Christmas in Georgia

We just enjoyed a whole week at Jonathan & Emily's home in Georgia.  We had our family Christmas there.  My Dad wasn't able to come due to work obligations. We sure missed him!  Here are some of our Christmas highlights:

Christmas Eve family service

Opening our Christmas Eve Box (our family tradition). This year's box was similar to last year's.  It contained sugar cones, green frosting, sprinkles & candy all to make Christmas trees.  A movie, popcorn & twizzlers.

Margot enjoyed decorating her tree & taste testing the candy.

Auntie Em & Ella's tree

Opening presents Christmas morning

Lots of dress up with the girls & playing Frozen.

These girls LOVE Grandma

They also LOVE Auntie Em

Family photo 

More playing in the new tent

Walks at the park included many turtle sightings

  

We were also in GA for Auntie Em's birthday.  

More hugs 

Caught in the act....

The guys also got a round of golf in. 

family pictures

We had family pictures taken back in October.  We swapped with some friends; Jake took pictures of their family & they took pictures of us.  It worked out great!  Jake finished editing a few of my favorites just in time to mail our with our Christmas cards.

saying goodbye

Today we sent ‪#‎kboy‬ with all his clothes, toys, a fresh set of box braids (hair day was yesterday) & Christmas presents to go live with a family member here in town. Please pray for him as he transitions yet again (3rd move since June). He was a part of our family for 8 weeks.

We told all three kids at breakfast this morning.  Lily asked us if we would ever see #kboy again.  Jake said we weren't sure, but probably not.  Lily's eyes welled up with tears.

Thankful that "Jesus loves the little children, ALL the children of the world."

we love it when FAMILY comes to visit

I know...I am so far behind....MONTHS! 
Tonight I am doing some catch up and back-dating blog posts.

Thanksgiving - JONATHAN & EMILY came up for Thanksgiving.  We had a great time with them & it was fun for them to meet #kboy.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures.  Here is one picture I snagged/stole from facebook.
Jonathan reading to the girls - so sweet.

Later on that week AUNT ANNA came to visit for a short weekend. We had so much fun & here are some of the highlights!

Playing, acting crazy, playing & more playing.

Riding the Frozen Express at the mall. 

#kboy was along too, but he wasn't quite as excited about Anna & Elsa

Meeting Anna & Elsa and having the girls picture taken with Elsa (thanks, Aunt Anna!).

Check out Ella's pose. This girl cracks us up!

Opening presents - we hit the jackpot on Notre Dame attire!

 Most of all, spending time with Aunt Anna.

Patriot Rush 5k

This morning we had the Patriot Rush 5k.  We have run in it before HERE & HERE. This morning it was cold....38! We bundled up all 5 of us & headed to the race.

We ended up racing boys against girls. Girls won - woot woot! But in Jake & my defense, we haven't had much time to train the past busy 3 1/2 weeks (which is completely fine, we're so glad to have Kaydan in our family).

we are licensed!

Yesterday just after noon, I received the call that we are approved & licensed. On that same call I was told of a potential placement. Jake was at work; I took notes like crazy during the phone call, asked questions, and then called Jake to discuss the details.
We welcomed a sweet 2 year old boy (his name starts with a "K") into our family yesterday at 4 pm. Prayers appreciated.

baked oatmeal

This baked oatmeal is a family favorite.  I have had a few requests for this recipe, so I figured I might as well post it.  This recipe comes together very quickly; simply dump all ingredients in one bowl, mix & get it in the oven! We hope your family loves it as much as our family does.

Baked Oatmeal Recipe Courtesy of Cheryl “Mom” Tuttle

Ingredients: 1⁄2 cup applesauce 3/4 cup brown sugar 3 cups oats 1/8 cup oat bran, wheat germ or chia seeds (or any combination) 2 eggs 1 cup milk 2 tsp baking powder 1⁄2 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions: In medium bowl, mix all ingredients. Pour into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes.

Serve with the following toppings: Pecans Raisins Craisins Apples

pumpkins

We just had another fun weekend with family here. Auntie Em came to visit this weekend, unfortunately Uncle Jonathan wasn't able to come as he had a golf trip planned.  Auntie Em arrived Thursday evening & stayed until Sunday morning. Here is some of what we did this weekend:

Auntie Em & the girls picking out a pumpkin.

After naps, we got out the dot paint & markers to decorate our pumpkins.  
Note to self: pick up finger paint soon!

Saturday morning Jake & I got up early & left our house at 6 am. We drove to Charlotte to shop at Ikea.  We needed some things for our master bedroom & bathroom remodel. The main thing we needed was a closet system for our bedroom. 

We arrived just before 10 am, when it opened.  We had a list, but we first looked through the showroom then loaded up 1 cart & 2 flatbeds. Yes, seriously! The end result was success....a full van.

We left Ikea just before 1 pm and headed back to Wilmington. While Jake & I were driving and shopping and driving some more, the girls were having a fabulous day with Auntie Em.  Their day included the park, Power of Play and watching Swiss Family Robinson.

Thanks for coming up, Emily.  
This was a huge help & we always love seeing you.

cousin's visit

We had a great time last weekend when our 'cousins' came to visit.  This family moved away in June & we have missed them.  Lily & Ella regularly talk about Sydney, Reiley, Lucas & Lauren.  We all had a great time playing & catching up.

worn out toes

a LOT of this...

...and this...

...results in this...

...worn out toes. 

Good thing I snagged these rubber toed sneakers for $3 at Walmart.