Say what you want...but this meal was ready in less than 20 minutes and tasted fabulous! AND the clean up was non-stressful. Not that we do this every year...but sure worked great for this Christmas Eve Dinner. Hope you enjoy yours!

Office party was a blast! Look at all the cuties! Caleb had a great time and his mom wants to thank Hope, Bailey and Isabell for taking such good care of him all afternoon!

Not sure if the backpack or the boy is bigger! Looks like his dad is starting him on the old school equipment!

No, I'm not an overprotective Mom....he just likes wearing his life jacket!

Took about 5 minutes to get the wrapper off the candy cane...but, mmmmm, so worth it!

Poor boy! Most likely the first of many of these incidents, but we are thankful for an active, healthy and strong boy!

If you don't know the Kottke's...we aren't fond of cats...especially Grandpa! So the fact that two cats in the window were entertainment for 3 little boys for quite a while...well, it was kindof funny!

This is just one of many pics from Bruce's family being in. But let me tell you...Caleb LOVES his Uncle Jay! And I get a feeling Uncle Jay LOVES his nephew too!

I had been planning for a little over 2 months to have all of Bruce's family in to surprise him for his birthday. It was so exciting! A couple weeks ago, the children's music leader asked me what week in November the children should sing...I almost fell over! I said, "THE FIRST WEEK!" God is so great, I got to pick the week Bruce's family would be in for Caleb to have his first church singing debut! If you look closely though, Caleb is not in this picture. He got sick and was not able to go to church at all! I will admit, I cried Saturday night and after realizing that his singing was apparently more about me...I got right with the Lord and praised Him for being just as great as a few weeks ago when I thought Caleb was going to sing. And He is! And these little ones sang it, "God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me!"

Harvest Party at church Monday night! So fun and for Caleb a little overwhelming! Not so comfortable around all the masks, but all the candy made up for it. He also braved the bouncy slide with LeighAnn! :) (notice the death grip, heehee)

"Let's go fly a kite! Up to the hightest hight! Up in the atmosphere, up where the air is clear!" Look forward to many more kite flying days, think Caleb is already getting the hang of it!

Having TONS of fun in Cracker Barrell with the Goda girls!

They got Caleb a special book!



And apparently he wanted it all to himself! :)

Don't you just love those cheeks!

Grandpa Dick sure knows how to make a boy's day!

October 13 was Caleb's 2nd birthday! We are still amazed that God has given us this little boy! The past 2 years have definately been something we could have never been prepared for! :) Living away from our families has been hard, especially when there are so many things we want to share first hand with them. Every new thing Caleb does is exciting for us and, although we know we are exactly where God wants us, it's difficult and sad at times not being able to be together. But God is so gracious, and we are thankful for our "family" here who are so kind and loving, overwhelmingly generous and have been with us every step of the way these past two years. I fought back tears as I saw this banner...for our son...for us. Thank you!

What a big boy!!!!

What a night! We had music....

....and dancing....

...and of course....CAKE!

Wow! Robby and Sheila got Caleb a guitar! Dad is SOOOOO happy. :) Thank you, Jim and Carol for giving him his first lesson!

So, as if Sheila wasn't SUPER popular before....she is definately IT now! :) So thankful for so many dear friends who love us and our son so much! We are blessed!

Long day...I just want to watch Mickey Mouse...with Mickey Mouse.

Boys and their toys!

Thank you, Janie Smith, for my treat!

Saturday was a perfect day for a teen picnic, bow and skeet shoot! Caleb LOVES being outside and even more being with his dad. Even though his dad was so busy, he took time for a little hike with his son...what a guy. And yes, we protect those little ears!

These pictures tell a whole lot about how much Caleb watches and is like his dad!

He LOVES to climb, gets ready to go to work and likes things in order...

...but my favorite (sorry so blurry) is that he has watched his dad pray!

Invitation to a bowling birthday party! Think it's during map time though! :(

But we sure do like looking at the invitation once in a while!

Bean dip, chips and diet coke...every Kottke girl's dream!

Got all my blankets and animals...ready to sleep.

Caleb is a dipper! =)

Trying to cherish each moment, it's going by so fast.

What a crew!


Roman, sweet, happy and content Roman!