Play time

Thankful for our patient and loving neighbor girl

who is 5-7 years older than Traeger and Ataly.

Somehow despite the big age gap, they play so well together.

Traeger is constantly asking when she will be home from school.

They make fun memories playing

camping, super spies, school and other activities.

Here they are "camping" in the laundry room

enjoying a snack.

Project time

Traeger and Ataly working hard perfecting their "school" projects.

Putting on the finishing touches.

Bohn Christmas 2010

We count it a blessing to not only have one

but two sets of parents and siblings

to spend Christmas with celebrating our Savior's birth.

This time it was with Mikaela's side of the family.

A few of the highlights were***

***A date night with the six adults

Dinner out and a scavenger hunt

at Barnes and Noble was on the agenda.

Are you having any fun?

That's more like it.

Luke leading the pack and getting the official time started.

Team Patrick gearing up...

Team Bohn double checking the list and rules.

The reveal of our findings...

It was so much fun it was a blur...

or the lady who took the picture

didn't exactly know how to remain still while taking a picture.

Oh well, we enjoyed ourselves and made great memories!

***While the boys visited the EAA Museum,

the girls hit a few stores at the outlet mall.

***the blessing of opening more presents

and more.

***celebrating Melia's first Christmas

It truly warmed my heart to know

this Christmas was the first of many

Miss Melia was going to have the opportunity

to learn about the Christmas story...

Jesus coming as a baby.

***bathtime at Grandpa and Nonnie's

Melia using the sprayer for a microphone.

I think she may be a singer folks.

***spending lots of time hanging out with cousins

Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil

There's never a dull moment

and you can guarantee a fun time is had by all!

***ringing in the New Year--2011

Traeger's first year making it to midnight to ring in the New Year!

It's a good thing we had

a late afternoon nap

to energize us for the big night of games, movies and good food!

Happy New Year!

Poor Kieran spent the latter half of the night over the throne

and on the floor with an upset tummy.

Hatfield Christmas 2010

It was a joy to have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with Luke's side of the family.

A few of the highlights were***

***waking up at Grandpa Tim and Nana's house on Christmas Day

The kids digging into their stockings to discover the goods.

Gotta love the Christmas jammies

and treasures from the stockings!

Thankful smile!

***Bathtime at Grandpa and Nana's

Checking out the new Bible story book from Nanny and Buddy

***jumping to their hearts content with their cousins

***time playing games with the big boys in the basement

***opening presents from the extended family

***time to connect with extended family

Ataly with Aunt Angie and cousin Ellie

Major concentration as we played the I Spy game.

***cuddle time with the nieces and nephew

Madison Mikaela and me

***cuddle time with Grandpa and Nana

Ataly loving the fact that she got to hang out with Grandpa

***spending time with Luke's cousins

***spending time with Great Grandpa and Grandma Hatfield

cuddle time with Great Grandpa was enjoyed

Ellie looking pretty content in Uncle Luke's arms

Cousin love

Annabelle, Traeger, Madison, Ataly, Jack

***Getting time away with John and Nicole while Grandpa and Nana babysat

sneaking in a picture before our evening of fun ended

***visiting with our dear friends the Heinen's

Adoption Article:A Special Place in God's Heart

My sister wrote the following article

for their adoption agencies newsletter.

I enjoyed reading it and thought some of you may too.

You can click the following link that should take you right to it.

Enjoy!

http://view.news.bethany.org/?j=fe651572756700757017&m=fef81174706306&ls=fdff11717661047f72177574&jb=ffcf14

Let the race begin...

Luke is always coming up with great and simple ways to entertain the kids

It's a gift he has and I love it!

I say it's a gift because I would never look at a box and say,

"hey lets set this up as a hurdle."

Maybe it's just a guy thing?!

Either way, a Christmas present quickly became a hurdle

and the race around the circle began...

Daddy and Ataly in the lead.

Traeger thrilled that he stole the lead.

Ataly thought she had better luck in Daddy's arms.

Whew, that's hard work.

Tuckered out...but how can that be the case when Daddy carried her most of the laps :O)

Date night with Traeger...

Traeger and I enjoyed a date night at Subway.

Keep it simple, right!

Traeger got the kids meal and it came with this bag.

What's so special about the bag?

Well nothing really.

But it provided us an opportunity to talk about

how God has gifted Michael with an amazing ability to swim.

We got chatting about how God makes us all different and unique.

He has given us all special gifts to use for His glory (if we choose).

This was a special night to me because I felt like this was the first,

of many, conversations we will have about this topic.

It makes this mother's heart wonder....

I already know some of the things I love about how God made Traeger.

I also know God has so much more to unveil.

I feel a great responsibility as Traeger's mom to

encourage, foster, and support those giftings.

Because ultimately our desire is that Traeger

will use them not for his own gain

but to bring honor and glory God.

College kids are home...

I arrived home from last minute Christmas shopping,

opened the garage door like usual

and was surprised and shocked to see such an odd line up

standing in my garage waiting for my arrival.

Isn't this a sweet "welcome home?!"

Yes, indeed that is my husband

in the beautiful, fluffy, elegant purple gown,

with a dainty purse in hand.

(The college kids came over all dressed up

and wondered if they could get Luke to join in on the craziness...

of course he couldn't resist)

Thanks for the laugh guys.

It's always a treat to have you home for the holidays so we can catch up on your lives.

Frosting machine

Traeger was a machine and had those cookies frosted in no time.

Something special...

I love making crafts and putting my personal touch on things. With a full and busy life I don't always have the time or choose to take the time to "get crafty". This Christmas I took a few minutes to make these purses for my nieces. Nothing super special, but I remember as a girl loving things with my name on it. Hopefully the McDonalds gift card and a few accessories in the purse made it special too :O)