Gigi & Didu visit!

Winter sucked the life out of us...we had snow storms in May. I wish I were kidding. Gigi & Didu delayed a spring trip so it would be "warmer when they came"...they were greeted by a large April snow storm! Here are some pix of the action from the weekend.

greeted by an April snowstorm...notice the juxtaposition of Jeremy's face with Isaac's face. 

balloon animals sounded like such a good idea!? and they were...

 ...sort of...

Isaac loves spending time with Gigi...er...um...or her ipad?!

 

the Children's Museum was one of our highlights

 we are having so much fun!

some "spoils" from the visit. 

one of Irene's highlights was a Gigi shopping spree at the Mall of America. 

We had a good visit...We ate out a few times. Experienced theLIFT on Saturday night. Went swimming at the YMCA on Sunday and spent lots of time just hanging out playing at the house. Sadly, they missed our new couch by 1 week...their naps would have been much more comfortable!

love you guys! thanks for coming to visit!

Visits

We just spent a great weekend with Racher! She flew in for a nice Thursday-Sunday visit, braving the cold wet MN winter (not spring here for awhile yet). The kids loved having her and already have a few things planned for her next visit: playing "store" and going to Wendy's.

Some highlights:

-Going to the ZOO on Friday. It was a beautiful day full of sunshine and "warmth"...well, 35 and sunny FEELS warm. sometimes. almost never. the animals were rather frisky or hungry as many were active and moving and put on a good show.  other than a crowded eating experience, the place was not too full and we had a good time...

-Saturday included lots of RAIN to make Rach feel at home.  It also included a trip to the MALL...the kids got to show her their favorite store, the DISNEY store, which continues to wield its magical powers over their psyches. (and thanks for the new movies!)

-always an adventure at our Saturday LIFT service 

-"Sunday-swim-day" with a quick adventure to the YMCA 

Thanks for being a great guest! You are nothing like fish and we love you and like you.

ALSO, back in January, Isaac and Jeremy made a quick weekend trip to STL. It was fun to surprise Xavi with the "little bubby" and we had a good time...I don't remember all that we did, but here are some pix:

Cars2 for the airplane. excitement begins.

excitement quickly elevates as this did not take long to happen

light sabers were a big hit

the older boys wouldn't share with Vik so he made his own

love this

check Xavi's hair

the dynamic duo

...the other dynamic duo...(heard this was Jeff's new favorite picture)

Didu shenanigans...start em early!

Gigi's magical ipad

the (2nd) BEST christmas present ever!

We are members at the local YMCA. It is less than a mile from our house and in the cold MN winters, it has been brilliant for the kids to have a place to expend copious amounts of energy outside of our small house.

We try to swim at least once a week. The Y has a great "zero entry kid pool" (depth up to 3 feet maybe?) and kids love it. Irene and Isaac have basically taught themselves to swim. We assumed that they would both enjoy a pair of goggles; HOWEVER, we had NO IDEA how great a present they would be!?

The only word that comes to mind is "empowerment". They both have been growing in water comfort pretty steadily over time; however, it seems as if a paradigm has shifted as they both exude a newfound sense of power, control, confidence, and comfort in the water. It is mind-blowing really. They look and act like the most comfortable fish in the water. all because they can see. Shannon and I think there are several theological themes to write sermons on...

MISC funny side notes:

-the pendulum almost swung too far as the ability to see underwater also made them think they could breathe underwater too. one time quickly cured those thoughts.

-they love diving for rings...goggles + rings = empowerment.

Christmas Past...

We thought it would be fun to post a progression of Christmas photos from the past 5 years.

It is beautiful and fun watching kids enjoy the Holidays so much:

2008

(we don't have a family shot in 2009?!)

2010

2011

2012

Thanksgiving in STL '12

We had a fun time in St. Louis for Thanksgiving. Some highlights:

-playing outside in near 60 degree temps
-riding bikes, toys, jumping on the "pool trampoline"
-7 kids, age 4 and under, all under 1 roof
-everyone was relatively healthy!
-traveling dinosaur exhibit
-the very crowded magic house (bonus points for Gigi & Didu)
-swimming in the hotel pool (which we didn't get pix of...check Didu for some!?)
-Didu fixing our license plate ;-)
-Meeting BABY TEDDY!
-but we missed Racher...even if she would have been sick...

Here are some pix:

Kitchen Update

After beginning our kitchen remodel project in mid-July, it is nearly completed. Here are some pix:

Cousin Friends are FUN!

Jeff/Amie + kiddos came to visit us in Minnesota! It was a great weekend. The kids played and played and the parents mostly got tired. Here are some pix: