a wonderful christmas...

We had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas. We have many more pictures to come, but thought we should post something for those of you out there who are patiently waiting. ;o) Thank you to all of you who remembered us at Christmas. We have enjoyed every gift and card...so many cards! I love getting Christmas cards; going to the mailbox is so much fun this time of year! We appreciate you thinking of us. We hope to be back with more pictures in a day or two...see you then! Happy New Year!

ap

The kids on Christmas morning...after the reading of the
Christmas story and before the opening of the gifts.


This picture was just begging to be posted...thanks to
Aunt Giselle for the whole outfit!

getting well and getting ready...

We are praying that we will all be feeling well this Christmas...all the kids have been sick and Ringo is getting over the flu. Just about everyone we know has had sickness in their families. Braden missed a couple of days of school last week, and Evan was running a fever off and on for several days. We found out he had an ear infection and his ear drum had ruptured. Bella, who never gets sick (like her Daddy), has been fighting a cold. The kids are all doing well...just some sniffling and coughing. I am the only one who has not been sick. I pray that doesn't happen! This helps remind me not to take good health for granted. There are many who are truly sick with serious illness at Christmastime...we have so much to be grateful for!

Here are some more cute photos of the kids...thanks again to Mr. Troell for his willingness to help us learn more in this field. Braden is sitting here with me and he wants everyone to know that he is now learning to use Photoshop. He wants to learn everything Daddy and Mommy know about the computer...little nerd! (He liked that one!) Hope you all can relax and enjoy the next few days as you prepare for Christmas!

Isn't he handsome?


How sweet...


Evan's "serious" face...

busy, busy...

It's been a while, but just like everyone else, we are busy trying to get it all done before Christmas gets here...so sorry for the long absence. With trying to finish up the shopping, getting the Christmas cards in the mail, and all the parties to attend, we will be SO glad when we get to relax at home and enjoy some peace and quiet...well maybe not peace and quiet, but at least getting to be at home!!! It's important to stress the true meaning of Christmas for the kids. Braden and Bella of course understand this very well and can explain it themselves when I ask them what Christmas is really about. As with all of Bella's "explanations," hers gets very interesting, but she knows what she's talking about!

I pray that you all have a wonderful week. Thanks for checking in...merry Christmas!

I can't bring myself to leave a post with no pictures,
so here are a couple recent ones of the kids...enjoy!

the little peanut...

Well our latest adventure involves Evan and his peanut allergy. The last time he had peanuts (when we discovered his allergy) was over a year ago, but Friday night we got a little reminder. We were at a Christmas party when we got the call, so we rushed home and sure enough, Evan looked just like Rocky Balboa! Right away we had to administer the Epipen (not an experience I wish to live through again) and then spent several hours in the ER watching the swelling and his oxygen level. We are grateful to God that the babysitter knew right away something was wrong and that Evan responded well to all the treatment. We know the Lord was watching over us. We didn't get any pictures of this adventure because we left our camera at the party so someone else could take pictures, but we're including some recent photos of our sweet little man...

The little peanut himself...


They gave you a shot WHERE!?!






We praise the Lord for His care and keeping. Hope you all have a wonderful week! Keep in touch...

ap

grandma was here...

We just had a nice visit from Ringo's mom and his niece, Nickolette. Grandma spoiled the kids with lots of gifts and the kids had a great time having their cousin around for a few days. They rarely get to spend time with any of their cousins, and even though Nikki is older, they had a lot of fun with her. Here are a few pictures of our time together...











We have a lot more fun pictures to come, including some taken
at the airport while waiting for Grandma's plane to arrive.
Until next time...

ap