Christmas 2008

Before I start our Christmas photo celebration ~ I couldn't resist posting these two shots from our time w/ the Western DuRoss clan over Turkey Day. Chip and Audz already made a great post from our time together, but these were two adorable shots I had to put on here! Finn ~ we miss you buddy and the kiddos do too! And to all those Western Clan DuRoss's ~ we miss you too and hope you had a great time with your family over Christmas!

Below is a shot of our sweet Selah as she just discovered that Santa really did come to our house this year and ate all the cookies and milk she left out. Even Rudolf enjoyed the yummy carrots she remembered to put out for him! This was an awesome year with both our kids ~ Selah was REALLY into the idea of Santa and all those fun tales we told her, but even more than that ~ there was never a doubt in our minds that she completely understood what Christmas was truly about and the great sacrifice that Christ gave to each of us as a humble child coming to this earth. If that doesn't bring a parent joy, I don't know what does! As for Judah ~ he may not get the meaning yet, but he certainly did get the idea of ripping open presents!!!

Selah got a baker's outfit from Mommy for Christmas this year. I love our time in the kitchen together and now she is all set to dig right in there with me!

We spent our Christmas Eve over at NeNe Heather's home. As the years go on, I just love the traditions we're establishing for our children to not only count on but come to love as much as I do. This year Heather and I did a CRAZY amount of baking cookies and even made Grandma Hoy's marshmallow log roll. What's so special to me about making this, is that Heather was the one w/ the sweet memory of my Grandma making these many many years ago ~ but it wasn't until we actually cut into it that my memories came flooding back and even now it makes me want to cry.

Uncle Gordy, Alexa & Selah

Is my man cute or what???

The three amigos "Leah, Kayla & Selah" ~ yes the beat red faces are from playing non-stop!

On Christmas Day we got to spend the whole day over at Nana & Papa's which the kiddos couldn't wait to do. Little did Selah know that they had quite the Christmas surprise waiting for her! This picture isn't Nana sneaking her some spoonfuls of Cool Whip (although she does that plenty!!!), but one of the hidden clues for the scavenger hunt she went on to find her AMAZING dollhouse!!! Our girl has quite the imagination ~ so I can't wait to watch and listen to her through the many years she is going to love this special gift.

We were also excited to spend this Christmas with not only Nana, Papa & Gammy ~ but Susan, Stephanie too! My only regret is there wasn't more time to spend with you two. I am hoping for next year though and Dave can come along too! Selah loved getting to put on her "performances" for you guys ~ hopefully next year Judah will join in on the fun!

Halloween & more...

There have been some changes this year that I must say have been fun! Morgan and Kayla are being home schooled, and as much as I was scared I wouldn't get enough sister time (selfish, I know) ~ I think we may actually see each other even more, if that is possible! Plus, I get the added bonus of sharing our days w/ my adorable nieces. Selah doesn't quite understand why we don't just live with them!!!! And another change this summer/fall is Nana & Papa's home being under MAJOR construction! So, with that comes the bonus of meals at our house w/ them! Again, Selah can't quite understand why this project isn't done yet (neither can Mom & Dad DuRoss!!!).

There are LOTS of changes with our "little man" these days too! Let me try and remember them all. We have retired our high chair and he now sits in a big boy chair next to Selah. Seriously ~that just melts my heart! He can evidently undress himself completely ~ Derek caught this great shot!! He is a pro on our stairs down to the basement. And, he is talking up a storm and probably growing weary of us saying "Judah, say........". But it's so much fun and he loves the applause! I think his most recent list (and don't be offended if you aren't on it, he is adding daily) is DaDa, MaMa, Lela (Selah), KeKe (Kitty), Ora (Dora ~ yes, he has an older sister), Nana, Baba (Sippy Cup), Eat, Shoes, Ball, More, Done, UhhhOhhhh, Nice (yes, he hears me saying "be nice to your sister all day long") ~ I am sure there are more, but that is all that comes to mind!! We are just treasuring every minute with our man and our sweet Selah. As much as they can get at each other, they love up on each other just as much. After dinner has really become their special time ~ now they head off to the basement and get into all sorts of "trouble"!!

And last, but not least, are the Halloween shots. We went to the Chesterland Fire Dept. all dressed up with the Congdons. They got to go through the rescue house and even climb out the window of the mini-me house, check out the inside of an ambulace and even "drive" a fire truck ~ what more could you ask for???

Grant, Judah, Alec & Selah

The Basement...

Well ~ this basement has been quite the project, but I am very happy to say it's DONE! First in August we spent a great deal of $$$ to get it completely water-proofed and then last month we started having it finished! It was so much fun to see it go from what it was to what it is now ~ here are some shots of what has now become a beloved addition to our home! It will either help us sell our house (yup, for those that don't know it went on the market on Monday) or it will help us stay sane for the time! It goes without saying that it's Selah & Judah's favorite "hang-out" place. It's so sweet ~ every night after dinner they usually go off and have their own time just playing w/ each other! Now you know just where to find them ~ downstairs!!

September Update

So, here is a sample of our September!
While the kiddos missed their Nana & Papa while they were in Idaho ~ they were VERY excited to have the use of Papa's car and his handy-dandy headphones. Little did ya know, Papa!

The next shot is of Selah & her friend Andrew. This was her very first play-date at our house. I picked them both up from preschool and they got to spend the whole day making "forts" in our "woods" and getting into all sorts of fun things ~ our girl is getting so grown up!














Next came a day at Eagle Creek Gardens for some pumpkin fun w/ the Kaselak's. Kinder Music showed up for the kids to beat on the drums and shake a thing or two, they all got to go on pony-rides ~ even our man, Judah, he was slick on that horsey! And ofcourse, we got to go through the fields on a nice crisp fall day for a hay-ride. Thanks Shasta, Scot, Harrison & Hugh!







And last, but certainly not least was our seemingly annual event at Fun-Time Inflatables w/ the Congdons. It was funny to see how just a little time can change so much. Judah was in full boy mode and couldn't wait to join in on all the action. Last time we were there he was around 11 months old and just watching ~ now he was part of the CRAZINESS! Alec just turned 2 years old ~ he's getting so big (that's him riding the slide with Selah). Happy Birthday Alec!

Labor Day & First Day of Preschool

Labor Day Weekend was filled with yet another round or should I say the final round (hip hip horray!!) of the men's extreme croquet at the Austin household. Uncle Richard & Aunt Judy came in to observe this crazy festivity ~ and she still can't figure out why the girls don't play!! Well, we like to let our boys think they are better than us ~ or we really just like eating all the appetizers and desserts while they're off being manly!!! The shot of Kayla is a collection of all the apples picked from Grandma's apple tree ~ the deers will be well fed this Fall.


Our girl started preschool yesterday and was more than excited to leave me! She said she learned about a mole going to school, played w/ babie dolls, play-dough & hung w/ her friends (big scoop from one kiddo). She was even sent home a homework project ~ too cute. She had to decorate a stick figure that will hang in her classroom throughout the year. The theme was "Friends", how do you think she did????

North Carolina

So, to recap our trip ~ it was a great time spent with family, chasing kiddos, yummy food and mostly just some good quality time all around. Selah took to the beach immediately ~ the ocean although was another story! Her first attempt braving the water landed her in Papa's arms w/ an ocean wave that conquered them both! Thankfully that didn't keep her out of the water too long ~ Uncle Chris won her over the next day and she loved it. Judah on the other hand, needed no time at all, nor did he think he needed anyone's help going into the ocean! What can I say, our boy has a VERY adventurous spirit!!! We got our excersise chasing him down ~ that is for sure!!! It was SOOOOOO much fun to watch Selah and Judah hanging with their cousin, Finn (photo is of him in purple bucket!). They literally would share food with each other and follow the other one all around. I couldn't help put the shot in of my two handsome men in their bath towels! Judah's face was so precious when he realized he was a big boy just like his daddy!!! And the last shot pretty much says it all ~ where are we going next!!!! Oh yeah, one more thing, just so we don't forget ~ yes, there are sting rays that make their appearance right in the waves with ya!!! Learned that one from personal experience as one headed right for Nana & I!!!! I say it's time to vacation at the lakes in Michigan!!

New doooo!

Fine, so it was a "little" long ~ and as Lydia (my friend, the hair dresser) so harshly stated "it looks like a mullet". Well, that was all she had to say for Judah to get his first professional haircut!! He sat so still for her and even enjoyed his favorite pass-time ~ chatting on the phone (how manly!!!). It was sad to see his long hair get trimmed down, but hopefully we won't have to cut those blond locks again anytime soon!!! Daddy says he has to "live" thru his son's hair now.

Here is his new dooooo ~ along w/ sister and a rare shot of mommy!! It seems when you have kids you just stop documenting your own life (via pictures that is anyways!).

CHAUTAQUA "Sea Legs"

Last weekend we went to Chautauqua w/ the Petrie Family!! What is there to say, but it was a BLAST! As fun-packed as it was, it was equally just as relaxing. Derek and I felt privileged to have that quality time with our oldest nieces/nephew and honestly to see them grow before our very eyes. Both Logan and Morgan conquered the raging waters and succeeded in knee boarding ~ it nearly brought tears to our eyes to see them NEVER give up!!! Kayla also had her "first" water experience and braved a wild tube ride w/ me ~ thanks for sharing that experience with me sweetie! The kids just loved being outdoors and Logan truly can't figure out why the DuRoss's have any other home but Chautauqua (really, why would you live anywhere else???). As sweet as that is, we're glad they live right here ~ only 10 minutes away (most of the time!!!). Selah soaked in every second w/ the "cousins" and came up with more imaginative games than I can even remember, gotta love that. As for Judah, our boy has his "sea legs" on and loved every minute/hours we spent on the boat!!! Thanks Petrie's for the wonderful memories ~ lets do a redo soon!