Merry Christmas!

Christmas...what a joyful time of year! We've had our decorations up since mid-November, and I don't really want to take them down...maybe mid-January. I just don't want to lose the atmosphere that comes with Christmas! Just have to find ways to keep the joy, love, and peace flowing through the whole year!

This year we opened gifts at our home the 23rd, spent the 24th at Bob and Margaret's (Aaron's parents), and drove to Mom and Dad's on the 25th. To get there we drove through blowing snow and ate lunch at Walgreen's- it was the only thing we could find open...we had a good chuckle over it! But, it was worth it to be at Mom and Dad's for the weekend!

Following you'll find many pictures of Christmas...it was a whirlwind of activity and these are just a few of the highlights!

Eli showing off his new boots and John Deer tool belt.

"Look what I got, Mommy! Pooh books- yes!" (A gift from a wonderful, godly woman and family friend in Des Moines.)

Trinity was the gopher for gifts- it was hilarious watching her crawl under the tree and pull out the gifts.

Eli talking on the phone- Trinity's gift to him so he wouldn't use hers!

Eli watching as Trinity opens a gift for both of them.

Family Christmas Pictures

We try to take pictures every year of everyone's family...I missed getting a picture of Aaron's oldest sister, Shelly, and her family- sorry!

Aaron's brother, Shayne, and his family...all smiles and full of joy!

Aaron's sister, Audrey, and her family...they just moved back to Weskan- Praise our Lord!
Our family...it's so hard to get two toddlers to look at the same time!

My wonderful hubby, and I...no, we didn't intend to both wear brown...but, it works!

More Christmas Pictures!

Eli cuddling with his new stuffed alligator.

A 4-wheeler from Santa! He likes to sit on it, but he doesn't like to push the button to make it go...when you try to, he shakes his head, 'no'.
A stroller from Santa...Trinity was actually more interested in Eli's 4-wheeler!

Christmas Pictures!

Hugs for Daddy!

It's a girl thing! Natalie, Emalie, Audrey, & Trinity posing for a picture...they were having a ball together!
The good life...relaxin' with Papa- watching football and drinking my milk!

Home we go...sipping on Mommy's Sonic drink and watching Trinity's movie choice...Dora. When he gets bigger, Trinity will have to get used to watching some 'boy' movies- Eli's had to endure many 'girl' movies!

Trinity's choice of drink...milk!

Morning Routine

Our morning routine...get the kids up, fill up milk cups, and watch Tigger and Pooh or Mickey Mouse while getting dressed.

The Gentleness of a Father

Yesterday morning (Friday), Aaron, the kids, and I went to Denver. We finished up shopping and Aaron flew out this morning for Chicago to see his sister before he drives to Des Moines for meetings. After we had gotten the kids bathed Friday evening and were getting ready for bed, Trinity got sick all over herself. Over the course of the night she got sick 2 more times. Through this, God showed me a side of Aaron that I rarely get to see...his "my child is sick/hurting" side. This isn't because he doesn't show it, it's because we've been blessed enough that our children haven't been sick or hurt very often. We took turns cleaning and tending to Trinity. I watched as Aaron held Trinity's hair back, cleaned up without flinching or gagging, soothed her with gentle words, gave her another bath, continued giving her hugs and kisses, jumped out of bed when either her or Eli coughed, and just loved her as only a father can. When I said, "I do", this wasn't a scene from our lives that played in my head- I was picturing all bliss and perfectness...not kids throwing up on themselves and you! Yet, now, the scene I watched Friday evening is one that will play over again and again in my heart because it was so touching, so full of love. Once again, I thank and praise God for blessing my life with such an amazing, gentle, strong, and loving husband.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Trinity!

After church this past Sunday, everyone came over for lunch and cupcakes to celebrate Trinity's 3rd birthday! It's amazing how quickly time flies! Here are a few highlights of the afternoon!

Happy Birthday, Trinity- we love you so much!

Aunt Shelly and Addison- all smiles!

Oh, my princess bike- it's what I've been asking for for the past 6 months! yeah!

All decked out in my princess helmet ready to hit the road on my bike! My cousin Brennan said he was going to turn it into a motorcycle- boys- sheesh!

A gift from Uncle Shayne Bob and Aunt Christina and the kids- princess clothes! Now, not only do I act like one, I can dress like one, too!

Mommy's favorite picture...me with my butterfly birthday cupcake...looking like such a big girl!

So much to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope all of yours were full of blessings! Sorry for the picture overload- so much to share, I could only narrow it down so much! The kids and I headed to my parents for Thanksgiving while Aaron stayed home to help his uncle and cousin pick corn. We missed him terribly, but had a wonderful time at Mom and Dad's with all of the family! My sister-in-law, Amber, and I decided it was one of the best Thanksgivings...after dinner most of us headed outside for a game of hide and go seek tag- the weather was perfect for it! And, of course we played games of pitch (Karen and Jeremey took the pie there!) and Cranium! Lots of love, talking, laughing...family! I am reminded over and over of God's love for my family and myself...He continues to shower blessings upon us...and I am humbled and grateful. Praise the Lord!

A blessed Thanksgiving!

Papa bought several moutaches for the kids to play with- it was really funny- once the 'staches went on, a whole new personality came out in the kids!

Zachery- so excited to have a boy cousin to play with! He liked pushing Eli and just wanted Eli to talk to him!
Miss Audrey and Trinity- they don't always play well together- both have a little bit of bossiness in them! Here, though, they were playing so sweet! Not exactly sure what kind of a card game a 3 and 4 year old play...

Aunt Amber was helping Trinity take pictures...we got lots of pictures of a ceiling fan and a few of the floor- this was the best one- Aunt Amber and Trinity!

Two heads are better than one...Emalie and Trinity doing what small town/country girls do- playing in the dirt!

A blessed Thanksgiving!

Eli helping Papa while he worked.

Uncle Jeremey giving Eli love after he got hurt.

Emalie adores Eli...any chance she had, she was giving him hugs and kisses. For a little bit whenever Emalie came in the room we were in, Eli would run over and sit on my lap! One day he'll enjoy playing games with his cousin!

Emalie has love for everyone- especially her mommy!

A budding artist

I know I should have done this much sooner, but I finally let Trinity go at it with paints...she was hilarious- concentrating so hard- painting slowly with her tongue barely sticking out...our little artist!

Lauren's Wedding

One of my very closest friends, Lauren Fallis, got married about 2 weeks ago. Here are a few pictures from her wedding...she was an absolutely beautiful, glowing bride! Congratulations, Lauren and Brandon!

Trick or Treat!

Trinity was a baker for Halloween. She usually said "trick-or-treat"- after getting her candy, and she usually remembered to say "thank-you". She had a great time going from house to house. After trick-or-treating we headed back home to hand out candy to visiting characters...she also was very generous in handing out candy- especially the candy she didn't like!

Our resident baker enjoying the fruits of her trick-or-treating labor!

"Howdy, Mamm." Eli Ray- the most adorable cowboy sheriff who's ever ridden in the West!

Loving Leaves

Loving leaves!

A little girl's best friend.

Aldridge Family Pumpkin Carving

Last weekend our family and Aaron's brother's family got together for pumpking carving and soup- it was loads of fun!

Brylee & Blakely are just starting to dig out the pumpkins- they were a touch sqirmy at first, but then they loved getting the goo in their hands!

Brennan & Trinity even joined in getting the goo out!
Eli would walk around the deck alternating beteen trying to eat good and seeds that had been dropped and throwing stuff into the trash can!

Ayden & Addison even joined in the fun!

Fall Frolicking!

A couple of weekends ago the weather was simply gorgeous! We took advantage of it!

The following weekend it was a little chillier- but outside we went!

Our neighbor's grandson has some sheep behind our house- Trinity loves going over to talk with them and 'baa' at them!
Carrying on quite a conversation with the sheep!

Outside helping Daddy...he's got lots of good help!

Eli enjoying being able to run and toddle outside!