Jamaica, Birthday, Baptism

I think the original plan was to make each of these events into separate posts, but time got away from us so I'm taking it upon myself to lump them together and get some pictures up.

We went to Jamaica last week to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.  It was wonderful and I'm looking forward to a few more vacations without the kids (and a few more with the kids) in the coming years.

 I really dislike this picture.  Probably because I wasn't too excited to take it.  The snorkeling was fun.

We came back to South Bend to find my parents and Melissa's mom waiting for us.  Since they were all here we decided to celebrate Spencer's 8th birthday.  We went to IHOP of course then the kids got to ride go-carts.  Jessi and Kristian didn't even make it one time around the track before they broke down crying, but Spencer had a ball in the track all to himself.

On Saturday Spencer was baptized.  After his baptism while he and I were in the changing room he told me that his birthday party was fun, but this was probably the best day of his life.  It was a very emotional day for me and I'm so proud of Spencer for his choices and example.  Spencer got a new suit for the occasion and was very excited to wear it.

10 Years

Today is our 10 year Wedding Anniversary!!!

So what have we been up to in 10 years . . . . Lets See

4 Children (Spence, Jessi, Nader Man, and Bubbles)

4 Vehicles  (Probe, Saturn, Caravan, and our new favorite, Yukon, alas for Jacob, no truck)

5 Moves (Which doesn't sound bad until you realize several were back and forth across the country)

3 Degrees (1 for me, and 2 for Jacob)

10+ Family Vacations ( when you live in tiny towns you get to travel when visitor's come :)

0 Mom and Dad Vacations (although soon to be remedied with our trip to Jamaica)

Some tears, a lot of laughs, and even more love!!!

It truly has been a Wonderful Journey!!  Can you imagine what this picture will look like in 10 more years??

Technically this picture is at a 9 years but it is the most recent shot I have :)

Christmas 2010

Christmas came and went so fast.  We had a small Christmas at home and although we missed friends and family, we still managed to have quite a lot of fun.  Here are some of the highlights :)

We made this gingerbread house on the 23rd :)

They are so proud of their finish product.

This is what it looked like on the 24th.  Pride goes out the window when there is candy to be eaten.

Sitting down to our Roast Beef feast :)

Attacking the North Pole Toffee cake for dessert.  Notice that big brown lump on the table cloth, ya, Jacob missed his plate with the gravy :)

Christmas morning brought gifts from Santa that the boys were so excited about.

Jessi had a Barbie Christmas.

As you can see, she is a big fan of Barbie as each new doll got a hug.

Kami loves babies and carted them around all morning.

She even got a set of twin babies as my mother and I tend to shop alike :)

After presents it was bundle up time to try out their new bikes and scooter.

Jessi even has a bike for her Barbie doll on her Barbie bike.

Kristian got a new Norte Dame coat for Christmas and was a big fan of it.

And when he got tired of riding he resorted to snow angels.  Very festive.

We hope you had a very Merry Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year.

Kristian is 4

Okay, so this is a little late, but better late than never right.  The weekend of Kristian's birthday we were in Indianapolis for a CME for Jacob.  We had plans to go to the Children's Museum and the Zoo but the traffic and snow put a damper on those plans.  (and honestly, I should throw in a lack of enthusiasm from Mom and Dad as well.)

So to celebrate, we ended up having a family dinner when we got home.  Kristian picked pancakes (shocker) and daddy made everyone happy with "pick your shape" pancakes.  Then we followed it with some cake and ice cream.  Unfortunately, this was not as big a hit as the pancakes.  While making the cake I came to find we had no eggs.  It's Sunday so I don't want to run to the store, and honestly, I wouldn't have had time even if it wasn't Sunday.  So Google to the rescue, or not  :(  When they say that milk works the same as eggs they are wrong.

That's okay, because presents followed and Kristian quickly forgot that his cake tasted "sticky".  He got a puzzle and a bull dozer.  He loves both.  Seriously, I think he has put that puzzle together twice a day since.

Happy Birthday Nader Man!!  We love you!!

Matched

I finished "Matched" today.  I really liked this book and I'm anxiously looking forward to the second installment next year.  I like the world created in this book.  It makes me think, and unlike so many books out there "Matched" doesn't hold even a hint of vulgarity. 

When I was in middle school I read "The Alliance" by Gerald Lund.  To this day this is still one of my favorite books.  The society in "Matched" shares the same aura as the alliance did for me. 

It's funny because as I read this book and contemplate choice I see how this can be seen in our world.  Because of my beliefs I see a world that becomes less and less about choice when I choose a path that limits freedom.  I see a world where we relinquish control of our own agency to others based on bad choices we make.  At the same time I think of my best friend in medical school.  Being an atheist, he would say that I have already given up control of my agency to the rules and regulations of my religion. 

So Ally, if you happen to read this in the next month or so, thank you for this book.  I'm excited to ponder on the thoughts that it has placed in my mind.

To the rest of you, I highly recommend this book.