Something

Something about this picture touches me. Maybe it is because I have so much love for this little boy named Nicholas. Maybe it is something more. I think I am going to blow this one up big and hang it on the wall.

Precious Moment

Nicholas the Teacher

Look at this mischievous grin...the twinkle in his eye that says, "I am up to something!"
It only comes in flashes, however, and as soon as I start wondering if he has been up to something, he gives me a completely innocent, angelic smile like this...that says, "I am the sweetest boy there ever could be." And my fears are melted away.

Well...I think Nicholas has been up to something....teaching Estella the art of milk bubble blowing!

Gone are the days of handing little Essie a cup of milk and having her peacefully drink it.

No...blowing bubbles in your milk is MUCH more fun than just drinking it.

:) :)

New Toy

I got a new toy today! Actually, my brother in law Cody bought me a new toy with the Amazon money he gave me for Christmas....thanks Cody! It is a wireless remote control for my camera. Today, while Nicholas and Estella were sleeping, Thomas and I had fun playing with it. I think Thomas had more fun than I did :)

Now that is concentration! You can see the remote in the hand by his face.

He loves this pen that his cousin Ethan brought him from Disneyland.

P.S. We also had a treat while the little guys were sleeping...hence the ice cream mustache!

P.S.S. Everyone is over the stomach sickness, I think. Thomas and I both were blessed and didn't get it...HURRAY!

Checkers

Well...the throw-ups have cycled through Essie, Nicholas, and now Jackson. I am HOPING that Thomas and I will somehow avoid it...I'm not sure it is possible.

Friday night, Thomas got to stay at Jackson's parent's house overnight all by himself. They showered him with attention and fun. He LOVED it! While he was gone we tried to spend some special time with Nicholas. Jackson decided to teach him how to play checkers.

Throw-ups

Thomas or Nicholas didn't ever get the stomach flu until they were over 2 years old, but poor Estella got it last night. She has been so good natured about it. I wouldn't have even known she was sick if I hadn't gone in check on her and feed her one last time before I went to bed last night. When I walked into her room I could smell it. She must have thrown up several times because it was ALL over her bed. She was sleeping with her face right in it. I feel bad that I didn't even hear her...she didn't cry at all. She threw up several more times last night, but seems fine today. She has eaten and kept it down. Here are a few pictures of her from the past few days.

Now that I look back at these pictures together, I realize that the colors aren't consistent. I feel like I am getting better at processing my photos to look the way I want them, but I still have a long way to go. It is hard to be consistent from one photo to the next. It is also hard to get a picture looking great, but still natural. Practice, practice, practice!

Mr T

I think I have finally realized that Thomas isn't little anymore. I keep looking at him across the room, searching for a hint of a baby-look to his face, and not finding it anywhere. I can't imagine 8 months from now watching him disappear onto a big yellow school bus.

Today I feel like holding on to every last minute of childhood.

Other days...I feel like I wish certain parts of it would go faster....today, though, I want to cherish it.

Here is Mr T...Tom-O...Thomas...helping me practice for an upcoming photoshoot.

Milk Bubbles

Old Watch

Jackson's old watch is out of batteries, but the face still lights up when you push the "special button." Nicholas LOVES going in the dark and making it glow. In fact he told me a whole story this morning about "how at night, when it is dark, if you push the glow button a lot of times, it makes it turn to awake time!" What magic this old watch contains!

Christmas Goodies

For me, the best part of Christmas was having my family here. Sadly, I didn't take very many pictures of everyone. I have a few, but they are poor quality. I will post some in a few days. Here are a few pictures of some of the goodies the kids were spoiled with for Christmas.

Pajamas from Grandma Chelle and Bubba (Jackson's parents)

A table and chairs from Santa.

A tangram game from Mommy and Daddy. The cards are numbered. They start out very simple, showing which shapes to use. Both boys love doing them...the biggest challenge is keeping the pieces out of Estella's mouth.

Joyful

I meant for these pictures to be in opposite order...so if you want the effect I was going for, start at the bottom and scroll up :)