Life

These pics are out of order but sometimes that's how it goes :) 

lots of the pictures are nothing big- but isn't it the little things that make life? 

We are so blessed! Blessed that James could be home for V's birth and most of his first month. Blessed that my parents could watch kids while we were in the hospital. Blessed to have healthy baby and mommy. Blessed that James' Mom could watch kids for V's appointment and bring us yummy dinner. Blessed to have friends bring over meals. Then blessed again that Nana could come be with us and help us for a week after James' birth. 

Some more blessings

one package of markers provides excitement and fun for five kids for a long time!

Baby C loves her "nails and holys"

Our garden is getting plenty of rain and growing well

Cute girl with panties, PJs, boots, and "my weapons"

One month old sweetie!

Look at the painting concentration

a science class we went to at the library

Even fun for little ones

Time with Nana!

Baby C knows what to do with hair gel- a whole jar in her hair!

One month old

Science Class at the Airborne Special Ops Museum

Kids loved seeing Special Ops Museum

Special Sister Time

Sad day but glad that it's shorter time apart this time

Helping our sadness with donuts and friends after dropping Daddy off at the airport-
at least it's much shorter this time!!

Thankful Easter

I love Easter. Jesus died and rose again to forgive us for our sins. It's the beginning of spring- so beautiful out!  I always love the Easter services- beautiful music whether sunrise or regular service. Our NC church Manna has a combined Easter service at the Crown which sounded too hard for me two weeks after Van's arrival. so we decided to have a family Easter service at home. We started on Friday with the Seder service we've been doing for the last 3-4 years. Such a great reminder of the Jewish heritage and ceremonies. 

We use our fine China on Easter; I was tempted to use other plates this year with new baby but I had kids reminded me we use our best once a year for "the most important holiday" and several people volunteered to wash dishes so we did and I'm so glad! What a nice meal!

Easter morning we had a family Easter service on our front porch. James selected several songs to sing together and talked about God's sacrifice. When we finished, we went inside and then saw a dove sitting on the tree right outside our window!

This year I planned to make the Empty Tomb rolls but didn't get crescent rolls so I decided to make homemade and I'm so glad I did. Even though I grumbled a little that they were harder to make, they were so good. 

Then Grandma and Uncle Brian came. We decided to have Thanksgiving since James was away in November. James' Big Easy'd a turkey which turned out so good! Grandma brought sweet potato casserole, green beans, and an Easter cake. 

Grandma brought these yummy eggs too!

Uncle Brian's first day meeting baby V

Easter cake

James' turkey

K made these Easter placemats

flip them over and Thanksgiving placemats. Who knew when he made the placemats, that we'd have such a Thankful Easter!

Happy New Years Take Two

We started our New Years' appetizer tradition in Baltimore and have enjoyed it ever since. We were so excited to celebrate New Year's with James in April. We started the day with a trip to Cary. We went hiking- well James and kids did while V and I enjoyed a beautiful quiet morning in a garden.

After hiking we went to Duck Donuts! Yum! We just started our Duck Donuts tradition last year in the OBX but it was so good that we've been talking about it for a year. Plus close friends here love Duck Donuts too so we talk about it a lot.

 It was worth the wait! I don't remember all the kinds but maple bacon, chocolate bacon, strawberry lemonade, were a few.

We got home and had our New Years' Eve dinner. Each person picked an appetizer to fix and serve. As we take turns serving each other, we tell each other something we love about the person. Here's our spread this year.
Carrots- me (this was not the favorite appetizer :)
Bacon wrapped scallops- T
Spring rolls- KG
Bacon wrapped beef tenderloin- C
Two kinds of Chicken wings- K and Daddy

Then our sweet end of the night was Duck Donuts- Baby C

Baby V's first month

Daddy got to hike to our lake!

I've been meaning to update blog but between feeding baby, feeding kids, potty training toddler, keeping ok house, ... the blog seems to stay like it is (lots of partially done blogs-) so tonight during family movie night here goes with James' pics from V's month

I guess I did sleep some in the hospital :)

Wtih all that cuteness- no words are needed!

All the boys loved their Daddy haircuts especially this one

did we flashback to winter?

His first week was filled with lots of dessert!

Outside is the best place to be!

Look at those handsome/ pretty church-goers- V and I stayed home and napped!

Kids loved Daddy taking them to neighborhood Easter Egg hunt

so sweet!

so sweet part 2!

so proud to be a big sister

Enjoying working in the yard!

so glad that James could take kids to park during Vs doctor visits- 3 days the first week home!

Our first family trip to the park- Clark Park

Love family movie night!

Happy Birthday KG

Our sweet girl turned six Thursday! She got special cuddle time with her sweet baby brother to start her day. Baby snuggles are so nice!

Then Daddy made her an omelet for breakfast. Pair that with hot chocolate for a fantastic start to 6!

Of course, little sister wants to be in the pics too!

What fun opening presents from family. Here's the doll T made

Pink coat from Uncle Steven, Aunt Dena.

And more goodies- camou bag made by K, doll dress made by C, a book and game from Mommy and Daddy

What a blessed birthday girl: she had an early cake from Nana and Papa, a birthday cake, and this cake number from Grandma!

A hat made by Uncle Brian, hair bow from Grandma

We are so thankful for our sweet birthday girl! Love her!