She Said Yes!

We were so excited to be a surprise part of my brother's proposal to Christina last night. She was nothing less than completely surprised to see us, our parents, her parents and a few other close friends and family and then to see Zach on his knee. It was so sweet, and it was a great way to bring the families together.

Here's a few pictures below. We were at Hardywood, a local brewery where they had their first date. We were hiding behind the massive containers of beer (which is why it looks like we're in a hardware store or a science lab), and Zach's friend that works there was giving them a quick "tour" when she found us. So fun!

Christmas Productions!

From preschool to church, Mary-Michael has had a few of opportunity to gain confidence in front of crowds! She has made a lot of progress from that first preschool production where she clung to Mrs. Bowen's leg and refused to look, sing or dance for anyone. What fun this season's been being able to see these sweet little ones sing and dance for Christmas!


Notice the open mouth, tongue half-out face, a.k.a. I really don't want you to look at me right now.


Wrapping up with her class buddy, Anna, right behind her.


Sit in Santa's lap?! You must be joking! I prefer Mrs. Bowen.

Singing at church - she was doing pretty well until she got hit in the eye by the girl next to her. She did recover before the song ended though.

Merry Christmas!

Happy 2 Years Frazier!

My little man,

Two! Already!? How did that happen? What a treasure you are to this family. You are so much fun right now with your expanding vocabulary, vocal opinions and zest for life. You want to do everything that "Sissy" does, including rock baby dolls, carry a purse and wear hair bows. Don't worry though - you are plenty masculine and full of "boy"! You love your trucks, big machines (e.g. tractors) and legos the best. Mary-Michael's toys hardly compete with those things. You also play really well by yourself, which I so appreciate. Your favorite books right now are Chicken Big, SkippyJohn Jones and Life Size Zoo. You had one of your favorite meals today for lunch - lemon chicken pasta - and you regularly love to eat spaghetti, raisins, goldfish, bananas, clementines and French fries. You have a pretty good appetite and willingness to try things though you have surprised me in that chicken nuggets and pizza (typical kid-friendly foods) are not your favorites. You'd much rather eat chili or soup over those things. 

Everyone has been commenting lately about how much you are talking. It's like you woke up one morning and decided you were going to start using all those words you've heard the first part of your life. You are regularly heard saying, "Come on Mommy" or "Come on Sissy" to invite us to play or see something you've discovered. You almost know all of the 2 blessing songs we regularly sing before meals, and you know so many of the songs we listen to in the car as well as any motions that go with them. Sometimes, the things you say still sound like a caveman - "Me thirsty" or "Shoes on". We regularly laugh at the things you come up with or will repeat when we're not paying attention.

You generally are very easy going and flexible, following instructions and doing what your sister is doing. You do have your moments of defiance though. And you are physical, swinging those little fists or pushing Mary-Michael when you get mad. But all in all, the two of you play really well and love each other a lot. Not much more makes a momma's heart sing than that. I love to see y'all being sweet, defending each other and helping one another without any adult encouragement. It's awesome.

With all the grandparents, we enjoyed a small, festive birthday celebration for you last weekend. You so enjoyed opening presents this year and Mary-Michael was a good helper but not too intrusive. It was wonderful to have all 6 of our parents with us, too, as they are so key in raising up our children. 

Frazier - what a blessing you are. Your Daddy and I know you are going to grow into a great young man of God that will be a leader, encourager and giver. We are so proud of you and proud to be your momma and daddy. 

All my love,

Momma

Ecclesiastes 11:8 
However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. (NIV)

Welcome Edward Zachary Hedges

On Monday, December 16, 2013, we were so excited to welcome a new nephew into our family. Aunt Keesha and Uncle Brian brought us an early Christmas present - Eddie or E.Z. (still working on the nickname) arrived at 11:27am weighing 5 pounds, 10 ounces. We can't wait to spend some more time with him for Christmas!

Christmas Preparations

I have so enjoyed decorating for Christmas this year. It helps that I have more time since I'm not working and that our kids are so excited to see the smallest strand of Christmas lights. So fun! It's taken us a good 4 days to decorate and prepare the Christmas tree, and it is leaning (though not completely fallen thanks to the fishing line), but we love it, and I love having that fresh Christmas smell in the house.

We are reading all sorts of versions of the birth of Jesus and really trying to put more emphasis on Him instead of Santa. You certainly can't hide from Santa, and we don't necessarily want to, but we're hoping to instill a focus on the real meaning from an early age. Without Jesus there would be no Christmas, right?! It's a tough thing because the magic of Christmas is so special and one that I love, so we are definitely trying to still figure out how we want to do this. Right now, they are young enough for us to easily change the topic and focus on something else that's just as fun (i.e. cookies and these singing bears that the kids love - thanks, Charlene and Mark!). 

And we're doing some fun advent activities. I think last year, I managed to post a picture with each thing. I can tell you that it won't be like that this year. But here's a list of what we're up to and some pictures so far. We're trying to stretch ourselves and give a little more this year, and so far the kids are embracing it (though Frazier was quite confused about why I let him pick out a stuffed animal at Target only to have to drop it off at church a few minutes later. Maybe next year he'll get it!).

• Pick out our family Christmas tree 
• Decorate our family Christmas tree 
• Decorate Mary-Michael’s pink tree 
• Make an ornament to give to a friend 
• Purchase a gift for a child in need for church 
• Unwrap a Christmas book to read (old or new)
• Have a family Christmas movie night 
• Make a list of gifts we already have (put long list on a door to add to for the whole month)
• Bake cookies for a friend or family member 
• Pick out stuffed animals for the homeless mission trip
• Pick out something from the World Vision catalog (when you give to the least of these, you give to Me (Jesus))
• Make a birthday cake for Jesus
• Make a Christmas card for Mrs. Bowen (teacher)
• Go look at Christmas lights 
• Read the story about the birth of Jesus 
• Go to Christmas Eve service at church
• Purchase food for the Pilgrim’s Pantry at church 
• Build a manger with Daddy at church
• Make a Christmas card for Daddy
• Help momma make dinner and Christmas treats
• Invite a friend over for hot cocoa and treats 
• Deliver eggs to a neighbor (2 times)
• Deliver meat/firewood to a neighbor in need (on Christmas Day)

Thanksgiving Pictures

On Thanksgiving Day we enjoyed a delicious meal at River Walk restaurant in Yorktown, VA with my Dad's side of the family. This is my Nana's new favorite place to dine, and boy, did we enjoy a good meal. It was also nice that there was no clean up involved! After lunch there we stopped at Mark and Charlene's to enjoy an evening dessert and good company. We were home by 8 and the kids fell right asleep. They did pretty well since they went without a nap for the day though by around 6pm they definitely were a little crazy and running on pure sugar alone. 

The Lawrence clan being attacked by Daddy, the tickler.

Family photo of 4 generations!

Nana's great-grandbabies - Mary-Michael, Jacob and Frazier.

Nana, Jacob and Shirley. Nana turned 89 on November 29. Doesn't she look amazing!?

Zach, Christina and our two.

Caught!

Yummy!

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we enjoyed a Thanksgiving Feast at Mary-Michael's pre-school. This is Mary-Michael and her teacher, Mrs. Bowen (we love her!).

You know who we are.

While she didn't sing or dance, she is improving in these school productions. You can see below that she at least walked in by herself with a smile on her face.

We practiced walking in with our hands by our side that morning in the bathroom!

Every child decorated a turkey feather for the school turkey.

The weekend prior to Thanksgiving we enjoyed some time with Aunt Keesha, Uncle Brian, Grandma and Grandpa in Northern VA. We finished that weekend off with a yummy Thanksgiving meal with my mom's side of the family back in Mechanicsville. Of course, I failed to snap even just one picture.

And here's a random picture from a lunch visit at Nana's a week ago. 

Hope you and yours had a blessed Thanksgiving, too! What a wonderful season ahead as we celebrate the birth of our great Savior! It's the most wonderful time of the year!