Christmas 2011

Making her Daddy proud.

John was giving Morgan a little "HiYa" with Estie's little foot.

Estie was laughing hysterically.

I love hearing her little laugh, so cute.

The boys received Nerf swords from Grandpa and Grandma Gibson and they immediately had to give us a demonstration of their ninja skills. I have a tip about these swords; they hurt!

Estella received a really fun walker that has all the bells and whistles from Grandpa and Grandma Gibson. She studied it for quite awhile before we opened it up.


Two of my beautiful nieces:)
Alex and Abby



Zach opening stockings with Lukas

Estella was getting some Uncle time and trying out someones new socks that make great leg warmers for her:)

Dad was playing hide and seek behind all the gifts.

Nik and Zach received the same t-shirt from me:

army men doing a kick flip

Alex spotting her littlest cousin while Estie is standing all by herself:)

Decorating Gingerbread Houses

Yes, I'm still posting Christmas photos, but I can't let them languish in my pictures file or they would never be seen from again! So here's a taste of some of the fun things the boys and I did during the Christmas season. Gingerbread houses! They actually did all the decorating while I built it and frosted it.

The side of the roof you are looking at is Lukes side. Its rather smooched, because he had to flatten each piece into the frosting as far as it could go. I wish I had a picture of Nik's side as it was very orderly with alternating colors. First born.

And now, to eat it.

Fancy Pants

Though these pictures are from Christmas I thought it was fitting that I post them on Valentines Day since the colors are right. Estella is sporting her fancy little ruffle bum under her adorable red dress. She is pretty much, well, adorable.

"What is this thing on my head?"

"Not a chance, Mama!"

"It looks way cuter on Uncle John:) "

She pretty much captures the heart of everyone she is around.

See, it was a fitting Valentine's post!

Estella at 10 Months

Gone are the days when I can lay Estie on a blanket and she stays put. Now she is a blur, being set down in a safe spot one moment, look away, and then she is sitting in the fireplace soot the next. The boys are on red alert with all their little treasures and those apparently delicious Nerf bullets.

So many teeth!

Estella has four teeth at 10 months. Everytime a new tooth comes in she is pretty grumpy for a couple days, then she is back to her happy little self. She does have such a sweet little personality, except when she is upset with her big brothers. She lets them know it too! My dreams of having a quiet little girl are quickly fading.

There's a hint of mischief in those eyes.

She is doing really well at walking around things, just building up those little leg muscles and figuring out the whole balance thing and soon she'll be off and running!

The Christmas Tree Hunt

Our little family of five.

Every year at Christmas time our family goes to a Christmas tree farm to cut our own tree down. I will have none of this, "tree lot in Oregon" nonsense. No way, I've been to Oklahoma way too many times to not take advantage of having a freshly cut Christmas tree. I love making a day of it and spending time outdoors hunting down the perfect tree. Okay, so really what happens is that I wander all over looking for the perfect tree with children and husband in tow, then every so often I'll say, "Oooo, I like this one, what do you think, Tone'?" He promptly replies, "perfect, shall I cut it down?". Then I always reply, "NOOOO! We have to see all of them first." Then I zigzag through all the trees sizing them all up and finally, I come back to one of my first choices and give Tone' the green light. The kids and I have a great time just being outside, while Tone' grumbles and groans at my slow decision making. (I think he secretly likes watching me hunt for the perfect one, the groaning is just part of the whole experience now)

Lukas hitching a ride with Daddy

The boys were so proud to take turns holding the saw. Now if only I could get Lukas to smile normal.....

I never did get a picture of our tree decorated. You'll just have to trust me that it was beautiful. Beautiful and fragrant too, another reason a fresh cut tree is better. Don't even get me started on fake trees.

Someday They Will Meet

To my precious daughter:
I want to tell you about your name. Your beautiful, old fashioned name. Estella Erlene was your grandmothers name, my mother. She was.....perfect.
I wish she were here to see you. She would have loved you baby girl.
She died just before I found out I was having your big brother, Nikolas.
My heart broke that day. Time has patched it back together, but....it's still missing a piece.
Actually, it's a rather large piece, but there is One comfort.
Your grandma loved Jesus, and I pray that you will too.
Then, one day, hopefully well after I am gone from this world, you will meet us both in heaven and I will introduce you to your namesake. I'm sure she would love that you are named after her. In fact, I know she would have been flattered.
Cherish your name my sweet Estella, for it is a heritage passed down from your grandmother and your great great grandmother. Women who have loved the Lord, "with all their heart, with all their soul, with all their mind and with all their strength." Mk 12:30

I can't believe mom has been gone over six years now. Today she would have turned 71. That sounds old as I write it, but really isn't considering my mom's mom just turned 91 and is still doing quite well. I can't imagine what my life would be like now if my mom were still alive. We had really just begun to start doing things together as friends not too long before she passed away. I feel robbed of my friendship with her as an adult. Perhaps that is the hardest part of her death. That, and, of course, that she never saw my children. I know I'll see her again, which does bring me comfort, but.....I miss her now.
I'm so glad I had the many years of memories with her to think of. I often tell the kids about their grandma in heaven. It is a little hard for me to know that they aren't going to miss her. Why would they, they never knew her? Hmm, still hard. I think of Job, losing all his children and still saying, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Then, at the very end of all his suffering, he has even more children.
The Lord gave, the Lord took away, then the Lord gave to him again. In the same way, God gave me a wonderful mother, she was taken from me, but now, God has given me Sue, a wonderful grandma to my children, and also, a friend to me.

The Newest Skater on the Block

Nikolas has been practicing skateboarding recently and seems to be picking it up pretty quickly. He can skate down our driveway now and has just started to learn to do a trick. I think it is a kick flip, or maybe an ollie....I really have no idea what the difference between skating tricks are, but I did hear those words come out of the 9 year old neighbors mouth when he was teaching Nik. It is pretty humbling to have my 5 year old son starting to be better than me at something. This, I am sure, is just the beginning.