Advent Prepare Him Room

Last Sunday afternoon our friends Jeremy and Kari Brookins invited us to go to the "Journey to Bethlehem", which is a walk through live nativity scene that a local church puts on each year. This was our first time going, we would like to go each year. We participated on the walk to Bethlehem as Joseph and Mary did and got to experience the whole story through their eyes. Eli and Asa did great and really enjoyed it. We want to help the boys remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas-Jesus our Savior. 

Brian, Eli, Asa, Katrina, Kari, Bryton, Bennett, and Jeremy 

Married For Life Leadership Retreat

Last weekend Brian and I were thrilled to go on our Married For Life leadership retreat through our church. We and six other couples stayed at Big Sandy Camp in the lodge. It was so relaxing and a great getaway with dear friends! We had an incredible prayer time Friday night where we prayed for each couple and the prayer time lasted an hour. So blessed. 

We had fun playing games that I use to play back in junior high. We played Gestures and Taboo. Brian took a picture of me rocking it in Gestures.

On Saturday we went on a romantic hayride through the woods. It was so pretty!

Andy and Jess Nunez, they co lead our married for life group with us

Ryan and Amy Garvin

Travis and Kyliegh Johansen

Andrew and Joy Ballard

Asa is 15 Months Old!

Our sweet little Asa is 15 months old! Here he is wearing a sweater that Brian wore when he was his age. Asa is such a joy! He loves being read to and enjoys playing hide-and-seek. He is also talking up a storm now! His favorite words are hi, mama, dada, cheese, water, ball, up, balloon, and cracker. He communicates what he wants very well. He is our little sunshine!

I have an idea!

Love these too little boys so much!

December

We enjoy meeting my friend Tracy and her son Ben at the library to listen to story times, check out books, and play with the toys at the library. We thought it was so cute to see all three of the boys sitting on these chairs together. 

Eli and Asa having fun coloring together

On Monday, Brian had the day off work so we decided to beat the crowds and go see Santa Land at Macy's in Minneapolis. The boys loved it! They especially enjoyed sitting on Santa's lap. 

Waiting to sit on Santa's lap. The elf that brought us in to see Santa told us that we have the friendliest children she had seen all day.

Eli told Santa that he wanted a bouncy ball for Christmas. That boy really loves balls!

The other day Daddy took the boys to play at Adventure Park. Eli was so excited that he got to get a orange basketball for doing a great job with his potty training!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a delightful Thanksgiving holiday this year. First, we visited Grandpa, Grandma, and Uncle Jason in Wisconsin. The boys loved playing with all of the animals. They liked the ferret the best. Then, we celebrated with Papa, Nana, Aunt Karen, Aunt Kristi, Uncle David, and Great Uncle Jeff  yesterday. It was great to all be together again! We had fun eating and playing games together. 

Family Times

I asked Eli what they were doing and he said we are wrestling Mama. Wow, it starts early!

The boys loving story time with Daddy

David is back! It is so great to all be together again! We realized it has been about a year and a half since the four of us siblings have been together; with Karen being on her mission trip last year and David being out west. I love my siblings! Karen and Kristi have been watching the boys for us during our Married For Life small group that we host in our home every other Thursday evening. Last Thursday Uncle David, Auntie Kristi, and Auntie Karen all watched the boys for us during our small group.

On Friday, David and Karen came to Adventure Park with the boys and I. We had a fun time! Eli especially loved having Uncle David and Auntie Karen play with him. 

It was close to 40 degrees out today, so today was the perfect day to play out in the snow! Eli was so excited!

Asa was no so thrilled because he could not walk well in his snow suit

Eli loved making snow balls and throwing them at trees

Asa did enjoy being pulled around in the sled!

The boys enjoying a snack together. They grow so much everyday! Eli surprises me each day with his explanding vocabulary and Asa is talking too! The words Asa says now are: mama, dada, papa, nana, water, cheese, ball, and balloon. So fun!

Our dear friend Stacy came and visited with us last weekend. There are always lots of laughs!

Last weekend we went out to eat at the Olive Garden. The boys enjoyed their food. 

We have created a family bucket list so that we can be intentional about doing fun family activities together. After we do an activity we will drop a clothes pin into the bucket. Let the good times roll!