We Wish You a Merry Christmas

The picture you see below was used for our Christmas card. I thought it would be fun to post the other pictures from our "shoot," (our very unprofessional, in-home shoot). Ya know, the pictures that you don't ever get to see.

ENJOY!

The kids were singing Christmas songs.

Crew was dying to meet Santa this year and Finley wasn't sure how she felt about him until she saw him face to face. She put on a pretty good face for this picture but she was terrified.

Here's to 6 years!

I always think 4, 5, now 6 years! Is that it?

Devin and I met 11 years ago during High School and we've always had something very special. I guess that's why I feel like we've been together forever. I could have never imagined 11 years ago that life could and would be so good. Having a husband who is so passionate about life and his role as a father makes everyday special. We've grown in so many ways over the years and I'm thankful for the experiences that have brought us closer. I can't help but fall more in love with him everyday!

Drum Roll Please....!

We are soooo thrilled to share with you all that we are PREGNANT and we're having a BOY!

Little boy Belnap is currently in his 17th week of development and is the size of an apple. He's already changed my life by making me the sickest I've ever been during a pregnancy and forcing me to make drastic changes to my schedule. But we won't focus on that during this post. Right now let's just CELEBRATE!

Happy Birthday Crew!

It's hard to believe that five years have gone by since Crew became a part of our family. Each year with him brings more laughter and fun. Every time I get all sentimental and talk about how grown up he is he always gives me a big hug and says, "It's okay mom, I'll still be a great boy."

Here are some highlights from his birthday party.

A homemade card from a good friend.

Tug o' war seems to always be the favorite game.

We had a friend come to face paint the kids and as you could imagine, that was the highlight of the party. Crew chose a werewolf and the other kids followed. For the remainder of the party all the boys ran around like a pack of wolves. Even Finley joined in.

Crew really wanted a Lego party but given that there aren't many Lego decorations or games that go along with that theme we just stuck to a Lego cake.

This is Crew's friend from school. As you can see they are very close friends. She'll go home after they've been at school and tell her parents how handsome she thinks Crew looked that day.

Last year I came up with a short list of questions to ask Crew on each birthday. I thought it would be fun to look back over the years and see how his interests change.

Where did you come from: My mom's tummy.

Who is your best friend: Cameron and Logan and Landon

What is your favorite cereal: The tiger cereal. (Frosted Flakes)

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite toy: My Red Ranger motor cycle.

Who would win in a fight between Spiderman or Superman: Superman, cause he's really tough.

Favorite Song: Songs from Primary.

Favorite food: Trail Mix

Favorite animal: Bats, Tigers and Komodo Dragons

What do you want for Christmas: A real dog

Favorite show: Spongebob and my favorite move is Harry Potter.

Favorite thing to do with dad: Wrestle and have sword fights.

Favorite thing to do with mom: When she takes me to Wendy's.

Here are the answers from his 4th birthday.

Where did you come from: Martins in Space

Who is your best friend: Oliver and dad

What is your favorite cereal: Bird cereal (Froot Loops)

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite toy: Legos

Who would win in a fight Spiderman or Superman: Batman

Favorite Song: Naughty or Nice (Santa Clause is Coming to Town)

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite animal: Farley (my parents dog)

What do you want for Christmas: Ninja Turtle

Favorite show: Phineas and Ferb

Favorite thing to do with dad: Wrestle

Favorite thing to do with mom: Play with toys with her.

Graffiti Much?

Crew loves writing his name so much that he'll do it just about anywhere.

A Back Country Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving at the cabin as we usually do. Crew and Finley spent more time outside than they did inside.

The guys built a snow cave for the kids.

Gogo Belnap made a Batman cake for Crew so we could all celebrate his birthday together.

He laughed when he open his gift from grandpa and grandma because he thought they were giving him 

crackers.

Ragnar...again!

About 8 months ago Devin recruited his entire family to run a Ragnar Relay together. This took place back in October in Las Vegas. This was my 4th Ragnar Relay and I have a feeling it isn't going to be my last.

Marker Mustaches

Just look at these faces. They knew they were busted without me even saying anything. I just had to try not to laugh.

The Food Chain Lesson

I came home the other night to a praying mantis on the doorstep. Devin threw it in a jar for Crew and he was thrilled to find it the next morning. First, he named him Mac. Then he insisted on feeding him. We gathered a few ants and a dead fly from the back yard and threw them into the jar. Mac didn't touch them and Crew was everything but satisfied. Then we found a little black spider, scooped it into the jar and within a minute Crew was yelling at me that he had bitten off the spiders head and was sucking out his guts.

YUCK!

Later that evening I had convinced Crew that it was time to let Mac go. My sister Sara and her family were passing through town and had stopped by our house. Crew and his cousins went in the backyard to let Mac go. Crew said his goodbyes and placed him on the edge of the fence. Then right before their eyes a lizard came from out of the bushes, grabbed Mac by the neck and ran off with him. Crew was practically in tears.

That's when the food chain lesson came in.

Finley's Agreement

I can only paint hers, if she can paint mine.

SPIDER-WOMAN

Unlike most little kids whose first drawings are of oversized headed stick people. Finley's are of spiders. And she is soooo proud of them.

Berrylicious

We spent our Saturday at a nearby farm picking berries. We couldn't get the raspberries to Finley fast enough. I'd throw a handful in her container and by the time I turned back around to put another handful in, the others were gone. Crew on the other hand was a little working bee. It was all work and no play for him. He was rewarded with a giant caramel apple.