enjoying the snow

What's a person to do when that's all there is... snow.  I want to have these snow play pictures in our blog books for the record.  Soon enough we will be living FAR away from anything snowy.  (I'll post our "where, when, why, how philippines" soon!)  And these snowy memories will be all we are left with.  In my opinion that is fine, but my kids are truly Minnesotan and they LOVE the stuff.  

winter fun in our back yard

family

I was looking though old pictures tonight and just had to post this video.   I'm so thankful for this bunch of people God has allowed me to share this life with.  They sharpen me and make me laugh.  I know more about Christ because I know them.  I love you Jason, Jonas, Ella, Kate, Isaac, Mom, Dad, Mark, Anne, Titus, Ezra, Simeon, Levi, Mark, Amy, Ian, Emmaline, Justin, Stephanie, and Max!

Christmas activities

grandpa entertaining the little two with his movies and music:

 decorating the gingerbread house with grandma:

grandma ended up "decorating" their mouths!

 enjoying our beautiful creation:

 Isaac's first look at our gingerbread house when he woke up from his nap:

 This is our annual draft:

We have an overload of stuffed animals.  Does anyone else out there tend to accumulate these like we do?  The kids LOVE their animals and play with them and sleep with them and take them everywhere. Some of them are very special and others aren't so much.  Before Christmas it's necessary to purge and make room for more so this is our way of going through the animal friends.  We place all of the animals on the couch and Jason leads the draft.  The kids choose one at a time in an organized fashion which animals are their favorites and we let them keep a certain amount and then the left-overs disappear. ;)

 We played lots of games: 

(Amy's thrilled that I have my camera out )

holiday baking:

(Isaac "helping" me with his choo-choo)

 Some for giving, some for eating:

tea

A few weeks ago, Isaac asked me for tea.  He doesn't speak very much or very clearly, well, compared to kate the great.  So, I was trying to understand what this new word "t" could mean.  Isaac could tell that I was not getting it even though he kept saying "t", "t", "t" over and over to me.  Finally he brought me over to the counter where he sees us getting our hot drinks and said again, "TEA" and pointed just like this.  I always have my iphone in my pocket so I whip it out and snatch pictures like this often.  I love it for that.  This really isn't anything momentous, just a fun little moment in Isaac's life that I caught.  Isn't life thousands of these little moments.  It's impossible to capture them and to document them all, but hopefully catching a few will help me remember someday.  And of course, we did stop and sit down and enjoy some hot tea together.  :)

 my boy asking for tea

Isaac's birthday party

This is our first ever character themed party.  I've never been into those, but I'm sure into this little boy and he loves Toy Story.  So, I embraced it!

Buzz Lightyear is a favorite.

birthday party tatoos- Kate likes Bullseye. 

A balloon that has provided much pleasure long after the party is done.

I saw these guys on Pinterest and knew I had to try them for Isaac's party.  They were so fun!  Thanks to Stephanie for all your help!

"2 infinity and beyond"  cheesy, huh?! :)

Stephanie holding baby Emmaline.  It's a hard job, but somebody's gotta do it!

favors for the kids and a barrel of monkeys

Isaac enjoying his cupcake

more of the little green guys

Mark is being tough as he gets his first tatoo

What Toy Story party is complete without having fun with Mr. Potato Head?

Jonas and Ella imitating their alien faces

Mr. Potato Head is one of those toys that I keep in the top of the closet for special occasions.  I just can't stand all those pieces all over the house.  Therefore, Isaac was entertained for quite a long time by the "new" toy!

Thank you for the cars, grandma and grandpa Stamper!  Isaac is a kid on the go and he sure loves anything with wheels!

felt ears, black gel icing, Mentos candy eyes, sour green apple straw candy for the antenna

the left over aliens waiting for "the clawwwwww" (aka, a hungry Stamper) to choose them

enjoying his fun cards

This one was obviously very exciting.  Thank you, great-grandma Stamper!  

The car on the front of the card captured his attention and he asked each of us to "read it" several times. 

re-reading his cards

Thank you grandmas and grandpas for your cards, gifts, and phone calls.  We wish you each could have been here to help us celebrate Isaac's two years with our family.  We are so thankful to God for this precious gift He's entrusted us with.