Christmas is coming...

Here are some pre Christmas pictures...

Maddox is SIX

Hard to believe Maddox is already six years old! This year he is in kindergarten and rides the bus to school... hence the school bus cake. We had a fun birthday celebration at Brent and Alyssa's house on his actual birthday, the 19th of December.

 

Not sure what was going on here, but Uncle Mitch is underneath all these kids!

Alyssa, Dad and I were building with the new Lincoln Logs that Maddox got for his birthday.

Maddox's Aunt Kate with his cousin Blake...and Uncle Mitch with Christian. Soaking in all the birthday festivities!

1st swim

We took Christian to the Y to swim for the first time. I don't really think he knew what to think. He enjoyed kicking his legs in the water, and just kinda looked all around. It was nice, we were the only ones in the pool. We thought we better practice up before going to Mexico the end of January :)

4 months old!

Yep, I'm four months old now...just changing everyday! Somedays I look more like Daddy, others like Mommy, and the rest I look like myself. I am still a happy little baby, unless of course I'm too tired or riding in the car too long. I'm growing out of my clothes again, a good portion of my 6 months stuff has to be retired because I'm getting so long! I went to the doctor for my check up, and she says I'm doing good. I weigh 14 lbs 13 oz now, and am 25 in long...which is pretty much exactly average.

Here's some of the things I am learning and doing:

• I've found my hands, I like to try to stick them both in my mouth at the same time, fold them together like I'm praying, or just wave them around to hit my mom and dad in the face
  
• I smile and try to talk back when I'm talked to
• I love to look at lights...especially now that the Christmas lights are on and there are so many to look at
• I will sit up with some help, I'm still too wobbly on my own
• I like to look at books, my favorite one is my book about colors. I especially like the RED page.
• I slept all through the night, 10 hours straight for the first time 2 days after I turned 4 months. This only happened once, but I'm still pretty good. I only get up once to eat and then go right back to sleep.
• I can grab, and I mean I can grab good. Give me hair, eyes, pacifiers, the hanging toys...you name it.
• I like my playmat with the toys hanging down, and my vibrating chair with the toys. I can hit them, talk to them, they really keep me entertained.
• Lastly, I am starting to drool more. The doctor said that I'm not teething yet, but its just normal for me to do this. I can give some wet kisses this way!!

Some pictures

Here's some pictures of me over the last month. I sure am getting big and changing so much!

Family times

The weekend after Thanksgiving we spent alot of time in Hesston. Phil had a painting dedicated at Hesston College Friday afternoon that we went to. Following that we had supper at Gpa and Gma Hershberger's celebrating Gpa's birthday. Afterwards, we went over to Mom and Dad Sweigart's for the remainder of the evening to spend more time with Carissa, Grandpa, and the rest of the fam. 

Thanksgiving together

This Thanksgiving was the first holiday we have celebrated as a family of three. We are especially thankful this year for Christian's birth and presence in our family. He is just such a blessing, and we love to watch him grow and change daily!

I didn't have to work (which I was extremely thankful for), so we were able to go to both Hershberger and Sweigart Thanksgiving gatherings! We are double blessed with families that get together and enjoy each other's company. I can't help but think of those that don't have family whether it be distance that separates them, brokenness, or that they're no longer living.

 

At one we went to the Hershberger gathering at Mark and Beth's in Inman. It was good to see many of the extended family and we had a very good meal.

I just thought this picture was interesting..no particular reason.

Then we went to Hesston to have an evening Thanksgiving with the Sweigart family..including Carissa! Grandpa Birky and Darren also joined the rest of the family. Grandpa had flown in, and Darren drove from VA with Carissa. We had another filling meal, followed by a game of dominoes.

We have so much to be thankful for...our family, our health, our homes, and our faith!