Anyone else?

Today I took some pictures of Chloe, just for the reason that I can't believe how much older she looks!  I've been working a lot on picture books so maybe it's because I've been looking at her baby pics through the years, but really, just look at the title picture,  she really does look noticeably older.

Maybe at some point I'll realize that I'm not just "playing house" and that I am really getting older and I am really a mommy of two

Whatever the case, she's beautiful!

 

 

The Unthinkable...

Guess what's wrong?

By Ted's smile you know it can't be terrible, right?  Well, maybe not terrible to us, but obviously Porter feels quite differently.  This is the face a little boy that just ran out of ice cream.  Yeah, big huge crocodile tears over the words "all gone".

Here he is minutes before the "unthinkable" .

Such awful parents...running out of ice cream.

Christmas Eve and Morning

What a wonderful Christmas!  We thoroughly enjoyed our first Christmas at home,  it was so much fun to soak in our little family and the spirit of Christmas.   Although, we dearly missed being around all the hugs, chaos, noise and laughter that comes with being with the whole family.

 Our "Mary" and "Joseph" sufficed for the reenactment of the Christmas story, Chloe of course willing to be Mary and Porter oblivious to what was going.  Ted did some quick costume thinking and made the outfits out of old pillow cases.   The kids were so cute and we loved every minute.

Santa brought Chloe and Porter a train set and they have been playing with it ever since.  Of course one plays with it and the other just loves to take it all apart (bet you can guess which one that is).

The second week of the holiday break we went to visit family; the Johansen clan in Davenport (Iowa) and the Butterfield clan in Burlington (Iowa).  It was so fun and relaxing to visit and play.   Chloe especially loved playing with her cousins.  Unfortunately, I relaxed too much and never took a picture during this time...oops!

We feel so blessed and grateful for all of our friends and family.  What a wonderful time of year! 

hmmm.... did "Joseph" wear a bandanna....?

...and a dress?  Poor, poor Joseph...

 

 

Christmas Morning

My Little Pony's + Trains = Perfect for Chloe