Zeke: A Good Dog

We had to have our first dog, Zeke, put to sleep a few days before Christmas. He had been suffering from arthritis for years and went downhill very rapidly that last week. He was about 12 years old and has been part of our family since a few months after our marriage. He arrived in our family as a sick, sweet, stray and lived a full and well-loved life. He was supposed to be the Gent's dog but he adopted me instead (Nick, our first Golden, was supposed to be my dog--but he picked the Gent). I miss the sweet puppy who slept on the mat by the backdoor whenever I left and was waiting there when I got home, who slept at the bottom of the stairs in summer waiting for me to get up, who curled up on his bed in winter but stayed within sight of the stairs so he wouldn't miss seeing me. He had a loyal heart and he loved all his family. He was proud and sure of himself at all times, our little Napoleon. We love you, Zeke. You were a good dog.

Zeke was a sick doggie when we first got him. He was recovering from heartworm treatment in this picture. Daddy fell asleep petting him. :)


Zeke's first Christmas. He invited himself into the picture and sat down right where he knew he belonged.


snow!






beach trip




protecting baby Annie during tummy time

Nora: 23 Months

cheese face






Almost two! I'm not quite ready for her to not be a baby anymore, but she is. Thankfully she does still like to snuggle with me. This month Nora has fallen even more in love with her baby dolls (I didn't think that was possible). She continues to love her play kitchen--especially the cupcake set she got for Christmas. She is so adorable when she sings and prays. And she talks all the time. In paragraphs. So thankful for this precious little peanut!

6 Months

Baby David's growth is right on track and he is an active little guy! We are enjoying each kick and wriggle. He likes to do gymnastics every night when I lay down to go to sleep. I feel great now that I am over the nausea (that lasted till 18 weeks) and barely remember I'm pregnant most of the time. The kids love to talk to David and rub my tummy and they are just so precious. The Gent and I are starting to think through some of the harder decisions so please continue to pray with us.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

littlest photographer


the kids made cookbooks for their grandparents, filled with recipes of their choice and pictures














attempt at family photo at church


reading Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree


choosing just the right cookie for Santa Claus


they're ready!


reading T'was the Night Before Christmas with an uncooperative Nora


looks like Santa came!




waiting on the stairs Christmas morning








Sophie asked Santa for glasses for her doll




Granny reading the Christmas story


more gifts, food, and celebrating at Granny's house




all Jacob's pictures are blurry because he was so excited and moving fast!




Nora cheesing it up


attempt at a photo with Granny :)


giggles with Papa Rick at Aunt Sandra's--one last stop for food and family and of course, a few more toys


attempt at a photo with Bebe and Papa Rick


staged photos may not have been a success this year, but Christmas with the kids certainly was!

Family Christmas

We celebrated an early Christmas at home before going to visit the Gent's family over the holidays. Honey and Poppa joined us and my did the children have fun opening their presents!

our advent wreath


stockings from Honey and Poppa


Poppa pretending to be surprised when he opened the books he'd asked for


Nora taking pictures




Annie requested a tea set




Jacob was super-excited about his first Legos!




Sophie likes her new doll carrier




Nora loved getting an umbrella, just like the big kids




Nora helped me open my gifts


And she sat on Daddy while he opened his...see those little toes?