Life of a Sampson

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Soccer!

Noah started soccer last week! A few weeks ago, Daniel and I showed him videos of soccer and of karate and asked him which one he wanted to learn how to do. He picked soccer. Then, when Daniel told him I had signed him up, he collapsed on the floor in tears saying he didn't want to do soccer! Two days before, when I told him soccer started in two days, he cried again! He finally told us he didn't want to change schools! Poor dude--he thought he had to leave his friends at school to play soccer! Once we had him convinced he could still go to the same school, he was a little more ready to try, but still cried before we left the house because he said he was too nervous to try. But as soon as he got to the field, Daddy joined him for the first few minutes to kick the ball a little bit, and he never stopped smiling. Now he can't stop talking about how fast he is and how good he is at kicking the ball! Yay for courage and for building confidence!

Life Since January

First snow! (Yes, Noah is in a pink snowsuit. It was a free hand-me-down, and he doesn't care!) :)

Happy birthday, Daddy!

Cute hair!

Pajama Day and "sleepover" at preschool!

The kids and I surprised Grandma and Grandpa Shoemaker with a quick trip one weekend. They liked Grandpa's hat.

First french braids! So cute. :)

Daniel's reply text message when I told him the kids and I were having a particularly rough day and that they better pray for their safety. :)

I joined the Thirty-One team! I'm so excited about this new path!

Lyla's excited about my new bags, too!

Family game night!

Noah passing out his valentines at his school party.

Lunch with my two favorite cuties!

Pennsylvania Trip

This is old news...but hasn't been posted about...whoops. :)

We headed to Pennsylvania for New Year's, our yearly tradition. This time we drove, and were totally spoiled by that plane ride in October. But as usual, our kids were awesome travelers, and we're thankful! Also, as usual, I didn't remember to take many pictures, but we always have a wonderful trip!) (Clothing is optional when opening presents...)

This site made me laugh--all three with their heads turned the same way, asleep. (See Daniel in the back?) Like father, like children! (Don't wory--I fixed Lyla's harness after this picture!)

We love you, Sampson family!

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Christmas

We love Christmas at the Sampson house! This year, I worked on our calendar to schedule a Christmas related activity every day. From Christmas music dance parties to cookie baking to Santa visits and more, we had a wonderful Christmas season. But mostly, we're so thankful to Jesus for giving us a reason to celebrate.

One Christmas activity was to go watch the Christmas musical at church. When the kids came on stage at the very beginning, waving to their moms and dads in the audience, Lyla sat up a little straighter, waved back, and shouted "hi!!!" with the best of them. :) She loved the music and was sad when it was over.

Noah is becoming an expert cookie-maker and decorator. We had our next door-Grandma and Grandpa over for cookies and cocoa while we waited for our neighborhood Santa to come around.

When our neighborhood Santa arrived, all started out okay....

...until a little realization set in! She recovered quickly.

...especially when it involved presents!

We got all dressed up for Noah's school party.

He loved cupcakes!

And decorating his teachers like Christmas trees!

We went to church on Christmas Eve. What cute kids! :)

Love them!!

Cute cookie helper #1.

Cute cookie helper #2.

And of course, the excitement of Christmas morning!

Daniel and I have a blanket like this, but gray in color. Noah repeatedly steals it off our bed and curls up with it on the couch. Occasionally he asks to take it to bed, so we decided he needed one of his own! He loved it!