6 months (x3)

Can't believe my little* baby is 6 months old.  I took a trip down memory lane and watched some videos of when Micah and Joy were that same age, all in our faithful high chair.  Thought I'd share them.  Wow, how they've all grown!

Micah, March 2008

Joy, August 2011 

Noah, January 2013

*Weighing in at just a few lbs lighter than Joy, and already sneaking into 18-month clothes, Noah's a whole lot of baby to love. :-)

The big 3-0 on a post-poned Christmas

We were able to celebrate Christmas 2 times in December, which was loads of fun.  After we got back from our California trip, we enjoyed a second day of food and festivities with Scotty's side of the family.  It happened to be on Scotty's 30th birthday, so that eliminated any obligation for me to throw some big surprise birthday, right?  (He's not that kind of guy anyway, so I may not be planning it for 40 either). ;-)  It was great day!!

Kids waiting to open gifts, and...

...gifts waiting to be opened.

Puppy waiting to watch gifts being opened.

Even adults waiting to open gifts.

The birthday man reading Luke 2

Let the opening begin...

In the middle of the commotion!

Lots of fun games.

Love at first sight.

Love at first sight too.

Whew, taking a breather with Uncle Brad.

And they're all open now!

Always time for Legos.

Our First Family Pet(s)

Scotty ran some errands on Saturday and came home with a surprise - 2 fish!  He even picked up a spiffy tank, pebbles, and plants.  We are all happy to welcome them to our humble abode.

She couldn't hardly take her eyes off them!

Checking 'em out for the first time.

He'll appreciate the little guys when he's a bit older.

Scotty didn't miss a thing!

The fish reside in Micah's room - big responsibility!

Some of the cool lighting effects

Micah named them - Jordan (L) and Benjamin (R)*

*When asked why he chose Jordan and Benjamin, he said it was because of his friends at Children's Worship (his Sunday school at church). ;-) 

Winter Wonderland - at last!

I gotta be honest, snow can still seem fun and new for this California girl.  The older two kids and I had a great (though chilly) time outside during Noah's nap this afternoon

Homemade hard candy

Scotty recently added making candy to his list of skills.  

Fun family project, and mighty tasty too!

A slightly skeptical Micah?

Checking the temperature

Boiling!

First Batch: Green Apple

Pouring into the mold

 

Bite size sugary goodness!

Pre-separated

Second Batch: Cinnamon

Sigh, what a nice California Christmas...

Can't believe it's already been several weeks since we were in CA for a quick Christmas trip.  I am SO thankful to God that it all worked out to be with my family again - it had been awhile (and thanks mom and pops for funding the whole operation). ;-)

Here is just a sampling of our wonderful trip (I know it looks like a lot - but you should see how many pics I actually took)!

Leaving Michigan - thanks, Uncle Brad, for driving us to the airport!

Buddy System

Noah's first flight

1/2 way to CA - connecting in Denver

First time on CA soil...sleepy boy.

Silly Auntie Rachel

Auntie Sarah working on her eBay business

Found another silly auntie - Diana

5-yr old cousins - Anne and Micah

Just passing some time...

Auntie Sarah and "Chub-Nubs" (as Auntie Diana calls him)!

And the gifts kept multiplying...

Auntie Hannah read about Jesus' birth in Luke 2

Post-gift opening

Auntie Bizzy helped clean the mess and organize the gifts

Cousins, Treston and Micah, enjoying some Legos

The one with the apron was the boss

Niece Janessa helping in the kitchen

The "cool" table

The "grown-up" table #1

The "grown-up" table #2

The "kids" table (supervised by auntie Rachel)

No table - just a chair

The Sovilla grandkids

The Sovillas - now 18!

Playing Nertz

Quick trip to "Our Park" - where Scotty propsed.

Good-byes are always so hard

Heading back home.