'tis the season...

to be BUSY!!  A few of the latest happenings at our house...

 My biggest boy turned 18.  And yes, it is surreal to think I have a child who is eighteen!

Logan's soccer team took second place in a tournament over Thanksgiving weekend!

Sarah was a cute "Frosty the Snowman" in her dance recital!

Jason (my baby boy) turned seven!!!

The Elf on the Shelf arrived at our house (we're newbies to this tradition).  Here he is, lifting some weights.

How cute is this pup?  (Doesn't she look like she posed for this?)  This is my parents new St. Bernard pup, Heidi.  We are babysitting her for a few weeks.  Don't let her innocent face fool you.  Ha!

And, despite my good intentions of having a professional family portrait done this year, I ended up snapping some shots of the kids in front of an old Sinclair gas station.  (P.S. The kids really weren't as happy as they might appear for this photo shoot.)

Four years!

Four years ago today, we met our daughter for the first time in Beijing, China (see New Day Foster Home).  She was 19 months old.  

And from the very beginning, little Miss Sarah was a spunky, outgoing, sometimes loud, and very BUSY toddler.

I must admit that her persistence and activity level have sometimes been a challenge...

but these personality traits have served her very well.  Sarah has definitely "grabbed life by the horns" in every possible way!!

 She was a very early talker...

and always likes to have a good time.  :)

It has been a joy to watch her grow...

 and charm everyone around her!! 

We cannot imagine life without our sweet girl. 

 She keeps all of us hopping, even her big brothers!  

And now she is a kindergartner!   Sarah, we love you to the moon and back!!  Happy Family Day, Sarah Pie!  :)

Fall happenings

My apologies, this post is going to be long, rambling, and random!  That's what happens when you play catch up!  Doesn't my baby boy look grown up in this picture?   Anyway, we've been trying to spend as much time outside as we can.  The fall weather has been beautiful.

Had to throw in a picture of Sarah's cute sweater...

and our cute beagle, Sunny.   Just so you know, we love our beagle.  She is the sweetest dog.  I would highly recommend a beagle as a great family dog.  :)

Logan turned eleven (!) this month and had a great time with friends at a place with lots of trampolines.

And lastly, we scored BIG on our local online classified.  This is definitely not the type of toy we would normally buy.  Lots of fun, but way too pricy.  I happened to run across it online just minutes after it was posted-- CHEAP.  We thought about saving it for Christmas, but it's definitely an outside kind of toy, and not great in the snow!   

Blurry, but you get the idea.  :)   The three "littles" have loved it (and it wears them out, too)! 

Happy fall!  :)