Old Traditions & New Traditions

Every Christmas Eve along with reading the story of Christ's birth we make milkshakes and watch an old Christmas movie, like White Christmas or It's a Wonderful Life. This year we watched the Santa Clause with the kids while we drank our milkshakes. Along with these old traditions the kids got matching pjs so that they would look all cutesy on Christmas morning. I was able to get all three of them matching print pjs...I was so excited. Priss even helped Swee write his letter to Santa this year. She had written hers and rewritten it so many times that Santa was lucky to remember what exactly she wanted this year.

As for the new tradition we made Magic Reindeer Food and Priss and Swee sprinkled it on the lawn to guide the reindeer to our home.

Christmas Family Pictures

Every year we go and get our pictures taken with Jason's parents and brother. Here are the results of this year's photo shoot....

Slopsema Christmas

We have had the wonderful opportunity of hosting Jason's parents and brother this weekend when we celebrated Christmas. The kids were spoiled ROTTEN by Uncle B, grandma and grandpa. All three of the kids got exactly what was asked for or what was asked for on behalf of them.

Blessing Day

Yesterday surrounded by family and friends we were able to have our Little Man blessed at church. Jason along with some friends stood in the circle for the blessing. We greatly missed our brother in laws since they were not able to be there in the circle this time. Little Man looked beautiful all dressed in white. Jason said that while they were blessing him Lil Man was wiggling, cooing and giggling making it hard to hold him. Following church services we returned to the house for some bbq chicken sandwiches, chips, and treats.

Magic Reindeer Food

I saw this on a Stampin Up demonstrator's website and had to create some. The kids helped and we will be delivering them this week to some friends around town.

PS Wish the nephews and niece lived closer so we could deliver some to them. Sisters call if you want to know how to make Magic Reindeer Food!

Thanks Ains

Thanks to Miss Ainsley Priss walked out of the house looking like she should be walking down the catwalk during Fashion Week. She even struck a pose.

30 Years Ago

I became a big sister and have continued to embrace it, maybe a little too tightly at times. Happy Birthday Bon! I miss getting to celebrate with you and your family this year. I hope you are able to enjoy the day and know how much you are loved!

Read to Me Big Brother

Swee wanted to snuggle with Little Man this morning so I suggested that he read Brown Bear Brown Bear to him. He thought that was a good idea and I was able to capture the moment. I love getting to see Swee show his soft, loving side. I know that one day Little Man will be following Swee around wanting to tag along with his big brother and Swee will be too cool for that to happen. I just have to enjoy these moments while they last.

Cute in Everything

Some friends of ours from church gave Little Man a festive hat and booties for his first Christmas. He modeled them very willingly last night for Jason and me. I swear he is adorable in everything.

Coach Slop Rocks

Here are the kids modeling the shirts I made for this year's basketball season. Aren't they cute? The kids that is?

Swee was in goober mode tonight as I was trying to take pictures. As you can tell from his goofy faces.

thanks for the prayers

Just wanted to thank all those who kept us in your prayers where Little Man's vision was concerned. I am very pleased to report that at his peds appointment this week we were assured that everything is as it should be and his vision is perfect. I had numerous family members and friends ask how the doctor's appointment went, and to let me know they had been praying for us. I had one aunt comment, "don't you just love prayer", I quickly replied "I couldn't imagine life without it". Thanks again for loving my family so to include us in your prayers.

Talking

Little Man tonight talking to the light in our bedroom.

It's Done

Here is our decorated tree and the house after the kids helped Jason put the lights on. Look Bon there are ornaments on the tree this year thanks to the decorating Nazi ( aka Priss).

Thatcher was hungry

Please Cut That One DOWN

We ventured out into the sunny, brisk weather to pick out the perfect Christmas tree. After having the kids hike the back 40 we decided upon a tree. It was between a ten footer or an eight footer. We selected the one that could go in front of the picture window.

Priss and Swee did a great job hiking up and down the hills of the tree farm, while Little Man simply slept through the entire selection process in the front carrier. I managed to step into a present left behind some four legged creature and didn't realize it until we got into the car. I did comment several times that there must have been a pack of animals leaving present behind! Little did I know I was carrying it around.

I love the Christmas season and all the symbolism that is found within the traditions we participate in.

Enjoy some turkey

Just a quick HAPPY THANKGSGIVING to all our loved ones! Hope you had a great day and were with those you love.

Dad and the grandkids

the kiddos

It's that time of year AGAIN!

The cutest cheer block around all dressed and ready for the game. The kids kept saying to Lil Man, "It's your first basketball game, are you excited?"

The season began with a 46 point victory!

Photo Crazy

He is changing so much each day that I feel as though everytime he looks at me I am snapping a picture. Oh well, time passes so fast that you have to capture it when you can.

Thanks to the Grandparents

Priss wanted to thank Grandpa and Grandma Slopsema for the apple themed outfit and Grandpa David for the shoes. This was her outfit for church yesterday.

Thanks and we love you all!

2 mo. Stats

today little man went to the doctor for his 2 mo. check up. he was 11 lb 14.5 oz, and 22 1/4 inches long. one concern that we have at this time is that he is not focusing on facing, tracking objects and doesn't turn his head to find voices. we are to go back in a month to check the status of these issues. at this time we are not overly concerned but just keeping watching to see is anything changes.

beautiful little man during yesterday's photo session

Naptime

Napping with Daddy today

First Halloween

Our cute little bear on his first Halloween!

Door to Door

The kids were accompanied by Honey last night on their quest for candy. Priss and Swee loved walking door to door saying Trick or Treat and Happy Halloween. They acquired lots of candy that will be used for treats at Jason's basketball games this year. Little Man enjoyed his carriage ride for the majority of trick or treating. He did work up quite an appetite riding along while the other two had fun.

PS Happy Birthday Becks a Roo

One of Jason's basketball player's homes

Trunk or Treat/Costume Preview

Tonight was Trunk or Treat at our church. The kids could barely contain their selves...giddy with excitement! We were able to stop by Jason's work so that the kids could show off their costumes, he had parent/teacher conferences tonight, before we went to Trunk or Treat.

Auriel

Dinosaur/Dragon

Brown Bear