Reindeer Snack Mix

We skipped giving homemade gifts to friends and coworkers last year, but I was up for it again this year. Since there are already so many sweets this time of year, I went with a salty snack mix for our baked treat. I found this recipe for Reindeer Snack Mix, but I wasn't happy with all of the ingredients. I went with pretzel sticks, bite-size shredded wheat, whole wheat chex, Cheerios, mixed raw nuts, and cashews instead. It turned out really well!

I couldn't decide what to use for its packaging. I bought some plain red cups and thought maybe I'd brighten them up with red and white ribbon. But then I did a google search for "plastic cup Christmas craft" and found these Santa's Belly Treat Cups. I used electrical tape for the belt, but then I used glitter glue for the buckle, and I hot glued strips of fluffy white fabric around the top. It was very simple and a lot more fun than a plain red cup!

Is it Christmas time?

"Mom, is it Christmas time yet?" Yes, Nate. It is Christmas time. And, believe it or not, our house is actually starting to show it. Last year we got our first Christmas tree, and this year I've added stockings and some mantle decorations. It may not seem like much, but believe me, it took A LOT of effort! I struggle with American Christmas. Anyway, here's what we've done.

I planned on making stockings this year, but that just didn't happen. So I bought a couple cheapo stockings from Walgreens, cut the names out of red felt, and glued them on with fabric glue. (Why Walgreens? Because I've never had to fight a crowd there, and they actually have the perfect little Christmas selection. My head didn't spin while I was picking out stockings!)

 We love Charlie Brown, so I found this Charlie Brown Christmas poster and framed it for the mantle. Then, our good friend and Stephen's coworker, Miss Cheryl Essex, gave us the most wonderful gift - a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. She completed our decor. Thank you, Cheryl!

I still have to figure out exactly what to do with these guys. Stephen's mom gave these miniature ornaments to us for Christmas a few years ago. Maybe we'll put them on the Charlie Brown tree.

The other new thing we've done to celebrate Advent this year is the Jesse Tree. Each day we read or tell the kids a Bible story, and then they put an ornament on the tree that goes along with the story. The stories start in the Old Testament and lead up to Jesus' birth. We had a craft night at our church a couple months ago where we made all of the ornaments for it, and that was REALLY helpful. I would've struggled to make them all myself, and I would've come away with even more hot glue gun wounds than I did. Ouch! As you can see, our Christmas tree is nothing special, so we just designated the bottom portion of it for the ornaments. If we do this again next year I'll probably take out some stories and add others I think are more important in leading up to Jesus' birth, but overall we've really enjoyed it.

Little Miss Piggy Tails

I've been fixing Evie's hair in pig tails lately. My mom called them dog ears when we were little, which actually makes a lot more sense. Most pigs only have one tail. I guess that's why you say pig tails, with the 's'. But still, they look more like dog ears. Anyway, Evie decided she really likes her hair that way. Every time I say, "Evie, let's go fix your hair," she says, "Like this!" and puts her fists up to the sides of her head. So sweet! Here are some pictures of, as her daddy calls her, Little Miss Piggy Tails. 

 At the zoo - if you can get past that sweet face, check out the huge turtle in the background!

On the carousel at the zoo.

A Pilgrim and a Turkey

Yesterday was our Thanksgiving feast at Wee School, and I came home with a pilgrim and a turkey. They were too cute in their little hats to resist a few pictures.

And this is how I found them this morning. I pray they always love each other this much!

Let's go Nate's room, Nate!

The favorite game in our house for a couple weeks was night-night. Evie would say, "Let's go Nate's room, Nate!" and they would run off and play night-night. They made cozy little beds on the storage bins in Nate's closet, and then went through their bedtime routine - read a book, sang a song, and prayed together. It was sweet while it lasted.

 Nate even took his nap this way a couple times!

I didn't mind one bit when they asked me to play with them. Yes, I'd absolutely love to lie down and rest for a few minutes! Thank you for asking!

Meeting Ethan

Elizabeth and Matthew came to visit last weekend, so Nate and Evie finally got to meet baby Ethan! I got to meet him in September when he was born and I've been showing them pictures of him for weeks, but they finally got to hold him in their arms and love on him themselves. I'm so glad Elizabeth and Matthew didn't hesitate to pack up their 8 week old baby and fly him down here. I know very well how stressful it can be flying with a baby, nursing with minimal space, trying to keep the baby from disturbing all the passengers who were expecting a peaceful flight, changing dirty diapers in the teeny tiny airplane bathroom, and I could go on. We're obviously very grateful they came and can't wait to see Ethan (and his parents) again soon. Here are a few pictures.

 Ethan reminds me so much of my own baby boy. I think it's the big, bright eyes!

 Evie's turn!

 My turn! I think Ethan remembered me from his first days of life. :) 

If I'd known there were going to be pictures I probably would've showered first!

 Meeting Uncle Stephen.

 Having a nice little chat. Ethan is cooing and smiling. Sweet times!

Uncle Matthew taught Nate to play some games on his iPad. Think he liked it? Sure didn't help my case against Stephen's for getting one!

 Wide-eyed boys!

 Hanging out.

Evie is holding his pacifier in his mouth for him. She's always very concerned about babies' pacifiers!

Halloween 2011

Nate was a robot this year for Halloween. Evie was going to be a Biker Chick and dress like Nate did when he was a Biker Dude two years ago, but I decided she'd probably rather be a robot like Nate. And if I was going to make one robot costume, I might as well make two of them. So, four boxes, two cans of spray paint, and some random decorations later, we had lady and gentleman robots running around! Ok, they couldn't exactly run in their costumes - or move very well at all for that matter. But they loved them and had a blast trick-or-treating. That's all that matters, right?

 Sunday night was our church's annual Fall Festival. Our life group made a pumpkin bowling game, and Nate and Evie are standing next to the bowling pins - a stack of ghostly toilet paper.

 Their friend, Adelia, peeking in at Evie.

 Trying hard to walk AND hold her bucket for candy. Quite a task for this little robot!

 Nate ditched his costume completely and played some games. Pumpkin bowling!

 Before trick-or-treating Monday evening.

 Taking them off AGAIN! 

Okay, if they don't want to wear them, we will! Stephen looks like a scary one-eyed robot!

Farm Day

I love that all three of us go to school together this year. It's fun to have Evie right across the hall and Nate right down the hall. Every once in a while I get to peek in on Evie, but I rarely see Nate since I co-teach a class of 14 three year olds. They keep me movin'!

Anyway, it was Farm Day at Wee School last Thursday, so we did our best to dress appropriately. Evie wore her hat and bandanna just long enough to take these pictures. You wouldn't know it by that sweet smile on her face, but this was NOT one of her best days!

School Pictures

I got to see Nate and Evie's school pictures yesterday. I decided about two years ago that I was finished purchasing professional pictures of my kids, and that when the day comes to buy school pictures I would be strong and resist the temptation to purchase them. We would just take some pictures the morning of picture day and print them ourselves. Besides, I live with a photographer who captures our family's best moments, so why would I pay someone else to do what he does better and for free?

Anyway, I went to view their pictures yesterday, and of course I melted when I saw their sweet little faces. That combined with my 25% discount for being a teacher there, and I was a sucker once again. I guess I'll be working on my will power between now and next year's picture viewing day, because I WILL NOT do this again next year. And so the story goes ...

 Sweet Evie Ray
(She has finally stopped pulling her hair out, so it's actually growing out on top. Yay!)

 Nate the Great 

(as his preschool teacher refers to him)

I didn't buy this one. I didn't know they'd have a picture taken together, so I didn't coordinate their outfits. I liked their individual ones better anyway.

Visit From Granddad

We were thrilled to have Stephen's dad here for the past week. We sure wish he could've stayed longer - and not just because of all the work he did around here! The brakes went out on our van at the perfect time, and he saved us a couple hundred dollars by taking on the brake job himself, with Stephen's help of course. He also helped weather proof our house, and I can't wait to see how much lower our electric bills are this year. And of course he spent some quality time with the kids, which is worth way more than any of those other things. They absolutely LOVED having him here. We miss you already, Granddad! Here are some pictures from the week.

 Trying out Stephen's summer project. I think it passed the test!

 Nate showing off for Granddad - and he was impressed.

 Evie can't quite make baskets yet, so she got the soccer ball out to show Granddad some of her skills.

 Goal!

 Hanging out in the garage during the brake job.

Little Red Wagon

Unfortunately I don't know the full history of this little red wagon. All I know is that it was at my Grandma and Grandpa Vater's house when we were little for all the grandchildren to enjoy. It ended up in my mom's basement after she cleaned out my grandma's house, and then when we cleaned out Mom's house I think it got thrown into the "Nobody else wants it? Okay, I guess we'll take it" pile.

Anyway, the wagon made it all the way to Texas and we use it in the garage to hold miscellaneous outdoor toys. We learned the hard way that it tips over too easily for the kids to ride in. However, on this day Nate and Evie pulled it outside and were playing so incredibly well together (I think more than an hour passed without any whining, crying, hitting, fit throwing, toy stealing, face clawing, etc.) that we couldn't bear to stop them. Nate even had to pull Evie all the way to the hospital in it because she swallowed three (three!) pacifiers. I like their imaginary world!

Baby Joy's Story

I know I haven't said a lot about life as we grieve the loss of our baby girl, but what do you say? We long, more than ever before, for the day when there will be no more disease, no more death. 

We named our baby girl Joy. There's a line in a poem by Kahlil Gibran that says, "When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." The poem goes on to say how joy and sorrow are inseparable, and when one is with you the other is waiting for you. We are deeply sorrowful over the death of our baby because she was our delight, our joy. To us she'll forever be Baby Joy.

A few weeks ago I sat down to write the story of Baby Joy. I needed to write her story for myself - as part of my healing - and I wasn't sure whether or not I would/should share it here. But I know there are some of you who don't know the whole story and would like to - and I would like for you to. I also know there are some of you who are just here for the pictures, and I have to say I can't blame you. Those are some pretty cute kids. :) So for those who are here for the pictures, just scroll on down to the following posts and get your fill. For those who want to read the story of Joy, click on the "Read more" link below.

Like Father, Like Son

Stephen has always said he would rather spend his money on experiences instead of things. He'd rather travel the world than buy anything else that same amount of money could buy. For the most part I agree with him, and I think our children must be gaining the same mentality.

Stephen took the kids to the play area in the mall while I was in Kentucky, and while they were there Nate saw someone jumping on a bungee jump. He asked to jump too, and Stephen told him no, but he continued talking about it all week. He has some birthday money left, so we let him decide if he wanted to spend his money to jump or save it for something else. Of course he wanted to spend it on that - like father, like son! We went last Friday evening and he jumped his little heart out!

Then it was Stephen's turn to pay for some adventure on Saturday. He and his friend Nathan ran in The Jailbreak DFW. It was a 5K filled with muddy, wet obstacles. He ran his little heart out too! :) Here are some pictures of Nate jumping followed by the race pictures:

I think this is the "What have I gotten myself into?" look.

 He loved it!

 Stephen and Nathan after the race.

 I think Stephen was trying to win the competition of who could finish the race with the most mud on them! I'm not surprised!

The side angle.