The Ryberg Boys

I love these two boys.  

That's all I'm sayin'.  

Surprise Birthday Pictures

For my friend Liliana's birthday, I snuck her kids out of the house and took their pictures.  It was fun to get as many pictures as we could before our time ran out.  The kids had a great time, and Liliana was so excited to receive them!

The Rogers Family

I took these family photos back in the fall... I am so far behind. 

I love this family.  Lindsey was one of the first people I met when I moved here, and she was so willing to help me in any way she could.  I was so glad she asked me to take pictures of her adorable family. We took them when her younger sister was here visiting, so we made sure to get her in a few photos as well.

Pete's Homecoming

So, let's play catch-up...

I didn't tell the kids that Pete was coming home.  They knew he would be home some time during the week, because we had made a countdown calendar.  Honestly, I didn't know he was coming home this day either, until about 48 hours before.  

My friend Tera picked Annie and Cooper up from school, and then Pete and I showed up at her house.  The kids were totally shocked.  I knew Annie would have a perma-grin, and she didn't let me down.

 Then we went to the bus stop to pick Noah up, and although I didn't see his face while on the bus, those who did said that his smile went from ear to ear.

It's been so great having him home, and I swear I will keep updating the blog.

Project 365, Week 47, 48 AND 49

Yes, I am catching up on THREE weeks of 365.  

Things got very busy around here.

Week 47:  The "I'm Thankful" Week

Day 321, November 19

As crazy as they are, I'm thankful that each of these kids are mine.

Day 322, November 20

I'm thankful that my kids enjoy one-on-one time with me.  On this particular day, Noah spent some time making faces at me.

 Day 323, November 21

I'm thankful for the very rare nights that I get to soak in a hot bath, accompanied by a candle.

 Day 324, November 22

I'm thankful for hand-me-downs. 

Each of these pairs of boots were handed down- whether by an older sibling or a neighbor- and I'm grateful for friends who are willing to give us these gently used items. 

 Day 325, November 23

I'm thankful for my husband.

This was the day he came home from his deployment.  I realize I haven't posted any of those pictures yet; like I said, it's been busy here.

Annie's face had a perma-grin for hours.

 Day 326, November 24

I'm thankful to see this flag.

This flag, in a faded green color instead of the normal red, white and blue means that my husband returned safely from a deployment.

 Day 327, November 25

I'm thankful for amazing neighbors.

This is my neighbor Erick, playing with Annie on Thanksgiving day. My neighbors took such great care of us while Pete was gone, and I pray that I can return the favor.

 Week 48

Day 328, November 26

This isn't a great picture, but I had to document the kids putting all the ornaments up.  Notice how most of the ornaments are all clumped together....

 Day 329, November 27

I love that I have a child old enough to read to his siblings.  It makes story time so much more fun.

 Day 330, November 28

Coop is still such a lightweight at three-years-old that he doesn't quite register on the Wii. 

Pete had to give him a little assistance on the ski jump.

 Day 331, November 29

It's a snow duck.

Duh.

 Day 332, November 30

Occasionally we have some of this in our house....

 Day 333, December 1

Our (free) Christmas tree this year is rather large....

 Day 334, December 2

It's been snowing for days and days and days....

I stuck a ruler in to see how deep it was.  We hit 11 inches in about a day and a half.  

And then we doubled that the next two days.

Week 49

 Day 335, December 3

It's rare that you can actually see Every. Single. Snowflake. 

 Day 336, December 4

The Weiden Christmas Market and a VERY LARGE pyramid.

 Day 337, December 5

Aren't these some of the cutest kids ever?  

 Day 338, December 6

Yes, this picture is terrible.

I just like the look on Annie's face during this spur of the moment tube ride in the road.

 Day 339, December 7

The many, many inches of snow were followed by tons of rain, which made the sheet of snow on our roof slide off and crash into our backyard.  

 Day 340, December 8

I bought some new running shoes a few weeks ago, and Pete liked them so much he bought himself a pair (in men's, of course).   Now we'll be so cute in our matching shoes as we run our first half-marathon in Prague this coming April. 

Day 341, December 9

It's late.

I'm sick.

Enough said.