Spring Cleaning = Dress-up Time

Whether it is early Spring cleaning or the nesting instinct in me right now, I was motivated to clean out Jason and Colleen's closets today. We pulled out what was too small and put in new hand-me-downs from family. In the process, Colleen discovered a pink leotard and ballerina skirt Nonna bought a while back. I put it on her and she accessorized with patton leather shoes and hot pink sunglasses! Jason decided he needed a costume as well ( a nice reprieve from his little naked body running around the house all morning!) so of course he chose the Knight costume. And here they are in all their glory. They can make a mess, but they can also bring "life" and energy to everyday tasks!

Good thing that breast plate hangs so low!

Priceless

Hangin' Out

Sometime before Christmas we visited with Grandaddy and Grandmama at their house. Grandmama pulled out the camera and started snapping shots, some of which turned out really cute. The one of Colleen is Samuel's favorite. He looks at her little face and exclaims, "the beauty of the baby!"

Missing Grandaddy

Most, if not all, of our family blog entries are celebrations of life and the small pleasures and treasures we are blessed with on a daily basis. And in the Spirit of Truth, this entry must also be considered one such "celebration of life," a time to rejoice in days past with Samuel's Daddy and the comforting hope and assurance of his present home. I must confess, however, that in the flesh we are truly heartbroken and bereft of his presence. On Christmas Eve 2009, Grandaddy had a heart attack due to surgery complications and very quickly and peacefully went to be with the Lord. For that, we are so grateful and remind ourselves often that if ever a man desired to be with The Father, it was him. He will be so greatly missed though, for so many things; his thundering laugh, great big bear hugs, Godly wisdom so freely given, and his love for the grandchildren and our whole family. There are very few truly great men today and we were so blessed to share our lives with one of them. We love you and miss you Grandaddy. Thank you for reminding us, both in life and death, that this is not our home nor does this world hold any true treasures for us. Instead, we will store up treasures in Heaven, where one day we will see you again and dwell together in the glory of Christ.

Always a loving Daddy

On the day Jason was born, Grandaddy practically ran into the delivery room to see his first grandchild. How proud and beaming he was!

Colleen stole his heart and always came to Grandaddy with love. He would get so tickled at her expressions.

Fun times with the Warbington cousins

Jason and Colleen were able to spend a lot of time with the Warbingtons one weekend and had a great time as usual. Riley has really become quite the babysitter during these visits and even changed Colleen's diaper once all by herself. These two are more alike than the age gap shows and it is such fun to see them together.

Ty and Jason have been into playing dress-up, unfortunately, as of late that has involved purses and tap shoes from Nonna's closet...their "fancy clothes". Clearly Will stepped in to provide some needed masculine influence!

Merry Christmas 2009

" 'Twas the night before Christmas..."

And they don't even know it! Jason seemed to gain a bit of excitement this year as we talked about the coming day and all the possibilities it may hold, but for the most part he remained in blissful ignorance about Christmas just taking things in stride as usual. Colleen, of course, was just along for the ride! Never-the-less, when that morning came, there was much joy and pleasure to be had.

We prepared all the gifts the night before and couldn't wait to see their faces.

The Mini Market

Monster Trucks!

A Book about the New Baby

Bike Horn and Toothbrush

A Slinky...for fun it's a wonderful toy!

Jason's bicycle, which he is still riding all over the house!

Daddy helping on the big hill

It truly was a Merry Christmas for our little family and we are blessed by Jason's reminders that gifts are given as a way to celebrate that Jesus was the greatest gift of all ...given on Christmas Day!

'Tis the Season...

We decided to do a Christmas craft to get in the spirit but weren't quite ready to go the route of real gingerbread, so here is our Graham Cracker House instead. Jason and Colleen were big helpers making sure there were no decorations left uneaten!

Disney Princess and Fun Dip!

Although the differences between boys and girls are not always so apparent in our two, they have been more so recently in small ways. Jason has really been a helper outside, stacking logs as Samuel uses the chainsaw, spreading pine straw, using the shovel to move out excess dirt, etc. Not to mention digging for worms, going tee tee on every bush in the yard (!), flying down the hill on his big wheel, and jumping off of anything that is high enough to be a challenge. Colleen on the other hand is very into her baby dolls, brings me her hair bow if it falls out and wants me to put it back in, loves to blow kisses and give hugs (especially to Samuel and Jason), holds up her hands to be wiped off if they are dirty, and will sit happily with her one Disney Princess book just looking at the pictures. It is great fun to watch them develop into their own unique persons.

"Reading" Disney's Cinderella with baby
Jason's first experience with Fun Dip. He was eating this while we made our Blessings Tree ornaments, at which time he said, "Write this down, 'I am thankful that God gave us candy!'"