Top.... Pics and Memories of 2013

Reflecting back, and looking at pics is such a fun thing to do. I couldn't narrow it down to just 10, so here are our top... however many pics/memories of this year.

#1 of 2013 is when Elijah came into our family on April 27.

1b. meeting brother and sister

From here on out, in no particular order, it's just how they uploaded:

London trip in March to see Krissy!!!

Enjoying the sunshine and backyard... with Tim (and Sophie!)

Little boys, will be... little boys... mud puddle splashing!

These two... love them just as much as they love each other.

SNOWman building!!! We enjoyed the snow in the early part of the year!

When Grandma Jannie came for a visit and 

we went to see the castle about 20 min. from our house!

Brother/sister love... play, fun, backyard. love it.

Greece TRIP!!!! Making new/old friends.

Fall Pumpkin hunting at the farm

Love his beard. Love this boy.

 Strasbourg Trip with friends... #Christmas2013

oh brothers.

(Stephen only): got to see the Tour de France around the Arc de Triomphe

NanNan's visit and lots of fun with her!

And, the beginning of school with princess and batman. 

Looking back, it's been an amazing year. We are blessed beyond what we could have ever asked or imagined from the Lord. He's blessed us with each other, our 3 little treasures, friends, travel, weather (getting to see hot and cold!),  and all around lots of great adventure. We are excited for what 2014 holds and are thankful we can trust Him who holds it in His hands. 

Merry Christmas 2013

From our family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas...

As for our French Christmas, for all of you wondering....

This is us at 6:45 a.m. (Sadie had waited patiently for about 30 minutes while Stephen and I tried to get ourselves out of the bed.) Noah, was hard to wake... VERY hard to wake. This is Sadie and I up on his bed (top bunk)... saying his name, lightly tickling, teasing. NOTHING, until I said, 

"Noah, there is chocolate downstairs..." To this, he responds and wakes up saying,

"Chocolate?!?!"

Buzz Lighyear was sitting on the chair excited to see the rest of the gang, 

Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye arrived for Christmas morning!

 Bullseye was Eli's... and he liked him!

Noah's super cute, super tired, super excited smile! 

He didn't care about the rest of the stocking when he saw Woody!

Stockings all made by NanNan and Auntie Heather!!! 

Playing...

Playing with fun toys from NanNan!!! 

Aunt Krissy is here too!!!!

Thank you for this Grandmommie!

And Noah loved his Jake!!!

New Jammies... This is what Sadie LIVES IN, pj's!

"What Santa doesn't bring me, Grandma will!!"

(wonder where he got this?!?!)

Eli playing in his Christmas bouncer!!! He loves this thing!

Aunt Krissy brought us "Christmas Crackers" from the UK... with fun toys inside! 

This is her and Noah playing the penguin race game.

Happy boy on Christmas morning!

Happy mama in her Carolina scarf!

Christmas table set with the sunlight coming through. 

Thankful for a fun Christmas dinner around the table with our French family

Church Christmas Play... My Angel and My Mary...

This past Sunday our church put on it's Christmas Program... and it was so fun. We are so blessed by friends and brothers and sisters who have loved and cared for us as family here in France. We also had a fun little surprise that Sadie got to be Mary in the children's nativity story. 

Here are her and her little side kick getting ready for the part with another angel.

This is one of the sweet youth who love our kids. She is precious.

 Mary and Joseph, making the long journey...

Apparently, the journey was hard on her... ;-) 

Noah was not suppose to be up beside her at this point, 

but I just chalk it to her "guardian angel"

Here are the angels singing praises to God!

Children's choir...

And here is our adult choir singing, 

Prince of Peace... it was amazing!!!! 

So thankful for the love of God's international family!!!

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family around the world!

The Twinkle of Bedtime...

Peering through my little treasures' doorway, this is what I see...

A little glow radiates from around their bunk beds as they sleep.

it's christmas time, you know.

My heart is tender. I'm tired from a long day. But my heart over flows. 

They are dreaming about the story

 daddy just told them as he tucked them in...

they sleep.

my princess...

I'm so thankful for her. 

the hard days. the laughs. the strong will. the tears. dress up.

and oh yes... the drama! 

i love her.

 And my first born son. 

100% of the day he is wild. 

he is tender. he funny. he is a copy cat of his big sister.

my heart swells.

i love him.

rest well my treasures. another day will start too soon. 

i will keep these moments close to my heart.

thank you Lord Jesus for these 2. keep them always in Your care.

"The Days are Long, but the Years are Short"

My little boy who turned my world upside down... is now 3 years old. Seems like yesterday the doctor said, "We need to induce you. The baby will be safer outside, than inside of you." I thought I still had a month to go in pregnancy... but in God's perfect timing, my little baby, unknowingly was a little boy... arrived

November 8, 2010

8:28 pm

in Boone, NC 

USA

So, in celebration of this little wild man... 

who loves Toy Story and Buzz Lightyear... we had of course: 

Pin the alien in the claw 

(blind folded: pin the tale on the donkey)

 For a boy who LOVES HOTDOGS... we had a full out hotdog and chili night!

 With a mom-made Toy Story Cake!

Lots of friends over to open presents... 

we are blessed to have family and friends here in France with us

and of course... to enjoy birthday cake

little brother watching and taking it all in. 

(hello chunky cheeks)

The aftermath of cake and toys...

my 3 year old!!!

I've read recently... 

"the days are long, but the years are short."

...so very true...