Colts game!

Our neighbors gave us tickets to the game. We had great seats!

The month of December

As you can see Ava loves wearing her snowsuit. Needless to say by the time I got this on her she was so ticked that when I went to put her in the car seat she refused to get in. So our trip to Wal-mart was null and void.

Christmas

Here we are decorating the tree. We decided to put it in the sun room this year. Since I am posting this in April I can't remember why Olivia has her face like this? Funny pic though.

I love this pic of Ava gathered around all her musical friends

Here we are again at Piney Acres Tree Farm. This year it was so cold and so busy that we ended up having the people cut are tree down close to the store. It was to cold for the hayride. Unfortunately, our tree was dead I think before we bought it home. Ha

Liv was nervous again talking with Santa. She told him she wanted a bike. Kinda funny because her Papa just had bought her a new bike. She told me later she was just so nervous and didn't know what to say.

Christmas

Ringing those Salvation Army Bells!!!

Snow ball fight!

Little Bean and Mema peering out of the window

Christmas

Here we are at a Christmas breakfast Program.

The Wooten's joined us

My little bean 13 months old

13 months

Thanksgiving and Flu

I tried to come downstairs and eat, but I just couldn't. I lasted here at the table for 4 minutes.

Finally feeling better here

Well this Thanksgiving was kind of a bust. I came down with the flu and then Ava got it. We were suppose to travel to Michigan City for Thanksgiving. I was also going to visit with CieAna who I hadn't seen in to long; she was going to meet Ava for the first time. God had other plans, though. Sharyl and Dave came down with their turkey in tow from Martin's and we made the best of it.

Thanksgivng Feast

I got to help volunteer in Olivia's kindergarten class during the Thanksgiving feast. Here she is at a station churning butter. It sprayed all over her.

This was my station to man. It was kind of scary having the kids use knifes. No accidents!

I was happy to say that Olivia tried cranberry relish and actually loved it.

Mrs. Lubs read to the children about the Pilgrims, etc.

Weekend at the Cabin

Back in November I traveled to Ohio to celebrate Mandy's bridal shower at Jenni's cabin. It was such a wonderful way to celebrate and honor Mandy. It had been years since we all got together, all of us ol' college roomies from BSU. Mans got a lot of awesome gifts. Jenni made soup, salad, drinks and appetizers. Jenni did a great job with all the decorations. The table looked so pretty! We ate ourselves silly. We had a great time re-living old memories and catching up on the new! Mandy is getting married in Mexico at the end of March. It was great relaxing in such a beautiful setting. Nothing sweeter than special girlfriends. Laughter is the best medicine. This was also my first get away without Ava since she was born. I was really worried about her taking a bottle. She took it a little, but she did fine.

Ava's Baptism

Cody came down from Purdue to watch Ava be baptized. He said "he is a man to his word"--and that is true!

These pics are small because they were shot at the church

What a feeling to be standing there in front of the church holding Ava. The lights were already hot while beaming down on us, it was almost as if God was speaking directly to us. "Take care of this child, love this child, teach this child my ways (not the World's ways) of love, compassion, forgiveness, grace..and so on. My whole body was covered in goose bumps. It was such an honor to have Pastor Scott baptize our children. We have a deep respect for him as our pastor and as a man. We are blessed to have been adopted into such a wonderful church family. No church is perfect, and when you seek imperfection, you always will find it. But we stay because we feel that is where we are called to be.

These passages are always in my mind- Matthew 19:14 Jesus said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these".. I see this child like faith with Olivia and her belief in Jesus is so sincere and her witness to others comes from the heart. I desire to be more like her.

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

There were several people who went in front of us. I didn't think Ava was going to make it, but she did!

Ava's Baptism Cont

I am very thankful and humbled that Michelle's brother, wife and family came down for the baptsim. They came in at just the right time. We hadn't seen them in a few years.

Heather our neighbor from across the street made Ava's baptism cake. She worked very hard to make the cake look so pretty.