Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Happy Birthday JESUS!

Christmas was wonderful as always this year. On Christmas Eve, we read the story of the real St. Nicholas about how he gave and showed love because God gave His love to him. What amazing history that people have no idea is a depiction of God's love! Our church had a beautiful Christmas morning service where we had to bring out more chairs, because there was so many people there to celebrate Jesus' birth! We wrapped up the day with the Packers winning. It was a great day!

Maylee Grace with her new bike complete with baby seat and bell!

Couldn't get the boys to turn around long enough for a picture :)



Thursday, December 22, 2011

All Aboard!

In 2008, we took the family and rode the Polar Express in Durango, CO. We knew after that trip that we would want to bring the kids back and do it again. In November, we got a great deal on a hotel, so we knew it was the perfect opportunity! We bought train tickets and waited to surprise the kids. We didn't tell them until the morning we were leaving. I had all the bags packed and we told the kids we had a present that we were going to let them open early. They tore through the packages to find new pajamas and a ticket for the Polar Express. We had a great time and the kids absolutely loved it!




Camden and his friend, Brenna. They've been friends since they were 1! She and her family got tickets on the same train as us!



May holding the golden ticket. She was not going to let go of it. She just sat and took everything in. She loved it!









My cute snow bunny






Friday, December 16, 2011

Band Concert

Camden decided at the beginning of the school year to join the band. He knew exactly what instrument he wanted to play...the trumpet. Last night, all the 5th grade Band students in Rio Rancho showed off their new skills on their instruments. I've been quite impressed at how quickly he's learned. He has Band practice only twice a week and he also takes trumpet lessons with his friend, Matthew, from Mr. Stephen at church. He has, so far, really enjoyed it and learned a lot. He considers it extra special that his trumpet is Papa's trumpet.

Payton's Special Day



This video pretty much says it all. Payton has been super sensitive to learning about who Jesus is and what He did for us and all of our "mess-ups" (sins). He had been asking lots of questions. He sat down with Mommy and Daddy and we talked about what the Bible says about our free gift from God. What a special present just for us! We just have to accept it. With such a sweet and innocent prayer, he asked Jesus to come live in his heart forever. What a special day as parents to rejoice with him!

SNOW!

We had our first big snow storm of the season and it was COLD out there! The temperature didn't matter to the kids. They all put on their snow clothes and headed out. Camden played with several of the neighbor kids from the street while they all celebrated having 3 days out of school due to all the snow. (He was busy playing with his friends which is why he is not in any of the snow pictures.)