Who's who?

Christmas Day

Today, we let the kids finish opening presents we got for them, without the audience of aunts and uncles.  My parents were still here and enjoyed it too.  Morgen is totally into dressing up, dolls and doll houses. Carsten is into race cars!!  Bekah gave him race car yesterday.  We gave him a couple of small cars and then some blocks to build with.  After Eric built the first tower and he demolished it, he said, "More daddy, do it again!"  

Why not end the morning playing with Ethan's new toys in the bathtub!

Christmas Eve!

Yesterday, Christmas Eve, was spent with the Flaming's.  My mom and I started out the day preparing the food until everyone arrived at 10 a.m.  My dad read Luke 2 and Eric lead the family in reading the "Adore"naments.  We as a family started them a few weeks ago and the kids really enjoyed learning the names of Jesus and then hanging them on the tree.  We then opened gifts and ate a delicious dinner!  Yum!  The ornaments on the table were made by Morgen, Carsten, Eric and I.  They were gifts for the family to take after dinner.

Busy, Busy

Today we had snack as a Tea Party with friends.  Then we beaded.  Later, the neighbor girls came over and we beaded some more.   How fun!

Race cars...

Yesterday, I was driving Morgen to school and I happened to accelerate around some cars on the highway.  Carsten then said, "Do it again, mummy"  He said it several more times throughout the drive.  Carsten is in race car mode after playing with race cars at Grandpa Flaming's house over Thanksgiving.  Even Aunt Anna drives a "race car"!

Daddy and daughter date

Eric took Morgen out on a date Sat.  They went and got their chocolate ice cream at Dairy Queen.  They both love chocolate!

Doin' the dishes...

The boys' ornaments

Getting older...

This year, I turned 35!  Yikes!  As I look at this picture though, I just have to thank God for being 35 and having a great husband and 3 kids!  God is good!

True Art

Ahhh!  Isn't it just adorable.  "MoM and Morgen"  Too cute.  Today while she was at school I walked past a drawing she made yesterday.  I had to stop and just say, "how cute".  

Ethan's eating...

I gave Ethan Bananas the other night.  This was the expression he kept making.  It was so cute!

learning to write...

Morgen (4) just wrote on all my pillows on my bed during "nap time" yesterday.  She was so quiet that I actually got a nap.  But, when she came out, I discovered pen on her jeans and writing all over her feet.  I asked her what else she wrote on as I proceeded to go to my room to find out.  On two pillows, it said "MoM" and the other one was her attempt to write her brother's name and a picture of a bunny.  Today, I just found her name written on a really nice lampshade.   As you can tell, she just learned to write her name this year and lately, my name.  When I asked her why she did it, she said, "I wanted you to know they were yours."  I can't put into words what I'm feeling right now.  I guess Dad will have to wait to find out which pillow is his when she learns to write his name. : )

Morgen

The other day, Morgen and I were having a bonding moment and she told me that she wouldn't want anyone else for her mom besides me.  Ah! : )  I should have recorded it for her to play back when she was 15.  That will be so nice to hear then too.  Those moments sure make up for all the rough moments.

Carsten the gymnast

My friend Sarah has been telling me that Carsten needs somewhere he can run, jump, climb, etc.  because he always wants to climb on our furniture(which we do not let him do) Wednesday, we took him and her son, Shaun to Gleason Gymnastics for Open Gym.  They loved it. They played there for an hour and half, going from one thing to the next.  Carsten did do much more after seeing others doing it first.  

Baby Ethan

Ethan is growing up so fast.  His hair is starting to fill in a bit, he wants to feel everything with his mouth, eyeing food we eat, trying to sit up somewhat, giggling, etc.  Carsten wants to wrestle with him so badly.  I keep telling him he has to wait.  

Parent Dedication

Morgen 2004

Carsten 2006

Ethan 2008

This past Sunday we had Parent Dedication at our church.  This is a time for parents to publicly make a commitment to raise their child(ren) for God's glory (I Corinthians 10:31).  We are thankful God gave us Ethan and we pray that God's Word would be our source as we guide and train him to serve Jesus (Ephesians 6:4).  We pray that Morgen, Carsten, and Ethan would trust Christ as their Saviour as their only way to heaven (Romans 10:13).  Children are a blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3).

Fall

We live in a neighborhood where the trees are not mature enough but to only give us one bag of leaves in the fall.  We were at the Tuttle's house the other day for lunch and Morgen was looking enviously at their leaves in the front yard.  After lunch, the men went out and raked some leaves for the kids to jump in.  Mrs. Tuttle then gave our kids a basket of leaves to bring home.  So, along with a few leaves from our yard they made another pile and played in them in our yard!!   I am glad that we don't have to rake 40 bags of leaves like the Tuttles do though. : )

Apple Jack's Orchard

Apple Orchard

I went with Morgen to her first field trip to the Minnetonka Apple Orchard last week.  

It was a beautiful day!