Trains, Trains...

The weekend before Christmas, we went to the Museum Center to visit their Duke Energy train display.  Jeremiah loved the train display as well as the train table they had for the kids.  And of course, we had to stop in at LaRosas for pizza beforehand as Michael loves their gluten free pizza!

Children's Museum & Snow!!

On Friday, we met a dear friend from Louisville Julie S and went to the Children's Museum with her two children!  It was so fun to catch up with her and let the kiddos play!  This morning we woke up to SNOW!  we went on a family snow walk and Jeremiah covered his face the whole time from the falling snow and sleet!  Jeremiah & Jonathan also loved to play outside- they tried to help build a snowman and Jonathan definitely enjoyed sledding down the back hill better than Jeremiah!  Jeremiah's favorite thing- falling in the snow and splashing in the big mud puddle in the back!  Good friend Laura D.- I always miss you when I see snow as I know at Southern you loved to go sledding ALL the time!! :)

Happy Christmas Eve!

It is amazing that we have made it to Christmas Eve!  We are finishing up a few odds and ends.  I'm trying to write clues for our immediate family Christmas gifts- I always like to write clues for each gift- esp. my husband really enjoys trying to think through the gift before he opens it.  Michael handed in his last paper by noon today.  I had one meltdown today- feeling tired and worn out from the season as well as taking care of the boy so much.  But a sweet sister, Laura, reminded me on her blog of this season of giving and how Christ is an example to us of the true Servant.  At times I want, I expect and hope that my family will serve me and feel tired in the serving.  Yet, then I must remember that Christ became a baby to become the most magnificent and humble servant for our salvation!  Here's to focusing my thoughts on the coming of the Savior.  As I was reading the book- Song of the Stars- to Jeremiah last night I was reminded that Christ came as a baby- the very one who had made the stars- now sleeping under them as the lowest, humblest of all creation- a tiny, dependent baby! 

2 Corinthians 8:9
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich."

Jeremiah baking cookies earlier in the month- getting messy as always!

Creation Museum Lights

Last Friday, we headed out in the cold to the Creation Museum for their FREE Living Nativity as well as to see some of their lights.  Friday nights are Family Nights in the Lyons' house.  We made a quick stop at Arbys for dinner- I have fallen in love with their Fresh Marketplace Sandwiches for some reason.  We then went to the Creation Museum and walked around the garden of lights.  Jeremiah got to go to the petting zoo as well!  It was Michael's little break from all the studies.  He is hanging in there.  A few more days and he will be finished for now.  He is working so hard and trying to balance a few Christmas fun activities in the midst of it all. 

The lion boy and the moose boy- his hat is a moose!

The sheep thinks he is a funny looking moose!

Watching Katy!

Last week was my last week to watch little Katy!  So I wanted to take a few pictures of the kiddos together!  :)  Here they are!  We are going to miss that little girl!  It was great training for Jeremiah!  Also, last week we watched cousin Jonathan- here is Michael getting them ready for bed!  He was attempting to read to both boys before we put them down to bed! 

Oh yes, we have to have the blankie in the picture!

Caroling...

Last Wednesday, Jeremiah and I joined a group of carolers from our church in a Retirement Home nearby.  Jeremiah loved shaking hands with all the residents and trying on different hats.  Overall, he did pretty well and didn't run away too much- he did try pushing his stroller everywhere.  Michael is in the throws of a week long finish up of his papers due on Christmas Eve!  So Jeremiah and I are doing our best to find things to do on our own with other people.  :)  On top of that, I may have poisoned Michael with some glutenous cookies this week as he has been feeling stomach affects that he has not felt in awhile- oh my!  I warned to just stay away from a batch of cookies I made- just in case.  I may have sorta forgot which ones were gluten free and which ones contained gluten that I made.  :)

Jeremiah- 22 Months

Here are a few pics of the boy at 22 months on Dec. 7th.  He is definitely hard to get a picture of these days and won't sit too long for pictures.  Jeremiah has done great with all the decorations- a lot better than last year!  He loves the dancing penguin and snowman that I have pictured here.  He often will dance right along with them when he pushes the button.  We have been working on the Little Drummer Boy song and he loves singing- Bum Bum Bum Bum.  :)  At this point in my pregnancy- (sorry no pics of me at 31 weeks) I am beginning to feel a bit large yet still thankful that for the most part I am able to chase this active little toddler around- but I think I will leave the wrestling to nighttime with Daddy!

Baking & Babysitting

On Saturday night, Jeremiah & I babysit for 4 sweet little girls while their parents went to see the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit at the Museum Center.  Michael had a quiet night at home to study for an exam and presentation this week on Tuesday.  We were very busy with the girls- we baked sugar cookies and decorated them- Jeremiah was trying to help roll out the dough and decorate the cookies.  He was somewhat helpful.  We also baked Sourdough cookies.  The girls were cracking me up as they did a train around the house- Jeremiah included, as well as dressed Jeremiah up as King Tut- complete with Santa hat, robe and scepter and marched him around the house.  They were so funny- wished I had gotten a picture of that!