My Birthday

Thanks everyone for making my birthday

so special this year!!!

I am blessed beyond measure!

I am especially thankful for my wonderful husband, Jon, and our four children help me to grow in becoming a better wife and mother everyday.

For my birthday, Jon and the kiddos took me out to Olive Garden. His parents, Josh & Mich, and Mel joined us. Then afterwards, everyone came over to our house. Here is a picture of Addison with one of the cupcakes that Mel got me from the Cupcake.

The rice crispy bars that Vaunder made me complete with "Happy Birthday Mom" spelled out in chocolate chips.

THANKS AGAIN!

First Day of Christmas Vacation - Ice Skating

Today was the first day of Christmas break (since we missed two days of school last week when the kiddos were sick). I attempted to take them all ice skating. Owen and Russell had the older double blade skates and seemed to enjoy skating once they got the hang of it. Vaunder had a pair of single blade skates that were more difficult for him to balance with. I didn't get any pictures of Vaunder. Addison just wore her boots and liked trying to walk on the ice.

Cookies!!!

...w.i.s.c.o.n.s.i.n...

The kiddos spent the week with my parents in Wisconsin when Jon and I attended the Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference in Gaithersburg, MD at the beginning of November.

Friday, after the conference, Luke, Heather, and I traveled to Wisconsin to celebrate Kristin and Heather's birthdays and pick up the kiddos.

On Saturday, we all went bowling as part of the birthday celebration. Yes, both Kristin and Heather's birthday are on the same day!

(Above) Here's Addison bowling with my mom and Owen.

Aunt Judy (my mom's sister), Aunt Beth (my mom's cousin), Luke, Heather, and Grandma Monte (my mom's mom).

Happy Birthday Heather and Kristin!!!

It was so much fun celebrating with both of you!

Halloween Costumes

Vaunder in his Batman costume.

Russell as the Karate Kid.

Mel and Parker.

Josh, Mich, and Aiden.

Grammie and Grandpa.

Owen in his Elmo costume.

On Saturday morning, the kiddos went trick-or-treating

at the shops at Arbor Lakes in Maple Grove with

Grammie, Grandpa, & Auntie Melanie.

Novia and Addison on Sunday afternoon.

The Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze

The Science Museum

The boys working the wave machine.

Owen making a blade for the windmill.

Russell blowing bubbles.

Vaunder making a parachute.

The boys looking at some animal furs.

We had a great day at the Science Museum!