Samuel's first time in the snow

We got about 5 inches of snow in South Carolina! 

The parking lot in front of our apartment building

The next day I bundled up Samuel so he could experience it.

He was pretty fascinated

We built a Samuel-sized snowman =)

Yay snow!!

Reunion in Arkansas

After our time with the Riddles in Greenville, we flew to Arkansas to visit friends and supporters.

The Fields have become a second family to Heike, and their daughter Hannah was on furlough from southeast Asia, where she and her husband are serving. We had a wonderful time, and got back home right before the winter storms hit. Heike was having way too much fun to remember to take pictures, but here are a few:

Gramma Gale made Samuel a cute hat

He loved it =)

Samuel had lots of people and toys to play with

Christmas with the Riddles

Christmas morning in Greenville with Doug's family:

Keith, Doug's brother, and his two boys reading the Christmas story

Samuel enjoying his presents

Heike and Timothy modeling hats

Story time with Uncle Doug

Watching the snow come down with Grammy

Joseph and Timothy loved their cousin Samuel

So wonderful to be with family!

We ended up having a white Christmas this year which was so fun and special! Doug's family was such a blessing and encouragement to us, we thank God for our family and being able to be with them.
Samuel's first Christmas was definitely memorable!

Christmas with the Skaggs

We had Christmas with Heike's family on the 24th:

Samuel helping Heike wrap presents

Opa wrapping Samuel in wrapping paper

Opa made Samuel a hat out of wrapping paper scraps

Samuel liked his new hat

Courtney, my wonderful new sister-in-law. It was her first Christmas with us as part of our family

We had a Christmas brunch and had a good time together. Heike's brother is in residency so we don't see him often, and thankfully he was off work. Heike's dad heads back to Africa soon so we enjoyed being able to be with each other, not knowing when that will happen again.

Then we headed to Greenville so we could be with Doug's family on Christmas morning.

Favorite December pictures

In an effort to catch up, here are some pre-Christmas pictures - my favorites. =)
Christmas pictures will follow hopefully soon.
[Sorry for those of you on facebook, these will be repeats]

Working on the computer with daddy

Cuddling with mommy!

Making faces

The cats waiting for snow

Loving his bumbo seat!

Samuel loves looking at himself in the mirror!

Hanging out in the sink =)

A few favorite pictures from November

Things finally slowed down a bit for us in November. So we made time with family and friends. =) Here are a few pictures:

Getting ready for colder weather

Sweet boy!

"Helping" mommy do laundry

Napping with the cats

Spending time with Opa (Heike's dad)

Totally asleep in his great-grandfather's arms

"Helping" Grammy (Doug's mom) play cards

Enjoying cards with his Papa (Doug's dad)

3 months old!

Some pictures from October

October was a busy month for us.

My Grandma died and God provided for us to go up to IL for her funeral. Even the circumstances were sad, it was so good to spend time with family that we don't see often.

Samuel was a hit

Back home, we had a Halloween party:

Star Trek themed Riddles!

Doug and his little Romulan

We also celebrated Doug's grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary and 80th birthdays. We really enjoyed reuniting with Doug's side of the family. 

Joseph holding his cousin

Timothy holding his cousin

Aunt Sarah getting some cuddle time in

Family picture!

Samuel is starting to smile more and more!

My amazing little boy!