Nature Centers

*Note: I just found this post in my drafts..I guess I never posted.  It is not from October, but from this summer.  Oh well...I didn't want to lose the pictures, so here it is!*

As a family, we love to "get away" to a local nature center and just be together and see God's Creation.  We went for Mother's Day and then again last weekend.  Here are some pics of my favorite people!  

October Update

These past few weeks have been one long strewn-out illness...strep.  First me, then Jared, then the boys.  The girls somehow escaped it, for which we were thankful!  Then this week, Jared got it *again*.  We were able to sneak in some fun things, such as our church's Fall Festival, and painting and redecorating our kitchen.  Here are a few pics from this month...

Mr N during naptime.  He fell asleep playing with his trains...a sure sign he wasn't feeling quite like himself!

Jared with Mr G...both sick and snugly.

This picture just warms my heart with how cute he is.  He was afraid to go to the basement alone, but he wanted to play with his trains down there.  I was cooking so I couldn't go with him.  R suggested he take his drill to protect himself.  You can't tell in the picture, but the drill was on, spinning away, and he just stood there for several minutes, pointing the drill towards the steps, contemplating if he should risk going downstairs.  (He ended up not going...I guess the drill wasn't protection enough!  Poor guy!)

I couldn't find Mr G, but I heard some rumbling in the cabinet.  Sure enough!

He didn't want to get out!

That's all of the pictures I have... I will take pictures of the kitchen soon.  We also have some very special guests coming tomorrow, and I will try and take a lot of pictures then, too.  =)

Mr N turns 3!

Just three short days after Miss O turned 5, Mr N turned 3! 

All Aboard!  Mr N was pretty excited when he got this train engineer costume in the mail thanks to his aunt and uncle!

 We celebrated first with Miss O at our family party with Grandpa and Grandma.  My brother and his fiancee we also able to stop by!

A Thomas costume too!  What a birthday!!

Playing with his remote control Thomas the Train...it has real steam or "smoke" as he calls it.

 Then a week or so later we took the family to the National Railroad Museum.  He was more than thrilled!

They have rows and rows of train.  Some you can go inside and walk around.  Here he is in his first real train!

This is the train that we actually got to ride.  I think Mr N was in heaven!

Ready to ride!

He could barely sit still waiting for the train to start.

Daddy and Mr G cozy up to the window.

The birthday boy picked me to sit by.  I felt very honored!  (Although he moved around a lot so I didn't quite get to sit with him the entire time. )

Oh Mr Blue Eyes!

The train started!  It was a little bumpy.  He was amazed that we were riding on real tracks.  And he loved when we went over the bridge.

My Happy Birthday Boy!

After the train ride, we went through more of the museum.  We were one of the first people there so it was very empty...which was wonderful!  My kids could have fun and be themselves without worrying about disturbing anyone! 

R takes a turn in the Big Black Engine.  This was N's favorite!

It was so neat to see all of the gears and buttons and such.

Adding more "steam"!

I couldn't get over how large the trains were.

My handsome hubby!

Part of the museum was outside.  It was the perfect day...not too hot, not too cold.

Running to get the train!

Shoveling coal.

N was so sweet whenever we had to step on/cross tracks.  Of course these ones as well as the ones inside were not in use.  But he was very concerned for us.  "Don't R!"  "Get off the tracks!"  I tried to explain to him that these tracks were okay to walk on, but the ones by our house were not. 

Last stop: The playground!

N picked out a diesel locomotive at the gift store, with Jared's help.  The girls got train whistles and G got a little toy train.  This was really the perfect birthday for Mr N. 

N,
You are my special big boy.  You know you're cute, don't you?! (Here's where you would say, "Of course!")  I love your smile and your sweetness.  I love that you are all BOY.  I love that you watch out for your siblings.  I love when you pray as you thank God for each detail..."Thank You for the Cheerios, and the milk, and the water..."  I love that you want to drive trains when you grow up.  You have my heart, sweet boy.  I pray for you daily and thank God that He blessed us with you, three years ago now! 
Love,
Mommy

Miss O Turns 5!

I so very nearly almost typed Miss O Turns 3 for the title.  How is it that she's 5?  It just doesn't seem possible.

For her birthday, Miss O requested a trip to the zoo...specifically because she likes the gift store.  =)

She loved the animals.

We had fun taking silly pictures....

All to celebrate you, Miss O!  You are truly a gift!!

At the gift store, you picked out a mask.  You originally chose the giraffe and picked out the monkey for N.  But, when we gave it to him, he was upset because he wanted the giraffe, and you quickly gave him yours.  This is you, O.  You are always so generous.  Our little peacemaker.

Miss M and H gave you this beautiful Rapunzel wig.  It looks so pretty on you!

You had to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house to show it off!

Later at our family birthday party, you got a special bridal veil and gloves.

And the Rapunzel baby you've been asking for for months!  (Thanks G and G!)

It was so much fun celebrating your life.  You are truly, truly a gift from the LORD.  You are silly and kind.  You love to sing loud songs - mostly to the LORD.  You sing how amazing He is, how much you love Him, how holy He is.  You also sing a song your "husBAND" wrote to you about how much he loves you and how beautiful you are.  ;)  You give us joy - actually, you bring joy wherever you go.  You are my sunshine girl.  I love you more than I could ever express.  Thank You, Father, for blessing us with O.  For giving us 5 wonderful years with her.  I pray we'd have many, many more together and for all eternity with You.  In Jesus' Name, Amen