One last Christmas Entry...

These stockings warm my heart.

Magee Mantle Memories...say that 3 times fast.

The Worst Christmas Tree Pictures...Ever.

Gracen, Aiden, Evan, and Grier --Christmas 2009

...and these were the "best". Wow, have I ever mentioned how hard it is to get pictures of 4 little ones before?? Because, it's a challenge people.

Christmas Morning

Waiting patiently to open gifts.

Loving their sleeping bags.

Checking things out.

We got them each a tent from Ikea...and this is what we walked into....love it! They were a hit.

Trimming the Tree

Investigating the tree

Topping the tree

Of course you have to wear sunglasses when you decorate the tree...at night.

Blessed


Not much to write on this one...except that I'm totally horrified that I'm posting Christmas pictures in April. I just HAVE to get them up here, for "scrapbooking's" sake. We had fun...listening to our favorite Christmas worship albums...complete with hot chocolate, and a fire in the fire place...well, after we were done. The kids were really helpful, and a little more thoughtful about where to hang the ornaments then in years past.

Still catching up from 2009...

Thanksgiving 2009

We had plans all lined up...We were headed out to Uncle Bill and Aunt P's house. I was assigned things to bring, the kids were excited, etc. The day or two before, Aiden started complaining about some intense pain in his arms and legs. I dismissed him at first, because to be honest...he's a bit of a hypochondriac. But eventually the pain was so bad that he was brought to tears. He had no other symptoms. So of course, we both were thinking the worst...leukemia. We made an appointment to see the doctor the next day. We prayed...I cried. I think we both had trouble sleeping, knowing that we could find out some life altering news the next day. We headed in to see our beloved Dr. Chang the next morning...and after about a 20 minute exam, he was all set to get some blood work going. He made some off hand comment about the flu, and I reminded him that Grier had the flu the week before. At that point, he was pretty convinced that's what Aiden had...so he tested him, and lo and behold he had the FLU! How weird is that? He had no fever...and no other symptoms. But apparently you can get some pretty wicked myalgia with the flu. Blake and I both breathed a HUGE sigh of relief, and thanked God for the flu...and then proceeded to smother our son with sloppy kisses, and bear hugs...so grateful to have a healthy boy. But of course, because of his "sickness", we weren't able to go the Hengst's like we had planned, because sweet little cousin Gunnar would be there, and he was only about 4 weeks old...and if anyone was around Hayley in the first few months of Gunnar's life...you know she was a TAD crazy. I'm just giving you a hard time H...because I know you'll read this. :) You had a baby during flu/swine flu season...it's understandable...sort of. ;) Anyhow, so that left me scrambling the day before T-Day to put something together for our intimate little Magee Thanksgiving...party of 6. And as you can see in the above picture...I pulled it off rather well...if I do say so myself. It was fun...and cozy...and one that Blake and I will never forget, because we had a NEW reason to be thankful...a son with a case of the flu. Praise God.

Fall Cakes

LOVE Gracen's intensity when she's doing something creative

I also love to watch her delicate hands.

Can you see the difference in personalities?

A little lick won't hurt

The tongue helps her get it JUST right.

He concentrates so hard when he's "working"

Watching his design unfold

I grew up decorating sugar cookies with royal icing for EVERY holiday...and totally loved it. My Mom was amazing at creating family traditions. I've tried to take a page from her book, and create those special moments for our family too. I've taken some of hers and added some of my own. I also like to do the roll out sugar cookies and royal icing with my kids...but man, is that a lot of work. Props to you Mom for being so consistent with it. I have not managed to do it for all the big holidays...so this is my 2nd choice...decorating cakes. I don't think the kids have an opinion either way. They like doing both. So in November we made "Fall cakes". I love doing creative stuff with my kids...it's really peaceful in those moments and I enjoy seeing what my little budding artists come up with...It's also a special time around the table as we create sweet memories, and stronger bonds.

Carving Mr. Pumpkin

We had fun carving our pumpkin. We roasted the seeds afterwards...and they weren't very good. I'll need to hunt down a better recipe before next Halloween. On a side note, Aiden was in his underwear...so most of the pictures I couldn't put on my blog. :)

Glitter Pumpkins

My friend Danielle gave me this idea for Glitter Pumpkins. She does this every Fall with her kids as their little Fall tradition. And a bonus...you get to decorate with these adorable things. The kids had a lot of fun with this...so I think we're going to keep it in the craft rotation.

3 Ballerinas and a Rockstar

LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture...it's TOTALLY my kids. Gracen is causing mischief, Aiden is trying to do the "right thing" by looking at the camera, and Grier is being a total goof ball. I will treasure this picture forever.

Goofball Grier continued...in both pictures

A-D-O-R-E these feet

I'm one blessed Mama.


Halloween was really fun this year. We hung out with our new neighbors for a little while and then hit the streets. The kids did not last long...especially Gracen and Evan. So the 3 of us came back, and the baby went to sleep. Gracen and I passed out candy to the neighborhood, and chatted with our other neighbors for awhile. It was a laid back night...but so enjoyable getting to know people on our street.

I Love My Life

I got to sleep in today, thanks to my wonderful family! When I finally decided to get out of bed, I woke to french toast, and my precious children holding signs that they made me. (We're celebrating Mother's Day today b/c Blake now works on Sundays.) I really love my life...I am blessed with an incredible husband, and 4 amazing kids. But it's seriously the hardest thing I've ever done...I get frustrated at times...like when I finish mopping and someone spills a drink, or treks dirt in the house, or when I pick up the house, and moments later, I can't see the floor anymore. Or the fact, that I'm on an endless quest to finish the laundry...or when I've worked hard to cook something new and tasty, and my kids turn up their noses in protest, and call it yucky...I get frustrated. But at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade any of it. I love my kids...and there are other moments that make it awesome...like when they need a comforting hug, or when they tell me I'm the bestest mommy in the whole world, or when I hear them praying...or when they tell me I'm a great cook...that does happen on occasion believe it or not. Or when they choose to obey, the first time, on their own, with a great attitude...ahh those are great moments.

I'm SO thankful that God has allowed me to become a mom. I have learned SO much from being a mom. I am a different person because of my children. I've become so much more aware of my sin...even more then when I got married. That was an eye opener too. God has used my kids to refine me and grow me in areas I'm weak...the many many areas. But I'll save that for another post. God has also reminded me of simple pleasures and joys. I admire the way my children look at life...full of wonder, and anticipation of something great. I'm thankful to be a part of that. Thank you Aiden, Gracen, Grier and Evan (and Blake for helping them) for making me feel special and loved. Happy Mother's Day! It's a good day!

Easter Pics

Aiden-5
Evan-4 months

Gracen-4

The MageeTribe

Love all their faces.

I'm so glad I caught this face. Grier-2

Silliness

More Silliness

Okay, I'm WAY behind on blogging lately. It's gonna be a crazy next few days of new postings...so get ready!! We had a wonderful Easter, celebrating our Risen Lord!! It was an exciting time, because I felt like Aiden was really getting it for the first time. It's been pretty neat lately to see him getting bigger. Even though Aiden is only 13 months older then Gracen, the gap is getting bigger. I feel like he has grown in leaps and bounds in several areas lately. He's starting to read...which I can hardly believe. He's asking some pretty profound theological questions, and he's constantly asking me what he can do to help me! His maturity is really blowing us away...of course, he's still a 5 year old boy who likes to antagonize his sisters, and can't seem to walk anywhere, opting for running at full force. But none the less, I'm really looking forward to what's ahead. I'm not sure how this ended up being a post about Aiden...Happy Easter.

Easter Cookies

They were funny...taking this quite seriously.

So proud of this little one

Love her dainty little hands.

He was concentrating so very hard, wanting them to be just right.

Tasting her art...what a face!