Family Photo shoot

It had to take a pandemic for us to stay put for a day in order to get family pictures. We met a new friend (and photographer), Ally Stepp, during Covid and she came over and really go to know the family! It was hard to pick a few but I'll scatter the rest through later posts  :)

Not so winter

This winter has been the mildest one I can ever remember. Chloe was disappointed there were no snow days as the 3rd graders always do a snow building competition. We didn't get to build anything the one day we got snow in December and then it never returned. We did get the flu instead
:(  The biggest highlight was having the Devries over for the Christmas break and celebrating the New Years with them and the Remsnyders.  It was so much fun being a family of eight again under one roof and all the kiddos enjoyed playing together as usual.  Dave and Hannah surprised us with a thoughtful and memorable couples date at Bar Taco (Yum!) followed by a couples challenge at Dave & Busters. (Dad probably would want you to know that we won :) We always love being with them and loved having them all back here. The only hard part was saying goodbye.

Noah and Chloe had a great basketball season with much improvement and dad enjoyed coaching every minute he could. We also had our annual trip to Great Wolf Lodge. I was so excited for Eli to finally go down the Twirling Tornado and hyped him up for it, only to find he was half an inch to short. He was so disappointed but dad worked his magic and he was permitted to go down one time with dad. We came home just in time for the dreaded month of February. Sure enough, Feb 1st the flu hit our home and we went down one by one.  Noah dodged all the germs somehow and I was sick only for a night between caring for everyone. I was so grateful to God for the strength and grace he provided during that time. But around the misery we've just been enjoying life as we know it. Grace is thoroughly enjoying preschool, and wishes she went more frequently. She loves to sing all the new songs and pretends to be Mrs. Ellis on the guitar. I'm enjoying these days at home with her before she's gone full time...

Christmas part 2

Happy New Year!

besties making breakfast for 12

Hanhui and Ying took us to and awesome Chinese restaurant. I wish I could say I was more adventurous, but the flank steak looked more appetizing than the whole octopus! Overall, it was Yum!

#1 Coach

Dad had a well deserved weekend away

A valentine from Noah. I prefer this acrostic of my name over the real definition :)

These 2 exhausted themselves going down the slides non stop.

'

Has anyone seen Grace?!

the more bakers, the merrier

seizing any day above 50 to be outside or hiking

first flu :(

much better:)

I love reading Harry Potter with this guy

and listening to her play

Gracie's favorite "hide and go seek" spot

And last but certainly not least, my favorite "thing" (Happy birthday Dr. Suess) 

Elijah is 6

Eli,

Foremost, you still are and always will be my snuggle-bug. You missed an entire week of school due to sickness, but I loved every minute having you home. You are extra sweet and cuddly when you are sick. You seemed so grateful for me and didn't forget a "please" or a "thank you" with your requests.  It seems like you have been consistent in getting sick annually right before your birthday, so we planned your party a little later this year :) This past year you started kindergarten and you are very smart, and you are enjoying learning how to read. Your teacher consistently tells me how ahead of the game you are and we are not surprised. I think you enjoy having homework too like Noah and Chloe. You pick things up really quickly and are a great listener.  You enjoy our family devotions and very often know the right answers. We pray the seeds we are planting in your soul will bear much fruit for Jesus.

This past year you faced your first challenge of your best friend, Owen, moving. It was very hard but it is becoming easier and you always look forward to our next visit. I think you would still say he is your best friend. In the meantime, you and Noah have become closer. LEGOS have really helped build you together and I don't regret buying any of the hundreds of sets we own. I love hearing you  play together as you constantly build (take apart, and rebuild). You are so imaginative and love sharing the special features you incorporate into your creations with me.  Recently we moved them all to the basement because your room was to crazy and you both have snuck some creations under your beds. And while you love all the boy toys you can adapt to Grace's world of baby dolls and strollers very well. You play the part of daddy very well.

This has been a really big year as you love playing soccer, you tried baseball, and started swim team. You seem much older and I often go back and revisit your baby videos because I truly miss it. And speaking of older, at the age of 5 you are officially a coffee and tea drinker.  Dad surprised me with my first Starbucks VENTI peppermint mocha of the year and left it on the kitchen counter for ME. After I helped unload all the baggage and equipment from the school day and hauled all the laundry out of the dryer, I came down and reached for my mocha only to find that it was empty. I went to dads office convinced he switched the cups as a joke, but he was confused as much as I was. After returning to the kitchen, the truth was revealed. There you were under the table giggling.  I felt like I could have laughed and cried at the same time.  Needless to say you were up very late that night. So along with many other things, we now share a love for peppermint mochas.

Eli, your smile is still contagious and warms our hearts. We are so grateful for all the joy you bring to our lives. We love you very much.

Love,
Mom & Dad

best buds

 

you stopped your bike ride to pick flowers for me

you are my sunshine

 

 To Eli, From Chloe

 "olive" you!

 your first and very own peppermint mocha

 Happy New Year!

 and Happy Birthday!