thanks

We really enjoyed having Brian, Katherine, Mikayla and Caden around for 2 weeks!  We spent the first Saturday they were here at our house for lunch, to Orange City for Parade of Homes, to the Dordt basketball game, and to the Pizza Ranch for supper!  Dorian and Levi were especially excited that their only boy cousin was here to play with them.  And Mikayla is so sweet and kind.  What a blessing to be with family.  On Sunday night I left the boys home and went to Sheldon to hear Brian preach.  After the service we played games at Mom and Dad's house.

On Thanksgiving Day our whole family was able to be together...for a few hours anyway...until Eden got sick and Ryan had to take her home. :( 

Mason was soaking up some attention from his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents!

This is Claire and Mason and it's cute because I have a picture that's nearly the same of Ashley and Dorian when they were these ages.  :)

Kerry took out Rodney's train set and the boys LOVED it!  It was precious to see them all sitting around it.  Oh, how we still miss Rodney.

After the kids were tucked in bed for the night I enjoyed talking and laughing together and will treasure those memories.

On Black Friday, the women left bright and early to get some Christmas shopping done and spend time together.  Dad, Brian and Nathan did a great job feeding and entertaining all the children!  They even made it to Sky Zone to jump on the trampolines.

On Saturday I was so excited to take out our Christmas tree and hang up ornaments with the boys.  The boys LOVED the Christmas tree box!  :)

Daddy had a little help from Levi getting the lights connected and turned on.

It's always fun to take out our Christmas books as well.  Dorian was listening...until he saw the camera. 

Mason did discover that the ornaments are really fun to play with!  :)

Dorian helped me with Christmas cards this year.  He loved putting the labels on and stuffing the envelopes.  I love getting Christmas cards during the month of December!!!

On Sunday morning the boys were cooperative enough to take pictures for me by the Christmas tree!!!

I was going to keep snapping as long as they were happy. 
But when we got to this photo, I knew it was time to be done.

On Sunday afternoon we went to Mom and Dad's house for lunch and got to spend a little more time with Brian, Katherine, Mikayla and Caden.  The boys couldn't wait to ride on the Gator.

They also enjoyed playing games!

On Monday night we made cut out cookies!  Mason crawled around on the floor while the rest of us busily cut out candy canes, gingerbread men, and Christmas trees.  I love this tradition.

This past Friday we had some of our friends over for supper and to decorate Christmas cookies.  On Saturday we went to Sioux Falls to deliver the gifts that we bought for a family in need. 

Last night it was precious to see all of the boys around the new toy that Heidi is letting us borrow.  They were all giggling together.  And at one point, Mason had his 2 older brothers pinned to the ground.  :)  What crazy, fun boys!

We have so much to be thankful for!