Happy Valentine's Day!

The week of LOVE at our house was busy as usual, and of course full of fun (and educational) activities! First and foremost we talked everyday about God's love for us and Zack memorized the verse, "We love because God first loved us" 1 John 4:3. It is really amazing to me how easily he memorizes those verses (he also knows John 3:16) and Kris and I can only pray that these words will be hidden deep in his heart for life!

We also practiced sorting by color and counting, as you will see in the next few pictures. Nothing says fun like conversation heart candies!!

And on that special day... A special lunch for my boys!

And these were the valentines that the boys handed out to their friends at Small Group that night. I made the hershey kisses out of rice krispie treats. Very easy and turned out super cute!

Happy Valentines Day - and aren't we glad that we don't only love on one day of the year, but we can love every single day because God first loved us!

Noah's 1st Birthday party - Cookie Monster

For our sweet Noah's 1st birthday party we went all out "cookie style"!!!! I saw some cute cookie monster cupcakes and ran with the cookie monster theme. I really had so much fun planning this party - and thank goodness for my friend the Cricut - it made my life so much easier! Here are a few of the decorations (made with the Cricut of course!)

What would a Cookie Monster party be without cookies and milk?!?!? There were a bunch of cookies and other yummy treats to eat.

And then the cupcakes! I was so excited with the way they turned out, as well as Noah's smash cake.

Noah's birthday sign - also made entirely with the Cricut!

And the birthday boy himself!!!

We played a game where we hid cookies with letters on them and the kids searched all over the house for them, and then returned them to the cookie jar. Here is Zack - notice that he has found a cookie with "W" on it, but is sneaking a little candy before returning his cookie to the jar!

Grandma was there to help them put the letter cookies in alphabetical order and then gave them a stamp for each cookie they found. This was such a "teacher" game, but the kids really enjoyed playing, and it kept them busy for a long time :)

Noah got some great gifts..

...and of course loved playing with the giftwrap!

YIPPEEEE!!!! I got so many toys - and they are ALL MINE!!!

Cake time...

Not quite sure about the cake!

Getting a little more comfortable with this cake thing...

Ok, I really like it!!!

Such a sweet boy, sharing with his Daddy!

MeMe, Pappy, cousins Skylar and Paris

Grandma

It was such a fun party - a great success!

Our precious boy is now one. What a blessing that is! You make us proud daily. You are so handsome, sweet, and silly and have a smile that can light up a room. You are wonderfully made... We love you Noah-bug.

Happy 1st Birthday Noah!

It has been over a month now since Noah turned 1, but I did not want to miss the opportunity to share this special time with all of those that weren't able to join us. Here is Noah on his actual birthday - pictures of the birthday party to come soon!

Christmas Eve and Christmas morning

Christmas Eve

All dressed up for church and trying to stay clean and out of trouble!!

Handsome boys!

Here is the family at church - minus Mark!

The boys were all pictured out!!

At home, getting ready to go to bed, so that Santa could come!

Cookies and milk for Santa

Christmas morning - Noah was sporting his cute (and too small) Santa outfit! Zack wore the same one on his first Christmas morning at Grandma and Papa's house.

He found the baby Jesus!

And a hug for the most important baby of all! So sweet!

And Noah got to put Him in the manger.

Such a cute and useful gift from Grandma and Papa - personalized chairs/stools.

Curious Noah - and yes - he fell in, we just didn't get a picture!!

We are so blessed for so many reasons - especially to be able to celebrate our Savior's birth with our family! Can't wait for our next Christmas together!