December 26th

We spent Christmas with my family on the 26th at Aunt Ali's house. My sister did a great job with the meal, and we enjoyed having some Christmas photos done with the boys while waiting on dinner. The boys were so excited to open even more presents. I love Christmas with my family; I love the whole secrecy of drawing names, watching family members open their special gifts, and sharing stories and memories while eating dessert. This time, Nathan got in on the story-telling, and had every one captivated with a story about Happy and his make believe adventure on the farm. Great Grandpa told the boys the story about Easy Girl, the mule that they had on the ranch.

Christmas Day

The boys were up at 7am and ready to open their gifts. We bought them a Thomas the Train set with a table to set the tracks on. It was a a special time together that morning; after brunch, I opened the gift that Jeff bought me: a brand new laptop! I couldn't believe it! I was so excited and surprised even though he thought I already knew what my present was. After brunch, clean up and getting ready, we went to Grandpa and Grandma's house for Christmas dinner and some more fun. Jeff's cousin Andrea, James and their dog Bailey joined us for Christmas; it was really nice to be able to talk to them!

Christmas Eve 2009

We enjoyed the special candle light service at Church on Christmas Eve, then dinner at Grandpa and Grandma's house. When we finally got home, the boys and Jeff opened a small present. Kachow! New Lightning McQueen slippers for the boys and some dress shirts from the boys to their Daddy. They actually went shopping with me, picked out the shirts and kept it a secret! Fun day!

Getting Ready for Christmas!

Christmas is truly the most Wonder-Full time of the year. For the boys this year, it was definitely full of wonder! They helped to decorate the Christmas tree, wrap the presents and decorate Christmas cookies. They could hardly wait until Christmas; but they even enjoyed the count down to Christmas on the advent calendar.

Nathan and Seth's 4th Birthday!

This year, the boys had a couple of different celebrations for their birthday! Since Aunt Ali was going to be in India for the boys' birthday, she took them out for a special day at Lowe's Motor Speedway where we all had the chance to ride around the track. Then she let them pick out one toy each from the gift shop; they both chose dragster cars. After a tasty lunch at her house, we went bowling ~ the boys were fascinated with the machine that returned the balls! Jeff and I celebrated with them on their actual birthday. The next day we went to Grandpa and Grandma's where we had a special birthday dinner and cupcakes. On Thanksgiving, we went to my mom's house where we had a wonderful dinner and Great Grandma Seefried brought some of her famous and delicious apple pie for dessert (instead of a birthday cake). It was a really special birthday for the boys, and I am really enjoying FOUR years old ~ I just can't believe that they are growing up so fast!

A New Room

For part of the boys' birthday present, we decided to redo the boys' bedroom. Jeff and I painted and incorporated a John Deere theme with the blankets and accessories. The boys were so excited to have their beds bunked! Since the top bunk is very popular, its been a good experience for them in sharing. Every Saturday, they help change the sheets so that they can switch bunks.

Visiting Mayberry

Mom and I kept up our annual fall tradition of a day get-a-way by visiting Mayberry. Although it was a rainy weekend, it was the perfect place to visit because of the many indoor sites to see. We had a great lunch and fun looking through all the quaint shops as well as visiting all the fun Mayberry sites.

An Ordinary Day

Here we are in the back yard, enjoying the sunny, cooler fall weather. I couldn't resist the picture of the boys in their overalls!

First day of Pre K

Seth looking at Nathan

Nathan returns the favor

Are they really that grown up? School...already? Here are the boys on their first day of Pre K classes. We got back from the beach and I headed to work at Shanan Classical to tutor some Spanish classes one day a week. The boys are joining me this year and will be in a class with 4-5 year olds every Monday. They are excited about learning! Here they are with Mrs. Stokes, one of the four, yes...four, teachers in the classroom of 10 kids.

Update: it is truly amazing what these moms were able to accomplish in the pre-k class! The boys talk about evaporation, volcanoes, are able to write their letters, spell their names, sit in a 45 minute chapel service.....never thought that would happen :-)

Beach Vacation

We have looked forward to this vacation to Sunset Beach ALL year! We left Sunday afternoon after church (September 13th) and followed Grandpa and Grandma to the vacation condo. Since the sunset was imminent, we decided to drive over the rickety bridge to the beach. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera handy, but this is one of my most favorite memories ever! The boys saw the beach for the first time, and with eyes shining, they just ran and ran along the beach as fast as their legs would carry them, weaving in and out of the tide, laughing as they got wet. After we rinsed off, and got back in the cars, we headed to the condos and got unpacked. We put the boys to bed and they slept well that night because they were so exhausted.

Good Bye Grandma Adams

Saturday, September 12th 2009, Gram Adams went to heaven.

Weak and wounded sinner, lost and left to die.
Raise your head for love is passing by
Come to Jesus, come to Jesus, come to Jesus and live.

Now your burdens lifted and carried far away,
Precious blood has washed away the stain.
So sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus, sing to Jesus and live.

Like a new born baby, don't be afraid to crawl
and remember when we walk some times we fall.
So fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus, fall on Jesus and live.

Sometimes the way is lonely, steep and filled with pain
so if your sky is dark and pours the rain,
then cry to Jesus, cry to Jesus, and live.

Oh, and when the love spills over and music fills the night,
And when you can't contain the joy inside
Then dance for Jesus, dance for Jesus and live.

And with your final heart beat
Kiss the world good bye, go in peace and laugh on glory's side
Fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus and live.

Fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus, fly to Jesus and live.
~Untitled Hymn by Chris Rice

Singles Retreat....Labor Day Weekend 2009

What a blast! Jeff and I have been working with the singles group at our church, and we decided to join Ali's group on their fall retreat to Camp Kahdalea...up near Sliding Rock. Sliding rock was our first stop, then we headed over to the camp for dinner and some games. The next morning, we did the ropes course and hiked over to another camp to do the slip-n-slide. Ali organized an Amazing Race Event, and we closed out the event with devotionals. Jeff led the Sat. night devotional with the bonfire and Ali and Dave led the Sun. morning devotional. It was a great time of gelling our singles group together!

Family

Here are some pictures of the boys with Grandpa Seefried. We went to visit Grandpa and Grandma at their apartment one day, and Nana met us there. Then, later that week, Aunt Ali came down to visit us. Hello? Uncle Jerad and Aunt Kathy, Nina and Joy? We miss you!

August 2009

Grandpa gave the boys hair cuts outside on the deck, so we could all enjoy the nice weather. This time, he gives them a good mid-summer haircut...nice and short!

The boys are able to reach the pedals on their bikes now and have thoroughly enjoyed riding them around the neighborhood! It amazes me to see my two little boys pedaling down the road....is it just me, or is anyone else amazed by how God created little babies to grow into toddlers, then preschoolers, take steps, say first words, learn hand / eye coordination, and pedal a bike down a road? I will never forget the excitement of seeing them do something like ride a bike for the first time!

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

This past weekend, our family celebrated Father's Day by going to the Knight's Baseball Game. This was the first baseball game that the boys had ever been to. We had great seats, thanks to Aunt Ali...right down near the dugout. The boys really enjoyed the game, and we really enjoyed seeing Grandpa and Grandma Seefried as well as Aunt Ali before she headed off to India. Nana brought so many snacks that the boys were content, and Papa bought them some icecream in a baseball helmet. Fun times!

Part VIII...The Wedding

Isaac and Amanda's wedding was beautiful. I think everyone on our pew teared up right along with Isaac when he saw Amanda walking down the isle. She looked beautiful in her wedding gown.

I'm glad that the boys gave her a good entrance by walking (not running) up the isle. Isaac and Amanda's wedding was all the boys talked about for two weeks. Before the wedding, the boys had the big idea that they were going to marry Amanda, but after the wedding, they just talked about how they did a good job not running.

Part VII...Getting Ready

Early morning, we left Megan's house and picked up a few things at the Dollar Store to help the boys stay quiet during the service. It was a misty, cloudy morning, but by the time we made it to Cincinnatus, the clouds were clearing. It turned out to be a beautiful day. Aunt Ali helped us get the boys ready and we made sure to stress the importance of it being Isaac and Amanda's special day....in other words, no running up the isle or funny stunts. While we were waiting for the big moment, Ali must have read 20 books to the boys to keep them calm. As you can tell from the picture, the boys weren't used to wearing ties :-)

Part VI...The Rehearsal

Da, Da, Da-Da, Da, Da, Da-Da....So here we are at Isaac and Amanda's rehearsal. We were so excited that they had asked the boys to be in the wedding. We weren't sure how the boys would do, but it was such a blessing to us for Amanda and Isaac not to be stressed about the whole "performance" thing. Thanks, guys!

Amanda looked beautiful and if Isaac was stressed, he didn't show it. It was a smooth rehearsal except for the boys understanding that this was an important event.

For the rehearsal dinner, U. Tom and A. Doris had set up tables at their house. There were speides and all the great sides to go with it plus peanut butter pizza for dessert....yum! The boys loved the food! During the dinner, Isaac came by with gifts for the boys: a Jimmie Johnson race car that pops out a helmet for Seth and a Jeff Gordon for Nathan, with matching pez dispensers and their ties for the wedding. The boys LOVED the race cars and are still excited about playing with them to this day!

We left after that to get the boys in bed for the BIG DAY!