Tharrrr She......

Goes!  Jake and I went out the other evening and because I applied some make-up, asked him to take a picture.  I aren't too whalish yet, though the tummy is round.  We'll save the sarcasm of "Blows" for a much, much later post...

Silas the Bulldozing Machine!

For Christmas Silas received this very cute bulldozer.  When Jake first picked it out at Target, I thought to myself, "what a waste, where will we put this orange piece of plastic? Why not buy something more practical like corduroys and a button up shirt..."  Then I recalled how last year, when I shopped without Jake, I was completely practical and didn't buy Silas anything because he was well, a 6 month old and he'll sleep through opening presents anyway.  So I kept my thoughts to myself and told my man to pick out what he thought Silas would most enjoy.  Jake was right on and every morning after breakfast, this bulldozer thingy is the first thing my littlest man goes for.  He even rifles through the hat basket and digs out a hat to wear with it.  Sometimes it's one of the girls hats, so we were particularly proud when he picked out the camo hat the other day to wear.  He sure is cute.... just like his old man.

Colby Turned 12

This Sunday past, our oldest child turned 12.  Jake and I can hardly believe we have had the privilege of parenting for some 12 years now.  Colby Brett is such a joy to us and we are so blessed for the time God has allotted us with him.  We proudly sang to him and blessed him with many prayers this past Sunday.  What a joy! Thank you Lord for this sweet Mercy shown to us in the form of our oldest son.

Done and Done

Dad, we took a day off yesterday and then hit it hard this morning.  Everything went smooth today until we re-installed the alternator.  One of the mounting bolts sheared off at the tip in the block; yikes!  Colby held the flashlight while I painstakingly backed the tip out with needle nose pliers.  Turns out the bolt was Grade 5 and most likely a manufacturer defect - very smooth shear failure.  We found some Grade 8 automotive bolts at a local hardware store and then finished the alternator.  A little help from my neighborhood Portuguese mechanic (just back from the War) for a quick QA and ATAF, and then a test run. Believe it or not, it runs.  And, so far, no more leak.

Christmas "Golds"

Merry Christmas family and friends!  We had a wonderful day of celebration, gifts, games and rest today.  Pictured is everyone (minus Silas who was in bed) with their "gold" Christmas gift (I am holding Christie's-hence her joyful expression).  I, in particular, finally received the coveted purple Cabela's button-up shirt.  Needless to say, I am still riveting with excitement as I am planning on engaging the Commandant on having this piece added to the Marine Corps blue-dress repertoire... Dad, we'll send it in the mail soon.  

Love you all, and hope you had a Christ-exalting Christmas!

Dad - update on coolant leak

We started on the water pump replacement, so here are a few pictures to keep you updated. Wish you were here to help us; we are having a lot of fun.  

Got the old pump out and compared it to the new one.  I think the old pump was the original with markings of "GM21".  Probably reason enough to put in a new one.  Obvious problem is that the new pump is black.

Nothing that a little spray paint can't solve.  Chevy Orange is just the thing to make the cowboys and indians stand up.

Now that's much better.  Letting it dry over night and then we'll start the hard part...trying to get humpty-dumpty back together again.

Maybaby

Checked in with the doc yesterday and had an ultrasound.  I've put on 3 more pounds.... Jake says it's all the Baklava I've been consuming.  

The ultrasound was wonderful and everything appears well.  We told the tech we want to be surprised by the gender, so she didn't tell us.  She was excited that only, "God and I know."  The due date was right on target so no changes there.