April 2016

Ryan brought a buggy home from a job one evening and thought the boys would have fun riding it around the yard, through the woods, and over the creek.  He was right...they LOVED it! :)

This guys' growing up--definitely wants to be like
his brothers.  The high chair is not cool anymore!

 We got a couple guppies after Jack and I read "Henry and Ribsy".

(For those familiar with the story, we got two males!)

Jesse is a big fan, as you can see!

March 2016

Dad & his boys :)

Pretty proud to be wearing his brother's mud boots!

Jack helps Ryan with set-up at church, so a common occurance
will be stage set-up, followed by a church service, which usually
only consists of singing.

The Drummer
As long as he gets to bang on something he doesn't
care if he's just being used to fill a spot!

Febrary 2016

Start 'em early!

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY LANE!

Lane wanted a construction party.  We can do that!

A few additional touches by Ryan!

Happy Birthday to Lane!

Ryan had his third shoulder surgery.  We were grateful
there was no rotator cuff tear, as that shorted recovery up
significantly.  He's still pretty useful though, even in a sling!

Electric circuit game from Grammi & Papa

January 2016

We rung in the New Year by celebrating Christmas in Colorado with the Helmkamp family.  What a great Christmas gift to get this time as a family!  I don't think the trip could have gone any better--it was a blast!

We rented a pair of boots and skis for the boys to share
one morning so they both got to try skiing.

Riding the Magic Carpet to the top

It was so funny to see these little guys "skiing" down the "hill"

We all took turns watching kids, so we even got to ski together a little.

 The Helmkamps

This was the first time Jesse really played in
the snow by himself--he loved it!

Jesse's version of "jersey over the head"

I thought this was actually a pretty good outfit for a Minion...

...and a pretty good outfit for Lane! :)

Lots of people agree that these two look alike...

:)

Jack turned FIVE this month!  He wanted a Cyclone party...that'a boy! 

December 2015

Hitchin' a ride from his big brother

Hooligans!

My Christmas cactus bloomed this year.  It was the first time it
has, and it made me think of Grandma Bette.  If I remember the
story right, hers bloomed right after she came to know the Lord--
as if a picture of the new life she had just received!

CHRISTMAS 2015

We got to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at home as a family this year for the first time.  It was really a sweet blessing to have this time together!

 Lakeside doesn't have a Christmas Eve service, so we went to Saylorville's service, where the boys got to go up front to listen to the Christmas story.  Our memory from that will probably be Lane doing the "windmill" get Jack to stop trying to take his hand to lead him off the stage and back to their seats.  Luckily Jack wisely gave up quickly and Ryan made it up the aisle in time to avoid a Christmas Eve wrestling match on the stage. :P

Hot cocoa (WITH MARSHMALLOWS!!! :)) after supper
This kid is fun to give treats to! :)

Christmas Morning
The best part about the sled was the we got a BEAUTIFUL
Christmas Eve snow, so we got to use the sled that very morning

Jack had been saving his money in hopes of buying himself
his own suitcase in time for our trip to CO with the Helmkamps.
He wasn't quite gonna make it, so he was pretty thrilled to open
this gift.  The best part was that he got to use it the very next day!

Trying out the new trailer dad built to pull behind their "truck"

Alisa and Grandpa Bob joined us in the afternoon and stayed for Christmas dinner.  As great as it was to be with our immediate family most of the day, it wouldn't have felt like Christmas without more family to celebrate with!

Grandpa trying out Jack's new bow and arrow :)

Christmas dinner...all about the presentation :)

November 2015

Future duck hunters checking out Dad's ducks

Brothers off on an adventure together

Our backyard buck

Jack brought a big stick home from a park &
planted it in the front yard.  He even added leaves. :)

Helping plant the tree

Just like Dad.

This is how Lane eats his raspberries.  The berries often have
conversations with each other and/or Lane before getting eaten.

 Happy 1st Birthday Jesse Daniel!

He got to celebrate again with Aunt Jana whose
birthday he missed sharing by one day!
(He enjoyed his cakes :))

Daddy & Jess

"Daddy's buddy!"

We had the opportunity to host some individuals from JAARS for a weekend while they were in town sharing about the organization.  JAARS was new to us, so it was a blessing to learn about what they do, and especially to get to know Woody & Mary, and Randy & Gin.

Good friends Carol and Monte, and our new friend Woody
during the brunch we hosted while they were here.

Janie was in town and was nice enough to come play
with the boys during the brunch.