Ian's Basketball Season

Today ended Ian's basketball season.  This year Legacy started an in-house program so Ian was beyond thrilled to play for LCA.  Dad was able to coach the team and even though they won and lost about the same, the boys played their hearts out and did a great job.  

Skiing with Dad

Today is a day that dad has been waiting on for years, he took Caleb and Kallen skiing. Dad loves skiing and so when the opportunity came to take the boys, he couldn’t pass it up. Thankfully it was all successful, kids loved it and no injuries happened.

Top 10 of 2022

I can't believe 2022 has come to an end, but thankfully it was packed full of fun memories.  Once again below (in no particular order) is our 10 favorite things that took place in 2022.

1. Getting another dog, Loki. 
2. Visited with extended family, Papa and Nana Speckman, CA Klausers, Speckmans, and, Grandpa and Grandma
3. Family road trip to 10 states (Zoos, Arcade, Biltmore, Sliding Rock, Nature Parks, Gatlinburg).
4. Celebrated 17 years of marriage.
5. Seeing the ARC and Creation Museum on our family vacation.
6. Kallen got baptized.
7. Dad passed his test for being a certified financial planner.
8. Watching kiddos participate in many sports and activities (Elyse- volleyball and drama, boys basketball and soccer).
9. Family trip to the Kalahari Resort.
10. Attended the MN State Fair.

Some other fun things that happened this year:

• Mom started teaching at Legacy.
• Mom began using a Cricut to make great things.
• Kallen graduated from elementary school and started middle school.
• Dad and Kallen attending Deep Portage together.
• Dad and Mom went to Junior Achievement with Kallen.
• Dad and Kallen attended the Toby Mac concert.
• Watching Caleb and Kallen perform in Legacy's 5/6th grade musical (Kallen's solo).
• Watched all the kids participate in the large obstacles of the MANE event.
• Elyse and Kallen attended Camp Lebanon, loved it, and grew in their faith.
• Elyse got braces.
• Swam together as a family in our pool.
• We babysat chicks and unfortunately one of them didn't survive.

Well, we made it through 2022, but honestly ready to see what God has in store for us as a family in 2023.

Happy New Year!

Celebrating Christmas

Our Christmas this year was wonderful.  We spent our day doing normal traditions of wearing matching pajamas, watching the Disney parade, eating delicious food, hanging out as a family, and the obvious, opening gifts.  This year, dad added the new tradition of taking turns reading the Christmas story in the bible, and it really was kind of magical, loved it!  Plus a major bonus this year was we had both sets of grandparents there.

Merry Christmas

 

Advent Day 24

Decorate Christmas Cookies

Advent Day 23

 Attend Christmas Eve Service 

Today was definitely different for us, as we attended Christmas Eve service an extra day early.  With dad having to serve at the services, the cold resulting in Grandpa and Grandma arriving later than planned, and other complications, we had to attend service tonight instead.  The kids didn't complain, yet I know the late bedtime and no gift openings tomorrow just might backfire on us and make the real Christmas Eve super long.