O Give Thanks

Mary and I spent a quiet Thanksgiving with Grandma and Aunt Jessi and Jaiden and Julian. Everything was delicious, but we missed our boys.

Young Pup

Mary loved the Wolves game tonight - we are working on her mullet...

Dance Partners

We caught a performance of Jim Gill's at the library tonight - he was fantastic! Elliot and Mary really got into it; they've really improved their moves~

Birthday Girl

We celebrated Mary's birthday with the family today - it was wonderful! Mary really loves penguins, which she calls "ducks", and so a (very loose) theme was born. Emily gave me this idea - olives stuffed with cream cheese~
They were a hit - but a lot of work (Scott and I spent an hour making these early this morning). We had chili, and cornbread for dinner, and finally, cake!

It's a quadruple layer butter pound cake with fresh strawberry puree and whipped cream frosting. 100% homemade! The igloo is molded from Rice Krispie Treats and the penguins are assembled from gumdrops and Reeses Pieces~

I love Mary's tongue sticking out~

The dress was in a bag of hand-me-downs and fit perfectly~

Two is a great birthday - they finally "get it" at this age and really enjoy their parties~

I am very proud of this cake~

And this little girl~

Pleasure is spread through the earth

In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.

~William Wordsworth

I got a Nikon camera...

Second attempt with my new (to me) camera~

Sweet childish days, that were as long, As twenty days are now.

-William Wordsworth

It goes so fast! Mary is 2! She delights us every day. She is talking up a storm! And mimicking just about everything we say and do. Mary smiles easily, and has an entertaining independent streak~
Tonight, right after the boys returned from Father-Son camp, we had pizza and cake with Grandma and Grandpa~

Sam wanted a turn as the princess, too~

Mary and I made her cake this afternoon - chocolate with mocha icing~

She loved the candles~

She wasn't quite sure how to blow them out~

Mary dug right in~

She really is so happy and healthy! We are incredibly blessed~

Some pictures with my new (to me) camera~

Sometimes my heart squeezes with the overwhelming gratitude, and humility, I have for God's gift of my children~