Apple Picking...

 This month, we went apple picking with my mentor Becky!  We had to drive a little ways to get there but it was well worth it once we got there.  Jeremiah and Lydia loved picking up the apples- and eating them! :)  Jeremiah enjoyed the big apple picker even though it was three times the size of him.  We love the fall and apple picking!

Happy 9th Anniversary!!

Happy 9 Year Anniversary to my honey!  So thankful the Lord brought us together as one 9 years ago!  You are a wonderful husband and fabulous father and great leader of our family!  I am amazed at the strength God gives you in all that you do and how well you balance ALL of your part-time jobs which are many and balance school, work, church and your family so well!  We are so thankful for you!  Hard to believe we have been through 8 of married life in school with one year off- our first year we got married!  Maybe a few more left yet to go!  You model great Godliness, patience and diligence for us your family!  I am so thankful to be your wife!  Love ya lots!

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

A is for Apple...

 This week we focused on the letter "A" for our preschool theme- we read lots of books with the letter "A" and focused on Airplanes (hence the airplane craft above), Alligators and Apples- and found lots of other books beginning with the letter "A."  I am trying not to overwhelm myself and do simple crafts and projects with our letter for each week.  I am trying to use "Before Five in a Row" and the "Honey For A Child's Heart" to try to find some good books for us to focus in on.  

Now for my project of the afternoon- making applesauce...

A Little Preschool...

 We have started doing some preschool activities with Jeremiah this week.  I have struggled to get organized in this area- thankfully he is only 3! :)  What will it be like in a few years?  Monday morning- Jeremiah desperately said he wanted to go on a bus- so we took a walk to find some buses around the block and then came home to do our lesson.  We started with the Letter "A" and so far it has been low key and fun for him.  I love to see how much they love to read and learn.  Here's to a little preschool- one week, maybe one day at a time. :)

Announcement...

And it is a good thing Lydia is beginning to walk because we are expecting another little Lyons' cub in mid- March.  I am around 15 weeks or so and thankful that everything so far is going well.  We waited to tell everyone just to make sure things were going ok.  We waited for awhile to tell Jeremiah the news fearing he would let the "cat" out of the bag.  His questions lately are...  is the baby in Mommy's tummy?  If Lydia is not going to be the baby-  where is she going to go- are we sending her back?  And he often blurts out with dinner guests at random times- when God wants the baby to come out- it will come...  Lydia well- she has no clue- she is just around for a good time and a few laughs and following her brother everywhere!

We are thankful for this gift the Lord has given- our next challenge in the next few months is possibly trying to find a bigger vehicle like a van to fit the car seats in.  We know the Lord will help us to trust Him and provide this for us in His time!  I am thankful that I have not gotten really sick just mainly dealing with a lot of fatigue and tiredness- trying to embrace naps for me during nap time during this season and trying to enjoy this quietness while resting for the moment.

And Lydie is...

Walking...  Well, she is beginning to walk.  The night before her doc appointment while I was gone running some errands and Michael was watching the kids- Lydie finally took her first steps across a room.  And she has been practicing still though not too eagerly.  She still can move fast with her Bottom scoot.

So this video is mainly for the grandparents.

Some Family Pics...

 A few of the best family pics of my parents with their Grandkids!!!  It is hard to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time!

The Last of Summer...

 A few weeks ago- my family, Dad, Mom, sister- Rachel and her baby Christopher, and my brother- Uncle Jonathan came out for a visit- we enjoyed time in their hotel pool and doing our last summer fun- splash parks!  Now if only Lydia would figure out how to walk- she would enjoy them a lot more!

The new resident...

 So a few weeks ago, we got a new resident in our apartment building.  Someone must have dropped off a little kitten at our house.  Ben & Laura found it hiding under the ramp and Laura coaxed it out and has been feeding it- the kids of course all love the kitten.  And Ben & Laura have decided they are going to keep the kitty.  We like playing with the cat but would prefer not to have the responsibility of owning and taking care of one in an apartment. :)  Plus- Michael and I are both not very fond of cats- yes, kittens are cute but then they become cats. :)  So far the cat is nameless but will soon reside in Ben & Laura's apartment below us.  The new word from the street...

Visiting Grandma Lyons...

 We brought Grandma Lyons a meal the other day and the kids were fascinated with her moving chair!  She was so gracious to let them ride up and down on her chair!!  We love you Grandma Lyons!   We are so thankful for the model and example she is to us!

Reading Time...

Some of the kids favorite activities include reading books by themselves and together- the love to sit on the couch and read.  I even caught Jeremiah reading to Lydia the other morning.

Another favorite activity- driving trucks around the apartment- Lydia will often take a truck and follow Jeremiah along.