Today I'm Thankful For

Green grass on the ground

Sunshine all day long

Incredibly beautiful weather

Getting to go for a run

Smiles from little boys on swings

A wonderful husband, who is a great dad

Two girls who call me, 'Mom'

A simple Thanksgiving meal with Mom and Ed

Family and friends who gave money so three orphans could have a family

A wonderful, generous church that enabled three orphans to have a family

The body of Christ (both locally and not so locally) who continue to serve us, love us and pray for us

Family and friends who are willing to sacrifice and not see us much for months so our kids can attach to us

The privilege of getting to celebrate Thanksgiving differently this year because we just adopted three kids

Our God whose love is unfailing

Abram's Birthday Party Day

His birthday is not until the 24th but because we will be moving around that time we celebrated on Sunday with Mya, whose birthday was April 5th. The morning started out with reading books outside in p-pops with Daddy since it was so nice out.

A little pre-church "hoop"
I don't even want to talk about how grown up he looks in his outfit!
While there is definitely a kite stuck in the tree, it is hard to see that Jason is way up there getting it unstuck!
A boat ride with Brady and Daddy. Abram loves to say "wa-ter-pad-dle-boat!"
Lots of playing outside with Reese . . .
and Jaida
Time for cake and ice cream. I made a train cake for his birthday. He LOVES trains!
Getting ready to blow the candles out.

Let's not forget it was Mya's birthday, too! She is all about peace signs these days.
More playing
And of course more "hoop." He got a just-his-size hoop from Grandma Rhonda and Grandpa Doyle.

Did you see how I just threw down that shot?!
Love it!
Can't leave without a goodbye kiss for the girlfriend!

The night ended reading his new "Goodnight Train" book (from Landhams) in his new puppy dog p-pops (from Grammy).

It was a wonderful day to say the least!

Christmas

It was wonderful. Lots of family and friends to celebrate with us. This year we did not travel anywhere, but Jason's mom and her husband came and stayed with us and joined in the Hotze Christmas Craziness. My friend, Molly, also came.

Abram started it off by showing one of his new moves . . . the splits. The only picture of all five of them. Next year . . . EIGHT!

Abram got a garbage truck!

One of the first presents someone opened was in a big box of packing peanuts. Greysen and Abram were in heaven. They sat in that box and played for so long. Just yesterday my dad told me his favorite part of Christmas was "two boys in a box of peanuts." It was pretty cute.

Trying on Grey's fireman hat.The peanuts made for great things to load and dump with Abram's new diggers.Abram and Greysen went through a stage a few months ago where they usually only fought when they were together. Not any more. They are like two peas in a pod and follow each other around. They love to do what the other one is doing . . . such as hiding under the dessert table! Crazy Uncle wearing Greysen's fireman goggles!Brady and Uncle J

Jason's mom made the girls adorable hats! Yes, that would be my dad. Again, the goggles made an appearance. But not on the little boy who got them as a gift! Welcome to my family.

The siblings.

After we opened presents, my mom was bound and determined to go sledding. So, all the guys, the kids and mom went. Kate and I went later to "take pictures."

We did take pictures, but we also got in on the sledding action. It was SO FUN! I have not gone sledding for way over a decade. Even the little monkey went sledding . . . and liked it.Kate was H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S on her first ride down. She hit two unexpected bumps (going off the edge of the sand bunker -we were at the Huxley golf course) and looked like she was riding a horse, flapping her arms like they were holding reigns. And then she landed like this. Hysterical!

Uncle and Brady getting ready to go down.

Miss bundled-up-Mya Kate.

Sydney was too cold and back home by the time we go there. And Greysen was sleeping. We all decided sledding will definitely become an annual Christmas tradition (as long as there is snow!).

All-in-all, it was a wonderful Christmas!