Birthday fun for Steven Joseph

We were woken up on the morning of the 20th by a happy 5 year-old running into our room and declaring it was his birthday!  We spent a lot of time in the car that day, and he was so patient to make it to Houston, to leave the girls behind with my parents, and to have to go through some time waiting for his cardiac check-up. 

Unfortunately his birthday was the only day they could see him for this appointment before the new year.  By the end, his patience was gone.  The half hour echocardiogram was just too much and he was ready for some birthday fun! But the patience was rewarded...One of the best gifts that Steven got for his birthday was finding out from Dr. R that his heart looks great and he only wants to see Steven every 3 years!  What a gift!

As we were traveling, we set up a dinner with some friends at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants.  It was so great to be with our "crowd" again all together.  We've moved almost 5 hours away, and another family spends much of their time in the Middle East, so it was so nice to celebrate with these special friends who we miss so much.  Our other close friends with our goddaughter met us as we were leaving for a quick visit, too!  Here are a few photos...

SJ and his best bud J, so great to share this time together!

Sweet girlfriends at one table

And the other full table at Rico's including my parents, another grandma, and even a college-aged nephew joining us!  Lots of people, lots of noise, lots of fun!  My heart was full :)

He wanted a cake, but the cupcakes sufficed for this event

His first big-boy scooter!

Steven Joseph really wanted to have a "Nerf Battle" and a big cake for his birthday, but we knew it wouldn't work out on his actual birthday at the restaurant.  So we also planned a little celebration during the cousin Christmas get together on Sunday the 23rd.  Daddy picked out the orange and blue cake, which SJ wanted to decorate with Nerf darts!  The big "battle" didn't really happen since it was already dark outside and we still had Christmas gifts to exchange, but he had a lot of other fun times playing Nerf and other things with his boy cousins during our time in Houston.

So proud of his cake!

cute cousins

We had such a great time with friends and family.  Thanks to all of you who made it a fun birthday for SJ and a great parties for everyone!

Christmas memories

Merry Christmas, friends!

Our computer isn't working but I wanted to share a few Instagram photos from my phone. We had a great time with lots of fun memories in Houston. Now we're settling back home, Steven is back to work, and I'm hoping to get organized and get back to homeschooling soon!

The Blogger App always mixes up the pics, but here's what they are...
-Steven Joseph's birthday dinner at Rico's with friends
-Special girl cousin ice skating outing
-Brothers enjoying the cousins' swingset (B&W)
-Daddy and Tommy at the park in matching church clothes
-NeNe with us and cousin Em for a shopping outing, silly headbands!
-Baking cookies with cousins
-Kids by the giant nativity at my parents' church on Christmas Eve
-And Christmas morn at NeNe and PaPa's house. Took Tommy just a few minutes to wake up and figure out the whole "fresent" thing. Then he couldn't get enough of the unwrapping game!

Christmas Wonder

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  May your holiday be filled with the wonder of children, the joy of Christ's love, and the awe of the Newborn King.

Christmas Piano Recital

Ellie started with a new piano instructor late this summer, and then Mary Clare joined in this fall. They've been taking since about March, around 9 months.  I think they're doing really well!  Mary Clare isn't sure she wants to continue (hates practicing), but we'll see come January.

Here are the videos:



And photos...
Ellie and Mrs. S setting up for her first song, Away in a Manger.

Playing with her teacher.  This was actually a Halloween song, "Zoom, Zoom, Witches Broom," but Ellie enjoyed it so much, they changed the name to "Gray, Gray, Winter Day" for the Christmas recital :)

I guess I only got one shot of Mary Clare playing her song, "On this Wondrous Night."  The only other photo was mid-bow ;)

Snacking with friends afterwards.  It was held at a piano store.

Happy Birthday, Baseball Boy!

Five years old today!  We have had an eventful 5 years, and look forward to many more exciting years to come.  This boy is always smiling, is cuddly and affectionate, is the sweetest big brother, and is just an active and fun little guy!  He loves learning about Jesus in the Atrium this year.  We hope you have a great birthday, Steven Joseph, and a fantastic Christmas!

While I'm talking about him here, I'll have it known that I often refer to him as SJ here for easy typing, but we never call him that.  I've been trying to convince him to go back to Joey or Steve, but he only wants to be "Steven" or "Steven Joseph."  Oh well.  It's just so confusing when I'm calling STEVEN in the house!

I'll also take this opportunity to share all the rest of the videos and photos from his t-ball season!

The first one is cute, but I just love the second one and how he's jumping up and down waiting at 3rd base!



This was one of the few cold days we've had in South Texas this year!  And now, the many baseball poses of SJ...

Big sister was prepared for the cold weather!

Watching his favorite YouTube videos

WHAT?  No snow-cones on this chilly day?  Disappointed boy.

Ellie was equipped with her American Girl magazine.

One of his last games, at the old field.

His loyal fans

Foul ball

Happy kid with his lollipop.  This makes me want to jump in and say, "you're going to fall!  Get that out of your mouth!"

Number one.

Last game (left my good camera in the car)

Team Party.  With his coach and trophy.

Yay Cardinals!