Celebrating with Family

Saturday evening, the grands came and we celebrated with them. We ate supper (hot dogs for the boys, white chili for the adults), had cake, and opened gifts. Here are a few shots of the fun. Jonathan is figuring out this opening gifts thing. I think he is going to love Christmas!

Aunt Mer Mer and Uncle Roger sent him a guitar that has been a huge hit with all three boys!


He got a new Little People toy. Here he is saying, "COOL!" as he opens it.

An action shot

Nana and Pop-O gave him a Curious George which he loved. He snuggled it close to him as soon as he opened it.

Gigi and Papack gave him an Aqua Doodle. This is a great gift since markers have just been banned from the house following the "decorative touches" that appeared on the fireplace last week.



He also got a new game, some spending money, a book, and a tent and tunnel set. Then he got a bath and was into his new elephant pajamas from Granny and Grandaddy. We got some pictures with everyone before his day was done.

We had lots of fun celebrating our two year old. He loved his special day and was worn out at bedtime!

Celebrating with Friends

We celebrated Jonathan's birthday with his class on Friday. Andrew and I went right after their lunch and took cookies for the class. Here are the pictures from that fun.

Jonathan had on a hat/crown when we got there.



Here are Ms. Darlene and the girls. Jonathan had finished his cookie and was playing.



I wanted a sweet picture of him with his teacher, but he thought I was leaving him and started fussing.

Saturday was his actual birthday and we enjoyed biscuits for breakfast. He's not quite ready for the red plate yet, though.



Later that morning, two of his little friends and their families came over to play and have lunch. Here he is saying, "Hi!" to Whitley.

We did a craft, which did not get photographed, but you'll see later. Then they ate a pizza lunch. We had Whitley and her sister Abigail from church. Jonathan calls her, "Witwee" and talks about her a lot! We also invited Anna Grace and her brother Evan. Anna Grace and Jonathan are in class together at preschool. Jonathan calls her, "Ah Grace" and we hear lots about her too!



His invitations were a little tractor with a brown haired boy riding it. They said, "Oink! Moo! Cockadoodle doo! Jonathan Archer is turning two!" So we had a farm theme. Here's the cake and cupcakes we enjoyed.

Singing Happy Birthday, which he sang along with.


Whitley, Andrew and Evan,

"Ah Grace,"
and Farmer Jon Jon.

This is the closest he came to wearing his farmer hat.




Here are the favors. Everyone took home a Golden book with a farm theme, a bag of Dum Dum suckers, and their canvas with a handprint cow.

I think everyone had a fun time. I know Jonathan, Andrew and Coleman did! We took naps and then celebrated with grandparents that afternoon. I'll post about that next.

Happy Birthday Jonathan!

Today we have a two year old! Here are the pictures of Jonathan on each of his birthdays so far. We're doing lots of celebrating today with our littlest yahoo!

December 3, 2009 - a few hours old

December 3, 2010



December 3, 2011

Preschool Update

Coleman and Jonathan have been hard at work at preschool this fall. Many of their products are kept by their teachers and put into their end of the year scrapbook, but a few items do make it home throughout the year. Here they are showing off some of their hard work.

Coleman wrote two books. One is on his senses and one is about fall.

Jonathan would not let me get his picture with his pumpkin he painted, so I got a little sneaky. He loves to paint better than almost anything!


Here are Andrew and Coleman with their hands and feet turkeys we made for Thanksgiving.


And here's Jon Jon with a little turkey he made at school.

Here's a better shot of the turkey he made along with a family turkey. Ms. Darlene had us send in tracings of our hands and she put them together to make this one.



When they studied apples, Coleman got to paint a tee shirt with apple prints.



They have also made several puppets. Here he is with Alligator Ann, a bear, and Camel Cal. He and Andrew have had lots of fun doing puppet shows with these.



When Coleman is here during Kindergarten for Andrew, he always asks for some work. Here he is with part of a project that helped him practice gluing. He traced the numbers with glue and placed cereal pieces on the numerals.



This next picture just makes me smile. Coleman is practicing writing his name almost daily. He initiated it himself, and he works and concentrates so very hard when making his letters. He is a lefty for sure when it comes to writing! He has a great natural grip, and I think he'll be writing it from memory before the spring.

Great work yahoos! Daddy and I are so proud of all three of our boys and how much they have learned!

Thanksgiving 2011

We hosted Thanksgiving again this year, and had a super time with our family. I tried very hard to make more "people pictures" this time. Here are Jonathan and Papack watching a little tv waiting on dinner.

There was lots of great kitchen help. Here's Nana stirring Brent's gravy at a critical point.

And Gigi fixed the yummy cranberry salad again this year.


Here's Brent with the 2011 edition of his turkey.


Jonathan and Papack came to watch the carving for a bit.



And Coleman wasn't too far off either.


Looks like one yahoo is ready to eat!


The best food we've ever had! Wait, don't we say that every year?



Friday morning, Gigi and I got up before the chickens and headed out to shop. I picked up Cars 2 as a surprise for the boys. Here they are getting ready to watch it Friday night after their baths.


It was a great weekend of counting our blessings with those we love most.