Intervarsity at UW Marathon

Luke had the opportunity to speak at an Intervarsity meeting at UW Marathon. He did an awesome job connecting with the students and sharing God's truth about the "bedroom" aka...relationships, sex, and how the culture views these things.

The Medford schools closed because of inclement weather so at the last minute Luke called Taylor to see if she would be willing to love on the kids so I could join Luke. Within 30 minutes of calling, Taylor was here and we were on our way. I obviously wasn't planning on joining Luke but it all worked out and we had a great time together! After Luke's speaking engagement we were able to have lunch together and do a little shopping. Life has been quite crazy lately, so it was a sweet and unexpected blessing to have a little time with Luke.

Thanks Taylor and Jimmy for coming over and loving on our kids. You guys are the best!!!

Silly girl!

Lately when we check on Ataly before we call it a night, we've been finding Ataly's head completely wrapped in her blanket. Of course this is not how we put her to sleep but somehow she manages to wrap the blanket around her head. Last night I finally just took the blanket out of her crib. I guess there is a reason they tell you not to put kids to bed with blankets until after a year old.

Silly girl.

We unwrapped her and she was still sound alseep.

Brotherly love

Traeger has been big into wrestling lately. Sometimes it's gentle and playful and other times it can get out of hand. Here I caught the two of them playfully wrestling and giggling together! I guess this is par for the course for having an older brother. Now the real question for me is will she ever get him to play tea party with her? Time will tell.

Relaxed?

When I checked on Ataly at naptime she had her right leg up in the air, resting on the bars of the crib. By the time I went to get the camera she had moved, but I still thought she looked like she was quite relaxed!

Ataly Raen...11 months old!

A few of Ataly's favorite things...

wrestling with Traeger, Daddy and Jimmy

making a mad dash toward the stairs when she hears the gate open

wanting to eat anything that we are eating or drinking

signing...more, food, milk, up, all done

walking with her walker and along anything she can

her big girl car seat(we finally made the change)

bath time

Life is good!

A look back...Traeger 11 months old!

Quick visit!

Luke's friend from high school, Matt, was in the area for a conference. We were so grateful he took the time to drive the extra hour and an half to come visit. He arrived around 11 pm and was on his way back to the conference by 10 am. It was a quick visit but Luke loved catching up with him! Anna, we missed you and the kids.

Check this out!

Ataly thinks it's pretty neat to climb up on the step stool just like Traeger...I however don't think it's such a good idea! I'm just wondering how she can be this big already.

It's about that time...

for the walking to begin.

A blast from the past!

This "walking" stuff is a lot of fun!

She's already multi-tasking :O)

Ready to make a move for the ottoman...

I did it!

I'm a big girl and loving it!

First tooth!

Ataly has been a bit different than Traeger in the teething department. Traeger had 8 teeth by 8 months. Ataly's first pearly white peeked through in her 10th month and it was on top. Isn't it almost a guarantee the first tooth will poke through on the bottom? Well she has one on the bottom now and is also working on several others.

Can I help?

One day Traeger requested that I get his apron (that Nana made) and he insisted on helping me make lunch. He is such a big helper and a cute one, I might add :O)!

Grandpa and Nana/Marriage Seminar!

Luke and I were able to attend the "Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage" Seminar by Mark Gungor this past weekend. We both gave it a two thumbs up! We laughed pretty much the whole time and learned tidbits of information along the way. If the video seminar or Mark himself if ever near you...you have to take the time to go, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

I did a horrible job of taking pictures this weekend. Before Friday night's session got started we enjoyed a delicious supper with the Zenners. And then on Saturday night, we had a great time on a double date with Tim and Laura.

Grandpa Tim and Nana came into town to watch the kiddos so we attend the seminar Friday and Saturday! I think I could get used to having grandparents near. It was such a special treat for us and for the kids to have them here. Thanks for taking the time to love on us all!

After we played Nertz, Traeger wanted his turn to play memory.

We love our Nana!

Traeger eating up all the special lovin' from Daddy and Nana before nap time.

It's good to be loved!

Thanks to all who sent special Valentine's Day wishes our way...Nonnie and Grandpa Bruce, Nana and Grandpa Tim, Annabelle, Madison and Jack, Great Grandma and Grandpa Hatfield, Nanny and Buddy, Finley and Auntie Casey, the Hoffman girls and the Briggs family!

It is good to be loved!!!

The kids intently "reading their love letters :O)

No it wasn't a mistake that I received only yellow candy hearts...Auntie Casey just knows me well :O)

Ataly just can't contain her excitement for all the special mail they got to open!

Splishin' and a splashin'...

Ataly blocking herself from Traeger's waterfall.

They get each other laughing like crazy when they splash each other.

Date night...

Flat Breck joined us on our date night last Thursday. Our nephew thought it would be a good idea to send Flat Breck to visit Medford, WI. For those of you who have been here you know there's not a whole lot to take Flat Breck around to see. My sister tried to get him to send it somewhere a little more interesting but he has his mind set on sending it to us. I think he's enjoyed his stay :O)

Thanks to a kind couple in our church who gave us a g.c. to Texas Roadhouse for Christmas. We are just getting around to using it....if you haven't ever been, you have to try it! Since we live an hour from the nearest Marcus Theatre it took us over a year and a half to use a g.c. that the youth gave us for Pastor Appreciation. We saw "He's just not that into you." It was ok. And our awesome and talented babysitters Taylor and Jimmy loved on the kiddos! Thanks guys for making it possible for us to get away and enjoy some adult time :O)

Music time!

Traeger is a huge fan of playing any instrument he can get his hands on. He loves making his own instruments too....the paddle is used as a guitar, bowls are used as drums, spoons are used as drum sticks. We have a lot of loud and beautiful music at our house :O)

Praise!

We are thanking God for answering so many prayers while Adam was on his 3 week long mission trip to Camaroon, Africa. God protected them in their travels and allowed great things to be accomplished during their stay. We haven't heard the full update yet but are looking forward to hearing all about it! Adam has now been home for a week.

Adam handing out coloring books for the kids.

Hairy and Co. visit

Last night it was a special night at Awana . There was a Spaghetti supper and then a puppet show for family and friends. It was a huge hit with everyone there....Traeger was no exception. We started sitting further in the back and by the end of the night... he had a front seat!

Hello!

Ataly has started "talking" on her phone or really anything that she can lift up to her ear. The other day she lifted up a piece of paper and said "hi" like she was talking on the phone. Her female genes are shining through...she will talk to anything that will listen to her :O)

Sleepy head

Traeger wanted to change things up a bit and sleep on the couch for nap time. I was a little hesitant and then decided it really wasn't a big deal. Why not, right?! It's fun to change things up sometimes. So here's my sleepy head.

Game time!

Several times a day Traeger asks me to play ball.

The football, basketball and soccer ball are never far from his reach.

Are you ready for some football?

His shoes are on...now he's ready kick the ball!

Adventures/dates

Last week, Luke and I took opportunities to take Traeger on little adventures/dates! Saturday afternoon Traeger and I went out (I don't have any pictures). Sunday night was Luke's turn. They went sledding and then on a walk to pick up some treats.

Pretty excited to get out of the house and go on an adventure.

Yeah for sugar! Don't worry it wasn't all consumed in one sitting.

Dinner/Game night!

Friday night we had 4 junior high boys over for supper and then we all went to the boys basketball game. It was a new event on the calendar and turned out to be a lot of fun. Since we already go to many of the games, we thought it would be a good idea to make it a purposeful time to connect with a few kids and make it feel a little like a family event. The boys were really respectful and fun to be around. Traeger thought it was pretty neat to hang out with the big boys for the evening.

Tacos were on the menu and were a big hit!

Cheering for the home team!

Super Bowl Party!

Thanks to Brent and Jenn for hosting a Super Bowl Party. We had a great time hanging out with everyone and I enjoyed the parts of the game I was able to catch.

Our sweet friends Jeremy and Chelsea loving on the kids when we first arrived!

Zoe, Ataly, Finley and Traeger sitting still for a moment...

and then they were off!

Zoe and Traeger dancing the night away.

Up she goes!

As of Saturday, Ataly discovered that she can go up the stairs.

Looking ahead at her goal...she made it all the way up.

For those of you who know me well, you know this is making me a nervous wreck! I'm looking forward to the day when she will be a big girl and can safely make her way up and down the stairs.

Piggies

I didn't capture the picture quite like I wanted to. I was trying capture the sunshine "lighting up" Ataly's piggies.