On Tina's Birthday we took off sans-kids (thanks Mom & Dad) for a weekend in Kansas City. They still had 2 feet of snow on the ground and it was freezing cold but we had fun. Of course without kids along we didn't think about pictures. A few Highlights: Lights on the plaza (were still lit), Stonewall Pizza - the white building (excellent New York style pizza), slept in and sat in the hot tub at the Doubletree (thank you Priceline), saw Blindside.
We saw New Years in playing cards with friends. The kids made it well past midnight and managed to avoid any meltdowns while laughing and playing like crazy. Dress up was enjoyed by girls and boys alike.
Tonight was our last night at home until after Christmas so we celebrated Christmas as a family. One of the funnier gifts was LED headlamps which I took a video of. Another gift were sleeping bags which they are using to sleep by the tree tonight.
The kids just about tackled Great Grandpa Siebert with a welcome hug! He brought more presents!! What a blessing to celebrate Christmas with him another year! Last week he turned 87.
We just returned from a wonderful weekend in Nebraska. The kids loved their time with cousins and grandparents. There was still plenty of snow leftover especially downtown where there was a 20 foot pile of the white stuff. They played there all three days for hours.
I guess it has already been a week since decorating the tree. We had a great evening last week decorating the tree. Lights and all kinds of ornaments. We've also been enjoying going through a nightly advent calendar. Anticipation is building. Soon we will celebrate the loving gift that Jesus was to us by giving loving gifts to others.
Last Thursday (also known as Thanksgiving) we enjoyed Sea World with the Houges
the first snow of the year is bubbles in San Antnio? The kids still had fun playing in it
They had quite the amazing decorations everywhere we turned
They wouldn't let all six of us on at once but we did all ride the log ride and only got a little wet
Bethany braved the Steel Eel with me; not one of my better decisions: 65mph, 150ft drop, 3.5G's. She didn't like it.
There was an incredible Shamu show that actually centered around miracles and Christ's birth and involved three whales at once - Turn down volume before playing video.
We had a great Thanksgiving break in San Antonio. Everyone did great with the 11 hour drive and it was well worth it. Wednesday we had all the Yutzy cousins together for the first time since Elliana was born. We tried to get that perfect cousin picture - if only cutting and pasting were easier.
We forgot our camera on our mid-October outing but thankfully found some pictures via friends. Mornings were in the 40's but the kids didn't care. They woolied up with gloves and hat and took off both mornings for outdoor fun. We had a great time and can't wait for spring. 5 campouts this year.
Alright, so I'll admit that every year I struggle with the holiday called Halloween. I dislike all the death and evil that is celebrated. I love good fun costumes, parties, and anything life giving on such a potentially down day.
Anyway... some pics from the season. Tina helped out at School with both of the girls parties and got to enjoy parades. Check out her handiwork: mermaid, jellyfish, octopi. We won a theme award at a party.
We made a trip to Henderson for a Wedding Reception, Baby shower, and of course some time together. In order: Most of the Grandkids one morning in Grand bed| Tina's female cousins| New Grandma (aunt) Mary, baby Ethan, Tina, New mommy Jenny| Tina and Cousin Sara (new Bride this summer in England)
So how far behind are we on blogging? Never mind. We've got some pictures.
We were thrilled to be invited by some friends from church on a Seadoo outing in September. A little on the cold side but we had a blast.
Cool dudes ready for church the morning of the lake trip.
These are pictures from the slow lap before I managed to almost dump all four of them off. There weren't near as many smiles after that. There were still more rides though.
Today I was privileged to have lunch with Bethany at school. I met some of her friends and I learned that everyday Bethany holds the door for her class to go in because they have to go through the line in last name alphabetical order; she is always last to get her food. The food didn't look to have changed much in a few decades and tasted fine.
last weekends weather looked like lots of rain so we called off the camping trip (weather people were wrong, no rain), and Saturday we went to the Kansas State Fair with my parents. We were surprised that the girls wanted to stay to the very end of a chainsaw artist; it was cool watching a massive block of wood quickly become a mountain scene. The birthing center is always fun. And there were of course rides! The girls for the first time rode something, the roller coaster, that actually scared them a little bit. We enjoyed the annual trek dreaming through camperland. We also ate some of that great greasy fair food - Pronto Pups and Mozzarella sticks!
At long last the girls bunk bed is finally finished. They picked out a great shade of purple and are excited to have more space alongside their new bed. Thanks Grandpa Lloyd for welding the steps!
With last weekends campout and another one next week we decided to stay home and get some work done. We did make labor day a little special by pulling out the cookbook and making some long johns that kids devoured.
We escaped in the cool of August to Cheney and were blessed with both of our parents being able to camp along with Tina's brother Jon and family. It was cold enough for lots of blankets at night and almost too cold to swim. The best August campout weather I can remember. We enjoyed waffles over the campfire for the first time and the traditional Saturday night pizza in the pizza makers
Today Tina had a leadership retreat and I took the kids to Yoder for Yoder Heritage days. We enjoyed a pancake breakfast, a parade, and a buggy race. Bethany also signed up for a pedal pull contest. She did well. A great day except for some sunburn. We then headed to Buhler for a little play time at G&G's.
I think this pony driver might have been 8 or 9.
Bethany had the camera during the Buggy race; the only picture of the event was not driven by an amishman nor was it a traditional buggy but most were.
It was a cool and windy Monday morning as we waited for Bethany's first bus ride. Just as she got on the rain hit! Abby started on Tuesday as the kindergarteners had a staggered start. The weather couldn't be better for mid-August. It's been in the 70's all week!
We had a long weekend of celebration as Abby turned 6 on the first day of school! She had some friends over on Saturday followed up by a trip to Buhler. On Monday we took her to McD's at her request!
A little roughhousing in the living room resulted in a trip to the minor emergency center. Cameron toughed it out and got kudos from the Dr. for laying still while she sewed him up with 3 stitches. Everyone learned a lesson. How many times will we be back in the coming years?
