East Coast for the New Year

After a 12 hour van ride stopping about every 4 hours to give Levi a nebulizer treatment for his wheezing, we arrived at grandpa and grandma Tintle's house safely. We were able to see everyone in the family...just not all at the same time. So we opened Christmas presents nearly every day which kept the boys entertained with new toys. Although, they didn't need more entertaining, because their dog, Star, was a huge hit and grandma had her cabinets stocked with fun things for the boys to play with. Grandpa and grandma were so excited to give their gifts that Dorian opened his remote controlled garbage truck and Levi opened his riding rocket the very first night we arrived.
















We were thankful to be able to attend the VanSoest Christmas party this year. Grandpa's health isn't so good anymore and it was good to see many of the aunts, uncles, and cousins.






Part 2 of our East Coast trip was leaving Dorian by grandpa and grandma, Levi by Uncle Brian and Aunt Katherine, and flying out to Hawaii for Nathan's conference. It was super hard to leave the little ones, but once we were off, we really enjoyed our time together.



















Home again...with lots of things to put away! It felt like we had to pack so much stuff for this trip. Summer stuff for our Hawaii trip. Separate stuff for the boys since they weren't going to be in the same place while we were gone. Our usual winter attire. Christmas presents. We didn't use the car top carrier on the way out, but opted for a little extra room on the way back and put some things on top of the van. It was a fun trip. I can't believe that on all 4 of our big travel days the weather was perfect and the flights were all on time! Unbelievable for January! An answer to prayer!

Holland, MI for Christmas

I remember being quite nervous about spending Christmas day without other relatives around. But, it turns out that it was very fun spending time with just the 4 of us. :)

The evening of the 23rd we went to the Critter Barn to see their live nativity scene. The boys were super excited to pet the bunnies, watch all the cats in the cat cage, collect eggs from the chicken coop, etc. Except for the fact that it was very cold, we all had a blast together.




I'm not sure how my desire to make cut-out cookies with the boys started, however, I was determined to put that on the agenda for the weekend. I had bought our first cut outs, found a recipe that looked good to try, bought the ingredients, and was excited to start baking on Christmas Eve! It turned out to be a success! The cookies were delicious. So it might just have to become a tradition.









Christmas Day!!! It started with cinnamon rolls for breakfast and then baths for the boys before church. I love going to church on Christmas morning because it reminds me of the real reason for all of the celebrating.







We had to pose for a family picture before everyone either spilled on their Sunday clothes or decided to change into something else. Then we ate a traditional meal of ham, potatoes, etc. Then we opened presents. The boys are both old enough now that the gifts are more fun than the paper so it was fun to watch them. Nathan and I had decided not to exchange gifts with each other since we were going to be heading to Hawaii. However, Nathan did surprise the boys and I with a few things to open: a couple of bird feeders, a squirrel feeder and the food to go with it. Later that afternoon the boys helped daddy hang them up outside. So at the last minute, I felt the need to also get something for Nathan since he had nothing under the tree to open, so we bought daddy a tape measure since he had said that he needed one. Not too exciting, but I felt better that he had something to open. We bought the boys a play kitchen since they both love so much to help out in the kitchen with mommy and daddy.







After naptime for Levi, we brought cookies to a few of our neighbors, made a Skype phone call out to mom and dad who were at Rodney and Kerry's house. The boys were playing peek-a-boo. :) I'm thankful for Skype! The boys opened the ornaments that were in their stockings (appropriately...a cut out cookie ornament :). They added them to the other ornaments on the tree. It was especially fun to have Dorian's 1st homemade ornament on the tree that he had made at Story Hour. Before bedtime, Nathan read us the Christmas story.

Hawaii

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Preparing for Christmas

The boys all helped with decorating the Christmas tree! At the very moment we were finished and sat to admire how festive it looked, Levi took one tug on the strand of beads and pulled it completely off. It made me realize that it was going to be pretty hard to keep the beads and the ornaments on the tree. :) But now that a couple of weeks have passed, I have to say that it's not as much of a battle as I thought it was going to be. Our tree is still standing and it brightens my mood to see it lit.




Daddy was outside with the boys this afternoon. Daddy was working hard to make a good looking snowman and the boys were doing a good job trying to distract him and knock it over.














I was attempting to get a nice picture of the boys in front of the Christmas tree. Levi sat for a couple pictures and this was the best one. :)

Thankful!!!

SO MANY REASONS to be thankful this Thanksgiving! We were able to drive out for the long weekend and stay at mom and dad's house. The best part about it was that the Lamfers were also able to stay for the long weekend! Rodney was doing wonderfully! Praise the Lord!

Grandpa was so excited to see Dorian and Levi get their very first ride on a combine! Dorian was just as excited when he got back to grandpa and grandma's house to tell us all about how he got to help "pick torn (corn)".


We enjoyed the delicious brunch that mom made and enjoyed exchanging Christmas gifts on Saturday morning. We certainly missed Brian, Katherine and Mikayla but the rest of the family was able to be together. It's getting harder and harder for the extended family to all be together at the same time. I certainly cherish those times when we are!


Kerry and Rodney


Heidi and Ryan and the girls


Thanks to grandpa and grandma for the new shopping cart!


Dorian loves making sandwhiches and cooking with his new pots and pans. He's always loved to help mommy and daddy in the kitchen.

November News

I enjoy the changing of the seasons more every year I think. This was a Sunday after arriving home from church. It's always hard to get the boys to go inside...they love being outdoors no matter what season it is!






Mowing the lawn one last time.


Pnemonia :( Poor little Levi.