Santa Visit

Last week, the boys got to visit Santa when he made a stop at the Bass Pro Shop. They took a quick picture (so quick I'm not sure they are even looking at the camera!) and then had fun exploring all the Christmas activities with Poppa and Gigi. Race cars, trains, and even a reindeer carousel - so fun!

We had also planned to visit Santa at Northpark Mall with Aunt Heather, but that didn't really work out as planned. See, last year Heather and I showed up at the mall with Griff to see Santa without realizing how popular the jolly guy would be - you have to get a ticket and then come back for your "appointment" time to see him! So this year, we made a plan, determined not to be caught off guard again. We thought we'd get to the mall around 11:00am, get our ticket, eat lunch, let the boys nap and probably come back around 3-4 to see Santa. Boy were we wrong! Granted, I was running a little behind (as I usually am these days), but we got there by 11:30, and the earliest appointment we could get with St. Nick was for 7:00pm!! That's a little too late for Griff and Jasper (especially considering we would still be waiting in line for a while, then waiting to see proofs, and driving back to our house), but I guess there's always next year - plus they will have a fun little cousin to bring along by then!

"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!"

Psalm 126:3

5 Months Old

Yesterday Jasper turned five months old. I just can't believe how quickly he's growing up! He's become quite the little talker these days, or rather a little squeaker :) He jabbers to his toys and anyone else who will listen, with the cutest squeals, coos, gurgles, and peeps. Sometimes, I almost think he's singing :)

He's sitting up pretty well and loves to grab on to people's noses, cheeks, eyes, hair....anything on your face that he can wrap his little fingers around! Jasper is still a wonderful sleeper and seems to be quite a good eater too. He's only tried rice cereal and oatmeal so far, but he gobbles both up like a champ.

He's rolling over all the time lately and likes playing with all the dangly toys around the house. He has a truly sweet smile and disposition...sometimes I really can't believe how blessed we are to have two such amazing boys to love.

Griffin was my assistant photographer for our little photo session....is it just me or does he look a little mischievous here?

Yes, I knew it - up to no good! Big Brother decided Jasper must be getting bored with all the picture taking, so he spiced things up by taking J for a "ride" in the glider. At least one of them seems to be having fun :)

Naturally, all that smiling must have made Jasper hungry, so Griff was kind enough to offer him a little extra from his bottle - so thoughtful!

Maybe it's all the Christmas music we've been listening to lately, but I find myself tearing up in the middle of the day (or even right now) when I think about all the gifts in our lives - I just can't get over how tremendously the Lord has blessed our little family. We have the unfailing love of our Savior that sustains us in all things, we have a solid, loving marriage and friendship, we have two heart-melting, healthy sons, a beautiful home, an incredibly supportive extended family, encouraging friends who love the Lord, and the list goes on and on. Does it get any better than this?

"Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name." Psalm 63:3-4