We had a wonderful Christmas. We spent Christmas in Michigan this year. On Christmas Eve, we had dinner at Brian and Vicky's home and then attended church service at 7:00. Christmas morning was AWESOME. The boys ate breakfast and repeated "Mom, just be patient!" I couldn't help it. I was too excited.

After presents, my dad, Kurt's parents, Bradley, and grandparents came over and enjoyed the whole day. It was wonderful. At one point Connor said to me "Mom, Jesus' birthday sure is fun. He must really love us." (Heart touching). Oh ya, by the way, my 4 year old got a lap top for Christmas. What's next!!!

A week before Christmas, Connor had his Christmas program at preschool. They sang Christmas songs and did a great job. I laughted at myself because I realized that I was "that Mom" that was waving at their kid in a Christmas program saying "Connor, honey, hi, I'm over here." Oh my. I did NOT just do that. Oh boy.



Our Thanksgiving was great! We went up north to Kurt's Uncle Mike and enjoyed fellowship with his family. Just like every year at Thanksgiving, after dinner the "men and boys" adventure outside to shoot. This year Kaden had a chance and loved it... I, on the other hand, would prefer him not to be handling firearm at the young age of 2 but Daddy said "Yes".

The gifts God has blessed us with are priceless. To witness and shape their lives has been the greatest joy of our lives.

Kaden is our version of "Tigger". Witnessing God's creation blossom has been awesome. Kaden's

imagination is like nothing I've ever seen before. We have to

continuously remind ourselves that he is only 2 1/2 years old. He is definitely a boy... all around and enjoys every single minute of it.


One day, after dropping Connor off at preschool, Kaden and I ran around town. We had a few stops to make. It wasn't long before Kaden had "found" a baby owl! Because the baby owl was real only in Kaden's heart, I had to ask him what color the owl was. He said black. He then continued to talk to the baby owl and love on him. He was very concerned about the owl and where he's family was. He kept the baby owl warm in the cold Michigan winter weather. He carefully carried the owl into the post office and had to show it the EVERYONE and ANYONE who would listen to him. This warmed my heart. He adventured with the owl into Hobby Lobby. After a few hours, as we were driving down the road, he asked me roll the window down. I did. He hugged the owl. He kissed the owl. He told him he loved the owl. Then he gently let it go.

Connor is becoming this "little" man (all 32 pounds of him). His little grown-up comments crack us up. It amazes me that he is already 4 1/2 and this summer he will be 5 years old. I have no idea where the time is going. He brings a smile to face and love in my heart every day.

He loves his preschool and is doing awesome. They adventure off every month on a field trip. They are preparing for their Christmas Program next week. I can't wait to see all these little kids sing. He's really beginning to understand the true reason for Christmas. He wants to make Jesus a birthday cake because that's why we celebrate Christmas. So, a birthday cake for Jesus it will be. We had to make a paper link counting down the days until Christmas and that's working out great.

Kurt has been extremely busy at the store and we are blessed for that. We're still finding time to have some date nights here and there. We are doing great, as usual, and just enjoying the love God gave us for one another.