Yes, Christmas

Finally getting around to sharing some Christmas pics!

Christmas Eve was spent at dad's.  We had a really nice time.

Dad read a book with the Christmas story for the kids, which I think they really enjoyed.

And it was really sweet of him to do :)

Of course trying to get a picture with 3 kids is a bit of a challenge,

but I think this one turned out pretty good!

Dad was able to share a special gift with the boys. 

Mom had gotten these gifts for the boys last Christmas, but decided not to give them yet. 

So dad was able to give them this year and tell the boys who they were from.

I think they both really enjoyed their gifts!

Christmas morning was a lot of fun, especially since Ella is a little more into it this year :)

And I love that everytime Ella sees the camera, she says, "cheese"!

Wyatt was really excited about the gifts he received!

Ella enjoyed spending time with Papa Al on Christmas night.

And it looks like Wyatt was really pumped to get Dusty Crophopper :)

Wyatt at 3 1/2

Wyatt is 3 1/2 years old now!  (Going on 20)

It has gone so fast!

He keeps us hopping and entertained.

He is quite goofy...as you can see in the picture below :)

Someone got into mommy's makeup!

Here are some of his current favorites:

Favorite Toy: combine

Favorite thing to watch: Wild Kratts

Favorite book: Daniel & the lions

Favorite Food: French Toast

Favorite color: lavender

Favorite Sister: Ella

Favorite Song: Jesus Loves Me

Favorite snack: goldfish

Favorite animal: lion & tiger

Favorite outside activity: swim in the pool

Favorite thing about Ella: he said, "I think she's pretty"  :)

In the picture below, Wyatt is showing off the new toys he got when he finally pooped on the potty!

It happened about a couple months ago and he has done really well with potty training since!  Hooray!

We're keeping our fingers crossed!

My cousin caught this classy picture below at Ella's birthday party.

I guess he was just entertaining his audience!

He is such a sweet & smart boy.

And he's looking forward to having a new baby brother or sister!

15 months!

Ella is 15 months now!

Thought I'd share her stats and some pics from her birthday party!

Guess I'm a little behind on sharing those :)

Height: 30.8 in.  (67th %)

Weight: 20 lbs 7.5 oz.  (18th %)

She's a peanut!

She has decided that walking is fun!  Yay!  Although, she gets around super fast when she's crawling :)  She jabbers a lot too...guess she gets that honest!  And of course, my favorite thing she has started doing is saying "Mama"!!!  Finally!

Ella got a chair from mommy & daddy.  She also got a lot of other nice presents from our family and friends that came out to celebrate!  We were so thankful for everyone that could be there! 

I sure had a lot of fun making the cake and cupcakes...although my cake was a bit of a pinterest fail...I thought it still turned out alright :)  I decorated with handmade bunting.  I also had hydrangea from our landscaping on all the tables.  And of course pink balloons!  I think that was one of her favorites...she kept pointing and saying, "boooo"!

Ella sure enjoyed her meal!

I'm pretty sure Ella's favorite gift of the day was her dolly from Grandpa Devon!

I think she held onto it the rest of the time!

Her first taste of sweets...Pretty sure she won't ever go back!  She attacks anyone with a treat!

 Clearly she enjoyed this :)

Of course Wyatt had to help...and play with all her toys...

My favorite pic from the day!



Party of five

For those in blog land who haven't heard the news...

We will soon be Cripe "party of five"!!!

Some days I can't quite believe it myself!

Here's the picture we used to announce this to our family...

I've also included a few outtakes for your enjoyment :)

Love her expression!

Our sweet Ella

Our sweet little Ella is already 14 months!  How time flies! 

Thought I'd share a little about her and some of her 1 year pics :)
Ella is full of energy and loves following her big brother everywhere! 

Ella really loves looking at books.  Especially if there are animals, balloons, or balls.

Ella typically calls every animal "boo"  :)  We think she is trying to say "moo".  She loves seeing the cows at Papa & Grandma's, the horses across the road, and says "hi" to any dog. :)

Ella adores her daddy.  She gets so excited when she hears him come home.

Ella loves to eat!  She really loves vegetables and bread!  If she sees bread, she has to have it!

Love those pics :)  She is super friendly, just like her brother.  She says "hi" to everyone!  She loves playing with her doll that Grandpa Devon gave her.

She really loves Wyatt and he loves her too.  She usually wants to be wherever he is, which he is normally okay with...unless she's trying to take his toys :)

Love it.

She just melts our hearts!

(All photos by Jessie Nichole Photography)

Hope

A couple weeks ago, I finished a 12 week session of griefshare classes.  My dad, sister, & I were able to attend together.  I think that it's been a very helpful experience...to read scripture, gain biblical perspective, hear testimonies, and share with others who are experiencing grief.  We all experienced loss in different ways, but we were all grieving. 

Our last griefshare meeting was about heaven.  During the meeting, this image of mom popped into my head…I knew that it was her in heaven…I just remember seeing clouds and blue sky...The only way I can describe how she looked, was that she had this beaming look of expectation & absolute joy on her face as she looked around at her eternal home…it was a beautiful image.  Thankful that the Lord provided this for me.  I left our last meeting filled with hope.

This is very fitting, because what has stuck out most to me during this difficult and confusing time, is to "grieve with hope".  I guess for me, it's the only way to deal with losing my mom.  Today would have been her birthday.  It's not been easy without her.  And although I wish she could be here to celebrate, I am comforted in knowing that she is celebrating in the most perfect way.

"But we do not grieve as those who have no hope." 1 Thes 4:13

Today in my devotions, "Jesus Calling", there were definitely some comforting words...

"Your hope and your future are rooted in heaven, where eternal ecstasy awaits you."

"Sometimes I grant you glimpses of your glorious future, to encourage you and spur you on."

So thankful for the Lord's sweet presence and peace in this time.  So thankful for the many who are praying for and encouraging our family. 
So thankful that the Lord sustains me and helps me to grieve with hope.

Oh help! Oh no! It's a gruffalo!

If you ask pretty much anyone if they know what a Gruffalo is, the answer would be "No".  So, imagine a person's response when Wyatt tells them he is having a Gruffalo birthday party...and starts describing a Gruffalo, with his orange eyes, purple prickles, and poisonous wart on the end of his nose (all this with as much expression as possible!).  Try explaining that one!  And yes, I brought this upon myself...anything for the kids, right?! :-)  Of course!  And so I set out to create a Gruffalo themed birthday party to celebrate Wyatt's 3rd birthday!  THREE?!?!?!  I still can't believe it!

So, without further ado, here is a Gruffalo!

Wyatt fell in love with the book, "The Gruffalo", after we discoverd the short film, which is adorable!  To sum it up, it's a story about a little mouse that goes for a walk in the woods...he meets a fox, an owl, and a snake...tells them he's meeting a Gruffalo, so they won't eat him...only to discover that there really is a Gruffalo!  That wants to eat him of course!

So it was a toss up between this and Curious George.  Of course I picked the one that has zero party supplies, unless you live in the UK, or feel like spending an arm and a leg to purchase these items :-)

So, I improvised...and had a super time with it!  All of the food was themed around the book...

Wyatt was SO excited when he saw his Gruffalo cake with all the characters!

We had "Gruffalo Cake"

"Mouse trails" & "Scrambled Snake"

"Roasted Fox"

"Purple prickles" and dip

Forest finds

"Poisonous warts" & Gruffalo Jello

"Purple Prickle" Punch (which was mighty tasty)

"Owl Ice Cream"

and of course, "Gruffalo Crumble"!

Wyatt had such a fun time with everyone there!  Playing with cousins and friends. 

I know we sure missed having "Grandma Judy" there with us! 

Wish I could have shared all the fun and excitement with her...

And here is Wyatt enjoying his new gator...I think this was right before he dumped his cousin off the back and then ran into the fence! 

Probably not the best idea to practice this with so many people around :-)

Just love the look on his face!

The kiddos that joined us all went home with some "Gruffalo goodies"...i.e. "The Gruffalo" book, or "The Gruffalo's Child" book, or a cute board book for the little ones.

Thanks again to all who helped Wyatt celebrate!