Nathanael's 2nd Birthday

I have a a pet peeve: blurry pictures.  I must have had the settings wrong on the camera because virtually all of the photo's from Nathanael's party are blurry.  The pictures are terrible and I wish I would have noticed before his party started.  So here is a few pictures from the party, blurry or not.

Nathanael LOVES cats so we had a cat themed party for him.

PLaying witht he wagon and the balloons with Asa.

We had hot chocolate at the party which was fantastic since it was so cold and wet.

Gama and Aunty Amanda with Ellyana.

Nathanael blowing out the candles of his cat cake (with Asa his buddy).

All the kids.

Poor Nathanael had so much fun at the party he fell asleep on the floor later.  :D

Throwback Thursday

Oh how she has grown too fast.

Rough Day

Today is a rough day.  I have a terrible headache.  I`m not in a very good mood and I have been really short with the kids.  Particularly Ethan who does not stop talking.  I was sitting at the table with Hannah and Ethan working on some Language Arts and Ethan was complaining bitterly about his lot in life.  When I should have been patient and loving, my sweet Hannah stepped in.  I am thankful my camera was nearby because these 4 pictures fill my heart to overflowing.  I am so thankful for these two children of mine.  I love how much the love each other (yes they do fight, more then I would like too).  But they do love each other and I get to be apart of it.

You can`t see it but Hannah is rubbing his neck.

She was being super encouraging.

I apologized to Ethan a little bit later and he had no idea what I was talking about.  I am thankful he has a short memory too.

This Week

These are all pictures from Instagram that I posted this week.  They are largely Nathanael but his birthday was this week so he has been at the fore front of my mind.  

Ellyana is getting so big. I love her sweet cheeks.  Although you can't see it in this picture her cheeks have been covered in baby acne.  Worse  than the other three ever had it.  Hopefully it's gone soon.  It looks terribly uncomfortable I want her smooth skin back.

Nathanael got his long overdue haircut this week.  He looks so different.  Now that the shock of it has worn off, it's definitely growing on me.  Look at that little dimple.

Helping mommy make muffins.  He loves pushing the chair up to the counter to help or watch.  

We welcomed Ben back for our first Wednesday Morning of the year. It has been awhile since we took a break to have the baby.  It was nice to have him around and to get back to some routine.  Are week was based on the book "The Curious Garden", we also planted an Amarylis and painted pastel and watercolor flowers.

This was from today.  Andrew brought me a coffee home this afternoon.  Nathanael was desperate to have some but I think he is getting sick so I definitely did not want to share his germs.  I had left all but the last little bit on the counter when he managed (with the help of a chair) to get his hands on it.  After that, the rest was his.  :D

Happy 2nd Birthday Nathanael

Happy birthday to my sweet brown eyed boy.  Nathanael, it is an absolute joy to be your parent.  You are a happy, cheerful, and very goofy little boy.  As happy as you can be you are also so easily offended.  You are not afraid to let us know when you have been wronged.  Sweet boy you are strong, courageous, and oh so capable.  I look foward to the future to see where you go and what you do.  Your name means "blessed gift from God"  and you have been, each day of the last 2 years.  May you always walk with God and stand for truth.  Happy Birthday!!!!

Snow Days

One of the absolute highlights of going to Salmon Arm in the winter (other than the family we visit) is the snow.  Hannah wrote in her journal today about going tobogganing.  I think they went out everyday we were there except 1.  It makes me happy to see the kids playing in the snow and building snowmen and snow forts.  I love the snow but we don't get a whole on the coast and what we do get disappears quickly.  Here are my last pictures from Salmon Arm:

Snow swimming!

3 of my snow children.  Nathanael did not really enjoy it.  We got him to go out once and this was it.

Building a snow fort with Grandpa and Daddy

This super structure required tools and a whole lot of arm power.

Concentrating.

Poor boy can't see.

Digging in the snow.