Shoe Box Packing Party

Last year we started taking part in Operation Christmas Child. A Samaritan's Purse program that packs shoebox sized boxes of Christmas gifts and then ships them all over the world to children who otherwise might get nothing. We were so excited to learn a few months later, that our 3 boxes had reached 3 small boys in Mexico. What an easy way to bless others!

This year we wanted to make our effort a little bigger so we planned a small packing party with a few of our close friends. With the help of 5 other families, we were able to pack 25 boxes!!



A couple of our supplies...



The kids were really excited to be a part of that...for about 10 minutes!



The boys packed boy boxes...the girls packed girl boxes...



Organized chaos...



The finished products...

We can't wait to do it again next year!!

A Few More...

Just a couple more pictures from last night! Have I mentioned how excited I am to have a new tripod...something I should have bought a long time ago, but never have. I happened upon one at the Goodwill a couple of weeks ago. Not only has it come in handy for pictures, but it also makes a VERY FUN weapon for the boys to play with!



I adore these boys...some days they certainly make me want to tear my hair out...but I wouldn't trade them for the world!



And this sweetie isn't too bad either!



I especially like how Zach posed himself for this picture. Who would have known that just 30 seconds prior he was having a big melt down!!



I've been playing with Photoshop again...this is a favorite!

Picture Outing

It is that time of year that everyone is starting to think about Christmas cards. It's funny how time gets away from me. When we first moved here I had planned on sending out Change of Address cards...but I didn't. So the next best thing would be to send out our new address with Baby Announcement cards...but I didn't do that either. Now I MUST send out our new address...with our baby announcements...with our Christmas cards! Yikes...

We headed out tonight in hopes to just be able to grab one nice family picture for those much anticipated Christmas cards...it was basically a success...nothing fabulous or professional...but a nice picture. Don't kid yourself...I won't be showing you that picture now, you will have to wait until your card arrives! However I did get a couple pictures of the kids that I wanted to show...



We went down town to a local art gallery. There is about 30 acres of pure beautifulness (I'm sure that's not a word). The boys were pretty excited...as was I. Justin on the other hand cringes when the words "take pictures" come out of my mouth!



This is our first official "all 4 of the kids" picture. Don't worry despite the look of fear in Zach's eyes, we didn't endanger Paige's life here. I finagled my way out of the picture as best as I could!

All in all we had a great afternoon...enjoying the beauty that God has created....and the boys LOVED their Mc D's Happymeal that was their reward for behaving so nicely for Mommy!

Our Little Super Heroes {October}

Our little super heroes were ready to take on the neighborhood...on a top secret mission to retrieve the most candy they could find. Justin and I were on our own mission...to get out to meet and greet some of our neighbors. We also left a big bowl of candy out for kiddos who stopped by while we were gone.



I know the boys succeeded on their mission (we are still suffering the consequences). I'm not sure if Justin and I did!

Colorado Trip {September}

We were so fortunate to be able to spend two full weeks on the road with Justin. It was the beginning of a 6 week stretch of travel for him...which we have finished now. Yea! We have a 10 day break and then back to it again...

The boys do wonderful in the car...but they certainly lived for our quick (30 minute) stops...E especially enjoyed this one in Mansfield, Arkansas.

Catch Up!! {September}

Growing...growing...growing...She has melted our hearts and fits so neatly into our family!