"All for one and one for all..."

...My brother and my friend.

 What fun we have,

The time we share...

...Brothers 'til the end."

~Author Unknown~

Giving Thanks

"President Lincoln established the last Thursday of November as a national “day of Thanksgiving” for the benevolence and bounty that has been given to the American people.  On this uniquely American holiday, let us remember our good fortune at living in a land of plenty— safe, secure, and free from tyranny and oppression.

Another courageous generation of young Americans serves today as a force for good in some of the most remote and unforgiving places in the world.  Many will observe Thanksgiving and the upcoming Holiday Season without the warmth and companionship of families and friends.  Their missions are difficult and dangerous, and they perform them without hesitation.  In this season of Thanksgiving, let us pray for their well-being and safe return.  As we gather at our own tables on November 28^th, let us not only give thanks for the blessings in our own lives, but give thanks for the men and women who now serve, and for those who have served on Thanksgivings past, ensuring for us and future generations of Americans the “precious blessing” of liberty."

Well said VA Secretary Eric Shinseki!!!

I am thankful every day for the abundant blessings in my life, but lately i've been feeling especially thankful for HEAT  
The heat that makes our home comfortable when it's c-c-cold outside... 
the hot water we have easy access to that allows us to bathe and clean dishes and do laundry... 
and last but NOT least, my hot husband!!!!  :)

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Little Stinker

Cage fighting, cowboy, sleepy time, crazy time... MARGARITAS!

Video Montage

If you have 5 minutes to sit down and watch this, it's a bunch of video clips of the boys' shenanigans these past couple months.  Enjoy!

Wrestle-mania

They think they are so helpful with dish duty... I guess as they say, it's the thought that counts ;)

According to Bennett...

...bubbles go....

... on Sawyer's face!!!

New Name!

You probably noticed I changed the name of this blog!  Probably like how rearranging furniture feels good, I felt like it was time to "rearrange" this blog, to get that fresh feeling again.  (And it does feel good!)

I'll keep posting lots of pictures of the boys, but I might start adding more of my rambling thoughts now and then.  After all, since I cut back my hours at work at the end of October (and as Erik puts it), I am "semi-retired" now ;)

Oh my new title comes from the ideas in the 23rd Psalm, that we are sheep in need of a Shepherd, and that even though we are sinners and don't deserve it, God is merciful and loving, so we get THE Shepherd!!!

Here it is for your enjoyment!

A Psalm of David.

23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. 1
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness 2
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 3
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely 4 goodness and mercy 5 shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell 6 in the house of the Lord
forever. 7

November Days

Aunt Marta visited us from Alaska!

Sawyer doing his studying ;)

"Who are you calling a Turkey?"!!!

Silly...

...Serious...

...Naughty!!!

(Cool picture despite the fact he spit milk all over, lol!)

We went up to 49 Degrees North (the ski resort 9 miles from our home) the other day to take some family pictures... Bennett had SOOOOOO MUCH FUN playing in the snow!!!  He is excited for ski season!

Sawyer was a little bit in a daze during the photo session... it was so funny because he usually is a ham for the camera and smiles smiles SMILES, but he was just so SERIOUS the whole time we were up there!  Must've been too busy taking in all that beautiful nature :)

Bennett getting his cardio in for the day on the trek up the hill :)

"Hmmm... it looks nice... and tastes nice... but it's COLD!"

SNOWBALL FIGHT!

Sawyer is 8 1/2 Months old now and Bennett is nearing the 2 1/2 mark (next month!).

I can't put any more of the pictures up from this photo session because I don't want to ruin the surprise of the Christmas Cards!!!!  :)

UNCLE JUSTIN!!!!!!!!!!!

He just happens to be one of Bennett's all-time favorite people :) :) :)

Busy busy busy!

 Erik, Bennett, Sawyer and I all flew back to the midwest last Thursday for my Grandpa Springer's funeral.

This is the Q-400, the airplane Erik flies for Horizon.

A beautiful morning in Spokane!

And beautiful above the clouds, as usual.

Matching airplane jammies... of course!!!

Sleepy Sawyer :)

Sleepy Bennett :)

The boys did so great with all the traveling.... and it was a lot of traveling!!!

Grandpa Dean (my Dad) hanging out with his namesake grandson Sawyer Dean :)

Visiting my Grandpa Haas while we were back in Barron.

He just had open heart surgery on Wednesday and is recovering great!!!

Great-Aunt Mary taking the boys for a ride on my Grandma Springer's walker :)

These last pics are from the end of October here in Chewelah:

Big brother teaching Little brother all about rocks!

Cheese!

Good times in the pantry.  ;)

Sink Boy!

Sticker boy!

Bennett's new booster seat!

My doll baby all geared up for fall :)

Leaves UP... and...

...leaves DOWN!

And all over Daddy :)

Bath time is always fun time!!!