The Stockings Were Sewn for the Chimney with Care.

Carrying on family Christmas traditions and starting new ones for our family is important to Russ and I. One special tradition that Russ' mom started when he was a boy was making felt stockings for the family. I decided that this would be a meaningful tradition to carry on in our home too. Russ still has the stocking his mom made him, so this fall I started sewing stockings for Hud, Han and I. Hud's was quite involved, and took probably over 60 hours to finish. Han's wasn't quite as detailed, and mine, is still a couple of hours away from being complete. I've ordered a really cute stocking to make this year for our China doll. I've really enjoyed putting in the time to make these family treasures. It's exciting to know that they will be used for many years!

Happy Birthday Hannie Bug and Huddie Buddie!

What's a birthday without balloons?

Here's the birthday girl!

"Hmmm, did I get everything I needed this year?"

"Hud's having more fun than it looks!"

"I could get used to this movie going thing! Keep the candy commin' guys!"

Today was Hud and Han's third birthday, one they've been anticipating for several months. It started out with streamers and balloons hanging in their room. Next was present opening time. One of the toys Hud got was a battery operated front end loader. He got pretty excited about it and said, "This makes me soooo happy!!" Han got a princess nap pad with attached pillow, something she was excited to get, because, according to her, "She really needed it!!" After clean up and a bath, we headed off to Krispy Kreme for a breakfast of princesses and builders. From there we went to church to graduate from the nursery and be promoted to "Super Church!" For lunchtime, the kids picked what they wanted... "Taco Bayno" for a "bean beedo." After our nap, we headed to the theatres for Hud and Han's first movie experience, Charlotte's Web. Hopefully it turned out to be a really special and memorable day for them! We're sure grateful that the Lord has given them to us! They are so much fun and such a blessing!

Happy Birthday to my Favorite Person in the Whole World!

Yesterday we celebrated another of Russ' thirty-something birthdays. I just have to say that this year I have been most amazed by my wonderful husband than I have ever been. As the Lord has enlarged his plate to limits that would kill the average man, he has remained faithful, and has not only survived, but has excelled. While putting in long hours at the office (where he celebrated his 10th year), pulling A's in his MBA courses, mentoring an at-risk adolescent (he's been committed to this boy for 8 years now), coaching a men's group leader, helping lead his small group, and taking a group to East Asia for 13 days, he's been a wonderful husband and father! I've watched him manage it all with perseverance and a good attitude, and have seen him make great personal sacrifices so that we wouldn't have to.

I love you, Russ! I'm so proud of you! I'd marry you all over again!!

This year wasn't just all work and no play, Russ went to Alaska for 9 days to get a little R&R. Thankfully he got a little more than that! (You'll have to check our freezer to know what I mean).

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Just as the month of December rolled around, Mother Nature decided to cover us with a blanket of snow to remind us that Jesus' birthday is just around the corner.

Hud and Han had so much fun playing in the drifts! I still don't understand how they don't seem to get cold like I do. The snow was a little dry and powdery, and not snowman making snow. So, we ended up using some buckets, and making a snow castle. Hard to believe it was just a week ago that the kids were barefoot at the park!

Here Comes the Circus!

The circus came to town, and Hud and Han loved it!

I would have put more exciting pics here, but unfortunately most of them were blurry as the acts involved high-flying, dangerous stunts, spinning bodies, trapeze, motorcycles on high wires...everything you can imagine and more!

The only one missing was Russ, who stayed home to try to flush down a mean little intestinal friend he brought home from the East.

A cousin is on the way!!

I took Josh and Jana to a nearby nature park to snap some pregnancy pics.

Thanksgiving

Russ and Dad got home just in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. Josh and Jana flew in for the week, which was the highlight for all of us, since Daddy and Gumpa were a little hung over by jet lag. Aunt Jana's baby in her tummy is getting big, and Han kept wondering when it was going to come out. Unka Dosh was his usual one man amusement park for the kiddos. For Thanksgiving, Mom, Jana and I split up the meal list, and made all of our favorites. We ate Thanksgiving dinner downstairs in our den, and each shared a some scripture about God's goodness for a time of worship before we ate. God has truly been good to us this year!!!

Yea, the Park!

The weather was beautiful while "Gamma" was here, so the kids took her to the park a couple of times.

Busy November!

November was quite adventurous for our family!! Russ took my Dad with him to visit friends in the far east. The trip was full of great food, new friends, and amazing sights. (As you can see, they barely got home alive. Beware of those Mongolian warriors!) Since I would be spending 2 weeks without my awesome man (and essential partner who helps with the twins), my Mom graciously agreed to come up to help us. It was quite a sacrifice for her, as spending time with her grandchildren is just such a bore! The pictures show you that we had quite a fun time going to playgroups. I'm grateful for Mom's help, as I think I might have lost my sanity without her! (I also was able to get almost all of my Christmas shopping done while she was here.)