Keeping it Simple

There are so many things I feel the need to say, or fill you in on. Not sure why, but what I really can't shake today is the spirit in the air of Christmas. In our house, and my heart...its thick. And I love it. So I just want to share some lyrics of one of my new favorite Christmas songs by Francesca Battistelli called You're Here: (thanks to my daddy for sharing it with me)

You’re here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior, King and Creator
You could’ve left us on our own, but you’re here… you’re here

Someday I’m gonna look back on this
The night that God became a baby boy
Someday You're gonna go home again,
But You leave your spirit and flood the world with joy

You’ll be here, I’m holding You so near
I’m staring into the face of my Savior,
King and Creator
You could’ve left me on my own, but you’re here…
You’re here
Hallelujah… You’re here… Hallelujah... You’re here

Let us never forget that He didn't have to come

And that He is always here. We can hold Him near and stare into His face.

May we feel Him and His JOY that He floods the world with!
Family pictures on my side of the family, for the first time in 5 years! Last time we took these there were 4 grandkids...now there are 11!!!

Someone likes the tree!

She also like to stand up to play

Don't they look so big?

Cooper's 4th bday party. I was so proud of this guy. We had arranged for a moon bounce to be set up after church for his party. The guy called during church and said it was too windy to set it up. He was such a trooper and of course was sad, but had a great attitude and we made the best of our party. SO thankful we got a pinata at least!

Papa Max loving on Emery at the party. We had her baby dedication at church that morning. What a wonderful day!!!

Happy birthday big guy! I can't believe you are 4!

decorating the tree!

The girls with Pops on Thanksgiving!

Cooper's actual birthday! We had lots of lil celebrations for this guy!

Earlier that day we went to the zoo and the boys found a great pile of leaves to jump in. Forget the animals there, we bring our own!

Matching jammies pic! Thanks Gigi for finding new pjs for the kids!

Sadie is TOTALLY into her dolls. She takes at least one with her everywhere. It's so cute, she changes their diapers and does pretty much everything I am doing at the moment with Emery.

Emery gives the best kisses! And Cooper LOVES them the most out of all of the kids. He doesn't get grossed out by her slobber and open mouth! Oh man, I love my life!

Huge smile! She loves to swing, but loves her siblings even more.

Blake informing me that we have too many kids and he can't even see the book to read! HILARIOUS! Of course I took a picture of it instead of helping ;)

Awww, that's better! Notice Owen's face...wonder what's going on in his head.

Our family pic! I love how the boys are holding each other.

Halloween pics, this one looks like he is flying!

We went on a hayride with my family...so fun!

Cutest superman ever!

Sadie was a fairy! She was so cute!

Last but not least, Emery was a sweet pea!

Sadie has some freakishly strong upper arm muscles...

Happy birthday to Blake!

The 4 of us went to the OU game for his birthday.