Jordyn and Josiah

Josiah came to visit us yesterday! And Auntie Cheryl, of course! Jordyn was loving him up good! He looked so handsome and she's still in her p.j.'s!!! :) Funny, funny!

TheTrike

Chris finally got Levi's trike put together! The kids loved riding it in the garage while it was raining outside! How cute are they??? They look too big!

Operation Christmas Child

This year we had the opportunity to participate in Operation Christmas child through Jordyn's Awana's group! The kids had a great time filling their shoe boxes with toys for the children we get to bless. Levi made one for a boy and Jordyn for a girl. They were so excited to send these to children who don't have many toys like they do! We are going to continue to pray, throughout this season, for the boy and girl who will receive these gifts! What a blessing this was for me to experience with my kids!

Crazy Hair

Last Thursday was Crazy Hair Night at Awanas!

This was her crazy hair after nap the next day!

Trunk 'n Treat

Trunk 'n Treat at Sandals New building! It was so much fun and we got way too much candy:)

I know what you're thinking... how did HE land HER??? :)
Aside from his teeth, he's pretty cute!!!

Family Skate Night with Sandals Church

We only made it around the rink about 3 times but we had fun! I think it's time to get them their own skates! The children who had their own kid skates or blades seemed to have an easier time!

Halloween Costumes

Thanks Grandpa and Grandma Mason for the football uniform!

What'cha looking at???

I made her Belle dress! She really wanted to wear the blue dress! 

Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch Day! So much fun! My little football player and my beautiful Belle!

Slumber Party

The first McNiel Slumber party! Pizza, fondue and "How to Train Your Dragon"! It was so much fun!!! We're growing up so fast!

Jordyn's Rainbow

   About 3 days ago, while driving in the car, Jordyn says to me, "Mom, one time, we all need to call Jesus on the phone, together and ask him to make a rainbow in here!" I thought that was a great idea and explained to her how we don't need to call him on the phone because when we pray, he hears us!
   Yesterday, while playing with the kids, I looked outside at the gray clouds and sent up a little prayer. It went something like this, " God, it really would be awesome if you put a rainbow up for Jordyn, since she wanted to ask you for one."
   Last night, while driving in the car,  talking to my husband, he asked if I saw the rainbow. Stopped at a light, I looked back to my right and there it was... Jordyn's Rainbow! I couldn't get a picture of it for the blog but I'll always have the memory :(
   Thank you, Jesus!!!

Levi Michael

                Here's Levi!!! He's 2 and 5 months now! He is fully potty trained as of a few days ago and it only took a week! He amazed me! Everyone says boys are so hard to potty train, so I was ready for battle! Not my son!  I think he was just ready!
                Look at this handsome little man! He's a busy little guy, full of life and love. He's a snuggler if you can get him to sit still for any amount of time (basically, when he's sleeping). He has the sweetest little voice and loves to sing! He wants to do everything big sister does! I'm so proud to be Levi's Mommy!

Jordyn Rayann

               I took some pictures of the kids, in the front yard, last week! All of a sudden, I can see Jordyn going off to kindergarten! She's growing up too fast! I'm so proud of her! She's such an amazing little girl! She has the gift of encouragement and she's so smart! She's empathetic and sweet (when she wants to be, of course). I am so blessed to be Jordyn's Mommy!

Vacation in Oceanside CA

              We just got home yesterday from an awesome time in Oceanside CA! You should see the view from this place! We were right across the street from the Oceanside Pier! We were there 3 1/2 days and it went by way too fast. We had a blast! Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa McNiel for planning and making this trip extra special.
              This is what Jordyn had to say about vacation: Making sand castle and the beach and the hotel. Having fun in Grandpa's car and the kids playroom and playdough!
              Levi's take on it: Vacation. Make castles.
            
            

Oak Glen

   This is from a couple weeks back! It was a family day at Oak Glen! We were on a wagon ride! The kids really wanted to go and paid for it out of their money! We had such a great day together! It had  been a while since we went somewhere, just the four of us! Yay Family Day!!!

Happy Birthday Josiah!!!

   Well, the waiting is over! Josiah is here! He was born Saturday at 10:24am. He was 7lb. 11oz. and 20 in. long! He's adorable!
   Mama Cheryl did an awesome job! I'm so proud of her! Eddie was awesome too! They were really sweet to watch!
   It was an unforgettable experience for me! I've never been on that side of labor and delivery before! Cheryl and I have had the opportunity to walk through a lot of life together, good and bad! These are the moments that make all the pain worth while!
   Thank you, Eddie and Cheryl for letting me share in one of the best moments of your life! I love you!

ANTS

We've been having ant issues all summer! They drive me crazy! We've tried many different solutions but they are all temporary! The ants always come back! This morning I found them lining my kitchen counters! I HATE ANTS!!!

Just Waiting

   My BFF, Cheryl is supposed to have a baby any day! She is due on Thurs., the 12th! I was invited to be in the delivery room with her and I'm so excited!!! I've never been on that side of things before! She was in the room with us when we had Jordyn! She had to work during Levi's delivery but she made it right after and brought me a much needed dinner!  I think I have some anxiety about missing it because I've had two dreams now where I've missed it! Soooo weird:)
   Can't wait! She's one special lady carrying a very special baby! Now, we just have to wait!!! Come soon, baby Josiah!

Bragging

   Can I brag a bit? I realize every Mom thinks her kids are amazing, but really... mine are:)

My Sweet Girl

   Jordyn's new thing is to ask people if she could borrow something and bring it back later. I'm not sure where she even got the idea for it! However, today, our little cousin Tricia B was over and Jordyn whispered to me," Mom,  can I let Tricia borrow my stroller and her can bring it back to me later?" This was the first time she's ever initiated giving up her own possession in this way. And anyone who knows Jordyn knows that her stroller is one of her prized possessions! She is a baby lover, to say the least!
   I am one proud Mama! What a sweet girl!

Hockey Day

   This morning, we watched Chris play hockey! He scored the winning goal in a shoot out! Woo... Go Daddy! We were so proud! The kids had their hockey sticks! Levi said he wanted to play with Daddy and pointed at the ice!
   Tonight, while Chris was at his other hockey game, the kids and I had a tea party. Levi thought dumping everyones tea out was more fun than playing along. Thank goodness for "Air Tea", otherwise we'd be in trouble! Gotta love it!!!

Hi Grandma

   Levi came downstairs this morning saying, "Hi Grandma"! I said, it's just Mommy and Daddy, Bud. "Where's Grandma?" "She's in China, Baby. Do you want to look at her pictures, again, in China?" He said yes, of course. He was saying "Hi Grandma" to the picture of her! Then he said, "Grandma being silly in China." It was pretty cute! Loving you, Grandma! And Grandpa too!!!

Cleaning rooms... pulling teeth

   Are we cleaning a room or pulling teeth? Why is it that it takes 2 hours to do a 15 minute job? Jordyn spent more time this morning crying about cleaning her room than actually cleaning it! Anyone feeling me?

It all started when...

   It all started when my parents moved to China! Tuesday night, we said goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Mason! We put the kids to bed, cried our eyes out as Levi cried for Grandma, then we left for LAX. My parents started a blog for their China adventure. I thought it might be nice to start a McNiel family blog so they can keep up with us! We move quickly these days! :) 
   Jordyn and Levi are doing well with the transition, so far. Wednesday morning, I heard Jordyn get up. I assume she went next door and looked in Grandma and Grandpa's old room and I heard, "Oh ya, Grandma is in China". Next, Levi woke up. I saw him peek in the room. He said, "Where's Grandma?" To which I replied, "She's on an airplane to China". To which he replied, "Oh, Ok!" He asked again this morning!:)
   Well, Mom and Dad, We love and miss you much! Can't wait to hear about your adventures and see you soon!