Saturday, December 31, 2011
Ethiopia Puzzle
Every year we try to get each of the kids a cultural present. This year I found this puzzle for Solomon. Both Solomon and Abram have enjoyed putting it together and I have loved the conversations that things such as this spark!
Another Christmas!
I have kind of lost track as to what number Christmas we are on! This past week, we got together with Jared's family. His brother, and cousin were in town! So, together with aunts, grandparents and great grandparents we had a great celebration.
The cousins, young and old, had a great time! The littles, had fun with new light sabers, and tons of new toys. Another favorite at Grandpas is to play his Pearl Harbor Flight game. This year, cousin Rob and Lucy gave all the kids marshmallow shooters. They had a BLAST!! And thankgoodness for good weather. They played in the garage and outside!
Abram was so excited to give Grandpa a new toolbox that he had constructed and painted. He thought it would be extra special to build something for Grandpa because he always builds things for others. (Good idea Abe!) When we mentioned it was time for presents, Abe ran for his gift and gave it to Grandpa first. It was fun to see the boys get excited to make and create gifts for others this Christmas.
One of the best presents that the boys got was handmade cars, built especially for each of the boys. They will cherrish them for always.
One thing is for sure. This year we were surrounded by those who love us dearly, and it was nice spending the Holiday with them.
The cousins, young and old, had a great time! The littles, had fun with new light sabers, and tons of new toys. Another favorite at Grandpas is to play his Pearl Harbor Flight game. This year, cousin Rob and Lucy gave all the kids marshmallow shooters. They had a BLAST!! And thankgoodness for good weather. They played in the garage and outside!
Abram was so excited to give Grandpa a new toolbox that he had constructed and painted. He thought it would be extra special to build something for Grandpa because he always builds things for others. (Good idea Abe!) When we mentioned it was time for presents, Abe ran for his gift and gave it to Grandpa first. It was fun to see the boys get excited to make and create gifts for others this Christmas.
One of the best presents that the boys got was handmade cars, built especially for each of the boys. They will cherrish them for always.
One thing is for sure. This year we were surrounded by those who love us dearly, and it was nice spending the Holiday with them.
Aqua Massage
Owen is a very cozy, comfortable, snuggly kind of guy. For years, he has begged to try the Aqua Massage in the mall. Good thing Santa brought Jared and Owen gift certificates to try it out!
Owen was in heaven! He beamed the whole time!
It was nice to see him enjoy something he had spent so much time looking forward too!
Owen was in heaven! He beamed the whole time!
It was nice to see him enjoy something he had spent so much time looking forward too!
Airplanes
This year, more than ever, we were surrounded by airplanes at Christmas! Abram and Solomon, especially, love airplanes... talking and learning about WWII, reading about them...everything.
Owen had swim team practice one day this week, so I took the boys to hang out at the air museum. Yeah, they had fun!
They were dissappointed to have to leave so soon. I think they could have played and looked at airplanes for the rest of the afternoon.
I took a photo of the boys in front of the "bendy wing" (corsair) This is the plane that they want to fly together when they are in the air force. They often talk about who will do what and how they will fly together. Kind of fun!
Owen had swim team practice one day this week, so I took the boys to hang out at the air museum. Yeah, they had fun!
They were dissappointed to have to leave so soon. I think they could have played and looked at airplanes for the rest of the afternoon.
I took a photo of the boys in front of the "bendy wing" (corsair) This is the plane that they want to fly together when they are in the air force. They often talk about who will do what and how they will fly together. Kind of fun!
Little Clubs!
I took the boys to the Golf Bubble, which we do farely often. This was the first time though, that Solomon had his own clubs!
He was very excited to open them on Christmas Day, and was eager to try them out!
The older boys were excited for an excuse to go to the Bubble again! As always, it was a fun time!
He was very excited to open them on Christmas Day, and was eager to try them out!
The older boys were excited for an excuse to go to the Bubble again! As always, it was a fun time!
A very special gift
Every year Owen recieves a very special gift straight from South Africa! The attourney's (seems weird to call them that after we have become friends and they are so much more than just that)that worked with us in SA send Owen a letter and an ornament every year.
Owen loves that the package is always addressed to Master Owen! I think he could get used to that! They send him a letter about just how special Owen is, and they send a very special ornament (that usually, in its purchase, has benefited others!)
It makes him feels so special, and it is so nice to reflect on those that helped us become a family, and remember our children's birth country.
Owen loves that the package is always addressed to Master Owen! I think he could get used to that! They send him a letter about just how special Owen is, and they send a very special ornament (that usually, in its purchase, has benefited others!)
It makes him feels so special, and it is so nice to reflect on those that helped us become a family, and remember our children's birth country.
Monday, December 26, 2011
December 26th? Really?
The boys gave me a great pink tennis racket for Chirstmas, because we could not use the new hockey stick that the boys and I bought for Jared because the ice rinks were too full of water.
I think there is something majorly wrong with that sentence.
I will take it though, this weather!
The weather that allows us to be out in sweatshirts... playing tennis!
Abram took his new airplane glider out today too!
Owen and Solomon read stories on the front steps... no coats, but wrapped in blankets. In DECEMBER!
Love it!
I think there is something majorly wrong with that sentence.
I will take it though, this weather!
The weather that allows us to be out in sweatshirts... playing tennis!
Abram took his new airplane glider out today too!
Owen and Solomon read stories on the front steps... no coats, but wrapped in blankets. In DECEMBER!
Love it!
Christmas Day!
We had a fantastic Christmas Day!
The day began with three little boys waking us up!
We opened our Santa presents, and then enjoyed our traditional coffee cake breakfast! This is a tradition that comes with Jared's family. The boys love it and look forward to coffee cake on Christmas!
We then continued opening presents. The boys did request "playbreaks" after every couple presents!
We were happy to ablige, as this is why we do Christmas day the way we do. We stay home together all day! Just us! All Day! We can open presents all day if we want. Play all day, whatever!
The boys, of course loved their presents! Jared loved his glow in the dark shirt from Abe, the Christmas tree sleep pants from Owen and the Batman shirt from Solomon. Although Solomon had hoped the shirt would have come with a mask so that they could BE Batman together!
I was VERY surprised to recieve the first year of my blog published in book form from Jared. I have talked about doing this for years and he did it! I cried for hours! So awesome!
We also enjoyed playing Star Wars MOnopoly, putting together Legos and Trio blocks, playing pirate ship and the music! After just opening a few gifts, Owen informed me that this Christmas would not be quiet! He recieved a steel drum, and boom wackers, And Abram got a new harmonica and an electric guitar!
The best part of the day was hearing about Solomon's dream. He said that in his dream he was following the Star of Bethlehem with the shepards. Searching for Baby Jesus. Yeah, he gets CHristmas. Now that... that is a great Christmas gift!
The day began with three little boys waking us up!
We opened our Santa presents, and then enjoyed our traditional coffee cake breakfast! This is a tradition that comes with Jared's family. The boys love it and look forward to coffee cake on Christmas!
We then continued opening presents. The boys did request "playbreaks" after every couple presents!
We were happy to ablige, as this is why we do Christmas day the way we do. We stay home together all day! Just us! All Day! We can open presents all day if we want. Play all day, whatever!
The boys, of course loved their presents! Jared loved his glow in the dark shirt from Abe, the Christmas tree sleep pants from Owen and the Batman shirt from Solomon. Although Solomon had hoped the shirt would have come with a mask so that they could BE Batman together!
I was VERY surprised to recieve the first year of my blog published in book form from Jared. I have talked about doing this for years and he did it! I cried for hours! So awesome!
We also enjoyed playing Star Wars MOnopoly, putting together Legos and Trio blocks, playing pirate ship and the music! After just opening a few gifts, Owen informed me that this Christmas would not be quiet! He recieved a steel drum, and boom wackers, And Abram got a new harmonica and an electric guitar!
The best part of the day was hearing about Solomon's dream. He said that in his dream he was following the Star of Bethlehem with the shepards. Searching for Baby Jesus. Yeah, he gets CHristmas. Now that... that is a great Christmas gift!
Christmas Eve
We had the honor of hosting Christmas Eve this year! I got to spend the morning with my mom and Grandma learning how to make the traditional Breden meatballs!
We attended church with the boys, where they were very excited to hear about God's love for kids all over the world!
Then back to our house for dinner and the much anticipated meatball dinner! We finished the day with birthday wishes for Grandma B, presents, and fun games! The boys were very excited to stay up late! It was a fun night!
We attended church with the boys, where they were very excited to hear about God's love for kids all over the world!
Then back to our house for dinner and the much anticipated meatball dinner! We finished the day with birthday wishes for Grandma B, presents, and fun games! The boys were very excited to stay up late! It was a fun night!
Carroling
The day before Christmas Eve the boys and I spent the afternoon making cookies! Ok, I made most of the cookies. The boys played! When I was done though, the boys asked if they could take some to the neighbors! What a great idea! We made up a bunch of plates, and the boys delivered them ... along with singing carrols! It was fun watching them be so excited to give!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Solomon quote
Solomon and I were driving around the other day, finishing up a few Christmas errands.
He asked me if he could just write a message and send it up.
At first I had no idea what he was talking about.
"To Jesus". "You know.. I want to tell him thanks for Christmas and stuff, I just want to send a message to Jesus."
We then talked about how when you pray, you are just sending your messages up! All you need to do was talk and say them!
We both agreed that that would be wayyyy easier than attaching a note to a balloon and in the end endangering some animal or something!
He asked me if he could just write a message and send it up.
At first I had no idea what he was talking about.
"To Jesus". "You know.. I want to tell him thanks for Christmas and stuff, I just want to send a message to Jesus."
We then talked about how when you pray, you are just sending your messages up! All you need to do was talk and say them!
We both agreed that that would be wayyyy easier than attaching a note to a balloon and in the end endangering some animal or something!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Jared's heaven!
As soon as the school bell rang for Christmas vacation, we grabbed our skates, sticks and pucks and headed to the rink!
Jared was in HEAVEN! He loves skating. LOVES IT! He has three boys that love skating too! The weather was gorgeous, we really could not have asked for more!
It is a tad odd for me though.
Instead of pulling kids around the ice on a a sled, or help teaching them how to skate, and pulling them up after they fall... I am being allowed to skate! Jared even got me a fancy new pair of hockey skates. Now, all I need to do is learn to skate again!
Jared was in HEAVEN! He loves skating. LOVES IT! He has three boys that love skating too! The weather was gorgeous, we really could not have asked for more!
It is a tad odd for me though.
Instead of pulling kids around the ice on a a sled, or help teaching them how to skate, and pulling them up after they fall... I am being allowed to skate! Jared even got me a fancy new pair of hockey skates. Now, all I need to do is learn to skate again!
Piano recital
The Christmas piano recital has quickly become one of my most favorite Christmas traditions! This year, was extra fun, as Abram got to take part too!
Jenny went from just 3 students last year at this time to over 10! Wow! This does not surprise me, as she is a fantastic teacher. Great with the kids and a true musician!
Even though Abram has just started his lessons, he has come so far! He loves to play and often plays without me asking him to! Owen still LOVES to play and has taken his love of music even farther and has started to ask for drums, and other instruments in the house....really, how can you argue with that?
Besides the boys learning piano, they are growing this very super, awesome bond with a person I deeply respect and love. I really couldn't ask for more!
Jenny went from just 3 students last year at this time to over 10! Wow! This does not surprise me, as she is a fantastic teacher. Great with the kids and a true musician!
Even though Abram has just started his lessons, he has come so far! He loves to play and often plays without me asking him to! Owen still LOVES to play and has taken his love of music even farther and has started to ask for drums, and other instruments in the house....really, how can you argue with that?
Besides the boys learning piano, they are growing this very super, awesome bond with a person I deeply respect and love. I really couldn't ask for more!
Christmas Program
Last week the boys took part in their church Christmas program. They had so much fun practicing the songs and singing them to us in the weeks prior, we were very much looking forward to the program!
The kids did wonderfully, and really enjoyed focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. The story of Jesus' birth!
The kids did wonderfully, and really enjoyed focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. The story of Jesus' birth!
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