Noah's adventures

Noah at his first Upward game of the year!

Ninja Noah!!!

 

Noah is such a joy and we love him so much!  He brings many fun times and smiles to our family :)

Abuelo Isidro Santos

Part of the flowers and cards sent from Amaury's work.

 

The boys with their grandfather in December 2009, the only time they got to meet him.

Isidro Santos:  April 4, 1932 - January 19, 2014

 

Amaury's father, my father-in-law, and the boys' grandfather died in Azua, Dominican Republic on Sunday, Janaury 19 around 2pm.  He had battled several illnesses for a long time. Amaury did not grow up with his father in close proximity as his parents divorced before he was one year old. However, he did keep in touch with him and was able to visit him in June of last year and had a very good visit.  The children also got to meet him at Christmas time in December 2009.  What a blessing it is to have photos of that time together.  We believe Nathan looks a lot like him - they have the same body frame, facial structure, and colored eyes. The comforting part of all this is that Abuelo had become a Christian in the last few years before he had become so very sick. We are beyond thankful that we will see him again someday!  We will miss you and we love you, Abuelo!

 

2014 snow storms!

 

 

We've had 3 snowstorms in the last month! After going over four years with only a dusting here and there, this has been a record year for us :) The kids are really enjoying it since the last time we had measurable snow, Anthony and Noah don't even remember it and Nathan, barely. This year has been different - lots of snow angels, sledding, and snow balls :) We are thankful for the way God changes the seasons and for the white we see in the snow - reminds us of how He washed us white as snow!  We are thankful :)

 

Happy New Year 2014!

We went to "Noon Year's Eve" at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh :)

The dropping of the ball . . .

Waiting to jump on all the bubble wrap - it sounds just like fireworks!!!

 

Sweet Nathan and me :)

 

Our traditional game of dominos on NYE . . .

Awaiting the New Year under his warm blanket!

 

Ready to rejoice!

He's still awake!

 

Happy New Year!

Daddy's looking sleepy :)

 

We are so thankful to all the Lord's blessings in our lives as a family this past year!  There are too many to even write here, but they are in our hearts and we are thankful.  Looking forward to an even better 2014!

 

 

 

 

Christmas 2013!

It looks like he needed his two front teeth instead of the present :)

Digital drum sticks . . .

 A telescope!

 

Thankful for the presents . . .

Mini-muffins and Kit Kats from Noah!

A Target gift card from Nathan :)

 

He loved the wrapping paper!

Ahhh, an espresso maker - Miami style :)

The long-awaited electric blanket!

 

A Ninjago Cole clock!

Some of the Christmas cards we received!

 

Making a braclet on the Rainbow Loom :)

Noah and his new bike!  He was the 4th owner of the one he had been riding :)

 

 

Our Christmas this year has been wonderful and restful :)  The boys loved all the presents they received and got the things they really wanted.  They used gift cards given by others to buy the things they didn't find under the tree and ended up with everything on their lists.  The best gifts of being together and sharing life, however, are gifts we have each day and we are thankful for Jesus and that He made us a family :)

 

 

 

Christmas fun :)

Brotherly love . . . waiting for cookies

Eating the cookies :)

Snowman cookies!

 

Chocolate spoons!!!

Grabbing a hot one!

 

Christmas movies!

Spending time together :)

 

Waiting for the movies to begin . . .

Simple decorations . . .

 

A tree to remind us of the Great Light that came to us at Christmas :)

 

We had a wonderful time leading up to Christmas as we had many parties to attend, gifts to share, food to eat, lights to see, concerts to hear, things to decorate, and time together.  However, we always try to keep the focus where it belongs, on Jesus and His birthday so many years ago.  He is why we have Christmas and it is Christ that we proclaim at Christmas!  So thankful for that truth :)

 

 

Christmas Concert

Two good friends and two great brothers came out to support him.

Nathan playing percussion :)

 

This is Nathan's first year in the Capital Christian Homeschool Band and he is playing percussion.  That can mean a lot of things: snare drum, suspended cymbal, wood block, xylophone, triangle, and bells.  He has been learning all those different instruments and learning how to play as part of a larger group.  Those five years of piano lessons have definitely come in handy in keeping rhythm and reading music. It was a joy and a great moment of pride to see him do such a great job!  We are thankful for such wonderful homeschool opportunities we have in the area :)