In Love

Lately I've been singing "You Are My Sunshine" to Cole. It seems as if all my children, from the moment they were born, have been in love with music. It's soothing, relaxing, etc. But they all love it. So, when I started singing this song to Cole, he would smile, coo, try to giggle, make noises (I think it's his "joyful" noise). Now in this video, you will see him smile. He didn't really do any of the other things. It's funny, whenever I get the video camera in front of him, he becomes really timid. I know that's pretty common, but I wanted to show you his reaction. Of course, the singing isn't the greatest. I started a little too high for my voice and it's just not the best. But I wanted you to see what I see in this little boy. Pure love. Maybe not necessarily for music, but for his mom. You can see it in his eyes. I've been really busy these last few nights and Marc has had all the kids. Cole was a little fussy during one of these times and Marc decided to sit down and turn on this video so Cole could hear my singing. He said it was amazing - Cole knew it was me right away and stopped fussing. He knew my voice and tried to find the sound. Kind of how it states in John 10:27 - "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow Me.". Am I just like Cole? Do I know the voice of my Savior and do I do whatever I can to find Him and follow Him? Sometimes I do, but there are times that I ignore that voice. I know that time will be coming with Cole - a time when he hears me call to him and he decides not to follow. But right now I'm relishing in the time that he does try to find me all the time. Maybe that's a little bit of how Christ feels when I decide to follow him. Like a proud, loving parent.

Vacation

It seems like it's been so long since I've blogged. And it has, really, been awhile. Recently we took a vacation to New York. I've missed being home so much! But the most awesome thing about it was that both my brothers and their families could be there at the same time. This is the first time in almost 2 years that we've all been together. So, it was great! Now, I'm not saying that every moment was perfect. Of course there were personality clashes, disobedience from the kids, but it was great nontheless. The kids played so well together. They just enjoyed being around each other. This was also the first time that my brothers were able to see Cole. So, he made a huge hit! Anyway, here are some pictures from our week at home.

This is what I woke up to in the van on our way. We left at 3 AM Saturday morning to start out our trip. This picture doesn't do it justice, but it was so cloudy and this little patch of sun was shining through giving the area around us that glowing look. I love that look. I always thought that this showed where heaven was. A beautiful brightness and glow among the darkness.

My handsome man doing most of the driving.

All the grandkids (minus Cole and my nephew Ben) sang at my parents church on Sunday morning. They all wanted Mimi up there to sing with them, so she did. They sang "This is the Day" and "God is so Good" accompanied by my dad on guitar.

Mimi and Kate - I just LOVE this picture!

My brother, Brett, and his son, Jack. Jack just adores his daddy!

My gorgeous man again! I just can't seem to get enough of this guy! =)

My brother, Dan.

My dad and my grandmother (his mom). I haven't seen her in such a long time. I do love my grandma.

My dad with his dad and stepmom (my grandma, too). When my grandfather first saw me when we were home, he stood up, kissed my cheek, hugged me, and then asked me who I was! It's been a few years since I've seen him and with the black hair I have now, he didn't recognize me. That's o.k. I thought it was so funny! And I just adore my grandfather!!

All the most important men in my life (excluding my husband and my son).

From left to right - Dan, Dad, Grandpa, Brett

I think they're a handsome group!!!

It was just gorgeous while we were in NY. So much so that the kids were able to go in the river and ride around in the kayaks. I wish I would have gotten more pictures. These aren't the greatest. Also, my brothers and I were able to go kayaking, too. Didn't get any pictures of us either. Oh well. My brother got some videos that I'll have to post when I get them.

More kayaking kids - and dogs, too. Yes, my parents have miniature daschunds, and they go kayaking and biking with my parents.

Dan

Brett

Marc

My sister-in-law Melissa and my nephew Ben. I just love these two!

On our last day in NY, we took the girls to the marina close by. They had so much fun looking at the boats and wandering around on the rocks. Here are a few pictures of our excursion there.

Marc wanted me to take some pictures of the rocks. We thought they looked pretty cool!

Lily

Maggie

Emma

I didn't take too many pictures of Cole last week. I don't know why, it just didn't happen. I would have loved to have gotten some pictures of him on the rocks, but being that he's so small still, that didn't work. Maybe soon. But for now, this picture of him roughing it will have to suffice.

The girls looking at the boats. They loved every minute of it!

It was so nice being with everyone, but also great to be back in our own beds! We miss everyone so much and we're looking forward to maybe doing this again next year. So, for now...

We miss you...

Papa

Mimi

Uncle Dan

Aunt Missy

Alex

Kate

Ben

Uncle Brett

Aunt Em

Jack

Baby to be

Grandma LePage

Grandpa Winters

Grandma Winters

...and love you, too!