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Anatomy and Physiology...

It's a class I've always wanted to try, so this semester I loaded my- haven't taken a college course, cracked a text book or taken an exam in 10years- self in my minivan and signed up for it! And surprisingly enough, I'm loving it! Next week, when we get back from our Spring break, a meeting with Mr.Cadaver is on the schedule. Good times.

Not sure how soon I'll be able to put all this knowledge to use, but I would love to point out  your sternocleidomastoid. Tell you how to spell it, even. Because incorrect spelling deducts half a point- wouldn't want that!

{images from pinterest}

If you ever wonder what I'm doing between the hours of 8:00-11:00p.m.{oh, and I know you do:)}, while my little people are snoozing soundly under their covers. Imagine this Mama reading, highlighting and cramming information in. With an occasional smile, because..."What would you do if you knew that you could not fail?" It's all about the doing and attempting new adventures this semester, my friends. 

Hope you all are well,

December 22nd...

Sounds like a perfect date to begin ripping into all those presents, don't ya think? Well, these kids sure didn't need any convincing. C'mon  already!

Wait! First we need to sing some Christmas carols and Papa must read the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2, but not until we find him a LARGE print Bible and his glasses.

We're all listening, Dad.

Well, most of us are anyway...

But there are those fantasy football numbers to check, right Tom? Here is a little video. Just remember, I cannot be held responsible for whatever damage is done by watching him do whatever it is he is doing to his wife's arm at the end of this clip.

 Hahaha.

Presents were exchanged

Some gifts looked better on certain people

Than others...

Uncle Dana and Aunt Molly made sure to get in on the present action even though they were spending Christmas in paradise {Catalina} without us.

{Molly made that owl. Isn't it adorable}

And they sent us this huge, inflatable ball that the kids climb into and cause all kinds of mischief and damage! And damage is pretty much what they've been causing all day.

Thanks, I think;)

Granny completed her gift by taking us all to see Arthur Christmas at the movie theater. Fun times! And more to come, for sure.

 

Christmas: from our home to yours

You may or may not know that my beloved camera was stolen out of our car on Thanksgiving morning. Stink! I was bummed. so very, very bummed:( I've been hoping that it would miraculously reappear, along with the thief begging for my forgiveness. But this has yet to happen, so I'm left to reluctantly snapping photos on my iPhone as we go through this Christmas season. Not the same, I'm afraid, but a memory saved. And that's good enough for me.

We spent the evenings project{ing}, baking, sipping hot cocoa from our favorite Santa mugs, and watching Christmas movies.

Little {but clean} fingers helped to make puppy chow, peppermint bark, and toffee for those we love and are thankful for this Christmas season. Yumm!

Gifts are beginning to "pop-up" throughout the house

{Ben made this for me out of reclaimed crate wood}

and collect under the tree,

 but this holiday season we are especially grateful for each of our friends- both near and far.

{Can you find your card?}

And striving daily to remember the greatest GIFT of all...

The kids play with this nativity set often, and it appears at the moment as if baby Jesus is missing! I'll get right on that:)

Merry Christmas, Friends

 

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Happy Birthday, Papa Bahl!!!

My sister had the brilliant idea to throw an impromptu birthday party at 11:11a.m. on 11-11-11 in honor of our dad who died when we were young. Dad would have been 58 years old today.

I think about him often, wonder if I'm like him in any way. Curious as to whether or not his hair would have turned white like his dad's did.

Brennen asked me today if I knew what genes he got from his Papa Bahl:) Ummm, I guess this is a question one should expect when anatomy and physiology was the topic of science last year. I said I wasn't quite sure, but that he was a handsome man.

We lit sparklers, sang happy birthday to the sky at the top of our lungs, and ate molten chocolate cupcakes. We're a crazy bunch, but I think he already knew that:)

Mom tells us that dad was a hairy man who could easily grow a mustache at a moments notice. She said that he would leave on a trip with his facial hair one way and come home days later sporting a whole new look. Much to the delight of his young children, I'm sure.

Love you Daddy...I hope we are making you proud.

The past two months in 10 pictures...

Do You think I can do it? Actually sum up the craziness that has stretched over the start of the school year and beyond in ten pictures?  Well, I'll give it a shot.

Family parties! Yep, we're still having them and savoring every bite!

Choosing the newest member of the family, Titus.

Smothering Aunt Molly with some niece/nephew lovin'

Apple picking with Nana and Pops in the mountains of Charlottesville

Field trip to the Frontier Culture Museum to live like colonist for a day.

Tour of  Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello.

We had our very own guide on our tour of the gardens. She loved the kids and let them sample some of Jefferson's favorite veggies.

And the trip would not have been complete without a taste of "Monticello Root Beer"

It looks like it took me 12 pictures, but I'm thinking you'll forgive me:)

We are finally finding a school year groove and our daily schedule is falling into place nicely. I stay busy. But busy is good, I guess. Striving daily to be thankful for the time God has given me with my little people.

"Enjoy the little things in life... for one day you'll look back and realize they were the BIG things." ~Brault

Hope you are all well, my friends

Family Pictures 2011

Forgive me for posting too many pictures {is that even possible?}. This Mama had the hardest time narrowing it down to just a few, so please let me share my favorites with you. We will start with the group shots.

{This one cracks me up}

Now... The boys

{Tate}

{Tilden}

{Brennen}

{Happiness: My three loves}

The Girl-Girl...

Some of just us~

{All because two people fell in LOVE...}

{Ben says it looks like we sent the kids to the time out bench while we smooched on the blanket. Haha}

Thank you, Chani, for so beautifully capturing this time in our lives for us to look back on and remember. We truly have so much to be grateful for, and I am.