Nomi claps!

Here are a couple pics of Nomi clapping. She just learned and it's so cute. Ethan rushes to her side with praise and encouragement, "Good Job Nomi!" It's very sweet.

It's so fun to watch Nomi grow and change (although I am starting to be a little sad that she's not a baby anymore.) She has been crawling, although mostly backwards, since 7 months, she's trying to pull herself up on things and loves standing and patting the couch.

She is a joy and a delight... Naomi means: beautiful, pleasant and delightful; Jean means: God is gracious. Perfect!

Pics of Nomi Jean

Naomi ("Nomi") enjoying her new wood pull-toy from G & G. Note the cute Christmas babylegs!

Of course, she was most interested in Uncle Mike's tool box latches- of course!

Hanging with Uncle Mike, Auntie Sarah (Sabie), and posing by the Christmas Tree. She is obsessed with ornaments- taking them off, chewing them... bells are her absolute fav!

She looks mad here, or serious... I'm not sure... but she had a very Merry Christmas. She does like the cute duck that Santa brought her in her stocking!

Christmas Pics of E

Great-Grandpa and Ethan checking out the new corvette from Uncle Mike. It has lots of bells and whistles!

Ethan double-hatting. He has on Josiah's new winter hat and Grandpa's new baseball cap! He loves to take everyone else's hats.

Ethan testing out Josiah's Santa gift... a new massager to help relieve sore muscles after workouts... I think I should teach him how to use it so I can have a massage anytime!

Ethan's Drum Set

So, G & G Donbroski got Ethan a full drum set for Christmas. We brought him downstairs, had the video camera, and were anxiously awaiting his shock and surprise. To our surprise, though, he just acted normal- as if to say- well, it's about time you got me a drum set! He plays all the time (well, as much as my ears can handle) and is quite good. We're excited to see if he continues drumming as he gets older.

Merry Christmas- Happy Birthday Jesus!

So, we spent Christmas Eve with my family this year. I had to work Christmas Day and the next 2 days after Christmas, so we stayed in town. Our day started early at 9:30 am with Santa gifts in our stockings and poems (a Donbroski tradition), courtesy of Grandma Carol (she writes the best poems ever!)

Then, we had breakfast and opened gifts. We went to the Family Service at church and then had the extended fam over for a potluck. It was a very Merry Christmas! And as Ethan learned from doing his Advent Calendar (a cool sticker one where he made the manger scene)- Jesus is born! Yay! Happy Birthday Jesus!! We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas too.

Longie Love

Well, since we started cloth diapering the kids, I have found a LOVE for wool... knitted wool especially. It has even inspired me to start knitting- although I have only mastered simple scarves so far. My expert teacher and friend, Tricia, taught me to knit and she's my FAVORITE knitter. She's so sweet to knit for the kids... longies & hats... her work is amazing. Nomi loves her longies, so here's her newest pair. I think she's one happy and satisfied customer (and so is her mama!)

Disclaimer: my camera does not do justice to the beauty of this colorway... it is chocolate brown, pinks, sky blue, light yellow, sage green... to-die-for!)

Gingerbread House Goodness

Wow- Cool house Ethan- he was a little timid about eating it... but he took a big bite- YUM!

The kids spend 3 days a month at Amanda's house. They love it there- Ethan asks when he gets to go to Amanda's house and play with the girls- Sadie and Emma. Amanda is so creative and a wonderful cook and baker- so I was not surprised when she had the kids decorate Gingerbread Houses. Ethan was excited to show me his "work of art." We decided to take some photos... so here goes!

Merry Christmas!

So, we talked about doing a family picture... but didn't do anything about it. And I'm not usually a last-minute person, but somehow, time got the best of me. Thank goodness for technology! We took the picture on Monday, Josiah designed the card and uploaded it to Walgreens online and he picked the cards up for me on Tuesday! Wow- such speedy service! Merry Christmas everyone!! We love you!

Oh Nomi

We affectionately call Naomi -"Nomi"- because that's what Ethan can say and, well, we like it.

So, she started crawling backwards last month when she turned 7 months and she's gotten faster. The only problem is... you're never quite sure what you're going to get yourself into!

Oh Nomi!

When mom's at work

Naomi playing with the ornaments. She is fascinated with the lights and ornaments.

My sweetie pie! I could just kiss those cheeks all day long!

So, this is what happens when I'm at work! Drumming on my bowls with my kitchen utensils.

Comedy by Ethan...a funny little story

I was working, but I got an email from Josiah entitled, "ha ha."
Here's what happened:

so Ethan was trying on my (Josiah's) workout gloves, and of course, some of his fingers he could get through the holes, and some of them were grouped up and poking out of one hole. And I heard him looking at one of the empty holes and saying, "Come out here buddy...come on out...he's hiding....he's hiding daddy."

Too funny- those fingers just have a mind of their own!

Christmas Card

Well I tried to get a Christmas Card picture the other week, but no luck. Ethan is anti-picture right now. He says, "Cheese," without smiling... urghh... I just can't win!

So, if I don't get "the picture" soon- there won't be a card.... wish me luck.

Decorating Cookies

Ethan wanted to decorate some cookies, so he helped with the icing and then wanted to add sprinkles. As you can see, the first attempt was a little messy- so I got smart and taped up all the holes but one on the sprinke shaker. That worked MUCH better. Naomi watched happily, wishing she could sample one, I'm sure. Then there was the taste-testing and a very satisfied cookie-eater.

My super-fly boy

Ethan loves his hat that he stole from Grandpapa Jim and he insists on wearing it backwards! Of course, the shades are a necessity too! As Ethan would say, "I'm a cool dude!"

Oh Ethan

So, I'm working a night shift and it's slow so I'm going to tell a story. Ethan loves Naomi- he calls her "pretty girl" and wants to greet her when she wakes up. But, then he also pushes her over, hits her head, steps on her, and sits on her when she's lying on the floor. SO, he's been having a number of time outs. Last night he came out of time out, walked by Naomi and this was our conversation:
"Ethan... please be careful of Nomi."
"I'm not supposed to push her, hit her or touch her head." He smiles at me.
I shake my head, of course! He knows he shouldn't hurt her, yet he keeps on doing it.
I just looked at Josiah and said, "Unbelievable."
I'm not sure if he was mocking me or not... either way...he's still funny even when he's naughty.

And he's picked up the phrase, "Just kidding." I'm not a big fan of it, but his comes out sounding like "Just killing" which does "kill" me! I laugh everytime.
Well, back to work... hope that made you smile!

Naomi's Hudson Hat

I am learning to knit and aspire to make a hat as cute as this one someday! I had a sweet mama make it for me out of her leftover scraps. I think Naomi looks so sweet in it! Thankfully she tolerates me putting different hats on her all the time. And then a shot of Aunt Sabie (as Ethan has affectionately named her).