Gabriel's Christmas Program

We were able to celebrate Jesus' birth at church with Gabriel's Christmas Program with his Sunday School class on 12/10/11. The pastor remarked that when our children (ages 3-5) came on stage, the parents were all giddy and excited as a child on Christmas morning - and I was that mom! Waving, smiling, shouting Gabriel's name! It is so joyous to be his Mommy.

christmas 2011

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Thankful

I am thankful for my family and friends that have held me up in this year of trial. While it is easy to recall all the hurt of the past year, I am not trying to forget it, but I am trying to breathe deep and  count my blessings, live in the moment, right here, right now. So even though I have to work this Thanksgiving and my supportive husband and two joyful boys are far away, and I am alone, I remember that I am NEVER alone. God is here, and He love me and provides for me and my family. And for that I am thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

October 2011 - Fall Fun

Long time no see...sorry, no excuses, other than life happens. The fall night is crisp here, Gabriel sits watching It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, pumpkin seeds are roasting in the oven, and our awesome pumpkins (courtesy of Daddy)  are glowing outside to the likes of Phineas of Phineas and Ferb (Gabe's 1st choice), Batman (again Gabe's choice), and Lightening McQueen (ok, really no one really chose except Gabe), and Noah has gone to bed early.

I am ready for the holiday season to begin. Let's start out with Halloween! What a fun time. I have repeatedly tried to convince Gabriel that it is REALLY cool to be a firefighter (as we have that costume from last year and it still fits), he has chosen his own idea this year, Batman. So we obliged and he is ecstatic. He loves wearing the cape often, and Noah loves to copy him, too bad for Noah that there is only one cape and so he instead gets to wear a woman's scarf tied to act just like a cape, but he doesn't know any better, yet.

We have enjoyed a few fall traditions so far. We went to Howell's pumpkin patch last Friday with the Mom's group from church. We were able to ride out to the patch being pulled by a tractor, chose a pumpkin for each boy, rode back, fed the goats, played in the corn pool, rode little cars, and shared some popcorn. Whew! it was a busy morning!

Last Sunday, we repeated the tradition of the Family Halloween at Living History Farms. This is has trick or treating, popcorn, horse drawn wagon rides, marshmellow roasting, and story telling. We were fortunate to enjoy the time with the Bjork family too. It was a great time had by everyone.

This photography captures Noah's monster shadow, and no, it is not like that all the time.

Gabriel and his cousins, he says they are his best friends.

The best attempt at a group shot of all the kids.

Listening to the story teller.

Bart had today off from school as a comp day for conferences this week, so we planned a fun afternoon. We carved pumpkins, roasted pumpkin seeds, watched Charlie Brown's Halloween, and shared some popcorn. Noah didn't make it through the movie but fun was had by all. Gabe helped with all the carving and seed sorting, Noah discovered the "guts" of the pumpkin and really had fun with the slimy insides. Pumpkin carving is Daddy's forte, and he delivered.

Phineas (ala Phineas and Ferb - one of Gabe's shows he likes), Batman, Lightening McQueen (Cars). Trick or treating is on Monday night here, and starts out with hot dogs in the park, should be fun.

A side note, I am excited for the upcoming holiday season, but I am really missing my Dad, and dreading that part of this. I guess when I say I am excited, I am excited to decorate, see the joy on my son's faces when they experience the pure delight in the magic of the holidays, but the holidays without my Dad seems so overwhelming. Just one year ago this weekend, we hosted our family for Halloween up at the park by our house, Dad went trick-or-treating with the boys, handed out candy at our house, and then Noah was baptized the next day. That was the last time he was at our house.

How does time go so quickly? I want my Dad.

Sidewalk chalk fun

A fall day + a box of sidewalk chalk + 2 cute boys = an afternoon of fun!!
Dear God, please help me slow down and remember to take more time out to do these things with my joy - Gabe & Noah. Amen

Noah watched Gabe and I do this to each other few times, the he took my hand and laid down and said, "mine, mine." Too sweet

Iowa State Fair 2011

We reaffirmed our Iowa roots and were in attendance at the Iowa State Fair in August. It was a delicious day when we enjoyed being a family. We enjoyed "little hands on the farm" first.

Noah checks out the cow.

Gabe waits patiently for the exhibit to start.

Gabe looks little in front to the big corn.

 

Noah chooses some peppers for his basket.

Gabe has a full basket already.

Gabe can ride the tractor, Noah cannot.

Gabe shows us how it is done.

 

Noah uses his money to buy a treat in the store, each of the boys earned $1 for working hard on the farm.

Bart took Gabe down the big slide, I LOVE Gabe's smile here, he LOVED it. And Bart is looking as hot as ever, I am so blessed!

Noah was so INTRIGUED by the animals, he had a healthy fear of them, especially after this young calf licked him, but he was so curious. He loves animals.

Look how little these 2 kids are!!

Icing on the cake??? Nana was there too! Ahhh, Bliss!!

Gabriel - 1st day of preschool

Isn't he the cutest?

Noah's belly rub

My dad used to do something we all thought was GROSS! He used to take off his shirt after a long day's work and then rub his belly (chest hair and all). My mom would say, "Don't rub your belly by the table/in the kitchen/by me." Tonight I took off Noah's shirt to get him ready for his bath, and he immediately started rubbing his belly in the EXACT same manner as my dad did. Bart noticed immediately and said, "Check that out, he has a double dose of Halling in him!" Noah, thanks for reminding us that my dad/your papa live in all of us. My mom reminded me that if Dad was here he would want to know, "Why isn't it cute if I do that?"

Jeff Jim

We found a tree frog, my 2 boys and me. We loved the tree frog for 45 minutes. Jeff Jim is his name. We found him in our deck box. Noah was the brave one to hold him, Gabe named him. We kept him in a pitcher of cool water on a hot summer day. This makes for a great aquarium for a little while. We released him into the grove of trees. Noah is filled with awe of all of God's living things. Gabe, not so much. What a great tree frog. What a blessing to be the mother to 2 boys filled with wonder.

6 months

6 months ago today, My dad went to heaven. 1 year ago today, we thought he was beating his cancer. What a difference 6 months makes, what a difference 12 months makes. It still hurts. I am still sad, I want my WHOLE family.

One year ago.

6 months ago.

If your Dad is still around, hug him. If you have your Mom, hug her. If you have your kids, your husband, your family, hold tight, breathe deep, life goes so quickly.

DISNEY!!!

We decided to brave it, the heat of over 100*, the prices (for the 3 of us as Noah was free, $265.20 admission), Lunch $37.10 (hotdog, mac n cheese, salad, chicken strips), a $17 water spraying battery operated fan, and TONS of fun at Disney World's Magic Kingdom on Thursday, July 21, 2011. We got there after parking on the lot, and a tram, then a bus to the entrance and went to the happiest place on Earth.

Look at my 2 little boys in front of the Castle!! I hope I always remember how small they once were!

Gabe told me, he didn't want to see Mickey or Donald, he just wanted to see Goofy. I said, "I hope he doesn't have the day off." And we went to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride as Gabe LOVES pirates. And when I say LOVES I mean that he idolizes them. At home this week (August 5th, 2011) he was up in his tree house pretending to be Jake (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates - his Favorite show) and he grabbed onto the rope (or vine as he was pretending) and swung out of his play ground (or as he was pretending Bucky, Jake's pirate ship). It didn't go well.

Jake                                                  Gabe

(unfortunately, Gabe is not Jake, although he made us call him that an entire afternoon and refused to answer to Gabe).

Well, much to our surprise, Pirate Goofy was there at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride! Gabe was trilled and ran right up to him (after waiting in line for 15 minutes and for Goofy to take a 15 minute break), none-the-less, and gave him a hug like they were long lost friends.

 

Isn't this a great picture.

Goofy said, "bye" and Gabe couldn't resist one last hug!

Mommy and the boys enjoy the Pirates ride.

It was HOT!!! See $17 fan, it was worth it.

There we are!

Gabe at Donald Duck's 3D movie!

A Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Sandwich as we leave! Noah passed out and Daddy got to go on the Lilo and Stitch Ride with Gabe and Mommy got to go on the Buzz Lightyear ride with Gabe while Noah napped in the stroller.

The next day Gabe's cousins Ela and Addy got their hair done like Princesses. Not to be left out, Gabe got a sword and shield and became a night in shining armor.

Before.

 

Gabe looking ever so handsome and oh so strong as Knight Gabriel!

Gabe is protecting the Princesses!

All in all Disney was great. Gabe was really the perfect age, and really understood it all. Since Disney is so family friendly there weren't any rides that Gabe could go on that Noah couldn't so it was great for us all. Noah tolerated it well, and Gabe loved it. We can't wait to go back, but 1 day was just the right amount of time for Gabe's age now.