Christmas with the Finlaysons

After out time in Glendive, we headed to Conrad.

I think we had a total of 5 Christmases and a birthday party on this trip.  

That's ALOT of celebrating.  

Many fun memories made.

Giving lovin's at the piano

What a hunk!

Liam and Grandpa Jim

Big Fin and Little Fin

Grandma Kit and Ru

Ruby just loved this little car she received from Grandma Kit and Grandpa Jim!

With three comes whiskers :)

Awww...

Mommy and Ru-Ru

Liam still LOVES to read.

I hope that never changes.

Christmas with the Kirschenmanns

We were fortunate to get to spend some time with my family over Christmas.

It's always fun to be with the crazy Kirschenmanns!

Liam loves having cousins to play with.

We had a great visit.

Papa and Ru

Grandma K making Gingerbread Men with the kids.

Sledding was probably Liam's favorite thing we did while we were in Glendive.

This was the first time he wanted to go alone.

The face may not tell it, but his FAVORITE part was crashing.

When he made it to the bottom of the hill still on the sled, it wasn't as fun.

Ruby eating her dress...because she can.

Kiddos excited to open gifts.

I love Addi's "mother-instinct" in this picture.

Sledding wound.

What a brave boy!

Yippy!

Papa and Fin

Jack and Liam

Liam and Addi

Roobs

Getting pulled behind the four wheeler was also a highlight.

He has been talking about going for a ride since this past summer!

Ready. Set. GO!

Christmas at Home

We had a simple Christmas at home before heading out on a two week trip to visit family.

It was really fun to see how excited Liam was about all of our Christmas adventures this year.

Of course he LOVED opening presents, 

but he also loved the Nativity Story.

We talked about the nativity every day in December.

He was seriously bummed that we took all of our decorations down when we got home...

He was especially sad to pack up Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus :)

We also had our first Advent Calendar this year.

Every day we talked about the meaning of Advent, and Jesus' birth before opening our special activity for that day.

I think that was my favorite Christmas memory this year.

Liam still asks at least a couple times a week when we can do Advent again.

I took that as a good sign :)

What an honor it is to teach our children who Jesus is.

Seriously...we couldn't get the kids to look, so we gave up.

Scrapbooks should be filled with real life, right?

I'll just keep the paper.

Liam got a LeapPad for Christmas.

We were holding out on introducing technology to him, but that didn't last very long.

It was pretty handy for the 9 hour trip to Glendive.

P.S.  

We never sent out our Christmas Cards this year.

They are still sitting on our counter.

How embarrassing.

Be expecting a random Merry Christmas from us at some point this year!

Liam Turns Three

We celebrated Liam's birthday Sesame Street Style.

We happened to be in Conrad over his big day, so we were able to celebrate with family. 

 It was SO fun!  

Liam was Very excited to wake up to a house full of color!

Time to Party!

Thanks for the idea Mandy.

We stole it without asking :)

Thanks for helping make the decorations, Cass!

They turned out awesome!

Shannalee and Carly, Liam LOVED these Balloons!

Thanks!

This was one happy boy!

Classic Liam "Shy Face" right here.

He only likes to be in the spotlight when HE chooses.

Being forced to smile at the camera when everyone was watching was not his favorite.

Pin the nose on Elmo.

Giving hugs after opening his gifts.

Reading his new Bible!

What a fun day.  

Liam,

we are so proud of the boy you are growing into.

You have such a kind and giving heart.

You are silly, and know how to dance.

We are so blessed to get to be your parents.

Love you!

Mommy and Daddy

I Hope Jesus Paints My Heart Blue

We are still here, and doing very well.  

I've been wanting to update you all on the kids, but we have been so incredibly busy, that I have failed to make time for our little spot in cyber space.  

That said, I have to tell you one of my favorite things about Liam being three.  

I am amazed at how well Liam is starting to articulate his feelings and thoughts.  

It's just so much fun to have someone to talk to during our days at home.  

I think back to when Liam was Ruby's age...

We had just moved back to Montana, and though I loved my new adventure as a stay-home-mama, I remember feeling VERY lonely.  

Clint was gone all day, 

we knew no one,

 and although I had a tiny human to talk to, 

he did not talk back.  

My, my how times have changed.  

Liam has so much to say now...so many thoughts to get out, 

and I LOVE it!  

We Had the sweetest conversation over lunch today.  

I won't be able to recite it word-for-word, but this is pretty much how it went.  

SCENE: I was feeding Ruby while Liam ate his PB&J (his favorite).

L:  Mommy, when Jesus is mad he's gonna broke the grass, and the trains, and my heart.

M:  *awkward pause* What do you mean, Liam?

L:  I don't know...Jesus cleans our hearts, right Mommy?

M:  Yes he does.

L:  Jesus cleans our hearts because they are dirty.

M:  They are.  They can get very dirty.  Do you know why they are dirty, Liam?  They get dirty when we sin.  Do you know what sin is?

L:  No.

M:  Sin happens when we disobey Jesus.  Sometimes you disobey Mommy and Daddy, and that means you also disobey Jesus.  Sin makes our hearts dirty...Mommy and Daddy sin--

L:  *interruption* --and then Jesus clean 'em up!

M:  Yep.  When we sin we just need to tell Jesus we are sorry, and then, He will make our hearts clean again.

L:  What color are our hearts when they are very dirty?

M:  um...I think they are black.

L:  Next time, when Jesus cleans my heart...I hope he paints it blue!

This was probably my favorite conversation with our son E.V.E.R.  

We've had some fun conversations, but this is one I never, ever want to forget.

I am SO thankful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to stay home with our children.  

Some days are difficult, but these are the days that make all of the others obsolete.  

Bedtime stories with Daddy

 L:  Next time when Jesus cleans my heart...I hope he paints it blue!

Ruby takes BIG GIRL baths now!

This is how we roll at costco.

So strange to have them both up front now :)

At 8 months, Ru still has only two bottom teeth.

It seems like she should be getting the top ones soon.

She's been having some teething pain for a few weeks now.