Snow!

We woke up to snow on Tuesday morning. Both the boys were very excited to look outside and see all the white... they were also very anxious to go outside and play in it.

So we ate breakfast and headed out pretty early. It was probably around 8ish, still coming down (though not very hard), and still very cold.

It actually took a few minutes to convince them to touch the snow at all. Apparently they thought they would just look at it?

It was funny how they tried to shake it off their mittens and how apprehesive they were about stepping on it. This might be an important note: Scott insisted on wearing his rain boots from last year- they are probably 2 sizes too small. However, he didn't complain about his feet at all, just his hands being cold.

And here's our somewhat disappointing, tiny snowman on the car. It was cold, did I mention that? And we got powder! It wouldn't pack for anything. Oh well. Maybe next year :)

Lots of Playing

Blaise thinks it's really funny to get this toy shaking and put on his tummy. It is entertaining!

This was cute too. Scott was still napping and Blaise was riding his truck around making sound effects... turn up the volume! And you have to chuckle when he sees the camera and stops to say, "Cheese."

A cute new game they played together over the weekend... hide in the closet and surprise people! It's so fun when they play together so nicely.

The Second Christmas

The one with all the people from NY :)

Okay, admittedly, this video is not of my children... but it was amusing none the less.

This was one of the favorites from the 2nd Christmas... you can't see it real clearly in the video, but Blaise was getting really excited about it and dancing and flapping his arms all around. It was very entertaining.

Scott's favorite game these days, "Run with me!" And he doesn't seem to care who he can coax into running with him, be it Blaise, me, Nana, Aunt Jesse... whoever is available. Incredible energy reserve... and for the record, I do take him running with me (not that I'm actually running now) he rides and then gets out and makes me run the cool-down-I-would-rather-be-walking part.

And finally, we took a little trip out to Landsford Canal State Park and Scott had a blast throwing sticks into the water. He ran a good chunk at the beginning and we sent Darrell to keep up with him. When we caught up they were happily throwing sticks into the water. Blaise actually ran/walked for quite a while too... then threw a fit when we put him in the backpack. Of course, as soon as Jessica (who was carrying the backpack) managed to walk for a good stretch he was out cold.

And there you have it... my video blog is finally caught up. Now we'll see how many videos we can post in 2009 and maybe we'll broaden our purpose and include some pictures too.

Christmas Day

The cash register... now to qualify the video: They were playing very sweetly together and Blaise was putting his groceries on the counter and Scott was checking him out... then I went to get the camera... Blaise left the store. Scott followed him to collect a few things to scan. Blaise came back to the store to take back his groceries and then Scott got annoyed. I missed the really cute part, but oh well, you get the picture they really like playing with the cash register :)

The Little People amusement park was the big toy we got the boys this year... I think they like it.

Christmas Card

2008-

Hope. When we lit the advent candle last Sunday, we were reminded of the hope we have in the arrival of the Christ child.
Reflecting on this past year, we must remember the hope of heaven that is ours only through faith in that same Christ child, the Lord Jesus- who loves us more than we can imagine. Cynthia’s dear grandmother, RoseMarie Gardner went to be with Jesus this year and we miss her terribly, but know that someday we will be reunited with her in heaven. Grandma’s losing battle with cancer defined much of our year, as we traveled back and forth to NY 4 times and spent many precious moments with her. Days before his 1st birthday in May, Blaise took his first steps to Grandma. Now he runs and is starting to talk well. Scott, the avid reader at 2 years old, enjoyed sitting with Grandma and having her read book after book - I don’t know how she did it. He also loved playing baseball in her big yard. Cullen missed most of the trips to NY. He spent his time studying and taking all 9 of his architectural licensing exams. We are waiting on results from the last 2 tests and he will be a licensed architect!!!
As you reflect on 2008 and the birth of Christ this Christmas, we pray that you will remember the hope of heaven that comes through faith in Jesus and that your lives will reflect that hope to others.
Isaiah 9:2 – “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” The light is Jesus. Try drawing a picture in the dark; then turn on the lights and try drawing it again. What a difference the light of Jesus can make in our outlook of the world around us.

Early December...

Scott was fascinated with marching bands this year. Among his favorite things about going to Clemson games. In fact, he was disappointed when he didn't see the Clemson Tiger with the marching bands at our town Christmas parade... Anyway, here he is finally getting the idea of "marching" while he makes his band through the house.

After watching Charlie Brown's Christmas this is what Scott did everyday- and usually he insisted that someone else sing. Just pretend he's playing the right music :)

And here's the long promised video of Scott asking and waiting for Blaise to help him get up. And also, lots of dancing to Christmas music.

Prayer and Praise

Pray for Cullen's Uncle Buddy, diagnosed with leukemia in February. Pray for him to be cured of the cancer and for him to see God's grace in his struggles. He is in the midst of "aggressive" chemo treatments, which are working (praise the Lord.)

Pray for friends who are adopting from China... for the process to finally come to an end and for Isaac to be home with his forever family (and church family that can't wait to meet him!)
http://bringisaachome.blogspot.com

Pray for friends to have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies:
Dani
Kelli
Sara
Angie
Jemma
Cindy
Carrie
Michelle
Misti
Aimee

Pray for friends in the mission field:
The D's
The K's
The P's
The Taylors
The W's

Praise for Brian's recovery so far and continued prayer for miraculous complete healing for Brian and for faith and strength for his family after a severe injury in an accident August 29th.

Pray for preparations for Camp Pattersonville in 2010.

Pray for Officer Mike at work.

Praise for our grandparents health today and pray for their continued health and strength.

Pray for the USA and wisdom for our leaders.

Pray that our family members and friends would know Jesus Christ intimately.