Im not sure why Matt and I got such a kick out of this... maybe I was proud that I have a good eater, or just the fact that he was carrying a tree of broccoli all over the house just taking bites like it was a turkey leg at the state fair.  He finished the whole thing (well, the top part).  This little man never ceases to make me smile... all day long.

A fresh breath of 'brand-new'... the newest little lady in the Oakland family made her first visit to us today.

What should you do when you have had endless days of frigid temps... put on your swimsuit of course.  Doing kid-made crafts in their swim suits.  I need to take a big lesson on joy-finding from these two.

Still little enough to hold... and still little enough to love it.

I wonder how many super bowls this crew will enjoy together... our party consisted of a little wooden table in the middle of the living room as the five of us ate a great dinner in front of the TV (which the kids thought was weirdly fun) and watched the game in our PJ's.  

Eager, helpful hands.  We talk often finding joy in helping each other.  Today, I had some very clean mirrors to be joy-filled about.

Many simple joys in one moment.  A break from little sis as she's sound asleep... us big kids get to drink hot chocolate and play a game of trouble.  Great lessons learned in these little, non-hurried moments.

 

A daily present.  My kids will get all bundled up just to check out what surprises are in the mail box that day.

God's food.  Not only does it taste good, do great things for your body, it's so pretty.  I never cease to be thankful for a good meal on the table.

It doesn't get much better than three clean littles in hoodie towels.

Indoor Camping.  It's pure genius to make such joy out of a seemingly joy-less situation... freezing cold day after day after day.  These two never cease to find some way to enjoy the day that the Lord has made.

I wonder when reading on Daddy's lap will not be the norm .  I think we still have some time.  Simple, joyous wonder.

A clean baby right out of the bath... baby lotion lathered all over that sweet little belly.  Hand-me-down jammies from big sis make me realize that time just keeps walking along.

A sweet taste of summer in the cold, cold days of winter.  I can't lie... I was eating it frozen out of the pan off the wooden spoon while it was cooking.

Our little four-year-old Madison learning that she loves to draw... and proud of it.  Sweet, simple joy.

Quiet house... granola still warm from the oven... a wee bit of time to be quiet.  Joyful.

Reading to little sis... fills up a Mama's heart.

A fresh, quiet layer of fluffy snow.

We get to watercolor on paper... God paints the winter sky.  Crazy the colors He chooses.  My first peek of this goodness came as I tipped my chair back and peeked through the window as I was enjoying my mug full of hot chili.

A perfect picture of simple joy... In the arms of Gramma Great.

Cold cold days... long naps in front of a wood burner... yes please.

Card games with my four year old...

A little game called 'peek-a-boo' with a brand new one-year-old.

One pink candle in one tasty banana muffin celebrating one big year.

Sleeping kids, quiet house, overdone chicken straight out of the crockpot, two forks, one plastic kids' plate, one heaping pile of bbq sauce.  Date night.

One Simple Snowman...

little hands in the kitchen