Starting off 2013 at the beach

Daddy had some vacation time to use so we were able to spend a few days at Seaside Beach. It was so nice to have some family time. The weather was pretty nice too for winter anyway. Hardly any wind and we even saw a few sun breaks. Digging in the sand was a lot of fun and the boys let the waves chase them as the tide came in. Oma and Papa joined us for a day as well. The swimming pool was fun and so was the hot tub (which was just warm) but snuggles with Papa Jim was probably our favorite. We also had time for legos and puzzles indoors.

Fruit Bowls

Mom always called them fruit bowls although they had more than just fruit in them. Every Sunday night was either homemade pizza or fruit bowls which was a hodge podge of what was left over in the fridge. I decided it was time to try it... the kids loved it!

Christmas 2012

We had an enjoyable holiday. Daddy took two weeks off of work and we kept busy. The boys had fun helping me decorate the tree. In keeping with tradition, we started opening presents Christmas Eve morning. Ken proposed to me on Christmas Eve in 2003 and ever since we have traded gifts on Christmas Eve morning. So, the night before Christmas Eve, I pulled everything out of the closets and put it under the tree. The boys came down to watch Word World (that's their favorite morning cartoon) and were excited to find presents under the tree. So we opened Legos and RC cars and then went out to breakfast. When we came home we discovered the RC cars were not charging like they should and I ended up running around trying to find an alternative with all the other last minute Christmas shoppers. The boys enjoyed opening their binnoculars and played with Legos. After naps we went to our church Christmas Eve service and Oma and Papa joined us there. Nate got to go up front with all the other kids and learn the hand motions to "Go, tell it on the mountain". This was a big parent moment for us, to watch Nate run up to the front and sit with all the other kids, not at all worried about being apart from us. That sweet boy is growing up too fast! After the service we enjoyed a light dinner with Oma and Papa and made birthday cupcakes to celebrate Jesus birth. Then we opened a few presents.... nice to spread it out a bit. We were so excited to give Oma the coffee mug we made for her. Christmas morning we visited Ken's family in Vancouver and enjoyed a relaxing morning with them and opened a few presents. That afternoon we spent time with my aunts, uncle, grandpa at Mom and Dad's house. Then Ken and I were able to leave the boys with Oma and Papa for two days while we went to the beach. The weather was cooperative and we had a nice time. Merry Christmas!

Christmas snow

The boys got to see snow over the break. Very exciting even if it didn't stick. We still got to catch it on our tongues.

Big Boy Bed!

Now that we aren't moving... the boys are sharing a room and we are using the other bedroom as an office. They love having a "sleepover" every single night! Putting Logan's bed together was pretty exciting too!

Christmas Program

The boys got to participate in our Bible Study Children's program just before the Christmas break. They did an awesome job singing and ringing the bells.

Candy trains

Christmas Traditions....Oma was actually not available this year to make candy trains. I hadn't really planned on making them, but Papa Jim was home and all that candy was calling Nathaniel and Logan's names :-) Glad to have all that candy out of MY house.

Christmas Books

Traditions.... I've been scrambling around at the library trying to find enough books for the boys to be able to open a book each day till Christmas. I've also had to wrap them in batches as I pick them up from the library so I know when they are due back. The boys are loving it though! How fun to open a present EVERY day! And we are having fun reading!!!