I can not believe I am now the mother to two teens...

It feels like time goes on super speed as they get older. 

Thinking back, I remember being a new mommy so scared.

  I had no idea how to even change a diaper, nurse a baby, even hold a baby, yet God placed these two in our care. 

We have watched them grow from spunky little pudgy toddlers to amazing young men.

They love their family.

They love each other.

They both are so outgoing and engaging to everyone they meet.

It is so strange how time gives perspective.  I remember those toddler days when I felt like those days would last forever.  How sometimes, I would wish for the day to hurry up and end.  Sometimes, it was so hard!  But now, especially now, I see how that was a mistake.  I should have cherished every moment.  I regret that.  I do not ever do that now.  I know how fast time goes and not only do I cherish the moments with these big boys, I do so with my younger children as well.

I have so many wonderful memories with these two boys.  

I'm excited for the memories to come.

Happy Birthday Nicholas and Matthew!

I love you so much!

On their birthday this year, we really wanted to have some time with just them.  We got a babysitter for the little ones and had a great day together.  

We took the boys to Victory Lanes in Charlotte.

This place is no joke..lol  We all got suited up in our gear and raced and raced.

My muscles hurt for days afterwards trying so hard to make my car win.

Darryl beat us all every race, but we had an awesome time!

Here is Darryl with the boys.

 

Me and my guys.

 

Look how tall they are!

 

We had worked up quite an appetite, so we told the boys they could pick anywhere they wanted to go for lunch.  It wasn't much of a choice...they both instantly said RuSans.

RuSans is a great rockin' sushi place near Dilworth that we all like.  

On weekdays, they have a sushi buffet.

A buffet for a 13 year old boy is like the best gift you can give them, seriously.

Add sushi in for my boys...well, they were in heaven!

 

 After a fun day together, we headed back home to pick up the rest of the family to enjoy the rest of the day together.  

We had such a wonderful day. 

 I hope the boys always know how much I love them.

Happy Birthday!

 Ahhh!!!  We have been so busy enjoying life this month, I have gotten so far behind in updating my little 'ol blog...

This month has been full of birthdays, parties, friends and family.

We have experienced so many wonderful memory making moments.  It's always so exciting when the holidays come, but then it's so sad when it ends (well a little sad, it sure was busy!!)

I'll try and post a couple of events, but I know I won't get to them all.

Our annual Christmas parade in town is always a fun event.  The kids love our little parades because it's so fun to see our neighbors marching down the street.  They always love the candy as well!

The boys had a friend come and enjoy it with us and our newest family member, Charlie came too!

Sweets is ready for her candy!

 

Here they come!

 

I love when she waves she always tucks her little pinky finger over. 

It's so cute, her little pudgy hand...smooch...

 

After the parade, we headed to the museum in town.  The decorate every year with lots of Christmas decorations and serve punch and cookies.

The next day, the big boys and I had a date at the tour of homes.  We all were so looking forward to this event.  My big boys love homes and real estate possibly even more than Darryl and I do, so this was a much anticipated day.  We had a great time learning the history of some of the local homes and enjoying our time together.

 I took the pictures this year for our Christmas card in downtown Concord.

This town holds a special place in our hearts.  We owned a little bungalow here several years ago.  It was lovingly restored and renovated by us, and while it was sometimes a complete nightmare (aren't most home renovations?), it was a great learning experience.  We loved the old wood creaky floors and the cozy feel of a small home.  I loved all of the charm of the neighborhood, it was very walkable.

We used to love to walk to town for the summer events, often packing a picnic dinner in our wagon. We also loved to walk the library and Creamery, especially on a warm summer evening.  They have the best strawberry cheesecake ice cream!

Downtown has change a bit in the last couple of years for the better.  Great new businesses are opening up and we love to visit the shops and restaurants in support of local small businesses. I also still bring the little ones weekly to the library for story time.

While we do miss our little home downtown, we do love our country homestead.

Such different ways of living, both so wonderful!

 

Joseph.

Age 3.

Literally the sweetest boy I have ever met.

He is kind, gentle and very, very smart.

He loves all things that move, but especially trains.

He also loves books and bugs.

Wants to be a train conductor when he grows up.

He accomplished so much this year, most notably...potty training!

He always says he is a big boy, not a little boy now.

He still loves baba (his pacifer) and moley.  

Matthew.

Age 13!! 

He is noble, honorable and always protects his mama and siblings.

He is the man of the house when daddy is gone.

He gives the BEST massages!

He loves fashion, specifically his fedora hat and aviator sunglasses.

He enjoys his speech and debate club and really is very good!

Great at math, he can do complicated math in his head quicker than I can write it down.

He is really into air soft wars with his friends.

He wants to be in real estate when he grows up.

Nicholas.

Age 13!!!

THE cuddliest kid in America.

Nicholas loves tradition and reminds us how important those are to a family.

He is always willing to lend a helping hand.

Today in fact, he woke up early to mop the hardwood floors.

Why?  Because he wanted them clean and sparkling for Christmas.

He loves his puppy, Charlie and his cat, Mr. Mittens.

He loves speech and debate as well and really has a talent for writing.

He will make an AMAZING husband someday.

Juliana.

Age 1.

Sweets, babycakes, cheeks...all of her nicknames and they fit so well!

She is the sunshine in our day.

She makes EVERYONE happy!

She loves to dance and is really quite good.

She loves her mama and is constantly my little sidekick.

She is very loving, always giving kisses and hugs.

She loves her JoJo and her Mimi (her names for both Nicholas and Matthew)

At night sometimes, I hesitate to put her to bed because the house is so quiet and I have her all to myself.  I often keep her up past her bedtime just to spend time with her.

When she is ready for bed, she will get her blanket, bring it to me and say, "night, night".  She will then point to the recliner I rock her in.  I will ask her if she wants to nurse and she will smile and nod...it's so cute our little routine.

 

My children are my Christmas blessings.  

My husband is so wonderful for working so hard to allow me to be at home with this special people everyday, I really feel very humbled and ever so grateful for my gifts.

Merry Christmas!

 The kids had great fun the night before Thanksgiving making salt dough ornaments.

We bought them a little tree for the homeschool room to decorate and it was in need of some decoration (:

We cut the shapes into gingerbread men, christmas trees and doggies (in honor of our new puppy, Charlie).

I love to find crafts that all the kids enjoy and think I scored with this one!

Even the big, big kids like this craft!

(:

Juliana loves to paint and color.

 

 Matthew hard at work creating a masterpiece.

My little Joe was having a blast mixing colors.

 

They turned out great!

 

 Giving thanks.

We had such a wonderful, low key Thanksgiving this year.

Complete with crafts, puzzles, Christmas music and yummy food.

The menu:

Spinach artichoke dip 

Veggie tray

Turkey

Herb gravy

Gluten free stuffing

Twice baked mashed potatoes

Turnips

Brussel Sprouts with bacon

Corn

Cranberry

Chocolate Pie with Coconut Cream 

Pumpkin Pie