eat sleep and farm

Ethan is very affectionate. Sometimes its a bit much. Every time Jason or I leave the house to go somewhere (together or alone) he makes a huge fuss over giving not just a hug, but a kiss and telling us he loves us. Today he panicked when he thought Jason left without giving him a good-bye hug and kiss. I could hear him at the door telling Jason "drive safe, Daddy! I love you!" Jason yelled back "I love you too!" and Ethan replied with another "I love you too!" I told him that I think its cute that he wants to hug and kiss us when we leave and his replies was as follows... "Well, I always wanted Daddy to know that I love him. And, if he's gonna go to the store for things, if a big truck isn't looking at where he's going, he could hit Daddy's car and then I will cry because I never got to tell Daddy I love him and he's my best friend." Trying not to get all blubbery, I asked him why he thought a truck would hit Daddy, mostly be...

I wasn't kidding when I said I was gonna go picture happy. Enjoy these picture posts. I'll try to tone it down a bit. Notice, "try" was the key word. ;) To see all the pictures I posted, I think you have to go to the next page. I kind of went crazy. :) Happy Thanksgiving!

Every year, weather permitting, we take a walk down to the park and get all the kids' energy out. This year the game of choice was soccer and football. Ethan had a blast, as soccer is his all time favorite. :) he has surprised us greatly with how well he plays Rachel, on the bridge My cousin Sarah with Rachel Rachel, with my Dad my cousin Jonathan with his girlfriend Danielle

Emma, my sister's youngest my sister Trish, holding Kara Sam, Ethan, Sarah and Joe - playing the DS Rachel loves to color My Aunt Julie, holding Kara for the 1st time

We have this very odd tradition (and I have no idea how it started, but I know it was more than 10 years ago). Every year when my Dad is cutting the turkey, my Uncle Jon kisses him on his head. Several years later, my Dad added a kiss for my Uncle on his cheek. Its very odd, I know, but makes us all crack up laughing every year and we've captured pictures of it every year as well. So here they are.

We met my family at the new outdoor shopping mall, that just opened up where we live. My extended family had never been there, so we treked over to see the outdoor skating rink, the fountain and all the fun stores. Afterward we went to Starbucks where my little sister Emily works, to surprise her and wish her a Happy Thanksgiving! Ethan spots his cousins while we waited for the family, we tossed coins in the fountain the rest of the family arrives! Me, holding my sweet baby tossing the coins in

watching the parade with Daddy the all famous Make Ahead breakfast Rachel-Kate and this is how Kara spent the morning :) she mostly sleeps in our bed with us and loves it.

on our way to bed this picture is for my sister, Amber... she bought this yellow blankie for Kara and she loves it! Its cute to see her already holding onto it and tucking it under her when she sleeps. :) this is what I can't get enough of.

Nancy Lawrence with Kara (they share the same birthday) When I told Nancy my due date was Oct. 2nd, she asked me to "hold her in there one more day" so they could share a bday... I tease her all the time and tell her I did it just for her! :) Cold Stone, Baby. My Love.

::our girls::

I love that he's back to giving genuine smiles :) she has the hardest time leaving the swing alone when Kara's in it. our 3 gifts from God. he is a super loving big brother. He told me today, "I didn't know I was gonna love Kara this much!"

The kids both got their first eye boo-boos this weekend. We're not exactly sure how Rachel got hers, but the story they're both sticking to is that she fell. :) Ethan was having too much fun with his cousin Joe on Sunday and was running after him a little too fast and took a nose dive. I told him this is called a Shiner and he's a man now. :)

these were the first pictures I took with our new camera. Boy, was it fun! this is the look she gets on her face when she's intent on looking at something. Kara's hands this is how she falls asleep every night. I know we started a bad habit, when she very much missed this routine when we were at the women's retreat. Jason, of course, felt quite proud. :) 7.5 weeks old trying to be creative. ;) Hey, not bad! My hand, holding Kara's, while holding the camera! :)