ALL the kids were up at 5:30, having been awake for an hour already!

Every family got at least one of these airplanes in their stockings, which were used for the annual Turtle contest (the winner gets to keep the replica of the Youngs' motorhome, The Turtle, for a year). Elijah ended up winning the contest on behalf of Dan, who wasn't here. 

 Present time!

 Felicity's 1st Christmas!

 Waiting for our turn again. 

 Anne was given a pocket knife. 

Yay, Grandma, for having butterfly bandages and saving an ER visit! 

Although even that would have been ok, 'cause then I could have visited Laura who was already in the ER with some hemorrhaging. :(  (she's ok and back home!)

 Yay for Christmas!

Helicopter launcher

 The boy loooooves trains!

Anne was very happy that the rattle she made for Felicity was her favorite present!

Merry Christmas!

Nephew Love!

Welcome, Ryker Azariah!!!

(Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE being an auntie? I'm so very blessed with so many nephews and nieces! Good job, siblings. :) )

 This is a face that's going to be hard to resist!

Born 12-21-13, 9lbs 6oz. For more on the meaning of his name, check out Laura's blog.

Congratulations, Laura and Caleb!

Random Fun

Where's Courageous?

It was so cold in the mornings this last week ( -12 a few days in a row) that the poor cats have taken creative means in trying to warm up. Cory's perched on the post behind the chicken shed, not on the corner of the garden shed as it looks at first glance)

My 4 youngest and I spent the night at Grandma's house and caught up with some old friends that we haven't seen since the twins and Henry were newborns! Elijah and Gilbert hadn't played since they were two, and they started playing like best buddies right away. After a few hours of playing, I heard Gilbert say to E, "So... what's your name?" Ah, boys.

And just for kicks, Tirzah got sick this morning, throwing all my fun plans for the weekend out the window. Time for Plan B! And hoping we get better soon so we can see Marmie!!!

FCF Talent Show

Peter's Jokes

Christian's "Epic" Story

Thanksgiving Candids

Pies, guacamole, turkey, cousins playing, laughing, generations, no one holding their own babies, good friends, table filling the room, 5 kernels of corn... Happy Thanksgiving!!!

 (Gary's reading the Thanksgiving story; we have 5 kernels of corn on our plates; the kids are in the kitchen) :)

Portraits of some kids