Christmas Eve

We arrived to St. Louis ahead of schedule and ready to spend time with family. Cousins could not have arrived sooner. Thanks to the weather we kicked our stay off with pork steaks and conversation. 

Iowa Christmas

This year was different, fast and I can’t believe we were able to pull it off. (Thanks to a little elf that helped us get all the wrapping done while I was at work!) It was different because you two are getting older and the spirit is fading just a little bit. 

While our tradition of tree cutting down and decorations remains strong, its harder to make what’s under the tree special. Perhaps we really should shift our focus to who is around the tree...and I’m pretty sure we’d have a win. 

Christmas spirit

You guys have been eyeing these reindeer for some time. I thought I’d surprise you and dad with them but they were sold out. So when dad said he was going to buy other ones it was easy but disappointing to say maybe not this year because the others were cheap and not as nice. 

Long story short we had a fun evening putting them together. They do look pretty cute and it’s fun to hear what you guys have to say about them. The elves even made a scene this am with them. 

December?

Seems like we just flew through November and will most likely do the same for us. I will challenge myself to take a picture a day...here’s a couple from the eve of

Dad’s got the other one of you curled up on my arms like a baby...I’m so glad grandma got to have most of those days with you as infants.

In November...

We made it to basketball games and practice for both of you but I don’t have any pictures:(

You two attack the sport with your all and are a lot of fun to watch. 

We had some slow days with movies...and some cold days with snow! How do you stand it outside. 

Now that your equipped with snow gear from head to toe we hope it will be a little before it appears again. 

We said goodbye to grandma and pa as they headed back to stl...we sure enjoyed their company and I’m guessing you guys loved the attention because I feel like I was gone at night for half of the month.

We squeezed a couple birthday dinners in. 

Not a lot of pictures...but we will have to work on that this next month. 

I don’t want to forget the ways you still need me. The days you are so helpful and on the ball. The compliments I get from your teachers. The movie quotes you remember or the songs you sing.

Reckless love of God was the song of the month: “Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me You have been so, so good to me Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me You have been so, so kind to me.”

I hope I can hear your sweet little voices singing this song... no matter what comes our way. I hope His kindness radiates in you. 

Halloween

Thank the lord you had some sense to know that your stage makeup wasn’t going to look Ike the tutorial we  watched several times. You were cute and that’s what matters in halloween. No one really wants a scare. 

The pumpkin carving turned out ok...but I forgot to take pictures. Guests enjoyed chili and pizza while the kiddos waited patiently to start the rounds before it got too cold! 

Jacob you said you sprinted and shared some pretty cute tales of your candy grabbing, storytelling experience. Julia you were content to get a ride back home to leave me jogging home to make it to the bathroom! 

Now the candy hasn’t disappeared completely but the wrappers are still evidence as to how much you have and when. Thanks for being a treat to my halloween! 

Birthstone

Tonight I spent a night on the floor singing songs, completing a 300 piece puzzle and just enjoying you. I let your sister hang at our neighbors a bit longer just so I could soak up you...and chances are with her home there’d be trouble. Instead of trouble she came home just in time to put the last piece in and listen to you say something that we will never forget.

When finishing up the puzzle I pointed out the ring I had on was the original wedding band dad bought but the diamond was replaced with your birth stone (from a ring pa and grandma gave me when I was 16)

You looked at me funny and looked down at your stomach and said “how did you get my birth stone out?”

Julia and I sure enjoyed that...my sweet boy. 

This old house

Here’s some documentation for what we did this summer. This house consumed most of your dad’s summer because he was doing what dad’s do...protect us. The smell is long gone and our house is changing right before our eyes. Our pocket book is barely keeping up...but we get to enjoy it. This house is our fun and from what I hear brings fun to others. No we didn’t travel the world, we don’t have season tickets, our furniture is old and used, we have holes in every room...but we have fun. 

These days

These days we are consumed with work, school and practices. Please remind me to slow down the pace of life and connect with you. This is the time I need to make you feel important, find things that will bring you joy and support you with all walks of life! Your dad is so good at this, he keeps us all in check and makes sure we have a little fun once in awhile. 

Here’s a little example of our fun-is have soccer pictures but we are consumed with coaching and refereeing. Watching you is our JOY and hopefully your fun! 

Six flags

I loved Six flags growing up...I mean I really did. I mostly remember going with Ang and my cousin Brian. I’m pretty sure you guys love going with your cousins, than the park itself. 

The lines getting in were crazy...I think you had more patience than I did. It was worth a pretzel treat...only because I could afford 2 at 8$ a pop. I couldn’t stomach the $12 price tag on a hot dog, so after you got a few rides in you were ready to hit the road and get a more affordable lunch at Culvers! 

This picture is to remind me that I should never go in another rollarcoaster again. 

This picture above is to remind me about the comment I heard you make on the ride home.

“When I fly down on the Superman ride I have to squeeze/hold my butt!”

The best comment was after riding this ride all by yourself. You may be wiser than your years but if you think a lady sitting next to you did something wrong by saying “Holy shit!”...then I might have a few more years of innocence to enjoy. 

My lesson to you is first you say it....then you do it! I hope you can recover if that ever happens to you:) 

Back to school

All smiles for another school year!