Top 12 for 2012

This year has flown by just like the rest of them. However, I have to say that I am thankful and blessed to be sitting here reflecting on the past year. We experienced many blessings this year, and the following list (in no particular order) below are Nate and my favorite 12 things that took place in 2012.

1. Traveling to visit family in Albuquerque, Michigan, and Iowa
2. Being apart of many amazing ministries at our church
3. Celebrating Elyse turning 4
4. Celebrating Caleb turning 2
5. Birth of Kallen
6. Job with Caterpillar is still going well 
7. Purchasing and moving into our new home
8. Selling our old home
9. Elyse starting preschool and Awana
10. No major health issues or surgeries
11. Celebrating 7 years of marriage
12. Dedicating Kallen to the Lord

We know there are a lot more exciting and thankful things that have happened to us this past year, and we don't take them for granted. It's just these seem to be ones that have helped us out a lot, we worked on a lot or brought us the most joy. We look forward to seeing what beauty lies ahead in 2013. We again know there will be trials, but we also know that God always does something beautiful in the end that makes us thankful for that year.

Happy New Years!

Birth Family Visit

Today we had the opportunity to hang out with Caleb's birth family at a local indoor playground. We spent our time watching the kiddos play, singing "Happy Birthday", eating cake and watching Caleb open all his presents.  Needless to say, he got spoiled. 

 

Caleb with his birth parents, Mariah and Nate

 Caleb with Mariah and birth grandmother, Rande

 Caleb with Mariah and birth great-grandma, Judy

Ray, Malachi, Monica, Mariah, Rande, Heather and her son

To Mariah, Nate and everyone else that came: thank you so much for coming down to spend your day with us.  Overall, we had a great time and hopefully it won't be another year before we get to see you all again.

Christmas Celebration

This year's Christmas was like no others we have ever had, but perfect to say the least.  It was the first time that the kiddos had two of their three grandparents here to celebrate the day.  Nate and I never enjoy celebrating the holidays without family so having the house full was wonderful. 

 

Hope you all had a wonderful, memorable and blessed Christmas too.

 

A special thank you to Mike and Kathy for driving up and staying with us.  We loved seeing you and appreciate all you do.

Merry Christmas

We hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas! May you and your family rejoice in the day and celebrate the reason for the season.

 

 

Kitchen Help

Came across this picture on my camera, and I wanted to show you all that real men do help out in the kitchen! :)



Kallen Turns 9 Months Old

I can't believe it, our baby boy is a quarter away from being a year already.  Kallen turned 9 months today and I don't know where the time has gone.  I do know he is our moving, babbling, happy, easy-going, and very busy little boy that we love so much. 

 

Kallen's doctor's appointment was today; doctor said he looked great, was growing perfectly, and still proved to be our littlest peanut.

9 Months Statistics
Weight: 17 lbs, 12 oz (10%)
Height: 28.5 inches (61%)

Happy 9 Month Birthday, Kallen! 

Celebrating Caleb

Due to weather and the holidays, Caleb's 2nd birthday was very low key, yet perfect.   He celebrated his second birthday with a truck/construction theme.  It was just us five and my mom. We sang, he blew out his candle, ate and then opened gifts.  He even voluntarily shared his birthday cupcake with Dad and Elyse, such a sweet boy.  Love him and loved celebrating him.

Two years ago today...

...our hearts were filled with so much joy and love as our first born son was placed so gently into our arms.  The last two years have flown by and I can't believe our little man isn't so little anymore.   There are so many things we treasure about Caleb, but by far the best are, his silly facial expressions, his never ending hugs, and his empathy towards others.  Nate and I are forever grateful for God and Caleb's birthmother for giving him to us.

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, CALEB!

We love you so much and hope your day is a special as you are to us.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I don't know who loves looking at the tree more, the kids or I? :)

 

And yes, we put up the Christmas tree for a week, just to take it back down and then put it right back up again.  A pain, maybe, but totally worth it.

 

 

Buddy Bear

Elyse's school has this special stuffed bear they named, Buddy.  Every Wednesday Buddy goes home with a child and stays until the following Monday.  The parents are asked to fill out a form and take pictures of Buddy with that child.

So thanks to a snow day on Monday, Buddy joined our family in our daily activities for an entire week.  He helped celebrate Nate's birthday, decorated our Christmas tree, got adjusted by Dr. Tony, went to the gym, stores and even got a haircut.  I know Elyse was sad to have to take him back, but I was kind of relived, one less thing to worry about each day (where is that bear?)

 

Books, Books and More Books

I love that my children love being read to and looking through books.  It's one activity that I never get sick of participating in with them.  However, I made an exception while in Iowa, because, I decided to sit back and watch Elyse read to Kallen instead.  These are what I consider priceless pictures.

Pictures with Grandpa and Grandma

So we decided to bite the bullet and pay the monthly fee to post pictures, otherwise our blog is pointless.

 

Below are some cute pictures of the kiddos last weekend with their Grandpa and Grandma. Enjoy.

 

Grandpa, Grandma and a Wedding

This past weekend we headed south for our quickest trip ever to visit Nate's family in Iowa.  We went down on Friday morning and came back yesterday.  The reason we went down besides to spend time with Nate's parents, was to attend a family wedding.  The kids did awesome at the wedding and had a blast.  We also spent lots of time relaxing and watching the kiddos play.

Below is the only picture I can currently post because "Blogger" has just informed me I have used up all all my free GB for pictures.  Once Nate and I decide what we are going to do (buy or start a new blog), I will upload some cute ones of the kiddos with Grandpa and Grandma. 

Special thanks to Nate's parents, Mike and Kathy for hosting us.  We hope to see you again in a few weeks for Christmas.  Love you lots.