NYE 2014

The boys and I had a great time getting ready for NYE. We colored and made party hats for everyone, created a big 2015 sign, and made cookies! Jackson loves a good party!

Katrina, Louis, and Titus joined us to ring in the new year. Here is everyone with their custom party hats!:)

We had a lot of fun hanging out, eating, playing, and doing some fireworks. It was sure cold!

We came inside and toasted with some yummy sparkling apple cider, and then we called it a night for the little ones. 

Brian, Jackson, and I played Monopoly for a little bit. Starting him on this Vande Slunt tradition early.:) 

Such a fun night celebrating with some of my favorite people!

#hartzeveryday2014 Week 52

Day 357: Lunch with Daddy is a good prize for waiting 1 hour at the doctor with Mommy (they were really good)! It was a Christmas miracle:)

Day 358: There is a light that shines in the darkness...His name is JESUS! He offers peace, love, and joy. I pray you experience Him this year!
Christmas Eve picture before church

Day 359: Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus!

Day 360: It's a Legos and Panera kind of day!

Day 361: Date Night at home! Happens more than going out, and I love it too!

Day 362: Lazy Sunday watching football and Lincoln got some alone time with us, since big brother needed a nap.

Day 363: Both boys had friends over to play today, and I got some quiet time in while the big boys played.

Day 364: We are got haircuts today, but Lincoln's is the only one we need to document. The sucker did the trick!

Day 365:  Cheers to 2015!

I loved capturing at least one moment from each day! I think I will continue doing it in 2015.:)

2014 was so good to our family. We got more sleep, took some leaps of faith, and spent a lot of time loving one another! 

Christmas Day 2014

Christmas morning started 5:30, but we made Jackson lay with us until 6:30. He was just way too excited!! At 6:30 we came downstairs put breakfast in the oven and let Jackson check out his stocking. He immediately put on his Lord's Army t-shirt. We read the Christmas story in the Bible and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus with a candle in our cinnamon rolls.

Christmas morning picture-

Lincoln was way to interested in his Mickey bowl and goldfish to look at the camera

Opening Santa presents

We kept the gifts to a minimum this year and it was great! The boys were so excited about everything they got. Jackson would say "thank you" and "this is exactly what I wanted" after each gift! Love that boy! Lincoln was just happy ripping paper and playing with his Mickey toys. 

After getting out his Mickey cup and bowl from his stocking, Lincoln hardly let them out of grip or sight. Ha!

Jackson loves his new bow and arrow from Santa. He has played with it all day, and even took it to the park in the afternoon. He was trying to sneak up on Katrina and Titus behind the tree.:)

We ended the day with dinner and hanging out with Aunt Midge and her family. What a perfect Christmas day (minus seeing our families in WI), lots of playing, resting, and hugs! 

Christmas Eve 2014

The boys and I had a great morning at home. We listened to Christmas music and stayed busy making crafts together. So fun! I love watching them think and work.

Daddy came home from work, and we got ready for our Christmas Eve service at church.

Lincoln really does not like taking pictures. We even tried bribing him with marshmallows and this is the best we got!

At church- We had a great service, and I always love when Jackson joins us. I love hearing him sing.

And...he looks way to big (and handsome)!

We came home from church and let the boys open their pajamas. We ate pizza and watch some of The Grinch. Then, Jackson was too excited to watch any more and had to get things ready for Santa. He wrote a sweet letter to Santa, sprinkle Reindeer food on the grass, and got Santa some cookies and milk. Lincoln wasn't sure what to think, he just ran behind Jackson. He left Santa his milk cup and wanted to eat all of Santa's cookies.:)

Once, the boys were in bed Santa got to work filling stockings and delivering gifts. I love the magic and spirit of believing at Christmas!

We all couldn't wait for Christmas morning!!

#hartzeveryday2014 Week 51

Day 350: Decorating cookies! Someone likes sprinkles:)

Day 351: No wonder they like going to Aunt Midge's house:) 

Thankful for all she does for us and that I didn't have to make dinner on a school night.

Day 352: Parent gifts done!

 And, Crazy Christmas Puppet Show!

 Day 353: Christmas Party at school!

Day 354: Decorating Gingerbread Houses, fun and yummy!

 There were even awards:)

 Day 355: "Glory to God in the highest." Thankful that I get to spend 2 weeks with these little guys!

Day 356: These two are so much fun...most of the time:) Beautiful weather for our first day of break!

Merry Christmas!

#hartzeveryday2014 Week 50

Day 343: Daddy's home

Day 344:  Every morning he draws me  picture or write me a note, my desk (and heart) is full ;)

Day 345: The sweet moments erase the not so sweet ones

Day 346: Drive through of Jesus' life

Day 347: Loved seeing my students outside of school today

Day 348: We love looking at lights, but it is even better when you find Santa and his sleigh!

 Day 349: Always building and somewhat naked

#hartzeveryday2014 Week 49

Day 336: Advent time; both reading their Bible, praying this is something they always choose to do as they get older. 

Day 337: Jackson's excited Daddy put the wreath back in the car, and I'm super proud that he is independently reading Level G books!

Day 338: Someone's excited to have found Mickey at eh neighbor's house! I'm sure we will be visiting often.

Day 339: Date Night- Christmas shopping done!

Day 340: My loves!

 Fall leaves in December!

 Day 341: Jackson had his first choir performance, and he nailed it!

Day 342: We were visiting Santa Cow, while Daddy was cheering on the Packers in Green Bay!

#hartzeveryday2014 Week 48

Day 329: McDonald's for lunch and play!

Day 330: Loving our time together! Fun at the park, and Jackson mastered the monkey bars.

And, Jackson helped me make Pumpkin Pie.

Day 331: Happy Thanksgiving!

Jackson's turkey was our centerpiece for our Thanksgiving meal. Giving thanks to Him for all He is to us!

Day 332: Every day's better with Daddy

Day 333: Some fun and terrifying moments at Bass Pro Shop this morning. 

Day 334: Deck the halls! 

Day 335: First night of our Advent reading, and we made a chain to countdown to Christmas!