Birthday Cake for Jesus

The traditional Birthday Cake for Jesus.

After the candles have been blown out! Notice Anna's cute little face poking in.
Isaac teaching everyone how to do a 'taste test' Anna, is a little concerned to be in the middle of the two boys.
John deciding it is pretty awesome to 'taste test' and Anna feeling a little better above the boys.
The after effects of chocolate at night...
Isaac get off the table.

Red Bull?!?!?!

Above: Grandpa Gary, Matt, Anna, Val and Todd

Uncle Todd with one of his favorite beverages.

Uncle Todd sharing his favorite beverage with Anna! She is concentrating on it very hard, but never fear she didn't actually get any:)

New Covenant Bible Church

We got to attend our old church in Cedar Rapids for Christmas eve. Above is John and Isaac running off some steam before service.

Abbie and her fiance Anthony drove up from Iowa City!

Todd Eric and John
Todd Eric and Isaac:)

The boys ready for Christmas Eve!

Playing on the stairs.
John, come back here!
Daddy joining in on the fun:)

Christmas Eve!

Here's Anna all Dolled up for Christmas Eve Service:)


Anna, and Grandma Deb

Fun with Uncle Todd!

Our next stop was Cedar Rapids! Here is Ann with Uncle Todd! How Cute!

Can't really tell if John may be a little jealous in the background of this picture:)

First Stop...Grandma Netty and Papa Dave's

After three long days of travel we made it to Iowa. First stop was Papa Dave's. Above is the new cute puppy Gracie with Jordan and Jullian.
All the kids watching Frosty the snowman with Papa Dave on his brand new LOUD, huge TV:)

Almost to Iowa!!!

Our last stop before Iowa was the Tall grass Prairie National Preserve! Above is a white horse, which was awesome to see becuase when Isaac is asked if he would like a pony he always says "no, I want a white horse!" So to see one was pretty cool.

It was FREEZING cold here, so here we are just sitting in the car getting up the courage to face the elements.

We made it outside...It's not so bad when you dress appropriately:)

Fun in the hotel!

It takes three long days of driving to get to Iowa, so by the time we get to a hotel everyone is happy to be out of the car!

La Ventana "The Window"

we also got to stop and see this amazing natural wonder on our way to Iowa. It was so beautiful.

Isaac thought it was awesome because he could make an echo there.
Self family portrait:)
Isaac always on the go.

Mistletoe from a tree. here is a quote from Matt on that "Common desert mistletoe. Remember this Christmas that mistletoe is a common parasite that infects trees upon which birds wipe the undigested seeds off their butt. Remember that the next time someone tries to kiss you under it."

Isn't my husband so romantic???

We're BACK!

So our month-long trip to Iowa went wonderfully and now we are officially back in AZ. While in Iowa our computer cord broke, so we had no access to our computer and therefore could not update the blog:(

Now that we are home I will begin updating it as much as I can. So stay tuned for some more awesome Snow, Christmas, Iowa, and Family pictures!

SNOW!!!

Isaac's first glimpse of snow since last December...I think the pictures speak for themselves!


He's LOVING it!! Don't you just love the Arizona outfit in the cold snow:) Hee hee...don't worry it was actually pretty warm out that day.

Anna also loving the snow! Actually I think she was mostly just loving being out of the car seat after driving all morning long:)

El Malpias Nat'l Monument, New Mexico!

Our first stop on our three day Journey to Iowa. Love these pics of Matt being an awesome daddy!


Here we are at the mouth of one of the caves, though I am smiling I am really thinking..."caves=bats, please please do not come flying out of there!"

This is Isaac throwing a snowball, somehow he naturally knew this is what you do with snow and proceeded to pummel daddy with snow balls the entire stop. He's a pretty good shot if I do say so myself.


Here is a mountain lion footprint that I found. Yes, me, not my scientist outdoor nature loving husband! I am very proud of my 'find'