To The Cove

Brian and I had a chance to get away this past week to our yearly camp conference sectional. Every year a different camp hosts a three day retreat for people in camp ministry to learn, grow and interact with others in the camp ministry. Let me tell you, it was a much needed getaway! This year it was held at Sandy Cove. What a great place to get away. It was beautiful and very refreshing. Here are some pictures of our time there!

I love the boat in this background. I think someone forgot to put it away before the water froze!

Unfortunately, I was in a meeting and missed the exact sunset, but these pictures are still gorgeous!

This place was beautiful....even though the weather was cold. I can only imagine on a nice summer day what it would be like.

Special thanks to Brian's parents for watching the boys while we were away!!

You can check out their website at http://www.sandycove.org/

YeeHaw!

Yesterday, we took the afternoon and headed to the state farm show. After our nice trek to the complex we warmed up with some Turkey Hill ice cream!

Kaden enjoyed milking the cow and shooting it all over himself.

Then he went on this contraption (like a treadmill) that powered a sewing machine, butter maker and I'm not sure what else. I don't think that man ever saw it go so fast! It would be nice to have one of those at the house so he could burn off some energy!
We sat in this canoe made out of a tree. Just like 'Red Fox' had in a book here at the house!
They loved all the animals.

Silly kid! This picture makes me cringe as I think of all the wheelbarrow's full of manure that he stuck his hands in!!!!!!

Time for a snack. (Don't worry they washed their hands). Popcorn in their cowboy hats!

They were exhausted by the end of the day. (and so were we). Ethan trying to relax.

Poor Grama had the heaviest load to carry. Kaden's weary body!

A Day To Celebrate

Today birthday wishes go out to our neice the Hannah-nator!! We hope you have a wonderful day and that you get to eat a lot of cake and croutons!

It's A Wonderful Life

We had a wonderful Christmas. Here are some pictures from the past few days.

Our tree. No it is NOT on fire. One of my family's traditions growing up was to light a candle on the tree for every family member.

A christmas miracle....I got the boys to smile for a picture!!!

It didn't last long!

Eating a christmas caramel..I have no idea why he shoved it all in at once. (I think he learns that from Pops!)

Monkey see, monkey do! What a mess.

In the afternoon we headed to Brian's parents.

Melanie giving the boys a lesson on how to cook bratwurst in the fire!

Pops admiring his perfectly cooked dog. He's about to eat that thing in one bite!!

Melanie loving that dog!! Look at that professionally placed mustard!

Ethan contemplating about how great Christmas was!

Angelic Announcement

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping their watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2: 8-14

From our family to yours

We wish you a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of Christ!

A "Beep Beep" to You!

So this past weekend the family threw me a 'Surprise' 30th birthday. I emphasis surprise because I kind of had it figured out (that runs in my blood), but it was still really great! Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated with me!

I especially want to thank Brian's Mom and Sister for the gift that will keep on giving for years to come!!! (as long as Crystal doesn't shoot it with a bee bee gun!)

I cannot say enough THANK YOU's!!!!!

So after the party with spent the night with Grama and Pops. The boys can't get enough of watching the train go around and toot it's horn. Thank you pops for all your patience!

On sunday morning we ended up going to church with Mom and Dad( ours was cancelled due to icy roads). Kaden was so excited to go to children's church and meet some new friends. Little did we know when we dropped him off that the class he joined would be singing some christmas songs in front of the church. So mid-service it was a surprise to see the gang of children lining up on stage to sing their song. ( they obviously had been practising for weeks, where as Kaden just showed up). Now I knew that there was going to be trouble for three reasons:

1)Kaden is loud

2)Kaden was in the front by the mike

3)Kaden is loud

So it begins. The teachers quiet the children down and then began to sing

"Away in the manger no crib BEEP for a bed, the BEEP little Lord Jesus BEEP lay down his BEEP sweet head."

Could this be? My child yelling BEEP into the microphone as the other children sing their precious song about Jesus' birth? Yes, indeed. It was he. And so it continued throughout the entire song. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. Their was nothing I could do from the back but let the tears of laughter roll from my eyes! What a kid.

Beginning of December Update

Finally we are back up and running. Here are some pictures from the beginning of the month.

Kaden helping decorate the tree.


Here was his masterpiece when he was finished.

Then Ethan woke up and decided to take them off of the tree.
My dad and grandparents paid a visit. Here are some pictures of them.

Ethan loved my grandma!
Kaden was my dad's little buddy!

After they left we made our yearly gingerbread house. I actually bought the house last year when it was on clearance.

The kids didn't care, they still sucked on the candy?!

Isn't it beautiful?

And then of course the kids love to watch the train under the tree after supper!