Locked out!

Today I was briefly locked out of the house by Ethan!

My way of taking the trash out when it is cold is throwing it just outside the front door until later.

However, today I thought I would carry it "all the way" (about 20 feet) to the trash can.

When I came back the door has been shut behind me....and locked.

It was about 10 degrees out and I was in some thin, capri-like pants and thin long sleeve t-shirt.

I knocked on the door and asked Ethan to unlock it.

Meanwhile I hear Ethan giggle thinking this is a game.

THANKFULLY, Steve works nights and sleeps during the day.

So....I knocked on our bedroom window to wake him up!

By the time I got back to the front door, Ethan had wisely unlocked and opened the door for me!

No more taking the trash "all the way out" for me!

We have really enjoyed some of the nice 40 degree weather days here!

The snow melted and we, of course, went puddle jumping on more than one occasion!

Here is Ethan eagerly waiting to go outside with his puddle-jumping boots!

"Are we ready Mom?"

Waiting patiently

Here we go....

"Wait, where's Sam?"

And he's off...

(Sam will be right there with you soon enough my son!)

We did a lot of jumping in our neighbor's driveway!

I'm not sure they know this even now....they are great neighbors and we know they wouldn't mind!

Ethan has a real blast puddle-jumping!

And so do I as I watch him.

Steve and I jumped with him on one of the days! That was so much fun and reminded us both of our childhoods.

Walking around the neighborhood holding Ethan's hand has been one of my favorite things right now.
We were walking just the two of us the other day and I asked Ethan, "what should we talk about?"
Ethan replied, "Jesus."
And so we did:
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Yep, the winter sickness hit our house too. Ethan and Sam anyways!

Here's Ethan laying on the couch and reading, and secretly loving being sick!

The boys and me! Apparently on gray sweatpants day.

Bath time buddies!

Always together!

The boys just hanging out having fun...

okay, a lot of fun....

close up!

 We aren't quite sure yet who really adores who more!

We love love love our boys!

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 118:24 KJV 

Best of Brothers and Winter

Life is getting only more and more fun with two little boys!

These two already have such a wonderful bond and I really enjoy seeing them interact and play together.

Ethan is an excellent big brother and is constantly thinking about Samuel and showing him affection.

My sweet silly boys!

Being the best of brothers at Grandma's house!

Brotherly love!

The boys enjoying some wonderful winter time fun outside with their Dad!

Steve is a wonderfully fun and involved father; such a blessing!

The boys and I in the kitchen! 

(I think I may have already posted this picture once...but I love my boys so here it is again)

Christmas morning! Ethan wanted to pose with his best little brother Samuel!

When Ethan opened his first gift on Christmas morning it was this ball. Ethan said, "it's my favorite!" and he hasn't parted with the ball since; for very long anyway!

Oh yes, we really enjoy winter around here!

(and every season for that matter)

Sure it's cold, and who likes being cold, but that doesn't even matter when we consider all the fun we can have at no other time of year!

SNOW DAYS!

Ethan looking amazing in his snow gear and shades!

 Even Samuel gets out there with us all!

All bundled up!

He usually falls asleep when I am holding him outside in all this gear!

                                      

Accidental close up shot of Ethan and I....turned out to be a keeper!

Oh yes, this winter we have been eating pancakes A LOT and having tons of fun with food coloring!

We've made pancakes of all different shapes, sizes, and colors.

We even ate green Christmas tree pancakes with red ornaments on them.

The color in this picture didn't turn out well, but you get the idea.

We have coupled our food coloring pancakes with green eggs and even some green or blue milk once in awhile!

What fun!

 I always always enjoy cooking and baking, and this winter I have been making some homemade wheat bread!

Oh Ethan sure loves his daddy!

Ethan is so funny! He received this guitar over a year ago now and still plays it every day for maybe an hour or more. He's like his daddy!

Ethan has even started making microphones for himself to sing into as he plays.

Here he stuck a rod in a plastic screw on his homemade box car! That was his microphone!

Silly fun little boy! And talented!!

Samuel all bundled, sweet, and cute!

Always working hard around the house....even in pajamas!

Footie pajamas are always just the cutest! On kids!

Wide surprised eyes on Christmas morning!

I really enjoyed this Christmas and Ethan's sweetness.

As Steve and I were wrapping gifts in front of Ethan for each other and other people, Ethan innocently, without selfishness or greed, and with a smile on his face said, "When I get bigger I can have presents too."

He didn't even want or expect anything for Christmas.

To his great surprise he did receive gifts on Christmas morning, after a short morning devotion time about the real meaning of Christmas.

Samuel enjoyed a few gifts too!

Me and my first born son! Candy is always good to eat on Christmas morning!

Isaiah 9:6

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Romans 10:13, Joel 2:32, and Acts 2:21

"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."