silas turns 2

Silas sort of insisted on posing in lots of "before" pictures. We asked his guests to bring non-perishables to donate to the local food care center.

the grandparents

James, Austin, Matthew and Matthew's friend

Carrie & Katy


Leslie & Katy

Bailey Beth

Silas hearts pizza.

Since he turned 2, I let him drink a juice box. He really couldn't have cared less about everything else after that.

It was such a beautiful day, the boys (we have lots of boys in this family) got to play outside.

Grandy & PawPaw

Bevin was a great helper.

We had a great time with a Sesame St theme. Couldn't have done it without my mom and Katy. It does take a village!

Thank You, Lord for our precious 2 year old son. I couldn't love him more if I tried.

fall fun

Fall has been full of fun. Holidays, birthdays and a real, live concert. Silas will turn 2 on Wednesday. Can't believe it! Here is this weekend in review:

28 weeks and 6 days. Let's just call it 29 weeks el preggo.

This is Silas' new way to pose for pictures with me. I kind of love it.

Went to Matt Redman/Casting Crowns concert last night. It was a great night of worship.

Today we went to Zayden's birthday party. There was a big blow up bounce house/slide. Silas normally shys away from these things, so this time I climbed in with him and Ryan helped him climb up the wall to meet me at the top of the slide. Then we all went down together.

You can't see Silas' face, but he loved it! I really loved it.

I knew my limits, but Silas wanted to go again. I had to pull him out crying. :( Wonder what he'll do the next time one of these is around. I'll let you know.

Gobble, gobble, ya'll!!

Give Water

UPDATE - Over $10,000 was raised in 24 hours. Wow. It's not too late to give! Save a life for Christmas. What a great way to wish our Savior a happy birthday!!

I really, really, really want Silas to grow up knowing the true meaning of Christmas. I also want his earliest memories to be of our family giving to those less fortunate. This isn't some public pat on the back...it's really my heart. We live in an "all about me" world and it's sick. That's not what Jesus is about.

Last year I heard about this really cool clean water campaign started by a Mom. Water for Christmas really took off and they have made a difference. Take a look at her blog when you have a minute. She just returned from a trip to Liberia to see first hand how Water for Christmas has changed lives. She's a great photographer too, so you'll enjoy it.

Anyway, tomorrow, November 13 is a one day viral campaign. Click HERE to donate JUST $10 dollars for clean water. The text below explains it all. I can spend $10 at Walgreens in about 4.5 minutes so I certainly can give 10 bucks to this. Hope you'll join me!!



Every day, 4500 mothers bury their children due to contaminated water. They are forced to sustain their families with a diabolical liquid that contains both life and death. This lack of clean water is the leading cause of death in underdeveloped nations. And it just doesn't have to be!So as we gear up to scurry through department stores and browse endless catalogs in search of new jeans, Tonka Trucks, gadgets and dolls....we are pausing. We are pausing. And today, November 13th, we are buying water. Clean, life-saving water. $10 will provide one person in Africa clean water for 10 years. It will literally change and possibly save someone's life. A mother. A child. A brother. A grandfather. We are rallying together for a cause. Clean water. One day. $10. Asking everyone to let this be their first gift. Let water, let life be their first gift of the season. Click here to be directed to the secure donation site of the highly recognized, non-profit, charity: water. Or just click the yellow buton to make a donation. All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of your donation will go to clean water solutions in West Africa.

halloween monkey bid-i-ness

I know some people don't do Halloween, but we think it's a big time. Really we just enjoy dressing up in costumes and knocking on peoples' doors and then eating a lot of candy. The beauty of having a not yet 2 year old only child? He doesn't know the candy we got was for him to eat. Next year will be different, I'm sure. This year...I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Here is our evening in photographs...

It began with a practice walk up the street to Aunt Khaki's house. Darn it all, I forgot to put Sophie's jack-o-lantern t-shirt back on.

Knock, knock! Notice the Elmo bucket on the ground? He did that all night.

Then we stopped by Grandma and Grandy's house.

And then we went to a friend's annual Pumpkin Party. Silas enjoyed cake with a prize fighter and a bumble bee.

Then we stuffed a bunch of children in a wagon to make the trick or treat process faster. Notice the bumble bee is holding the Elmo bucket. He could have cared less.

Now we're back in the car on the way to Gaga and PawPaw's house. Monkey costume is sagging.


But we're still happy!

I did get a picture of Silas at Mom and Dad's door, but I didn't think my mom would appreciate a photo online of her in pajamas...it was late. Maybe when I finally make this thing private.

Hope you got a bucketful, or pillowcase full, of yummy candy! I'm going to go see what Elmo still has for me...

what's up with the private blog?

I still plan to go private...you haven't missed anything. Just haven't gotten around to it.

You'll get an email with an invitation to sign in. I will get around to it at some point.

Thanks for emailing me your addresses!