Look-alike contest

Gypsy

What's wrong with this picture?

1) This is Walker's hat from the hospital

2) The backpack (from Marcus and Shanna) is empty.

3) Mim is wearing a sheer nightgown...and it's likely closer to 50 degrees than 70 degrees in our house.

4) The thing she is playing with glows in the dark when you write on it with the special flashlight pen (also from Marcus and Shanna). It's not dark.

Mmm, butter

Steph found this in the kitchen the other day. Cora thought the butter was cheese and took a bite. I wonder if she was disappointed or pleasantly surprised.

Boy toy

Miriam: “Mommy, I got a boy toy. I like boy toys because they’re really, really cute.” (Upon returning from the dentist and having picked out a toy airplane instead of a bracelet, coin purse, etc. from the tub of goodies.)

Tour of Illinois

The day after Christmas, our family headed to Bushnell to attend the extended Hess family Christmas dinner and stay the night on the farm. On Sunday afternoon we were off to Chicago to spend a couple days with Marcus, Shanna, and Harper. On Tuesday afternoon we drove back to Dalton City to send a few days with the Steele's before making our way back to St. Louis to spend a quiet weekend here before returning to normalcy.

We had a fantastic week seeing family on both sides and simply relaxing and enjoying what God has given us.

Christmas Morning

We didn't have any gifts under the tree until Christmas morning, mostly because they wouldn't have lasted otherwise. Here is the reaction to seeing all the loot for the first time.

(While posting this, I'm realizing that Cora wears her pink hearts shirt a lot. It's one of she and Miriam's favorites. Mim calls it Cora's "polk-n-hearts" shirt.)

Hidin' n seek

Psalm 127:3-5

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, 
     the fruit of the womb a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.

Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Cora's 2nd birthday - December 18th

Prior to today, our last post was on Cora's birthday, but before the festivities had begun. And why has it taken over 3 weeks to get these pictures and videos up...? :) Cora's 2nd birthday was a wonderfully fun day. We had macaroni and cheese and peas for dinner followed by a Funfetti birthday cake with sprinkles!

The birthday girl wanted to hold her baby brother but she quickly decided that it wasn't all that much fun.

"Gecising"

The girls love to "gecise" with Daddy (Miriam's interpretation of exercise).