Filled with joy

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3

Thanksgiving week was so wonderful for us as a family. Greg worked from home on Wednesday and just went back to work today. The boys took great delight in spending all of these days with their Daddy! Nathan made a collage and tried using scissors for the first time.


We ate Thanksgiving dinner with Great Grandma Depew, Nanny, PopPop and Aunt Linda at Sharon Towers. The food was delicious. Mark's favorite activities were racing around the dining room, eating, and screaming. He was teething last week and has two new teeth up top.


Nathan loved seeing everyone and sampling the whole meal, especially the sweet potatoes. Ice cream for dessert was his favorite part.


On the day after Thanksgiving we ventured out to the Penland Tree Farm. It was so beautiful that day...sunny, blue skies, breezy. While Greg put the tree on top of the car, the boys and I swung in the swing for the longest time.



I was able to complete my longest run yet on Saturday morning - 13 miles! I felt great while I was running but definitely needed to crash afterward. I am as ready as I'm going to be for the half-marathon on Dec. 12.

Greg grilled a turkey and we made some side dishes for dinner Saturday. The turkey was so tender and flavorful! He really is a chef at heart. We shared a meal of leftovers with the Poston's last night, which made it all worthwhile.

Today is back to normal for us. We made a trip to the grocery store and now are just playing with blocks, kitchen toys, etc. Nathan has dropped his afternoon nap so he's learning how to have "quiet time." I've also begun potty training with him, so we have a whole new routine around here. So far, so good. Mark's newest thing is learning to walk in real shoes, not just those little slippers I've had him in for the past few months.

Walking & Talking

He's on the move, and he's got something to say about almost everything!

Mark Sparkle

These just make me laugh!

Swinging

We had a beautiful weekend full of sunny and mild days. Greg grilled pork barbecue for us on Saturday, and hung a swing (one of Mark's birthday presents) in the backyard. Both of the boys thoroughly enjoyed having their daddy push them.

Of course, pushing the yellow truck is still a favorite outdoor activity.


On another note, I have been trying to make some healthy changes in our lunchtime meals. We had been on a pbj, fruit and pretzel routine for quite a while, and at Nathan's 3 year old check-up the doctor recommended we add some variety. So far, a big hit has been this pasta salad recipe that I found on wholesometoddlerfood.com:

1 bag of tri-color pasta (shaped in wheels or another "fun" shape if possible)
1 C chopped fresh broccoli
1/4 C sliced black olives
1/2 C baby Carrots, julienne
1/2 C zucchini, sliced thin
1/2 onion, sliced very thin
2 T olive oil
black pepper and lemon juice (or low-fat salad dressing if you choose)

Boil pasta al dente. Sauté broccoli, carrots, zucchini in olive oil until crisp yet tender. Drain & rinse pasta. Combine pasta and vegetables in large bowl and add Parmesan cheese to lightly coat. Add black pepper and lemon juice if you wish. Serve warm or cold.

Today we added tomatoes to the salad. Last time we made it, we used feta cheese. It is a pretty versatile, mild-flavored recipe and it does get the boys to eat their vegetables.

The fun part has been letting Nathan help me with preparing the food. He is good at scraping veggies into the bowl, stirring the salad, etc. I have to say that adding another element into my daily routine has been a little challenging with two little boys roaming around. I should probably do some of my prep work in the evenings or during naps to save myself the stress, while still planning to let Nathan assist. It's definitely worth it to know that we are all eating a more nutritious diet.

And here's the sweet "happy pumpkin" playing on the front porch.

Rainy days

The rain started on Tuesday right around noon, when Bible study let out. We were soaked by the time we crawled into the car to head home.

Greg was off on Wednesday (Veteran's Day) so we did some things around the house. I took Nathan to the library for a change of scenery as the rain kept coming down. Mark played with the ball toy and the bristle blocks.


Thursday was another rainy one, so we made our way to the mall to window-shop and run around in the kids play area. Nathan and I explored the Wedgits that afternoon while Mark took a long nap.


By the time the clouds broke up yesterday, we were all more than ready to spend the afternoon outside. We took a nature walk and Nathan "helped" push Mark in the stroller. The sunset was just beautiful after all those days of clouds and rain.

Take a peek at my friend's etsy shop!

My friend Andrea, mother of one very cute little boy, recently opened an etsy.com shop. She sells all kinds of beautiful handmade items for babies, toddlers and mommies. She's running a great sale right now, so if you are doing some early Christmas shopping or need a gift for a mom, mom-to-be or new baby, you should check out her website: http://www.etsy.com/shop/touchofgraydesigns. Here are some of my favorite things she currently has available.

Happy Birthday, Boys!

Thank you, God, for trusting me with Nathan and Mark. Thank you for protecting them each and every day. Thank you for the blessing of being at home with them for these early years of their lives. Thank you for their unique personalities and gifts. Thank you for the joy of gathering them up in my arms each day, for their laughter and smiles, for the looks on their faces when they discover something new. Thank you for the way they want me to play with them. Thank you for their sharp minds, healthy bodies, and loving hearts. Thank you for the rough and tumble times, the snuggling, the hungry tummies that are so easily satisfied. Thank you even for the quiet after the storm of a temper tantrum or crying fit. Thank you for the special pleasure of watching them while they sleep at night. Thank you, Lord. Help me to treasure the coming year with Nathan Joseph and Mark Reynolds as they grow and change, ever dependent on You to gently lead and provide for me.

Nathan at birth



Nathan at one year


Nathan at two years


Nathan at three years


Mark at birth



Mark at one year

Harvest Hullabaloo

We had a double birthday party for the boys on Saturday. I made chili in the crock pot. Nanny brought cornbread, and Aunt Jane brought two delicious salads. Pumpkin cupcakes for dessert! Aunt Melanie brought all of the decorations and helped me decorate the cupcakes (plus clean the house, plan the party, etc., etc. Need I say more?!) We had a sweet time together. Here's a little taste of the day in photos.

Nanny and Mark visiting with Great Grandma


A sweet hug (after a rather big temper tantrum at the very beginning of the party, but I won't go into detail about that...)


Mark loved Nanny's cornbread


The pumpkin birthday cupcakes


Mark getting comfortable with the cupcake


Nathan took a different approach - the icing was definitely his favorite part.


He made quick work of that cupcake. More please, Mama!


The sugar high has begun.


Horsing around with PopPop - Mark is our wiggle worm, that's for sure!


Opening the first present...it was a miniature piano. A huge hit for all of the children!


Nathan kept tying this ribbon around my neck almost the entire time we were opening gifts.


Gram, Gramp, Nanny and PopPop gave Nathan a tricycle! He thinks the best part is the bell. Mark wants to hop on and give it a try, too. It's only a matter of time...


After the party and a long nap, we took the boys to a nearby church's fall festival. Here's Tigger. We neglected to take a picture of Mark, who went as a pumpkin. I will have to stage that photo later this week. Greg and I were both pretty pooped and forgetful that evening. We both fell asleep watching baseball? I think that's what was on...