It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here - we even had snow last week which is almost unheard of around here! It was fun to watch the kids enjoy the wonder of the cold. What was not fun was to try to get four opinionated two year olds (who see no need for things such as socks, hats, coats, pants) bundled up for only a couple of cold wet minutes of play. My hats off to you mamas north of us who do this day in and day out all winter long - what a job! Other Christmas traditions we enjoyed this week; hot cocoa with jumbo marshmallows, butternut squash soup, decorating the tree together, redecorating the tree alone and taking family Christmas photos. What a fun time of year this is, especially through the eyes of three boys and a little girl!
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
as Our Hubbies Were Manning the Kids While We Shopped!
enjoyed a delicious dinner at Sambuca, then back to the hotel for some goofing off and lots of gab!
What slumber party would be complete without a pillow fight?
Big Boy {and girl}Beds!
Our little monkeys have been able to climb in and out of their cribs for months now. We were able to teach them to only climb in and out when we came in to get them and during the day when we'd let them play in their rooms. So the next step was to take the sides of the crib off. Nervously we disassembled their beds and prayed they'd still nap! It took about 3 days before we didn't have any midnight visitors in our room but they did it! It's been great ever since and especially helpful to not have to travel with pack-n-plays!
Cohen Kicks Back in His Big Boy Bed
Traveling Light With Bedrolls Made by Grandma!
Back to the Beach
We spent a week at the beach for a Glass family Thanksgiving along Florida's Emerald Coast just outside of Destin. We packed the car to the brim, drove 9 hours overnight meeting up with my sister and her family of 5, my brother and his daughter and my parents; 15 of us in all. The four bedroom beachfront condo fit us all comfortably and provided us with a week full of breathtaking ocean views from sunrise to sunset.
Cohen, Noah, Sophia & Finn
Grandma & Cohen Make Sandcastles
Papa & Finn Talking Man to Man
Sophia Picnics on Her Bros Food as They're Busy Playing
Noah's Sandy Smile
Thanksgiving Lunch on the Beach
Bikes {with and without motors}
Florida's scenic Highway 30A hugs the Gulf of Mexico and has some beautiful paths for bicycling. All 15 of us spent Thanksgiving day enjoying the scenery on two wheels.
Now That's a Pack of Bikes!
Our Very Own Thanksgiving Day Parade
Sophia & Noah As Close As They Can Get
Cohen & Finn As Far Apart As They Can Manage
For the more adventurous (Uncle Jim & Aunt Em) you can see a whole lot more of the coast with a lot less effort. Cohen and Noah were both up for this loud adventure around the parking lot but Finn & Sophia wouldn't have any part of it. Finn even tried to talk Cohen out of getting on the motorcycle at all. Thank goodness we have one little boy who's going to assess the potential risk for the group in any given situation.
Uncle Jim, Aunt Em, & Noah
Cohen Gives It A Try
Boats {with and without paddles}
We had a few days of incredibly calm water and were able to take a kayak out from the beach outside our condo. Once again, Finn & Sophia were hesitant to try it out but we forced them on kicking and screaming and once they got out with us they were loving it. The water is so crystal clear you can see straight to the bottom.
Finn, Mommy, Noah & Daddy Paddle In With Jakob's Help
Last year we rented a pontoon and were able to see dozens of dolphins out in the bay. We ventured out again with no luck on spotting any dolphins but did catch a really neat Sheep Fish!
Jakob's Catch of the Day
Papa, Cohen, Noah & Grandma Cuddle to Keep Warm
Finn Getting Sophia Pumped For a Day of Boating in the Cold Weather
Boogie Boarding
The big cousins loved to get the boogie boards out into the water and ride the waves.
Makenna Rides the Waves
Even though we love our new Puddle Jumper life vests which are US Coastguard approved and kept our little non-swimmers afloat in the big heated pool, we thought it'd be best to have them stick to boogie boarding on dry land for now.
Happy Halloween! Hope everyone had a great weekend. Grammie came to visit us and help to take the kids trick or treating. We dressed the kids up for the first time and paraded around the neighborhood. We had our own little zoo on the loose with Cohen & Sophia being monkeys, Noah as a tiger, Finn as a lion and Chris and I as animal attack victims. It was a great time and we all wish we could do it over again! Next year can't come soon enough.
Four eager artists, a handful of washable markers and four little pumpkins are the makings of fall colors around here. The best part is that the markers wash right off (the pumpkins and the artists) and we can color the same canvases all season. I'm loving that!
We are parents to three rambunctious boys and one even more rambunctious little girl who were all born in the same minute of the same day in August of 2007. This entire journey has allowed us to witness everyday miracles and proves to us that God is very much alive and walking among us. Great challenge has come with the miracles and we are learning to choose to be joyful through the daily tests. This blog is a collection of memories and a look at how we learn to grow more mature in our faith even as our faith is stretched to the max at times. Thank you for walking it with us, your encouragement and prayers are such a blessing to our family.
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