Merry Christmas!

Checking to see if Santa ate his cookies!

What a rockstar!

"Wow! What's this?"

Sweet Brothers!

Storytime with Nonni

One of Owen's favorite gifts!  Let's hope this wears him out!

So sweet...Owen snuggled down into his new horse sleeping bag (from Uncle Jason) and watched a movie by the fire with his Pop.

Shepard loves his Pop!

Storytime with Uncle Jason

Cooper was exhausted after the day...

...sound asleep in Owen's lap.

Well, we finally made it to see Santa today, two days before Christmas!!!  This was our fourth attempt!  Ben and I tried to think through when the boys would both be awake and well-rested enough to load up for a 45-minute drive and stand in a long line.  But since Shepard's nap schedule is so unpredictable, Ben and I decided we'd just make sure Owen would get his nap and not worry about Shepard.  So after lunch today, I got both boys down, then Ben left for Bass Pro Shop to get a "Bass Pass," which is basically a time slot for a photo with Santa.  As soon as both the boys were in bed, I hurried to our bedroom to get myself dressed and pack the diaper bag.  Fifteen minutes later, I hear Owen on the monitor calling my name.  I bolted across the house because he was hollering for me so loud and I didn't want him to wake his brother.  I walked in his room and he asked me if it was time to wake up!  Seriously?  I had only had enough time to brush my teeth and get mascara on one eye!  So I told him he had to sleep before we could go.  I then went back to my room to finish dressing, and just as I got the other eye done, Shepard woke up!!!  Lord, have mercy.  I tried my best to get him to go back to sleep, to no avail.  So I just gave up and put him in the swing while I finished dressing.  As soon as I was finished, Owen woke up!  (I'm really not sure he ever went to sleep.)  So after all that hard work, and Ben going ahead of us to Bass Pro, Shepard slept 20 minutes and Owen slept MAYBE 40!  I was so frustrated...I just loaded them up and set out to see Santa way early!  Anyway, when we got there, we were able to get right on in and didn't have to wait.  Santa sure was sweet and thanked both the boys for being sweet all year.  

Priceless...I was so glad we had gone to all the trouble for this moment!

Here's Owen watching Frosty the Snowman last night and enjoying a big bowl of "pop pop."

Shepard watched Sesame Street with his big brother this morning!

What a sweet picture of Shepard with his Pop.

Owen playing "tuggle war" with Coop.

Santa Claus is Coming To Town!

 We are counting down the days...

It's Beginning To Look A Lot like Christmas!

Well, the Christmas season is upon us!  Our house is all decorated, and Owen is super-excited about Santa coming soon!  We have been reading the Christmas story and learning about the wise men and "King Her-i-od" and how Baby Jesus was born where the stinky animals sleep.

This is an especially special Christmas for our family because we have a new addition!  This time last year, Ben and I had what would end up being our final procedure with the fertility specialist. I remember hanging our stockings last year and wondering if Owen would ever have a sibling.  I was so discouraged with our struggle.

But we serve a God whose name is Jehovah Rappha, The God Who Heals; El Roi, The God Who Sees Me; Jehovah Jireh, The God Who Provides.  He saw our situation, He healed us, and He provided Shepard, just as He provided Owen.  It wasn't on our timetable, it wasn't through that procedure, but it was all in HIS perfect timing.  Thank you, Lord, for these two miracles!

Here's Owen watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Here we are at our city's Christmas Parade.  Owen saw Santa riding on top of a big firetruck!  There were no horses this year, which was a bummer.

Merry Christmas! 

Ben, Cammie, Owen & Shepard

Yesterday morning was no fun! BOTH BOYS GOT SHOTS!!! Thankfully, Ben was able to go to the doctor with me. Owen just got the 2nd part of his flu shot, but it was BAD! He's plenty old enough now to know what's coming, which makes it so much worse. Ben handled him, then took him back out to the waiting room to watch TV while Shepard got his shots. It broke my heart. He had to get THREE. But anyway, when we got home, he fell asleep in the papasan chair, and I took a picture of him with his little bandaids on his legs. Later last night, I found a picture of Owen at the same age with his bandaids...crazy!!!

Can anyone tell who's who?

Shepard, 8 weeks!

It's been EIGHT WEEKS since Shepard arrived! I really can't believe that only eight weeks ago, he wasn't part of our family. I can't imagine our family without this little fella.  He's just the sweetest guy!  He's been a great baby...smiles a lot (especially at his mommy), sleeps GREAT, content most of the time.  I do have to say, we have spoiled him when it comes to being held!  He doesn't really like to sit in his seat, but we are working on that.  He has slept through the night FOUR nights in a row this week!  Needless to say, we are thrilled about this.  We had braced ourselves for another baby like Owen and didn't think we'd be getting much sleep until Shepard was about 6 months old.  Thank you, Lord!!!

Big Brother Owen has really been into coloring and stickers lately.  It's a great (and quiet!) activity for him, but we are finding stickers everywhere, including on Shepard!  I find them on Shepard's clothes a lot.  They've been found on the remote, my cell phone, the windows, and this morning I found one on the dryer.  :)

Birthday Football Game

Today, one of Owen's great buddies, Friend Walker, had a birthday party.  There was cake, ice cream, and lots of tackle football!  Owen jumped right in.  He and Jackson decided to play on the same team.  The only problem is... they love to tackle each other!  It was windy, so both teams missed their extra point.  Headline for the day:  Friend Walker makes break-away 74-yard run.  Happy Birthday, Friend.

This image says it all.  He was right in the middle of the action.  He decided that he wanted to be Quarterback.  In this shot, he is getting the play from the offensive coordinator.  Needless to say, he executed perfectly.  I think the best part was watching him have so much fun!

Before the game they were all smiles, but as soon as the footballs came out it was all business!

NOT SO FAST!!!!!

Payback...  

Sweet Brothers

Happy Halloween!!

Last night was our Fall Festival at church.  It's a great time for the kiddos.  We have lots of games, prizes, inflatables, food, face-painting, and "trunk-or-treating."  Owen dressed up as Super Man and had a great time!  I was almost as excited about the festival as he was because it was my first time back to church since Shepard was born!  I was so happy to see all of our friends!

We dropped Shepard off next door on our way to church, so Owen got to trick-or-treat once.

Mommy, Daddy, & Super Man

Here are Owen and Jackson, beating each other up, as usual!

 Jackson takes a hit this time!

 

Super Owen & Super Jackson

Owen with his race car-drivin' buddies!

More junk food!  This was at the end of the night, and Owen's head was soaked from all the jumping, and he was covered in a layer of sugar and grease!  

Buzz Lightyear Ben