Park Playdate

Josh and I met my sister-in-law, Kate and my nephew, Holton over at the park earlier today. The weather is gorgeous and if it isn't going to snow it might as well just be warm. :) 

Here are some photos of the boys (mostly Holton).

J's End of the year Interview

I interviewed Joshua at the end of the year in 2011 and just sat down with him to do it again. You can find last year's interview here. Just as last year, I typed exactly what he said and translated as needed. :)

Joshua David White, Age 3, Jan 4, 2013:

1) What is your name?: Can you guess my name? My name is....um....what is my new name? Jeremiah Josh David White (He has recently decided to change his name to Jeremiah but has a hard time remembering.)

2) When is your birthday?: I don't know.

3) What is your favorite color?: Blue and green.

4) What is your favorite toy?: A motorcycle (The motorcycle Granddad gave him. He takes it everywhere.)

5) What is your favorite food?: Hot dogs and mac & cheese.

6) How do you like to spend your time?: I like to eat some cookies and I like to drink spicy drink and that orange drink. (Spicy drink is soda...you know, b/c it's carbonated and is 'spicy' and 'that orange drink' is V8 Fruit Fusion juice)

7) What is your favorite holiday?: What is a holiday? After explanation: I like to do all of 'em.

8) Who is your teacher?: I don't have a class.

9) Who is your best friend?: At the park, what is his name? Parker (A boy he met ONCE at the park.)

10) What is your favorite song?: Umm.....lot of 'em is my favorite. The Boat Song is my best one.

11) What is your favorite book?: Um, the books we have already. 

12) What was your favorite part about last year?: Goin' to the beach.

13) What are you looking forward to for this year?: I like to ride my bike and lot of stuff. Hang out and drink some spicy drink.


He questioned why I was asking him all of these questions and kept asking who I was texting on the computer. He also wanted me to add: And I wish be Spiderman, too. I wish be Spiderman...write that up.

Christmas 2012

We spread Christmas out during the whole month of December. It was good to be able to have so much family time.

Early in the month we had a get-together with the Halls while Chris and Beth were in town (they couldn't come at Christmas time because Finley will be here soon and the doctor wouldn't let Beth venture that far away from home). 

It was good to be all (almost) together. We were only missing a few this time! As our clan expands, it's harder to get everyone together at the same time. But we'll take what we can get. ;) I so look forward to Heaven and never having to say Good-bye.

Josh was spoiled with a board game, several books, and lots of attention.

(Most of) the Hall Family

In the middle of the month, we went to Gasburg to have Christmas. Josh was super excited to see Jackson and Holton open their gifts from him. He got them bath toys (they're a little young for that yet, but he was insistent on those toys for them). As usual, the babies were more occupied with the paper than the gifts and it was fun to watch them grab at everything. 

Josh was given a "merote" (remote control) firetruck, a family membership to the Marbles Museum, a watch (he can get on and off all by himself!), new clothes, a drill, and a work bench (which keeps him busy for hours!). 

Happy Grammy and her fellas

Work bench (some assembly required) ;)

Holton opening presents

Jackson is excited about gifts!

Merote firetruck!

Daddy & Matt handled the clean-up (and apparently couldn't find a bigger trash bag....)

Jackson got an excersaucer (also some assembly required!)

The Hand Clan

We headed up to Yorktown for a few days during Christmas. It was good to visit with David's Mom, sister and Gram for a few days. We hadn't been there since late August and Josh had grown 2.5 inches since then! No wonder I've been having to replace his pants! We lazed around Saturday and Claire made her famous stroganoff for dinner. It was delicious, as always. 

We attended church with some friends from college, the Van Buskirk's, on Sunday and went out for lunch with them afterward. It was good to have a quick visit with them and I love seeing our two boys together. :) (I remember sitting in the hallway of the dorm with Jenn talking about how our kids would play together and I'm so glad the Lord saw fit for them to be able to.)

Josh & Nate

We got a chance to stop by the beach for a few minutes Sunday evening. Josh had asked to go to the beach the week before and I was sad to tell him it was too far. :( 

 

We had the opportunity to spend some time on the Naval Base, too. It was awesome and since we kept it a secret from Josh he was surprised when we got out to look at the helicopters and planes. We even got to go aboard the USS Kearsarge. I didn't take enough photos but here are a few. (I also apologize for not remembering enough info to explain the photos.)

We all felt so tiny next to the helicopters.

USS New York. As a special tribute to the people who died on Sept 11, the bow stem is cast from 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center.

  

We had a good family get together at Gram's house on Christmas Eve and went riding around to see some Christmas lights one evening. David and I went on a date while Josh and G'ma made cookies for Santa. 

Leaving out Santa's cookies.

Taste-testing Santa's cookies...

The loot Santa left

A new Bible (It's awesome, y'all...go get it!)

This HUGE stocking from G'ma held a soccer goal, soccer ball, shin guards, and soccer socks.

A marshmallow shooter!

Josh pretended his marshmallow shooter was a snorkel. ;)

We came back home Christmas Day since David had to work the next day. Josh and I made an impromptu trip to Eden/Patrick Springs to see the Greats up there. We came home Thursday and spend the day at Marbles with Lauren & Davis on Friday. 

It was a busy week but we enjoyed all of it! I pray your Christmas was a blessing filled as ours.

SMASH Book

About a week or so ago while sifting through Pinterest I came upon a pin that referenced this blog. She reviewed the SMASH line, by K&Company Y'all, I fell in love!! It's totally up my alley. Organized chaos?? Yes, please!

I am not crafty. I have NO desire to make a scrapbook. It's overwhelming and requires too many materials and too much time. But, SMASH, I can do! I love just about everything about it. There are many different styles of books: mod, simple, eco, baby, bridal, international, etc. The pen/glue stick combo, the adorable tape...you should go read the other blog to get more details and tons of photos. It's so cool.

I was given a Michael's gift card for Christmas (Thanks Ashley!) and went over last night to see if they carried the SMASH brand. They do!! The book came with a pen (I got the Simple Style), tape, a list pad and the stretchy thing that holds it all together. It's fabulous and adorable and I'm writing in it/adding to it as we go along so I don't forget or leave out any details.

I had purchased a huge jar earlier in the week to fill with daily/weekly blessings, good news, etc and planned to read them at the end of the year (we may still do that as we go along) but after seeing the SMASH book I changed direction and decided to make a book for our year. I like the jar idea but it will be more fun to be able to read through the book and see the photos of things we did, funny things Josh said, blessings that we were given, etc. I'm looking forward to filling it up with our happenings for the year.




(Nobody paid me to say all those nice things about the SMASH books, I just felt like saying them.)