Monday, December 31, 2012

Cooper Comes Home

It's official!
We have a dog.
A dog named Cooper!


Nana came and stayed with the kiddos while daddy and I went to pick up the surprise!  They had no idea what it would be and Collin was very concerned over whether they would have "to share it".  

Waiting ever so patiently...
 Here we come...
 Eyes closed, no peeking!
 Gasp!
 A PUPPY?!
 "Can we keep him?  Forever?!"

 Collin was in shock.  Total shock.  His eyes welled with tears and he said "this is better than ALL my Christmas presents"





We have spent today getting to know one another.
We already love him.
Sweet little thing.
Collin is over the moon for him.
Madelyn is too but Collin hasn't left his side.
He just sits and waits for him to wake up from naps and clearly wants to be Cooper's favorite person!


He's having a fun time getting to know Madelyn as well...

Ryan has already taught him the "sit" command.

And every one of us is just enjoying lovin' all over this little ball of soft fur!  





And with that, we are wrapping up another year.
Goodbye 2012.
Thinking back on a year full of blessings.
Thanking God for our health and safety.
Praying that 2013 brings the same.

Glory be to the one who writes our story.
The one who gives us breath.
The one who holds each of us in the palm of his nail scarred hands!

Happy New Year!



Christmas 2012

We had a fantastic Christmas!
We spent the whole day at home snuggled in with our little family.
Nana came to visit followed by Grammy, Papa and GG too!!

Lots of gifts, happy smiles and shouts of joy!
 We laughed at Madelyn this year because every single gift she opened was "JUST WHAT I WANTED".
The girl lacks for nothing in the personality department!










 Madelyn spent a good part of the afternoon performing for us.
Her outfit of choice was the one sent from Jannie.
Jannie you should know that she opened four dress up outfits and yours trumped them all!





She's just preparing for the big stage!

It was a great day celebrating our savior's birth with my people.
Above all else we are most thankful for the gift of our KING!



The Eve

Christmas Eve was spent at Grammy and Papa's house.
We celebrated with Uncle Michael, Aunt Andi, sweet Claire and of course GG too!!
Lots of food and even more presents!
Spending time with the ones we love the most!!

Gifts from our Jannie are always the best.
I still get choked up each time she sends gifts.
Just blessed my heart that she loves them so.
Always so very present in our lives even from miles away.
 Yep, when they hear "it's from Jannie" they know it's going to be good!
 A tutu for the princess!
 Storm trooper hat for the prince...
 and a darth vader sweater, she has this boy's number!
 Exchanging gifts with GG...

 Sweet Claire Bear spending some play time with Uncle Ryan.

 Collin was so sweet playing peek a boo with his little cuz.

We went to the candle light service at church and then headed home to tuck in for a quiet night as we prepared for the big day...

Christmas Favorites

Being that it's the last day of 2012 I figured I better get my Christmas posts published!

Let's rewind back a few weeks.
Collin and I took a day off of school and our family spent the day doing some of our Christmas favorites!  
We started the day out at the Henry Ford Museum.  
We were excited to get to visit with Santa while there!!
Madelyn went right up, Collin hung behind for a minute just to assess the situation and Mr. Claus.

 Not long before St. Nicholas won his heart!


Next stop, one of our favorites, Fantasy Land!
We have sat with this Santa every year since Collin was itty bitty!



Great day with my favorite people!!