The Six Pack

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We never seem to find the time (or patience) for much holiday baking, but one snack we do enjoy making (and eating) is chocolate covered pretzels. Yesterday my little Joseph elf was dipping pretzels. It was all he could do to avoid sampling his holiday treat as he concentrated on coating the salty snacks with just the right amount of creamy chocolate. "Mommy," he remarked, "we could give some of these pretzels to Santa!" Afterall, Mommy hadn't made cookies to leave him, he thought to himself, so pretzels would just have to do. "Oh, yes, Big Boy," Mommy replied. "I know Santa would love some of your pretzels! What a great idea!" "Because Santa likes to eat stuff that makes you fat," Joseph continued. "Steak makes you fat. We can make him a steak..." "Yeah, he does like food that makes you fat." Don't we all??? My little elf continued to dip pretzels. He worked ever so carefully now, imagining how th...

I was so excited to be home this year for the holidays. A year ago today , we were still in Michigan awaiting discharge from the hospital. A winter storm threatened our return trip home, and we feared we would miss celebrating with our older children. We eventually arrived home late Christmas evening, and though the holiday was miraculous and joyful in so many ways, it was certainly far from "traditional." And so this year, I was eager to do all those wonderful "Christmas" things that seem such a crucial part of every December. And in all our "busy"-ness to get everything just right for the "perfect" holiday, I'm afraid we often overlooked the real meaning of the HOLYday. So Friday night, after wrapping gifts, tying bows, and addressing Christmas cards, the family sat down to watch "The Nativity Story." The movie is a beautiful depiction of our most beloved Bible story. We were reminded of the sacrifices that our Holy Mother and de...

Zachary had a fun party Sunday with a good turnout. He got to celebrate with lots of family, friends, and even his cardiologist! Thanks to all of you who were able to come, and all who sent their happy birthday wishes. We will post pictures soon! Today we want to share our family Christmas pictures. Fortunately the sitting was not too painful an experience, but we did have some trouble getting all of us to look at the camera, much less put on a good smile! Still, family pictures were long overdue, and we are pleased to share them with you! This is my favorite pose. I chose the color version for our blog header! Our five little blessings Do you see a sneaky someone in the background? (David)

Happy birthday, sweet baby! On Wednesday Zachary turned ONE YEAR OLD! He has been through so much in his first year, but today you would hardly notice. Zachy is a happy, busy baby. He crawls all over the house, laughs, dances, and pulls up on furniture. He's starting to exert that toddler independence in the way he resists diaper changes, tries to feed himself, adamantly protests anything he dislikes, and interacts with his brothers. He says "Dada" and "Mama", plays pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo, and even folds his hands at prayer time. Lately he has become interested in the Christmas tree, and those of you who visit on Sunday may notice his, um, rearrangement of the bottom branches. Shortly after his birth, doctors whisked Zachy away to intensive care, where they promptly hooked him up to all his monitors and IV. We didn't get that time after birth to bond, to inspect every detail of his sweet little body, to nurse him and shower him with welcome kisse...