Top 13 of 2013

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 13 things that took place in 2013.

1. Family from Albuquerque, Michigan, Las Vegas & Iowa visited
2. Being apart of many amazing ministries at our church
3. Celebrated Elyse turning 5
4. Celebrated Caleb turning 3
5. Celebrated Kallen turning 1
6. Birth of Ian
7. Job transition
8. Had our first weekend away with friends and no kids
9. Elyse attending extended day preschool
10. No major health issues or surgeries
11. Celebrated 8 years of marriage
12. Celebrated Natalie turning thirty with friends and family
13. Home improvements on new home

Wishing you all a Happy New Year's
and to having many blessings in 2014!

Frozen

You maybe expecting this post titled, "Frozen" to relate to weather, thankfully not this time.  The weather is actually approaching 40 today with sun, beautiful.  Frozen in this case is referring to the new Disney movie that came out a few weeks back.  Nate and I decided to surprise Elyse with her very first movie theatre experience with a movie she has been anticipating to see so much.  Both the movie and experience did not disappoint.  Nate says he highly recommends the movie and by the smile on Elyse's face I think she 100% agrees.

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.

Advent Day 24

Attend Christmas Eve Service & Open a Gift

Advent Day 23

Watch Shrek the Halls in Their Pajamas

Advent Day 22

Read Christmas Stories by the Fireplace

We have done a lot of great Advent events but this one today had to be one of my favorites.  It was so simple, peaceful and special to me.  Once the picture was taken, Nate joined in and I couldn't imagine anything better than cuddling and reading books by the fire with my favorite five people.

Advent Day 21

Make and Eat Christmas Cookies

Advent Day 20

See Santa

Even though we don't celebrate Santa at Christmas as someone who brings gifts down the chimney, our children still know who he is.  To them Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and Santa is just another Christmas character like Frosty and Rudolph.  Therefore, when we found out he was visiting our Chiropractor we decided to make it an advent event this year.

No pictures of just Caleb alone with Santa because he did not want to, and I forgot to get one of just Ian with him.

Advent Day 19

Eat Christmas Wreaths & Drink Hot Chocolate

 

Advent Day 18

Attend Elyse's Christmas Program

DSC 4524 from NSquared on Vimeo.

Advent Day 17

Make a Gingerbread House

(There is no picture of their house because due to all their frosting and candy decorating, nothing could hold it together.  At least they enjoyed themselves making it.)

Advent Day 16

Celebrate Caleb's 3rd Birthday

We were so thankful and happy to be home today to celebrate our loving, wonderful, gentle spirit and first born son's birthday.  It was no surprise that Caleb wanted a CARS birthday party and so that is just what he got.  It was just us six but it was so nice to be home and celebrate Caleb tonight. 

Love you buddy and love watching you grow and become the special boy you are.  You will forever have such a special place in our hearts and we are so thankful for God and your birthmother for giving you to us three years ago. 

Happy 3rd Birthday, Caleb!!!

Advent Day 15

Meeting Ian Matthew Klauser

Born December 15, 2013 at 1:38 AM

7 lbs, 1 oz and 19.75 inches long

Below are a few pictures we captured on our camera that I had to upload from my phone. No computer. I hope to do a detail post of Ian and his birth but most likely will not come until after Christmas. Needless to say,  everything went super fast and well. We love him and he is a perfect addition to the Klauser clan! 

Advent Day 14

Make Sugar Cone Christmas Trees

Advent Day 13

Open New Ornament and Hang it on the Tree

Advent Day 12

Make and Eat Christmas Jell-O Jigglers

Advent Day 11

Make Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Hats

Advent Day 10

Gumdrop Trees