Celebrating Ethan's Baptismal Birthday!

We celebrated Ethan's first baptismal birthday this morning with cinnamon rolls.  Because Ethan was baptized last year on a Friday, the first anniversary fell on a Sunday.  The whole family enjoyed Sunday morning breakfast together.  We sang, blew out a candle and ate.  Daddy went to teach Bible Class and the kids and Mommy got ready for church.

Ethan was baptized happy day,

All his sins were washed away.

God looked down on him and smiled, 

He became God's own dear child.

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Ethan's dinosaur cake.

Birthday boy with Mommy.

Birthday boy with Daddy.

Happy Birthday Ethan!

We were in the Thumb this weekend celebrating the baptism of our new niece, Madelynn.  While there, we had the opportunity to celebrate Ethan's first birthday.  Nana made a delicious dinner of Swedish meatballs, rice, sweetcorn, applesauce, cottage cheese, jello and rolls for Mr. Ethan.  After the meal we sang Happy Birthday and ate cake and ice cream.  It was a happy little party.

Happy Halloween!

For Halloween, this year, Mommy and Daddy were very busy sewing and making costumes.  While watching the World Series Daddy designed and made Ethan's dinosaur costume and Mommy put together Olivia's honeybee costume.  We enjoyed Trick or Treating at some homes of people we know and then we headed to the local Methodist church for a Trunk or Treat.  It was a pleasant evening.  Just the right amount of time for the kids.

Olivia is ready for the Library Halloween Party.

Our honeybee and dinosaur.

Creative Trunk or Treat.

Ethan is 11 Months!

Ethan and Bearmey at 11 months!

Hurray!  Ethan is 11 months.  This little guy is growing by leaps and bounds.  He enjoys finger walking with Daddy and giggling with his sister.  Ethan is a natural cuddler and gives snuggles to anyone available.  He is the apple of our eye and we think he is the tops.

Ethan Turns 10 Months!

Ethan and Bearmey at 10 months

At 10 months Ethan is more than on the move, he can't sit still for a second!  Ethan now climbs stairs, climbs the swing set slide and is generally climbing the walls of our house.  Easy going Ethan has transformed into Energetic Ethan.  He is still a happy go lucky young man.  Mom and Dad are even happier with Ethan in his 10 month of life, with a little sleep training and a little guidance Ethan has learned to sleep through the night.  A well rested Mama is worth twice her weight in love and patience.

Ethan is 9 Months!

Ethan and Bearmey at 9 months.

We have started calling Ethan our "baby dinosaur" (in a Jurassic Park kind of way) namely due to these adorable dino jammies.  At 9 months Ethan is a hoot.  He had his wellness check up at our new pediatrician and has been deemed quite healthy.  Ethan is learning to pull himself up and is discovering he likes many different varieties of food.  Ethan sure brings variety to our lives, we love him!

Ethan is 8 Months!

Ethan with Bearmey at 8 months.

Ethan is enjoying his 8th month of life.  He is crawling like a pro and has cut his two bottom teeth.  Ethan has started to voice his opinion about various things.  Although still quite easy going guy, we are learning that Ethan prefers green beans over sweet potatoes and likes to be held and cuddled.  We are blessed to have Ethan in our life.

Dennis was ordained on July 15, 2012, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albion, MI.  This day was very special for our family.  I haven't been this excited about a day since our wedding back in 2007.   The amount of sacrifice, discipline and perseverance on both of our parts is unmeasurable.  To God be the glory.

Ethan is 7 Months!

A Visit to the Missouri Botanical Garden

We discovered that the Botanical Garden offers free admission on Wednesday mornings from 7-9 AM.  Well, if it is free...it's for me (and my family).  Dennis, Olivia, Ethan and I strolled leisurely around the beautiful gardens all morning long.

The Climatron

A Quick Picture

Navigating the Maze

Swapping stories and making memories.

Japanese Garden

Daddy Daughter Pose

From May 26-August 19, the Botanical Gardens are celebrating with a Lantern Festival.  According to their website you can "Experience one of China's most treasured events and ancient traditions this summer as the Garden hosts an international exhibition of larger-than-life, lighted works of art."  We didn't see the lanterns lit, but they were quite impressive.

Silk fabric make the lanterns possible.

This dragon is made out of plates, cups and dishes.

Later we went to the area designated for kids.  Also, free on Wednesdays!  

Navigating the bridge

Giving a tour

Gathering supplies

Hosting a cooking show

Happy Birthday Valerie!

The highlight of my 27th birthday was a special ice cream cake made lovingly by our good friend Kali.  Earlier in the month she asked me what kind of cake I wanted.

I quickly replied, "I would like an ice cream cake with an oreo cookie crust, a chocolate layer of ice cream, a hot fudge layer and a vanilla layer on top."

I guess I had been thinking about it for awhile.  Kali came through beautifully.  The cake was enjoyed by all, except Ethan, he will have to wait another year.

A happy mommy with her happy babies on a happy birthday.

Ethan is 6 Months

Our Ethan is 6 months!  My how time has passed quickly.  At Ethan's pediatrician's appointment he weighed 18 pounds 9.5 ounces and was 27.5 inches long.  Ethan still has an easy going, laid back attitude.  He enjoys taking walks in his stroller and bouncing in his Jumperoo.  Ethan is gaining balance and learning to sit up.  We are delighted that Ethan is in our life.

Ethan and Bearmey 6 Months

Happy Mother's Day

My Mother's Day this year was delightful.  Olivia and I attended the two-year-old Sunday School class at our local Lutheran church.  The four of us played at a local school playground and enjoyed the beautiful weather.  For lunch I met my St. Charles Mom for a delicious meal at The Cheesecake Factory.  It was truly a fantastic day.

Welcome to the school playground.

Smiley Ethan.

Sliding Mommy.

Happy Olivia.

1-2-3 Go!

Swinging Girls.

Olivia and Mommy.

The two reasons I get to celebrate Mother's Day.

Five Years and Two Kids Later...Happy Anniversary!

Five years have gone by fast.  We have grown together and learned a lot about what it takes to make a marriage work.  Dennis and I have been blessed to have people in our lives who support Christian marriage.  We are committed to one another, for better or worse till death do us part.  If given the opportunity I would do it again in a heart beat.  Here's to the next five.

Before God and these witnesses...

The Bridal Party.

Maid of Honor Lisa, Best Man Joe

A quick kiss.

The happy newlyweds.

Call Day Excitement

Call Day
May 1, 2012

On May 1, Dennis received his Call.  The kids were safely tucked in bed when the service was taking place.  I was excitedly sitting in the sanctuary between my St. Charles Mom and Dad.  Many friends and family were eagerly watching it stream on-line.  I was literally on the edge of my seat when Dennis's name was about to be announced.  We are so excited to be headed to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albion, Michigan.

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Albion, Michigan

Ethan is 5 Months

Ethan reached the 5 month mark on April 12.  He can now roll from tummy to back and from back to tummy.  He can take his lolly out and can manage to put it back in his mouth.  Ethan still loves to laugh and is working on being able to sit up.  Olivia and Ethan enjoy "talking" to one another.  This is especially noticeable at night when Olivia has been tucked in her bed and should be sleeping.  As I get Ethan ready for bed he squeaks and squawks in high pitched tones and Olivia echoes the same noises from behind her closed bedroom.  They are my two little song birds.

Ethan and Bearmey (5 months)

 It is fun watching Ethan as he grows each day.  Another milestone worth noting is Ethan's ability to grab, reach, tug and pull.  He loves to grab my spoon while I am eating, my phone when I am talking and my hair whenever he feels like it.