Snowflakes by Grandma

When we pulled up to Grandma and Grandpa Laffin's house for Christmas the girls got to see these beautiful snowflakes that Grandma twisted together with lights. They loved them so we took a few minutes one night to get some pictures. Who needs real snow when you have these?

I think Ruby is a little cold in this picture

Some Updates

-  I have been terrible at blogging lately but I do have some good excuses...I'm pregnant, our house has been on the market, we actually got an offer this past weekend, Brian has been working a lot, I'm pregnant, I never know where my cord is for my camera, I lost my phone for a while with most of my pics, I have 2 small children and I'm pregnant!

- YAY!  We accepted an offer on our house this past weekend!  So, now we wait to hear about the inspection and try to find  a house.  Exciting but very stressful at the same time.

- I'm being induced on February 22nd!  Ash Wednesday! 

- We decided on a name for our son which will probably not be a surprise to anyone because most people are on facebook.  I knew it was the right name when Brian did a dance around the living room after he discovered it.  Caius  (Caius we just like and may call him Cai.  It means rejoice) and John (after both of our brothers plus we love the meaning "God is gracious or generous")

- We own a minivan.  We got one out of necessity in December and have been loving the extra space.  It is very surreal to own a minivan...I am definitely a grown up.

- I turned 33 years old last week.

- On January 19th we hit the one year mark of when we lost Ezekiel. 

- I have lot of pictures from Christmas still to post...I will do that eventually

Dance 2011

We started out December with Ruby's 2nd Dance Recital. She had a lot of fun and it was so great seeing how the girls have grown in the past year. We were really surprised at the moves that these 4 and 5 year olds were able to pull off.

Telia all ready to go watch sissy dance.  The recital was during nap time so she was not too happy throughout some of the recital but she made it.

Checking her self out

Mustache

With her friend Nora

In the middle of one of her dances

The family minus Grandpa L. who was taking the photo

Blogs You Should Read Today

I have some photos to upload and recipes to write about but until then check out the blogs of two friends of mine:

My friend Sarah wrote an amazingly insightful, open and honest blog on suffering.  She has been such an encouragement to me this year while in the midst of suffering. Read it, you won't regret it.

Also, my friend Annie who has also endured a lot of suffering has been doing a countdown of the things her 2.5 year old son has struggled with and overcome this year.  Annie is a fairly new friend who has also been a great encouragement to me this year...she put it best when she wrote to me that suffering has a way of bringing people together.  Amen to that. 

Thanksgiving in Kentucky

Our girl enjoying all of her Thanksgiving Meal

I actually told Ruby NOT to smile in this picture.  I think her Uncle John is teaching her bad picture taking habits :)

This is more like her normal pose when I take a picture

The table...yummy food made by Brian's Mom

Of course the girls started the day out with some swinging time.  

Ruby loves to push her sister on the swing.

This year Grandpa and Grandma Laffin bought Ruby her own big girl swing

Monday Meal Plan

Monday- Chicken Taco Salad (making the chicken in the crockpot with salsa)

Tuesday- Autumn Penne Pasta with Sauteed Brussel Sprouts in Light Ragu

Wednesday-  leftovers

Thursday-  Crockpot 16 Bean Soup with greens and cornbread

Friday- Roasted Acorn Squash and Gorgonzola Pizza and Shaved Asparagus Pizza with salad
 

Happy Birthday Telia!

Telia turned 2 years old on the 10th of November.  She is such a sweet little toddler who is loved dearly by everyone in our family.  She talks a lot and most of the time you can understand what she is saying.  She loves her baby dolls, playing "night night" with her sister, and dancing.  Here are a few pictures over the past couple of years.

Our 1 year old Telia

A few days old at home