Monday, January 28, 2013

2012 November - OLLIE HEARTS

 This was one of the first hearts that Ollie sent to me and a friend had found it in our back yard while they were helping us do some yard work.

I was cutting some fabric and this piece fell on the desk in front of me.

 I had made a pizza casserole for dinner and found this tomato skin on my plate.

I think this tiny little heart was from a pair of old boots that the faux leather was coming apart.  It seemed to have come out of nowhere and landed on my knee.

He is always around us and I am so grateful for the signs that he gives me.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

2012 - CHRISTMAS


 Our CHRISTMAS

We celebrated our Christmas with my mom and brother, Bryan.  The kids sang 'Jingle Bells' and 'Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer' for everyone.  I found some fun light necklaces that light up and blink and got some clown noses at Hobby Lobby for Rudolph noses.  Eden was Santa again this year, handing out presents for everyone... since she's the only kid that can read for now... :O)  We had a crackling fire... on the TV.  It was a good night.







Eddie Spaghetti with the meatball eyes.
I don't know if Jaren is excited or prepping for a dump.
Eden was beyond excited to get a Monster High doll.
Finn is a happy little boy!  He loves the Hulk!
Grandma Hulk.  She kind of looks like a sea turtle...  :O)
Eden doing the happy dance.
Hulk (Jaren) beating up Ed.

Hulk (Finn) beating up Grandma.
Twin Hulks meeting up for a brief moment of civility and brotherly love.  Soon to go on a joint smashing rampage!
Jaren hoarding all of the crackers.  One of the only things he eats.
Eden showing Grandma the Dalmation she painted to look like her old dog, Willie.
Eden singing a little ditty.
My mom and I found a cute way to fold napkins online.  They look like poinsettias.
I printed off my favorite picture of Oliver during his last Christmas.  A friend bought me the sweet tile saying.  I little a candle in memory of Oliver so it burned during our celebration.  We miss him so much.



 CHRISTMAS at Grandma and Grandpa Palmer's house...


Ed and Princess Eden
Finn and Jaren with their new superheroes.
Cousin Kaylee and Phineas.
Phineas

Kaylee


Eden and Cousin Lydia
Eden and Cousin Kaylee
Lydia and Jaren are only a few months apart.  They LOVE playing together!
The kiddie table.  Eden moved up to the adult table this year!

Princess Lydia
Kaylee

Kaylee and Uncle Eddie.  Ed just said, "Beauty and the Beast.  If anyone else calls her a beast... I'll kill them."  Oh, Eddie... you're so silly!!!
Cousins:  Phineas, Lydia, Jaren, Carson, Kaylee, Eden

It seems like it was harder in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas without Oliver here.  When we are together with people it helps numb the pain of having him gone.  He is never far from our hearts and minds and we know he was most likely having a FAR better Christmas than we were!  It was odd not getting boxes and boxes of Christmas cards for him this year.  Thank you to everyone that continually prays for us to have peace.  We know he is near us every day of the year and especially on holidays as I know he LOVED holidays and all of our traditions.  He is in everything we think about and do.  Merry Christmas, sweet boy!

Christmas 2011

Ollie's last Christmas.  I love the sweet smile on his face!


WE HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!

2012 December - "Happy 3rd Birthday, Finny!"

 December 2, 2012

 Today was Finny's 3rd birthday and daddy surprised him with a 'Capt'n 'merica' cake which he made himself.  What a good papa!!!  He loved it! 


Birthday boy, Phineas!

Had to get a quick pic of him in the birthday hat!
...aaaaand a quick pic of him with his hand in his pants...

Sparkler candles are so fun!
Cousin Carson, also age 3, helping Finn blow out the candles.
Jaren getting excited about the present...
... Carson was getting excited when Finny opened presents, too!

Carson was making the FUNNIEST faces and freaking out with excitement over Finn's toys!  We were all laughing so hard!

 LOVE YOU SWEET BOY!  HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT DAY!


2012 - Jaren's Christmas concert (PreK)

 December 2012

Tonight Jaren had his first concert at school!  I bought him and Finn matching sweater vests for church for Christmas, which I never do the matchy matchy thing as it usually costs an arm and a leg, but I thought he'd look so cute in it for his concert.  This is the response I get, "I look bogus.  The kids are all gonna laugh at me!"  I thought he looked pretty cool myself.




Jaren and a little friend got to be reindeer while they sang 'Rudolf, the Red nosed Reindeer'.  He requests this song every night when we sing at bedtime.  Finny always requests 'Jingle Bells'... usually the Batman smells version.

The kids all looked so cute!
Our family
Jaren and his teacher, Mrs. B.
Jaren and Grandma