Major Catch-Up! Feb. 6 - Feb. 22

We LOVE Meijer...I don't shop there often (it's a little further to drive then other comparable stores), but when I feel the need for some Dutch love, I head to Meijer. 

Who need a visit to Shedd Aquarium...

Desperate times call for desperate measures...

This little buckaroo LOVES "Sandy" and has ridden several times 

(for free, by the way!)

This guy, however, usually refuses and sits in the cart..."no Noley ride"...okay, buddy. :)

Until a few days later (we had to go back to return something)...

he was ready for his FIRST ride! And LOVED IT!!! 

Hannah Rose has been growing her hair out for quite some time, but one day she came to me and said the words I was waiting to hear, "I want it cut!" Her hair was beautiful long, but with her blessed THICK hair, it was getting difficult to manage. I told her about several organizations that accepted hair donations to make wigs for those with hair loss. She was totally on board and after researching, we decided on Pantene's Beautiful Lengths program. 

The big day arrived and although she admitted to being a little nervous, she was thrilled with the result!

Usually it's the 3 boys home for lunch each day during the week, but on this day, Sam was at a friends' house for lunch and a play date. So, Nolan and Nathan had the ENTIRE counter space to themselves and I just couldn't help but find it interesting how they chose to sit...super close. Love it! ;)

After 2 of the 5 battled a stomach bug for a few days, we got out to enjoy the SUN and Snow!! 

(mainly the sun:)

These two handsome guys are just growing up so fast! We just had them in for their 2 1/2 year check-up. They look great and Nolan has maintained is 5lb advantage over Nathan. But, don't you worry, what Nathan may lack in girth, he makes up for with his ferociously sharp finger nails! Watch out!

Oh, and they're good at breaking things...ugh.

Boys' best friend

I needed to wash the twins' winter coats one afternoon, but they really wanted to go outside to play with their older siblings...so, out came the WAY too short snow suit! Poor Nolan!! He had no clue how silly this looked! Or, maybe he did...

 Nathan's alternative wasn't as bad...

 Weight Lifting at the Giere house...

And, finally the entire crew having a blast in the snow! Don't get me wrong, they love to play in the snow, but a few of them have mentioned time and time again how much they CANNOT wait for summer and I couldn't agree more! Bring on the heat!!!

Feb. 5

Okay, change of pace here...I originally had the following added to last nights' post, but decided to make it a post all its own.

I'm going to share a few of my favorite verses with you. 

Jeremiah 33:3 

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great

 and unsearchable things you do not know.

Ephesians 3:16-19

16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Micah 6:8

8He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but to do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God.

They are my favs for numerous reasons..what I love about God's Word is how it moves in your life in different ways and different times. The Ephesians verse was read at our wedding, it's been my favorite since college. I love knowing that the love of Christ is so WIDE AND LONG AND HIGH AND DEEP that I just can't even imagine! The Jeremiah verse gets me through tough times when I just don't understand why things are happening the way they are happening. It teaches me that when I call to Him, he will answer and I may not get it...now or ever, but He will always have an answer! And I love the clear instructions the Micah verse gives me. Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly...it's posted in our kitchen in a frame. I will admit, when I was a camp counselor back in the day, we sang the song with the title Micah 6:8 and I just loved the harmony of that song. It might be why I began to love this verse...never the less...it's still a favorite and I know the Lord has a reason for that. :)

Jan. 28 - Feb. 4

Hannah was made it to the official Spelling Bee for her school, so the boys and I went to cheer her on! chapel was still going on when we got there, so the boys patiently waited and peeked in on the students as the pastor finished up...

There she is! She made it to the top 5 and was eliminated on the word "turmoil"...yep, you guessed it, she spelled it "t-e-r-m-o-i-l"which makes sense, doesn't it?

 Who came up with this English language anyway?!

Sammy's infamous look...the nose scrunch. 

I know some of those closest to me think Facebook is a bunch of hooey and truthfully, 95% of it is. However, I love it when people post these clever things and have a head-nodding moment of saying, "Boy, I need to work on that!" Or, "Man, that's a good reminder. I wonder if I do that?" 

Here is a post that did just that...

Okay, this picture doesn't look pretty and would certainly make food photographers cringe, but there is a reason I'm showing it...2 major things were going on here. 1. I made crab cakes for the very first time in my life (they were really good too! and 2. I made them on a Friday night...I night I usually take off from cooking. :)

Saturday was a fun-in-the-snow-day! It was super sunny and "warm"...

perfect for hours of fun in all that white stuff! 

Speaking of Facebook, I posted these two pics the other day with the caption, "Two peas in a pod"? Well, these are two VERY DIFFERENT peas that came from the same pod...eating their pea pods." 
Seriously, you know these boys...doesn't this just say it all?! 

Here's another FB gem I saw this week...I literally laughed out loud at this one! 

Gettin' crafty with Sammy boy....I LOVE that he loves to do this with me!!!

The twinnies helping me wake up their 10 yr. old sister...who wouldn't want these two jumping on them first thing in the morning! :)

More snow fun...this was an after school play time and let's just say, we lasted only a fraction of the time we were out on Saturday. It was C O L D!! But aren't they cute?! 

Bible Study time...

Daddy's boy...singing into a microphone of broccoli! 

Big shoes, or coat in this case, to fill...

Have a happy day!!

365:21-27

"The Guys" lined up with their fearless leader!

Hannah "Loves To Make a Mess" Giere trying out a science experiment

Fireman Nate

Fireman Nole - he's prepared for this harsh winter!

Hannah's cheering section at last weeks' game

Thanks again for coming!

clementines 

our favorite winter fruit ... thank goodness Costco sells them!

A certain 7 yr old failed to tell me that her shoes were getting a little small...

until I noticed the hole developing where her big toe was! Oh that girlie!

Same sweet 7 yr old reading to her little brother...

Post shower head wrap

The twins put "The Guys" to bed...

NG enjoying some salsa...straight up salsa...and picking out the peppers to eat!
This guy likes his spice!

Our new family obsession...Memory (Disney characters). Can you guess which family member wins most? That little guy on the left!! Seriously, Sam's memory is awesome! I'm jealous!! Just be forewarned...if you beat him, escape to the next room.
We're still working on NOT being a sore loser! :)