first tooth

Mercy's first tooth has finally come through! If you look closely on the bottom you can see the touch of white tooth. She has cut her first tooth the latest out of the three kids. (Josiah right at 6 months, Aedan right at 7 months, and she is almost at 8 months.) The other bottom tooth is about to cut through...I can see it just under the gums. No more toothless smiles.

1 year celebration

A honeymoon memory:

watched the grinch

popcorn

M&Ms

yum!

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It snowed!! Yay!! I think we got about 7-8 inches. It was so cold outside today...I think it was about 14 degrees or so when the boys went outside to play. Ryan went in this morning for staff meeting, and then came home late morning to take the boys out. They had a blast sledding down the hill in the back. Everyone was brave this year...neither boy was hesitant. Josiah even wanted to go by himself. They also threw snow balls at each other and played snow tag. Schools were closed today and will be tomorrow as well. We'll see about the rest of the week. We are supposed to be getting more...maybe Wednesday.

before they headed out

just after they all went down together

Snow baby...Mercy was only out to take a picture. After her picture, she went in for a nap and I went in for some oatmeal:)

my boys

Josiah going down the hill

Aedan right after he went down the hill

Tree time!

We put our tree up last week! We continued our tradition of going to Lowes to get it. It was so cold...and started to snow once we got there. The snow stuck a little that night. (I think the schools were on a 2 hour delay the next day.) The boys loved putting the ornaments on the tree...they had a blast!

Josiah's baby ornament from Mama

Mercy and I

Ryan is showing Aedan his baby ornament

Thanksgiving in Columbia

We went to Columbia for Thanksgiving. Josiah and Aedan were able to spend lots of time with their cousins and had a blast! My dad and Caroline drove up from Charleston on Friday. We went out to eat and also to the fabulous Riverbanks zoo.

thr kids eating their Thanksgiving meal together

Mercy enjoying her meal

time to color!

Aedan and Cooper were buddies

flamingos

Caroline and Josiah

lions

the Clemson tiger...a close up

birds like my dad

group shot (Caroline took the pic)

This elephant posed for us...a worthy blog picture.

Some girls were feeding the elephants.

Mercy checking out the fish.

Aedan on the Merry-go-round

Josiah and I rode together

strong Josiah!!

Yay Josiah!

Every Sunday night, Josiah has gone to his discipleship class at church. A few weeks back, there was a celebration/awards night for the kids. Josiah got a certificate for learning the first five books of the Bible. He was very excited to get his award and goodies:)

Here is Josiah with his class.

getting his goodies...

yay! gold coins to exchange for prizes!

We are proud of you, Josiah!

What have we been up to?...

lots! but, we'll start with a random post of around the house pictures:

One day while Aedan and Mercy were napping, a big insect decided to visit our back glass. I thought it was a praying mantis, but wasn't completely sure. Josiah pulled out his insect cards from Gigi and we found the praying manits card. We compared the picture on the card to the insect on the back glass...yes, it was a praying mantis! Josiah watched while it moved all along the sliding glass door for a while until it decided to leave. Aedan didn't get to see it, but we showed him the pictures.

Mercy is laying on this awesome quilt! (made by Rachael's aunt, Sheila!) I love it!

Here is a shot of Aedan and Mercy. Typical these days...

Once again, a typical shot of Aedan...sticker on the mouth, and the "cat in the hat" hat on.

Josiah with dinosaurs:)

Mercy Cate taking a bath! She has now moved to the tub.

Some 7 month shots:)