Off the Grid

So... I realize we have been off the grid for awhile. Life has a way of slipping through your fingers if you are not careful. We have definitely been loving life and enjoying our moments, we have just been having so much fun that I forget to share.

Since Moira's birthday was the last post, I feel it futile to catch up on ALL that we have been up to, so I thought I would post a few (OK, ALOT!) of my favorite photos since we have been MIA. The kids are growing by leaps and bounds and continue to be my refining fire and well of joy in Jon's and my life. Here are some favs:

Jon and Carter hanging around

And Jon is done with pictures. ;-) 

Carter before his music performance at school

My handsome young man!

I love that smile!!! Happy birthday Sweet Boy!

First Grade!!

Moira loves to wear her jammies ... 

... and has her own sense of  S T Y L E! 

Moira began her 2nd year of pre-school! She is doing great! 

One thing you must know about my dear, sweet, precious daughter is that she loathes having her picture taken. I bribed her in the one above. This one below was her idea. This is how she likes to stand in group photos, with her back turned. I love her sense of humor!! 

Again, bribing was involved. I am not proud.

This is precious to me because before the kids go off to school on the first day we do Kissing Hands. It is from a book with the same title (the author's name fails me at the moment. Google it.) We kiss each others hands and when we each feel lonely on that first day, we press our hand to our cheeks so we can feel each other's kisses. I will make them do this to my hands til I drop them off at college. If they don't like it, they can write a tell-all book about it (sharing the proceeds with me, of course!).

Have I mentioned, she doesn't like her picture taken? 

Our yearly family photo at the apple orchard. One day, Moira . . . one day, my dear girl . . .and I will love you all the more because of it. 

 That gets us pretty much up to date! Stay tuned for photos from ten year anniversary! xoxo!

My Baby Girl is 3!!!!

I can not get over that Moira turned 3 on December 2nd. What is even more unreal is that I can't believe she wasn't 3 sooner. What I mean by that is that she has been so articulate, so opinionated, so independent for so long, I sometimes forget how little she really is. But now, she is 3! No more toddler. A full-fledged Pre-schooler (even though she has been going to school for nearly 3 months now, it hadn't fully sunk in).
We couldn't be more blessed to have Moira in our lives. She is so bright, so full of energy, so passionate and articulate. She knows what she wants and is uncompromising in her standards. She marches to her own beat and doesn't seek out the crowd. All qualities I desire for my daughter as a young woman, but prove to be challenging as I parent her while she is still a child. Moira, we love you so much. You make our family complete with such a sweetness about you. I thank God for the blessing of you!

Enjoy some photos from her birthday parties - one with her friends (Moira wanted a fairy birthday) and one later on with family.

 The Fairy Picnic

 Fairy Cupcakes

 I call this creation "Tinker Bell shoved in a cake" a la Aunt Marisa

 Instead of candy and piddly toys, I opted to make the girls tutus and wands for favors. They were a huge hit. The wings were a miracle find at the dollar section of Target.

 My little fairy princess would NOT let me take her picture. This I snapped because she was hiding from me and she thought I was behind her. 

 Notice her not looking at me, but Miss Desi's camera. 

 Almost all the fairy princesses. Aren't they darling????

 My sweet fairy hiding from her momma. Again. 

 Moira showing off her new room to someone. I love this expression. She has recently starting talking with her hands. She is officially One of Us now. ;-) 

 The Birthday Princess with her proud big brother

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! We love you so!!!

Thanksgiving

This year, we were blessed to spend Thanksgiving with our dear friends, the Welchs and The Allens. Desi and her husband are from Louisiana, where traditionally, they serve a Turducken. This is a turkey that has been stuffed with a duck that has been stuffed with a chicken that as been stuffed with stuffing. In the words of Carter Stevenson, "Who would DO that to a duck?!?!". 

It was a feast for sure! There was lots of good food and plenty of leftovers and great memories made. The kids had fun playing with their friends and the men-folk enjoyed watching football. 

I hope your Thanksgiving was a blessed one as well!

 The Turducken

 Desi and Mariah

 Avah, Carter and Christian

Christian and Moira. He looks out for her when Carter is not around. Her surrogate Big Brother!

Blessings

I wanted to share these recent photos of Carter and Moira. Some may end up on our Christmas card (if I get to it), so forgive me if you seem them again. But they are just too precious not to share here. These two darlings are my dearest blessings - as well as my refiner's fire.
We are also blessed by one of our dearest friends here in Virginia. She is also a brilliant photographer! She has known Carter since he was 2 and a half and Moira since she was hours old so she knows them very well and they feel so relaxed around her. She is patient and gentle and seems to capture them as they really are... I could go on for hours.
The kids are so used to Desi taking their picture that they now refuse to pose for Jon and me. They now only sit for "professionals". How very modelesque of them! Very frustrating. Maybe that is why my Dad is considering commissioning Desi as the "Family Photographer" just so he can see pictures of his grand kids. I will let her work speak for itself. The photos of Carter and Moira are below. If you click on the picture, it will enlarge it. Here is the link to my friend's site: Desiree Angelle Photography

 My favorite!!!

Carter's First Field Trip

This Tuesday, Carter attended his first elementary school field trip to Cows-N-Corn. We were both very excited for me to go with him. I treasured his enthusiasm because I know the day is coming (faster than I would like) when he will not be so thrilled that I accompany him. Anywhere. (Not MY sweet bot, surely!?!)
After loading 30 Kindergartners onto the bus, I waited with bated breath for the ruckus to begin. But it never did. His class was SO good! And when the teacher gave them instructions, she ended with the question: "Understand?" and ALL the children responded, " YES MA'AM!". I was shocked! It was so old-school and I LOVED it! The students were very respectful and excellent listeners. It gave me so much peace about sending Carter out into the "great unknown".
After the bus ride, we got to the "stinky" farm and learned about dairy farming. I thought it was pretty interesting and these suburban kids LOVED running around in the great outdoors and climbing on hay bales. We even got to try fresh-made ice cream. Who wouldn't love that?!?
I could only snap a few pictures of Carter on my phone. He is getting so big!
Riding the tractor around learning about the farm

 Learning all about Jersey Cows...he is very interested!

 The bus ride home - they were worn out!

 How precious! It only lasted about 15 minutes - but still!