Our big news...

Our hearts are aglow...

We're excited for you to know!

We'll no longer be a family of four...

In April we'll add one more!

Decorating Pumpkins

Early November and it's 85 degrees outisde- we had to get outside and play! So, we decorated our pumpkins! I wasn't brave enough to carve them this year, so we decorated with markers...Trinity and Eli both scribbled and colored to their hearts' contents.

Harvest and Halloween

Trick or Treat...Trinity was thrilled to be able to dress up like Cinderella and Eli put all of his tools to good use as a handy man. They enjoyed getting candy and they liked handing it out just as much!

Daddy helps Cousin Mark and Uncle Don with corn harvest- we went out to ride with him for an afternoon...each year the cab of the combine keeps getting smaller and smaller! Next year we're going to have to take turns!

October Fun

At the beginning of October, the family traveled to Bethel to watch Danica play volleyball! It was so fun to watch her and all of the cousins had a blast cheering her on!

Also in October I got to fly (a birthday present from Aaron) to Minnesota to spend the weekend with one of my best friends- Belinda! We had such a wonderful time! Oh, how I wish we lived across the street from each other! Of course, I was also happy to get back home to small town life and see Aaron and the kids...what a blessed life I have- able to travel and see friends and come back home again!

I walked into the dining room one morning to find Eli under the table fixing it with his tools- it was so cute! He was concentrating so hard!

Fall Fun...Leaves, leaves, leaves! You crunch 'em, throw 'em, stomp on 'em, roll in 'em...the kids loved playing in them!

Eli's Birthday Party!

We let Eli open a few presents the morning of his birthday...he loved it and Trinity enjoyed helping him, until we told her she couldn't open ALL of the gifts- she could just help. She didn't think too highly of that!

Eli's farm birthday cake!

Grandma & Grandpa gave Eli a tricycle for his birthday...he actually wasn't too sure about it at first- he was quite alright with Addison riding it for him! He did eventually come around, though, and now loves to ride it around!

Daddy & Eli

Acting shy while we're singing to him.

If you ask Eli if he's a monkey, he'll say, "No, I'm E-I-E-I-O!" His favorite book is Old McDonald and we started calling him EIO...now he'll tell you that's his name! If you ask Trinity what her brother's name is, she'll tell you the same thing- EIEIO!

Eli Turns Two!

It's hard to believe that two years have already gone by since Elijah Ray was born! He turned two at the end of September...and he is all boy! Loves rocks, dirt, sticks, fixing things, aggrivating his sister! He is also a snuggler and loves to giggle, giggle, giggle! Oh, what a beautiful, sweet, loving boy God has blessed our lives with!

The end of Summer

We took advantage of one of our last summer days and headed outside to play in the water! Trinity had more fun sunbathing...

Eli couldn't swim without his goggles...they stayed just like this most of the time!

A Few More...

Our baby girl had her first day of preschool this week...what a big girl!! She did great, until about 11:00 (with 30 minutes left of preschool)- she then started asking for Mommy. Our sweet baby girl....

On our way home from Mimi & Papa's- Eli put his shades on and he was zonked.

A quick picture with Mimi & Papa before we hit the road!

Our niece Karson Kay...don't get to see enough of her! So glad she came over to Mom and Dad's when we were there!

Play Mates

Trinity and Eli have become great playmates over the summer (oh, don't get me wrong...they still have moments of fighting!)...it's been so fun to see them grow and play together!

They helped clean their bathtoys and splished, splashed, and giggled all over!

Swimming together at Mimi & Papa's.

Bucket heads together

Daddy was ever so compliant to be their horsey!

Mimi & Papa Time!

We've blessed to see Mimi & Papa a lot this month- it's been so wonderful!!

We went and picked corn while they were here!

Such a cute picture...Trinity & Papa saying good-bye after a weekend at their house!

Mimi was in charge of nap time...I think she enjoyed it as much as the kids!


Eli's best friend- Papa!

Joyful July

Two teachers had 'big' birthdays within a couple weeks of each other...Tracy turned 40 and Linsey turned 30. Several teachers got together and 'kidnapped' them and took them to dinner to celebrate...it was such a wonderful evening!!

Fair Time! We all had such fun at the fair!

Trip to Omaha

We took a trip to Manhattan to see my brother Justin and his wife, Amber. We then headed north to Omaha to visit our nephew Beau and his wife, Kari. We went to the zoo and had a great time visiting with everyone!!

Summer Fun

A quick trip to the Garden City Zoo with a niece, a nephew, and a family friend! It was fun...and hot! We had to get Sonic on the way home!

Trinity's first year of swimming lessons...she did so good!! She's now a little fish in the water!

Always need a little help from Grandpa!! He's the best at shooting Nerf guns!

Who can resist this face?

3/4 of Ya-Ya

Three of the four of our Ya-Ya group were able to get together to meet the newest 2nd generation member- Easton Wade! My friend, Leah, had her 2nd son on July 1st and he's absolutely adorable!!

Trinity and Leah's oldest son, Braxton...it really is a hug...or maybe more of a neck-hold!

We missed Sarah being there!! Leah, Belinda, and me...oh, what a wonderful weekend...although way too short! How I miss these girls!

Inside of the Playhouse

Inside of the playhouse! Aaron (and our friend Jason!) have slaved over building the inside and outside of the playhouse for the kids...finally it was my turn to help!! We got it painted in June...just have to put a few finishing touches on!! One of the joys of being a parent---spoiling your kids!