Schafer is 1!!!!

We had a big party planned for Schafer's first birthday on Saturday the 31st but everyone got pinkeye so it ended up being only a family party.

On his actual birthday, which was wednesday he got his first happy meal for lunch and we went to texas roadhouse for dinner. 

We had a lumber jack theme for his party with lots of red and black plaid.

We had cornbread, bacon, sausage and lots of warm syrup.

We had pancakes and popcorn in brown paper cones. 

I tried to make his cake look like a log... eehhh next time it will be better. It did look better in person though.

Happy Birthday Schafer!  We are so grateful for you!

A Mahon Family Loss

I had a miscarriage today.  I believe I was approximately 12 weeks but we aren't sure since the baby stopped growing at 6 weeks.

I took a test on November 1st and I wasn't sure if it was positive or not so I took another one and it was negative.  I didn't take another test until the end of November and that one was positive.

When we went in for our initial appointment the third week of December they said I was 5 1/2 weeks pregnant which means that when I took that second test I wouldn't have even been pregnant yet... so that was weird... I knew something was wrong.  They also couldn't find a heart beat but said that's normal because it doesn't normally show up until 6 weeks.

We went back in two weeks later and the baby was measuring 6w1d and there was a faint heartbeat, which was good but bad at the same time.  The baby had only had 5 days of growth in 11 days.

I started spotting three days later and went to labor and delivery where they gave me an ultra sound and there was still a heartbeat but the baby was still measuring 6w1d.   The spotting stopped on its own and I continued to be pregnant, just waiting to see if the baby was going to start growing or if I was going to miscarry.

I just waited until the day after Schafer's first birthday and I pass the baby.  I bled A LOT and it was very painful.  I had painful and difficult contractions and the desire to push before I passed the baby.  It was very difficult time both physically and emotionally.

Connor called the baby 'baby little'.  The boys were both sad when we told them that the baby was dead and they asked a lot of questions but they were generally ok.

I have every confidence that God is sovereign through all things, include the death of this member of our family.  He can work all things together for good and I'm confident that He will.

Mid Winter Outside Fun

The boys love playing outside!

Shay's feelin' like a big boy in his tricycle! 

Connor's learning to ride his bike... it's hard cause we are one a curb with a down hill driveway.  He loves it though!

This kid... he's just too much!

Vale is using his balance bike and loving it... not super speedy on it yet but getting there.

Connor decided to show Shay how it's done... 

Shay took advantage of the unattended skate board! :)

I can't believe this little guy is almost 1!!!

Look at that smile, I love it that we are blessed with happy kids!

This kid is such a ham... I love it.

These cold winter days where the sun is warming is the best!!! :) So blessed!

January fun!

Happy New Year World!  So blessed to be with family during the holidays!

This little man didn't make it to midnight... :)

When the fun of the holidays calms down and all gets back to normal, I absolutely love seeing this.  Jimmy reads the Bible to them every night and they listen!  I think it's become part of the bedtime ritual so it actually calms them so they sit still :)  This might be bad for when they are bigger and sitting in church! :)

This guy LOVES watching football... he's such a little man.

People pay money to have eyelashes like that... not fair!

Shay isn't typically much of a cuddler (more of a squirmer) but having those rare sweet baby cuddles are the best!

2015 is off to a good start! :)

Busch Gardens at Christmas Time

We had the wonderful pleasure of going to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg during Christmas time.

The lights were BEAUTIFUL!!!

Sooooooo pretty and sooooo many lights!

We were able to spend some quality time with family too!

Nice for the kids to get to snuggle with Grandpa Allen and Grandma Gette.

The first ride the boys went on Vale wasn't thrilled about and Connor thought it was the Macy's Day Parade...  hahaha

yeah that's a happy kid... :-/

He was MUCH better on the next ride!  Look at that happy face! :)

Connor was pretty excited too...

Again, Connor's the Mayor of 'where ever' town... :)

Vale's hanging on for dear life but having fun!

Shay was just happy to be snuggled...

This is the ride that while we were in line surrounded by ethic people of all colors Connor starts yelling that the WHITE guys are the good guys... it was awkward... 

Guess they wanted to be 'bad' guys...

They let Connor AND Vale ride on the BIG swing with Jimmy... they LOVED it!!!  Mama was a little nervous since it is quite high in the air but I trust Jimmy... not so much the toddlers...

So bumper cars were a bit of a challenge... for Vale... Connor had a blast but the whole move your hands side to side and push your foot up and down thing wasn't working too well for him... :-/ poor kid... He had fun though!!

AND he got hot chocolate at the end. :)

I think Connor might have had a little something in high hot chocolate... this kid is crazy! :) 

We are so very blessed to have wonderful family and amazing opportunities to have fun!

Christmas Eve and Morning!

 When we got to Grandma Jean's in Virginia Beach all our family was there!!

Santa was even there!!!!!

Vale ran straight away to give him a hug!  Connor wasn't so sure... 

And Schafer was like... ummm can you hold me again mom please. 

This was a toy that Jimmy had given to Grandma Jean when he was a little boy now she was giving it to Connor!

The boys got a Polar Express Train from some very generous family!

This was a pretty cool decoration that Grandma Jean had in her house with all the Mahon boys names on it!

When we got back to Nona's house they boys opened their Christmas PJ's

They were all cute little penguins :)

They boys got to sleep in a tent which they thought was the best thing EVER!

And of course, as always, we way over did it with the presents... sigh... 

The stockings were too cute, I just had to share! :)

In the morning, before we opened anything we all gathered around and read Luke 2 and thanked God for sending His son to earth to be born a baby so that he could redeem his people.

Schafer wasn't diggin the whole present thing... he's like who is Olaf and why should I care... 

Vale immediately found something fun to play with! :)

Shay had more fun watching the boys open then opening himself.  The two older ones on the other hand were LOVING getting toys, clothes and movies!

Shay played a lot with the packaging... like every almost 11 month old... 

Christmas was so great this year!  Very magical and fun! Having kids makes it so great!