A few "projects"

Christian and I did a few "projects" together. He would get SO excited when I asked if he wanted to do a project. He would wake up some days and say, "I do a project, mama. I do another project." They were very basic..but fun all the same.

This one was supposed to be like "stain glass" ornaments for his window...they didn't exactly turn out the way I thought..but he didn't know the difference at all.

 Terrible quality of picture..but he looked too cute not to put in on here. 

Onto the cookies...

he watched fairly patiently, and would occasionally help with pushing the cookie cutter down. He thoroughly enjoyed putting sprinkles on top..this was a highly supervised duty, so there are no pictures of that. And lastly..his favorite..the sampling of the "dar cookie" (star cookie).

Here are some of the other cookies "we" made...

reindeer (peanut butter) cookies and gingersnaps.

and this was Christian's cookie contribution for the most part...

staying busy coloring while standing on a chair to still be apart of the process.

And of course taste testing when they were finished!

Another big highlight of our days leading up to Christmas was opening the advent calendar door.

Some days it included a project or a book or just a piece of chocolate...

regardless, Christian would say, "I open number 7." It would never be the right number that he'd say, but he'd often pick a different number at random.

We had fun getting ready for Christmas. I didn't really expect Christian to be so willing to participate in some of the ideas, but you mention the word "project" and he's in!!!

A few of the other things we did were made a painted picture on canvas with his feet, made a popsicle stick nativity ornament, attempted to make an imprint of his hand in plaster, and read many Christmas stories. 

"Baby Jesus did wake up!"....his observation of the baby Jesus in the popsicle stick manger scene since Jesus was in the upright position :) Well of course that means he finally woke up instead of laying down in the manger like all the other nativities he saw.

christians first program

Christian had his first Christmas program this year. He stood up there with the other Sunday School kids, and did more rhythmic bobbing than singing...but he participated nevertheless. 

He's front and center (not to worry this was before they started their songs)

Merry Christmas 2011

We have much to be grateful for this year. We've had a few transitions, some travels, and best of all our toddler..Christian. Its amazing to think of how much he has changed over the last year alone, he's growing up all too fast. He is quite entertaining and we are enjoying this phase of his life. You never know what he might say. He loves his trucks, tractors, and a variety of other toys, and enjoys spending time with his cousins and all the other family around as well!

Since we moved back to Hesston last fall we have enjoyed getting involved with our Sunday School class. Christian has also started going to Sunday School starting this September. Now, most Sunday's he will say "I go to Sunday School" and he will go into his classroom and sit at the table with the other kids. He also goes with me to Mom 2 Mom at a different church in town on Tuesday mornings. This is a little harder to go regularly because of my work schedules...but its nice for both of us to have others to connect with in that kind of setting.

We had a very good summer, that included a week and a half trip that included; CO, WY, MT, and Alberta, Canada. Some of the highlights along the way were seeing a rodeo in Cody, WY, going to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and many other scenic views along the way. Our main reason for getting to go was for the Hershberger reunion, which was also a highlight. Ben, Christian and I drove leisurely on the way up and the way back was the opposite...we drove 26 hours straight through. Whew, we were glad to be home after that.

Ben started his new job in August, which we were very happy about! He is enjoying his class and the co-workers he has at the school. I still work at Newton Medical in the maternal child unit, but I just recently restarted at Wesley in the same unit I left a little over a year ago. The main difference is that I am only "prn" or as needed at both places. I feel this way I get the best of both worlds..and I feel blessed I can do something I really enjoy both places. The goal is that I hopefully will get to spend more time at home with Christian!

Carissa's wedding was in October, and we made another trip to be apart of that. And then in November, just Christian and I went up to Iowa to visit my college roommate and her family for several days. I think we are all done traveling for this year. I'm glad that Christian travels so well, it sure does make the time in a car WAY more enjoyable when all occupants are happy.

And now we are in the month of December..the tree, lights, and other Christmas decorations are up and we are in the Christmas spirit. It has been most enjoyable to have Christian apart of this in many ways. Not only does he like to hang his own ornaments on his mini tree in his room, but he also likes to read the Christmas story in children book form. The two that we mainly read are Always Room for Little One (about the stable animals inviting Mary and Joseph and "tired Donkey" in from the cold) and J is for Jesus (a CUTE book about the story behind candy canes).

Hopefully you can look back through our year on here and see some pictures and happenings from our home. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

love...Ben, Jessica, & Christian

A few of my favorite things....of Christian's

**READING...if you can read..he will listen. And he definitely has his favorites. I think I've read Animal Train about 10 times in one day. At bedtime with the lights out, I simply recited it and that worked .

**BUILDING..these block were the best $3 spend at a garage sale. You LOVE to build tunnels, towers, garages, forts...they are GREAT! (And you dressed extra special with your "steak and shake" hat...classy!!)

***EATING CEREAL...although you are quite the picky eater..often cereal is an ol' standby option. You are in a phase of liking Golden Grahams right now.

***SHOES...you seem to have calmed down with the idea to put on everybody's shoes, but you still enjoy your own. You have been more interested in zipper's and have mastered how to go up and down with them. But you have quickly learned that mama does not enjoy you zipping my jacket all the way to my neck...you say, "I will be careful."

***JUST PLAIN SILLY...you have a very creative mind. It is very entertaining to watch you make toys out of random items, or make other toys have a voice and you have conversations with them. Usually, when you are wanting to talk to an animal..or bring it to one of us and say, "here mama, here talk to the moose."

***WONDER...Sometimes it is almost as if I can see your wheels spinning. You are constantly observing and taking in things around you..and then retaining them to either act out or repeat later. Makes me think of the song, "Oh Be Careful Little (Eyes, Ears, Hands, Mouth) " it will be reflected!

***FAMILY..you love family. You love to go to "Grandma's house" and it's a double bonus if Kade is also there (he's your little play buddy!) Papa built you a "huge big tower" and you knocked it down!!!

**POTTY...its a learning process..but at least its a process that is in the works. You already know how it works..you need a good magazine or book to read..or something like that. 

The things he says...(2 years old)

Some of Christian's comments...

On Sunday, he came in while I was getting ready and said, "I'm all dressed up." Me: "Yes, you are. You are so handsome." C: "Mommy is handsome." I'll consider that a compliment..at least I think in his mind he was saying a nice thing.

When we set up the Christmas tree during his nap, he came out and saw it all lit up for the first time, he said, "OOhhh, Aaaa, Aaa (Oo la la)!!! Christmas came!"

Sometimes we put on PBS, his favorites are Dinosaur Train, Super Wise (about spelling, which is over your head but you like the character), Arthur, and Curious George. When I'm turning through the channels to see if one of the shows is on, he will say, "Noo, not that one."(next channel) "No, not that one either." And this will continue until the show pops up and he will exclaim, "THERE it is!!"

"I need to focus Mommy. I need to focus." Yes you do my dear.. I have told him he needs to focus when he is on the potty. He is EASILY distracted, but once he does focus usually he does quite well. I'm grateful for any progress in the potty training dept, so I won't complain.

Another on the potty phrase..out of the blue you matter of factly said, "Goodness gracious sakes alive!" (I'm sure he heard this somewhere..but it took me off guard the first time he said this..kinda funny)

I was giving you food to eat and I said something about it being so good with a "you betcha" in there somewhere. His response was, "Nooooo. Not you betcha." (Onery, little picky eater :) )

I usually sing to him before putting him to bed...Jesus Loves Me, Away in a Manger, Silent Night..the list can go on and on..and sometimes he will say RIGHT away is "I don't like that one." But somehow Twinkle, Twinkle is the winner and he says, "okay" when I start with that one..or he'll just flat out request it. The other day I was singing Twinkle, Twinkle, and he just matter of factly says, "sing it louder, mama". Just getting pickier and pickier on me. It was hard for me not to laugh..but I sang it for him..meanwhile he starts singing Silent Night to himself..go figure :)

Music is pretty important to Christian..he will often be singing a song to himself while he plays. Lately the song selection includes: Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum (The Little Drummer Boy), Silent Night, Away in a Manager, Jesus Came, Jesus Loves Me, aaaannnd last but not least the Veggie Tales Theme Song. (I realize its slightly ironic that he enjoys singing these songs..but for whatever reason does not enjoy being sung these songs at bedtime)

I was eating breakfast with him the other day...I am not the example of health when it comes to breakfast. So while he ate his cereal, he looks up at me and says, "Mommy not drinking coffee, there's only cookies in there." ( I was "dunking" my oatmeal cookie in my coffee..because if I do eat breakfast, that's often what I eat)

"Where's Daddy? OH Dadd-io where are you? Daddy not here, Daddy is teaching."
This has since gone to including "mom-mio" in the vocab.

He will lie down on the floor and say, "I need a back rub." So I will rub your back a little bit. However the other day was even better, he said, "Mama needs a back rub" and proceeded to rub my back for a good 3 minutes! I love it :)

"I can play a little bit." Famous bedtime comment. Followed by, "I can not sleep" or "I not tired"

He is VERY thankful somedays. Everything receives a thank you. A diaper change.."oh, thank you mama. Thank you for changing my diaper." "Oh, thank you. Thank you for my "uice." (juice)...the list can literally go on and on. It gets rather amusing.

As I was driving on the interstate..."excuse me semi truck" as we are passing him. "Oh, and excuse me delivery truck, semi truck, excuse me."

And lastly an innocent little boy comment in the bathtub..
I had made it a bubble bath for him. He was playing with the toys, and then looked down and asked, "where did my wee-ee go?" and he looked a little more, "where did my wee-wee and my legs go?" After he move the water just a little, he looked again and said, "THERE is my wee-wee."



All these things he says and does..of course its not only the words but how he says them...alot of time in a light hearted serious 2 year old way but with the ending syllable almost in a question form and with facial movements or tugging on arms.

RMV {roommate visit}

Christian and I made a long over due visit to Iowa this week, to visit my dear friend Ranee and her family. He traveled really good both there and back..that's always a blessing.

The first evening we got there, Kyle (my cousin..who just so happens to be Ranee's brother in law as well), was combining in the field in their back yard. He was nice enough to let Christian and I join him for the last little bit. OH boy, Christian loved it. He talked about Kyle for the rest of the time there!

Ranee and Justin have two cute kids..Luke (3) and Tessa (1 1/2). Pictures are good when you can't visit..but it sure is nice to see the real deal in person. Its fun to see them grow up!

 This trip Ranee and I had made a relatively long list of craft things to do together, since we both enjoy doing them..and doing them together is double the enjoyment! Of course we included a shopping outing in the agenda as well..a visit is not complete without that!

After we'd lay the kids down for the night...the crafting came out! The Brokaws have recently built a nice addition to their house..a laundry space/bathroom, two car garage, and basement (where Christian and I slept). We set up our craft shop in the laundry area.

We had a few extra helpers...

I can't remember if I told Justin I wouldn't put this on here or not..but for the record I'm only trying to depict the awesome participant he was in contributing to the crafting. He will have to be nominated for best supportive husband or something. I actually took it to prove to Ben that Justin did this for Ranee..to see if I could boost Ben's excitement in helping me! I don't think I'll hold my breath..which is probably okay for the both of us :) 

More photos of the days together...

Christian was a fan of Ranee's cinnamon rolls..we all were for that matter.

The last evening we were there, the Gingerich's (Ranee's parents), and the Birky's (Kyle & Julie's family) joined us for supper.

And due to the fact that we were so busy chatting, shopping, crafting, and watching our children..this is the only picture we managed to take of the two of us literally seconds before we had to say goodbye. 

We should really learn to do better at this!

 I'm glad we were able to visit. We had fun together as usual. I value Ranee's friendship, even if 98% of it is over the phone or through emails/letters. The extra 2% in person is like icing on the cake! We didn't exactly get all of our crafting endeavors completed..but I'd say that's fine, maybe that means we need to do this more often...(or maybe it means we need to have a more realistic list), regardless I had fun and I"m glad I got to hang out with the Brokaw's for a few days!

The Kade Man turns FIVE

Kade turns FIVE on November 10.

We celebrated the weekend before..and it was a GOOD time.

We started with a scavenger hunt outside..

...and we ended up taking a walk in their neighborhood, it was really pretty.

Then Mr. Kade opened presents...he got an awesome hat!

This is Kade's cousin, Blake...he was also their for the birthday bash. 

I couldn't help but put this picture in of him...I had fun with both him and his younger brother Henry. 

And here are a couple "super hero's" eating their pizza...

I think Christian might have been a blind super hero..he had a hard time opening his eyes!

And here is the birthday boy with his Larry Boy birthday cake that his mama made.

I had to put both pictures...they are both SO HIM!

Kade Man, you are such a sweet boy..I truly enjoy watching your sweet and oh so energetic spirit grow up. We love you lots!!!