It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Since we've been home, it's been fun to transition into the Christmas mode. The weather has been generally cooler, and we've enjoyed looking at the Christmas lights. Our decorations are in the process of being put up.

On Friday, we decided to take Ian to see the doctor AGAIN (fourth time in five weeks). He had been cranky, not sleeping or eating well, very clingy, and had a fever. Turns out that his most recent ear infection hadn't cleared up even after antibiotics. Poor kid! Our pediatrician was out on Friday, but I really liked the other pedi that we saw. She had a great manner with Ian (he didn't cry once!), and she gave me a lot more information on tubes in the ears. She said that kids naturally begin to outgrow ear infections between ages 18-24 months as their face matures and Eustachian tubes get more of a slope. This is GREAT news! Maybe we won't have to place tubes in Ian's ears! We're praying Ian's ears clear up on this second round of antibiotic and that he doesn't get any more ear infections anytime soon!

So, our past week has been filled with lots holding, rocking, and reading stories to miserable little Ian -- but some laughs and smiles from Ian in between.

These pictures/videos were actually from before our trip. Ian has continued his interest in other people's shoes. Here he loved clomping around in Momma's high-heeled sandals,


especially the sound they made on the tiled floor.


Ian helped Momma make some pumpkin muffins and enjoyed licking the spoon afterward. (Thanks for the easy recipe, Aliceson ... TWO ingredients: spice cake mix & a can of pumpkin. Yummy!!)
Ian loves his weekly time with "DeeDee" (Daree) while Momma tutors. This week, Daree taught Ian where a semi truck driver sleeps and how to HAND (not THROW) large objects to other people. What a sweet lady with a heart for the Lord & a love for life! We love you, Daree!
Kim took some time on Tuesday for an Advent by Candlelight celebration with some of her dear, beautiful friends from Trinity (Kati, Melissa, Elisabeth, Aliceson, and Lauren)! The evening was filled with yummy food, good music, and a neat speaker. What a fun way to kick off the advent season! Thanks for the invitation, Lauren and Jean!
On Thursday, Kim got a FREE haircut at an upscale Aveda salon while the stylist was learning some new techniques. I've never been brave at trying new cuts, but it's easy when the stylist doesn't give you any choices. I think she did a great job! :) (And, thanks, Kati for babysitting Ian even when he was sickly so I could get the free cut!!)

Matt and I have been enjoying exchanging small gifts during Advent, a tradition we started five or six years ago. Next year, we'll involve Ian, too! Matt surprised me by bringing home a yummy chocolate/peppermint mocha.
Today, we went to "Journey to Bethlehem" at a local church. Our northern friends and family would laugh to think that the manufactured snow was the biggest hit!
We were excited to see friends Melissa, Carrie, and Eric there!
Ian enjoyed his ride on the donkey,
and all three of us thought the camel was pretty cool.

The church had lots of neat stations where kids could make crafts or sample food like they might have had around the time of Jesus' birth.
Not surprisingly, Ian's favorite station was the one that included "Baby Jesus." :)
It was neat to see so many of the church members involved, as station leaders or even dressed up as wisemen! We agreed that we'll love to go back in years to come, as Ian will appreciate even more!



Over Thanksgiving time, Kim's family got a big kick out of the way that Ian pronounces some of the ABC words in the Baby Bible, so we thought others might get a laugh from it, too!