I think the ability to fall asleep anytime, anywhere comes from the Hess side.

W

Wind in her face... and poofy balls

The girls spent a few days with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Ali in January and the weekend that G&G brought them back, we all went to The Magic House. This was one of the highlights.

Snow fun!

Playing in the snow in early January

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).

Second mommy

Miriam doesn't miss an opportunity to parent her younger siblings. This video would have been longer, better and more cute if Mommy had been more on the ball and not run out of space on the memory card in the camera... :(

Slam dunk

Cora made several shots like this at after church at Checkrow on Thanksgiving weekend.  She loved every minute of it.  Good thing Daddy is tall!

Walker meets Harper

Harper's bib says: Thank heaven for little girls
Walker's bib says: Thank heaven for little boys

Harvest

Thanksgiving

A few shots of the girls from Thanksgiving Day at Great Grandma Ekiss' house.

Great Grandma Ekiss

The next day, Walker got to meet his other great grandparent, Great Grandma Ekiss, for the first time when we went to her house for Thanksgiving dinner.

Great Grandparents

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Hess came down to visit the day before Thanksgiving while they were staying at [Great] Aunt Suzie's house.

Peaceful

Good times

This past Monday, Mommy took all three kids to the pediatrician (talk about FUN! :)) - Walker for his 1-month checkup, Cora for her 2-year checkup (a little early... her birthday is next Friday, the 18th) and Miriam for her second dose of the H1N1 nasal mist. While the pediatrician's office is one of my least favorite places to take three children age three and under - especially this time of year - the visit went okay. Walker weighed 12 pounds, 11 ounces which puts him in the 95th percentile for weight and he was in the 90th percentile for height. Cora was in the 92nd percentile for weight and the 95th percentile for height. I'm thanking God for healthy children who love to eat and plenty of food to feed them!

Buddies