Thanksgiving

There's so much to be thankful for...ALL THE TIME...not just on Thanksgiving. However, it's good to have a specific time of year set aside to remind us to be thankful people. Sometimes we just get so busy or burdened or weary or ungrateful or simply forgetful!

This year we were blessed to spend Thanksgiving with both sets of parents. My parents came out from Iowa and we all joined Sheldon's parents, Grandma, Uncle Duncan and Aunt Judy, brother Byron, his wife Maria and daughter Lotti, and a few others for one big Thanksgiving celebration! Since one day wasn't enough for us, we had another family gathering with most of the the same gang along with Sheldon's sister Chandelle, her husband Michael and 4 daughters the following day.

Here's some highlight photos:

My dad thinks it would be easier to carve the turkey
with the electric fork, Richard!

Great Grandma GG and Grandma Julie admiring Elise.

Sweet Lotti (Byron and Maria's daughter)

Sheldon's brother Byron

Aunt Judy

Ashlyn couldn't resist a VERY COLD dip in the pool (43 degree water)!

Thank goodness for a hot tub to warm up.

Haircut time for Braden by Aunt Chandelle.

Elise loves Papa N!

Fun memories, fun people, lots of love! Thank you Lord!

Forever Reign

Forever Reign is one of my favorite worship songs right now. So glad that HE IS GOD, and that I can "run into His arms" and know that He will always be enough!

Check it out on you tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRBQtIEEkrU

Hope it encourages you as it did me!

Braden's Light Up Claw Machine

Braden wanted to take this video specifically for Uncle Brian, his engineer uncle (who he thinks is pretty cool)!

This is just one of the MANY machines Braden has made, but this one is especially neat because he hooked up a lightbulb to batteries and a switch, so that it lights up! We've been learning about electricity in science, so it was fun to see him apply what he's learned to his inventions.

Here's the video clip of his claw machine:

Our Fall Favorites

Fall is bittersweet for me. I'm a little sad to say good bye to summer warmth, sunshine, and long days. However, the beautiful fall color, cool and crisp air, and upcoming holidays help make the transition a little easier.

I wanted to share these photos as they capture some of our "little life moments" this season...

At the Pumpkin Patch:

Jack-o-Lanterns:

Ashlyn's 5th Birthday:

Pinata with the cousins! Ashlyn had fun making her own paper mache pinata!

Halloween:

We went to our church carnival, all dressed up of course! Spider Man Braden, Ballerina Elise, and Poodle Ashlyn. We love that the kids can trade the candy they won at the carnival for prizes! As you can see, Ashlyn is thinking hard about what prizes she would like.
There's so much to be thankful for, and this Thanksgiving season reminds me to enjoy each little moment of life, as it will soon be a faded memory.

Sweet Summer Days

Today is the first official day of fall, and I find myself looking back at summer photos, realizing it's been WAY TOO LONG since I've posted! Life is flying by and I can hardly believe that fall is here already. Our weather still feels like summer, so I will enjoy it as long as it will stick around.

Our summer was simple, yet fun. Here are just a FEW of our favorite summer memories (we don't have enough space for them all).

Playing outside:

Biking! Elise wants to keep up too!

Sidewalk chalk keeps them happy for hours.

Ice cream: Elise's new discovery!

Water Fun:
Backyard pool is a blast!

Water Fountain!

4th of July Fireworks

We celebrate the 4th with a full day of fun and swimming at JJ and Papa's with all the family!
I don't know why we don't have a picture of that day. In the evening we enjoy neighborhood fireworks. Braden is a pyro!

Our Annual trip to
Grandpa and Grandma's Iowa Farm

Our trip to Iowa is always our summer highlight. It's so great to see friends and all the family: my parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins. This year was extra special because I got to meet my two newborn nieces!

Iowa sweet corn is the BEST!

Taking a ride in Grandpa's BIG tractor.Hansen Family Reunion. What a big Family!

My new Nieces: Emma (Jon and Kristin's) and Natalie (Brian and Becca's).

Such sweeties!Uncle Jon is so much fun!Bedtime story with GrandpaTubing on Lake Okoboji. Elise is not impressed with boating!Braden's first year to try water skiing! Not bad!Arnolds Park Amusement Park. Elise's first carousel ride!

Abi and Braden love it...Ashlyn can't wait to get off!
Mall of America: Minneapolis, MN

This year we decided to fly out of MN so that we could visit my friend/college roommate Carla and her family, and also take the kids to Mall of America. It was a great choice!

The Lego StoreBraden and Sheldon rode ALL the scary roller coasters.
This was Braden's highlight!

Camping with Daddy:
Each of the older two got to go on a one on one camping trip with Daddy. Braden and Sheldon hiked up Silver Star and camped up on top.
The next morning there was 50 mph winds. Quite the Adventure!

Ashlyn and Sheldon camped at Sunset Falls.
She was delighted to FINALLY have her first camping trip!

I am grateful to the Lord for summer 2011...many sweet memories!