Thursday, January 10, 2013

Picture Post

It has been a while since I have posted any pictures so I thought I would just do one big picture post to try to catch up.


Jack performing at his school's Christmas Program

He did a great job!

Ava loved Christmas.  She got a lot of books and loved them all!

Jack was excited to get some superhero stuff for Christmas.

Here is Shan's birthday "cake."  We got her a small cake and then added some cupcakes from Nadia's Cakes.

Yum!

We also made some homemade cake pops for her birthday

They built an ice "castle" by the Mall of America this year and we were able to go with some family


Ava didn't quite know what to make of the whole ice castle experience.  This is pretty much how she looked the whole time no matter how many times we asked her to smile.


It was quite beautiful


I have been so proud of Jack this week. He has behaved well at school. And I even saw him hold the door for the kids going in in the morning. He has been so loving to us and Ava. And two days ago, he came home asking about baptism. He is learning about John the Baptist and how he baptized Jesus. So I am really praying for him and that his heart is tender to the Lord.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Happy everything!

I'm sure we will get some pictures from Christmas on here soon! Happy new year and happy birthday to Aunt Nanny! We had a fun party for her last night. I love all of this family time and am going to miss it (especially Jack) when school starts next week.

Monday, December 31, 2012

The purpose of this blog is really to document our memories for our kids to able to look back on someday since I don't scrapbook. But every now and then I like to add in my housey projects.

After Christmas, I like to organize our gifts and go through everyone's stuff and weed out the old to make room for the new. I organized all of the closets this week, and ended up fixing up the hall closet, took the doors off, painted, used contact paper on the back wall, wrapped my photo boxes in brown paper and added accessories. I love it. It makes the walk down the hall a lot more interesting!

I also bought some lettering for Jack's wall with one of my gift cards. I have wanted this quote for a while. So cute! And Jack got a comfy chair for his room from Craig's list. I have more ideas so stay tuned!

I also added a picture of my early birthday present. A new coffee table that I love love love! Also got a great deal!









Friday, December 28, 2012

We had a wonderful Christmas with family! December is always so busy with obligations that my favorite part is when all that stops and then I can focus on the birth of Christ, the real reason for Christmas. Anyway we made it through and all got spoiled. Hopefully we were able to spoil others a little too. Jack got a lot of superhero stuff. Now he has no excuse not to be one! Ava got lots of books, some pink Legos, other girly things, and they both got clothes. I always feel like that's a present for me too. Everyone was so kind and generous to us.

We have had sickness this past week. Yes on Christmas week! And two years in a row! My poor family. I'm the only one that hasn't been down with it. Yet. I really hope they don't have it the entire vacation. I love having Jack home for two weeks! It's been fun just being together in spite of the sickness.

I have been keeping busy with a couple of organizing/decorating projects so that always excites and motivates me. I will take pictures when I'm finished.

Ava frequently says now, "wanna watch a show". She also asks us if we are ok. Today when I was leaving to go to the store, she said, "Mommy, wanna hug." Awww. Both of them had trouble going to sleep tonight so I got some snuggling in.

Here's our favorite picture this Christmas. I wish we could have gotten it a little earlier but it's hard to predict when they will take such a good one!

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Church Program

Here are a couple short videos of Jack's parts in the Christmas program.  The one video starts a little late, but Jack is quoting John 3:16
 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Merry Christmas 2012!!

We have had a great year! Here are our top events of 2012.

Our vacation to Florida in March is always a highlight.
Ava turned 2 in July and is talking a lot!
Jack turned 6 and started kindergarten in August.
Matt was ordained in October.
Shannon is staying busy working 2 days a week, volunteering at Metro Women's Center and is also the class mom for Jack's class (her favorite job). And Ava tags along.

We are looking forward to next year: hopefully being debt free and celebrating 10 years of marriage!