Family Pictures

 

So sometime last year before all the holiday festivities began we had some new family pictures taken. We lucked out as it was a beautiful day, and we were still able to find some trees with the fall colors. We were having so much fun that it was hard for us to stop laughing, and smile for the pictures, but we did manage to get a few with our nice smiles. I love my family so very much!!

 

My goofball!!

Joseph is King of the mountain. :)

All the kids were being goofy!

Blue eyed cuties!!

Best buddies!!

Two peas in a pod.

I finally made it into a picture. :)

We are family!

Joseph was so happy to be able to run for a few minutes while only the adults were needed.

Happy New Year

We spent New Year's at home celebrating together, and what fun we had. Ben and I went to see a movie earlier in the evening at this awesome theater with reclining seats. It was a perfect way to start the night, especially because the movie we watched was all about embracing life and enjoying all that if has to offer. When we returned home we enjoyed a Mexican fiesta, root beer floats, and lots of other goodies. As the night wore on we watched more movies, worked on putting together the puzzle Joseph had picked out, played games, and set off poppers. I was sure that Joseph was going to fall asleep long before midnight, but he held in there, and was so happy to toast the New Year. We hope that all of our friends and family had a safe and fun New Year's Eve!!

Getting ready to watch "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"

All ready to celebrate!

Cheers!! Here is to making 2014 a great year!!

Christmas Morning

We had a quiet Christmas at home this year. We enjoyed a delicious dinner on Christmas Eve, watched movies, and put together a puzzle. Once we had all gone to sleep Santa stopped by, and was kind to us. On Christmas morning I was up and ready to open presents at 4:30 in the morning, but Ben made me go back to sleep until the sun was at least up. So around 7am Joseph came running into our room, jumped on the bed and loudly announced that Santa had come and that is was time to open presents. Once we had finished opening our presents we had a yummy breakfast of traditional Breakfast casserole, fruit, and juice. The rest of the day we spent as a family watching more movies, and playing with all our new stuff.

Santa was HERE!!

Santa was sure hungry this year. He had five cookies to eat, so that he could keep going.

Can we stop with the pictures, and open presents yet??

Best Buddies

Santa knew that these boys take their Nerf wars seriously, and thought that they all need some new weapons and more ammo.

New shoes are always a hit.

Zoo Lights

I love looking at Christmas lights, and would do it all year long if I could. I was so excited that Ben agreed to go to Zoo lights with me this year. I knew it was going to be crowded and crazy, which it was but Ben was such a good sport to indulge me. I was really impressed with all the lights the Zoo did, and can't wait to go back. It was a great family night activity.

Joseph and Ben with a Peacock

Beautiful colors

Joseph there is a Tiger behind you.

Entering the Hippos tunnel. I was sure glad he didn't eat us.

Silly Monkey

Elephants

Under the Sea

A cool purple and green tree

Gorilla

That was fun. Can we go now?

Gingerbread Houses

The week before Christmas we had our friends over to hang out and decorate gingerbread houses. The kids had fun decorating and sampling all the candy. At one point Joseph and Jos loaded so much onto theirs that the walls collapsed, but thankfully we were able to rebuild.

Joseph and Jos

Silly kids

Marli working hard

Kortney working hard

Joseph and Jos building as a team

Brock's ginger village

Our ginger house

Chatfield Botanical Gardens

So one night that wasn't too terribly cold while Ben was in Wisconsin, we headed over to look at some lights. It was a nice night, and it wasn't too cold so we were able to enjoy all the lights.

The monkeys

Janee and I

Pretty lights

Being silly

Copper trees

Ooohhhh, Ahhhhhh

I just love these blue and white trees.

Joseph's Baptism

On Saturday October 12th, Joseph was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was a wonderful day, and we are so proud of the choice that Joseph made. We were blessed to be able to have so many amazing friends and family there with us to celebrate. Joseph's Nana and Grandpa gave wonderful talks, and Brother Baumgarten did a great job conducting. Joseph was overwhelmed when he saw everyone that had come, but later that night he told me how happy he was that everyone was there. Joseph even had the opportunity to set a good example for his cousin, and practice being a missionary. The night before his cousin left, Joseph gave him his old copy of The Book of Mormon so that he could read it at home with his parents. Joseph's cousin was so happy that he read it the entire way home, and he now keeps it next to his bed.

Temple and CTR sugar cookies

Joseph's baptism table

All ready to go. Joseph was a little nervous when he saw how many people had come to share in his special day. He refused to look at any of them until after the baptism.

Three generations of amazing men.

Proud parents

Joseph with all of his grandparents.