First Haircut for Jonah and Eve

At 2 Years, 6 Months, 1 Week, and 4 Days of age, two of Our Babies Three got their first haircut. Cate was horrified by watching Jonah and Eve go under the scissors so, we didn't want to further traumatize her by subjecting her to that which was the current source of her horror. Jonah needed to be held while being clipped so, Cathy had the pleasure of holding him and getting covered in blond baby hair. Eve was whimpery but she was able to hold it together enough to sit in the big chair on her own.

It was, overall, a better experience than we had feared, but we still have to do it all over again with Cate. Hopefully we'll be able to convince her that her fear is unjustified and that no harm will befall her. That won't be too much for her 2 1/2 year-old brain to comprehend, will it?

The Mighty Knights

One of the kids' favorite shows is Backyardigans and their favorite episode is entitled "The Tale of The Mighty Knights." So, when you have access to a plastic jousting helmet, a camera, some photo editing software, and a couple of spare hours, this is the end result.

Cate really likes this picture.

Ahhh....snow days

Cathy was supposed to go back to work last Monday, the 4th, but instead, we had a week's worth of snow days. We only ventured out into the snow one day, but the kids enjoyed every minute of it. This was their first chance to play in the snow and they certainly made the most of it.

Here are the little duckies in a row heading for the yard

Here they are waiting their turn to be heaved into the Wintry Wonderland

Cate doing her best Lebron James impression

Some days, Eve never closes her mouth...at all

They just weren't sure who was going to get the snowball

Hey Eve, where are you going?

Jonah getting Daddy with a snowball

I'm not sure what was going on here

Cate admiring her new boots...or checking her footing

Eve coming with a snowball

Jonah enjoying a good tromp through the snow

Mommy tending to some runniness

Angel Cate

Angel Eve

Archangel Jonah

Christmas Day

It is really hard for me to believe that this is already our third Christmas with children. But, I won't allow myself to do too much reminiscing here. Instead, after a quick look back at Christmases past, I'll make haste with photos from this Christmas.

Here is Eve on Christmas Day 2007

Here is Jonah on Christmas Day 2007

Here is Cate on Christmas Day 2007

Here Eve, Jonah, and Cate are in Grandad's chair on Christmas Day 2008

Eve, Jonah, and Cate on Christmas Day 2009 (each showing some of their own personality)

Jonah with Animal Crackers...in his teeth

Eve securing her spoils from stockings

Cate enjoying the glow of the tree

My girls

My boy

Stocking at the ready

Eve continuing her perpetual motion

Jonah glad to have something to hold

Gramma glad to have two grand-daughters to hold

Cate stunned by something

Eve enjoying her new flashlight

It's official, the flashlights are a hit

We just couldn't get a well composed shot of all three of 'em

Mommy and Jonah playing with a new Mini Magna Doodle

Cate's piggies

Eve's snowflake 'do

Cate and Eve sharing the V-Tech Alphabet Train

Just about to open presents

Here's Grandad helping Cate

Eve helping herself

Jonah unveiling his new snow boots (or, at least the box for his snow boots)

All enjoying the new Leapfrog DVD

Stockings re-hung with care

Merry Christmas - 2009 Review

Well, 2009 has come and almost gone and our lives have changed significantly in the meantime.

We have gone from a Deltona, FL mailing address to a Charleston, WV mailing address.

We have gone from "stay at home mom, bacon earning dad" scenario to "stay at home dad, bacon earning mom" scenario.

Cathy, has started working at Valley High School in Smithers, WV and Johnmark has started finishing school at West Virginia State University in Institute, WV.

Jonah and Cate have gone from sleeping in cribs to sleeping in Toddler Beds (Eve is still working on that).

Almost all of the Triplets' baby teeth have come in (Jonah is still lagging a little bit).

Cathy and I made a trip to the Orlando area for a basketball game (GO MAGIC!) and Disney World.

Over the Summer, we travelled to Florida and went to Disney World (so hot), and we went to Plymouth, MI to visit with the Greens (that trip will take a bit longer now since the Greens are moving to Morocco).

We made it to Conference in Lancaster, PA. This was the first Conference for the Triplets and the first time that Cathy and I have been since 2000.

My entire family (all 21 of us) descended on North Myrtle Beach, SC for the Thanksgiving holiday.

We will be spending Christmas in Belpre, OH with the entire Rogers family (all 14 of us).

Who knows what we'll be doing for New Years (probably sleeping).

It has been a good year.

I remember hearing from many parents, before I joined their ranks, about how fast the years go by when your kids are little. Well, it is true; our kids are little and this year has gone by fast.

Cate, Eve, and Jonah have grown so much in the last year. Their personalities have become fuller and more obviously distinct one from the other.

Despite the challenges and frustrations of each day, I am still reminded each day just how blessed our family has been and continues to be.

Thank you to everyone out there who keeps us in their prayers.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

- Johnmark, Cathy, Cate, Eve, Jonah, and Winston -