Family Fun Week

This week was "Family Week"- a suggestion from our Church to turn off the TV, computer (and any other distractions that remove us from family) for the hours of 5-9pm, and enjoy family activities instead. We had a ball! Here are just a few pictures from one of our nights of fun.

Here are James and Tyler working our favorite train puzzle. We then discussed how the Earth rotates, and how all the planets move around the sun (thank you for that deep question, Logan). And after we finished the science lesson with the globe and flashlight, the boys began chasing the beam from the flashlight that James kept moving around the floor. Needless to say, the boys were VERY keyed up and had a great time. (They also slept really well, which in any parent's book means it was all worth it!)

Sweet Katie enjoyed watching her brothers be crazy- and is welcoming in the Christmas season with her "Ho Ho Ho" sleeper (Thanks Jana!) You only have a first Christmas once, right?! :-)

Superheroes

Those of you who know Logan well may know of his Superpowers. Others of you may have only suspected it. Here is a picture of him as he turns himself into a giant and uses Super-strength to hold up our wall as it started to fall. (Notice he is flying as well...)I barely caught this shot as Logan can run with Super-Speed and also disappear.

Here he is teaching Tyler to use Super powers. Tyler's a tad unsure of his ability to use Superpowers.
He then realizes he's a Super-ninja, and breaks bad for the camera. :-)
Sure love my Supermen!

Remembering Luke

We made a trip to Georgia this weekend to place Luke's headstone. It's been a long time coming, but quite honestly I just couldn't have done it any sooner emotionally. By taking the time I did, I was able to design his stone exactly as I wanted, and get it perfect. It came out BEAUTIFULLY! You can't quite see the detail in this picture unless you click on it to view it full-size, so I'll describe it.

Luke absolutely LOVED trains. He would point out each and every time he heard one. One time in particular we were on our way to church and we had to stop for a train. Luke and Logan were ecstatic!!! They kept pointing at it, laughing, watching intently as it went by. Luke wanted to know where it was going, and we determined it was going to help someone, or deliver packages to someone- and who doesn't love to get a package?!

On a more difficult note, on the last night he was on earth as his little spirit slipped away, I heard a chorus of train whistles. I can describe it no other way- not just one train, but a CHORUS of trains. I knew my baby was safe, and would be until I saw him again in Heaven. As hard as giving him up was, the train whistles brought a moment of peace. Every time we hear a train, Logan says, "Luke's saying 'I love you!'" and I think he's right. Anyway, a train was a must.

On each car, I put Luke's nicknames. James called him, "Daddy's Buddy." I called him "Lukey," and Logan called him "Doot." (That was his attempt at 'Luke'- and Luke called him "Duh-Duh"- his attempt at Logan. ha ha) Next is his name and the dates, and finally I wanted to share our belief in eternal families, as that's the only reason we've been able to find peace through this whole thing. I wrote, "The next time we hold him, it will be forever."

I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will see Luke again- and not just see him, but hold him, hug him, talk to him, and raise him. I am SO grateful that James and I were sealed for eternity, and that as long as we live worthy of these promised blessings, we WILL have our family together in heaven. I can't tell you how I look to the day when I will get to run toward those pearly gates and pick my sweet little Lukey up again- I imagine him running toward me just as fast as he used to with that big happy smile on his face and a giggle to match. I love him so much, and though placing that stone was hard, I know our separation is just for now. I will see him again. I am so thankful for the knowledge I have because of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I'm so grateful James shares this same knowledge, as this tragedy could have easily pulled us apart. He is such a strength to me, reminding me to keep an eternal perspective, thereby bringing peace and hope back when it slips away.

My hope is that we can raise our children to remember that the struggles and trials we have here are just for now, and our Savior is ready and waiting to take whatever pain or struggle we may have- we just have to give it to Him. And when you keep a larger perspective, it really is ok to smile.

So go hug your babies- and thank God for the blessings he's given you in your life. :-)

I looked out the window and what did I see....

How cool is this?! The boys were out playing, James was mowing the lawn, and I glanced outside to see this in the field behind our house!! What an awesome sight!

Here are the boys being goofy as they watch the balloon land. They're so much fun!

Halloween Fun Run

Isn't this a great idea? All the kiddies showed up to have a "Halloween Fun Run" to work off all the candy they'd eaten the night before! They each got a number, healthy snacks, and water of course! It was so cute to see them running in their costumes- Tyler decided against one, though, and Logan only wore his the first time around. The kids had so much fun breaking the finish line (which the parents lovingly put back up for each and every runner to break.) It was a wonderful morning- I definitely want this tradition to continue!! Thanks Jenn & Ned!

Here's Logan, Round 1.

Tyler ready to cross that finish line "fast."

Tyler celebrates his great run with Daddy.
Logan, Carter, and Tyler Round 2.


Tyler had a ball!

The boys had a great time, and the parents had fun watching! :-) Nice job, Boys!

Happy Halloween!!

This is Red Dino-Ranger Logan and Spidey-Ty making muscles before the Trunk-or-Treat.

The next day was Trick-or-Treating in the neighborhood, so we had friends over for dinner and then the guys took the kiddies around while the ladies kicked it handing out candy. Right before leaving, we were all searching the house for Tyler's Spiderman costume- no CLUE where it had gone! After a quick dash downstairs to the dress-up box, we came out with the Flash costume for Tyler. He LOVED it! The funniest part was when he responded to the question of who he was with, "I'm Batman."
Miss Katie Faith wore the traditional baby Halloween costume in our family- the bee. Luke & Logan made adorable bees 5 years ago, Tyler was a happy little bee 2 years ago, so it was only fitting for Katie to also be a bee. I was not content with this, however, until James said she would only be fit as a "queen bee." So here she is wearing a crown to display her royalty. :-)
I LOVE THIS BABY GIRL!!!

This next pic is from the "Trunk-or-Treat" at church- everyone decorates their trunk and the kiddies go up and down the parking lot Trick-or-Treating at each car. It's so much fun- some people really get into it! The boys had a great time going around, but by the end of the second row of cars they were ready to find Daddy back at our car and chow down on some of their goodies. :-)

I love dressing up- this year I was a cow girl, and James was a cow (a Chick-Fil-A cow to be exact). He was such a good sport- he even wore a huge aluminum foil ring on his nose to give himself the "Bull" look. (It's not pictured- I wish I would have taken one of him with it!)