Easter Eggs

Birthday Sleepover!

So thankful for the sweet friendship that Abby & Biz still share. There's no one Abby would rather spend her 11th birthday with!

Another Sewing Project

Abby is putting the sewing machine that she got for Christmas to good use! After sewing a couple of doll quilts, she picked out this super cute material and set out to make this tote bag. Of course, the bag looked like it would be way easier than it actually was! But she stuck to it and did an amazing job! I am so proud of her!

More Snow

Well, we definitely got some more snow!
And then we definitely got some ice!

Snow!

Finally, our first snow of the season! Yes, the kids were very excited! Yes, we built this huge snowman without Mark or Noah! Yes, the snowman is leaning considerably to the right. Yes, I did grow up in North Dakota and should know how to make a structurally sound snowman. Yes, I have been gone from North Dakota for 20 years now, and apparently have gotten somewhat rusty in my snowman-building skills. Yes, he did fall down and break into a million pieces. Yes, there were a few tears. Yes, I'm praying for more snow so we can try again!

Christmas Eve 2011

Fall 2011

Abby

Have I mentioned lately how amazingly proud I am of this beautiful girl? There are so many things about Abby that make me proud. She is beautiful, intelligent, a loyal friend, a hard worker, has the most tender heart for the needy, and so much more. She worked so hard and practiced so much for this year's cheer competition. And it showed. Her hard work and dedication paid off. She did an amazing job! And while the outcome was not what she had hoped for (no medal this year), I could tell she was praying with all of her heart for God to give her contentment despite the situation. And He did. And she glorified Him. And that is what makes me the most proud of Abby. She glorifies Him ... and that is the thing she was created to do.

Saying Goodbye to Summer

We'll miss you, Summer ... but we're excited for the blessing of Fall ...

A Day to Remember

Abby has been waiting so long for this day to come. I think it probably seems to her like she's been waiting f-o-r-e-v-e-r. But today we finally made it to the new American Girl store in Seattle. We went with three of Abby's friends from church and their moms. It was such a special day. Abby was so thankful and so thrilled to be there, that it made me so thankful and so thrilled to take her there.

I know that American Girl dolls (and their endless amount of accessories) are a little on the expensive side, but I honestly just love the innocence and sweetness of these dolls. They are not "dolls" that look like girls pretending to be grown women. They are sweet dolls for sweet girls, and I will gladly support any interest of Abby's that encourages her to be a young, sweet, innocent girl.

My Family 2011

Some of the amazing, wonderful memories made this family vacation.

My parents, brother Greg, brother Garey and his family, and us.
We haven't all been together since 2005.
Hopefully it won't be another 6 years before we are all together again.

Easter 2011

Happy Birthday Ethan & Abby!

Thanks to all of our family and friends who helped make Ethan and Abby's birthday celebration such a wonderful, memorable occasion!

Goodbye

Abby had one last visit with Bree on Friday. Bree was owned by our sweet friend, Erika, but she went to a new home on Saturday. It was a very difficult decision for Erika to sell Bree, but we definitely agree that she was in obedience to the Lord in doing so. Abby was so thankful to have one more special time with Erika and Bree!

The Fabulous Four

Joy

Merry Christmas

No School!

A dream come true! No school! Too bad it's so unbelievably cold and windy today! But, as snow is pretty much a novelty here, playtime must go on!

Halloween 2010