Luke 6 months/ Jake 23 months

I was trying to take a few updated pictures of the boys. I feel like I hardly have any pictures of Jake recently because he is always on the go. This is the best I could get of Jake... he refuses to smile for the camera.

Day at the aquarium

Last Sunday, Kirk and I decided to take the boys to the Chattanooga aquarium for the day. We have been wanting to go and since we had to be out of the house for most of the afternoon we thought it would be a perfect day for it. It was a really nice aquarium and I would recommend it to anyone who is close to Chattanooga.

Kirk and Jake looking at the parrots.

They had a huge room filled with butterflies. Both boys loved watching them fly around.

Looking at fish with daddy.

Luke watching the butterflies.

We were watching a huge shark swim by!

Luke's baptism

While we were in KC we had Luke baptized. It was done in Kirk's parents church, which is where Jake was baptized. A lot of family was able to be there with us. Afterwards, we had a small celebration at the McCullough's house.

Jake reading a book with his Grandad.

Luke with Great- Grandad.

My parents, Craig and Jeannie Spiegelberg on the far left and Kirk's parents, Jim and Leslie McCullough on the far right.

With Luke's Godfather, Clint McCullough on the left and Father Larry who baptized Luke.

Sweet baby in his baptismal gown that was worn by Kirk's father Jim and all his brothers and all of the McCullough boys, including Jacob.

Connor

We made the trip up to Kansas City on February 17 as Kirk's brother, Connor was in the hospital and not doing well. We made it up there that evening and Kirk was able to spend the night with all his siblings and parents at the hospital with Connor. The next day, they were able to bring him home where he passed away. We were all able to be with him and pray with him as he took his last breath.

Connor was such a special person who touched so many people with his faith. Kirk's parents have also been such a witness to Christ throughout this whole journey starting 7 months ago when Connor was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

They held the memorial service on Wednesday February 22 at St. James Academy, where Connor attended school. It was amazing to see the hundreds of people that came out and the kind words they had to say about Connor. The next morning was the funeral. It was a beautiful service in a packed church full of people that love Connor and the whole McCullough family.

While we miss Connor terribly, we know that he is in heaven and is free of the pain and suffering. Connor achieved more in his short 17 years than most people accomplish in their long lives. I know he has changed my life and brought me closer to Christ as I know he has done with hundreds of others.

Santa visit

While we were up in Portland for Christmas, we took the boys to see Santa. I was very surprised that there were no melt downs. Jake walked right up to Santa and sat on his lap for the picture. (Maybe it helped that I told him he could have a piece of candy. The whole way there he was saying candy... whatever works!)

4 months

Luke is 4 months already! I really cannot believe how fast these past 4 months have gone. He is such a wonderful baby. He is happy almost all of the time. He just looks around waiting for someone to look at him and then he gives them his big dimply grin. At night, he is sleeping a 9 hour stretch, and then he eats and goes back to sleep for another 3-4 hours. I feel so lucky to have a baby that sleeps! He is still breastfed and eats every 2-3 hours during the day. He rolled over for the first time from tummy to back on Christmas day. He has started sucking and biting on his fingers. Luke has really started to notice Jake. He watches him very closely. He loves to lay on his play mat and hit at his toys.

I'm not sure what his height/weight stats are, we go to the Dr. in a few days.

Here are a few pictures from 4 months.

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, we made the drive up to KC to spend the holiday with Kirk's family. It was a long drive with 2 kiddos, but we made it! We both agreed, that no matter how much money it saves us, we won't be driving again, we will fly. It was wonderful getting to spend time with the whole family. Here are some pictures from our trip.

The whole crew!

Grandmother Leslie and Luke.

Such a good natured little boy!

Uncle Clay and Luke

Uncle Connor and Luke.

Eva and Jake playing. They thought it was funny to wear the toys as "hats".

Grandad meeting Luke for the first time.