2012 wrap up

2013 is here and it has great promises to be an excellent year! We have a big wedding in June where the kids will be a ring bear and flower girl for Jeff and Lina. Jarren turns 30 in July and I follow in August by turning 30 myself. I can't look ahead to 2013 without taking a moment to reflect back on 2012.

Eleanor had a great year of growing and learning. In August Eleanor joined her brother at Generation Next. She has thrived at Gen Next and amazes us with the knowledge she has. She continues to sleep through the night with a bed time of 6:30 and waking up about 6. She is a quiet mischievous child who is fine entertaining herself or playing in a big group with others. She loves to dance and is always watching everything her brother does. Eleanor loves her puppy and B and also loves to blow kisses and gives hugs.

Hudsen had a great year as well. This year he was a junior at Generation Next. He impressed his teachers with his drawing and cutting skills and even helps other kids in his class with their arts and crafts. He also did flag football (spring and fall session) and blast ball this year. Both he loved to go to and still asks about every other day when they start back up. He is a great big brother who does a great job of sharing for the most part. He has a bed time of 7:15 and does a good job of just heading to bed with no complaints. Hudsen has a big heart and likes to have everyone included. He is a great little boy!

Jarren started a new job at DMU in 2012. It has been a great switch from public accounting! He even plays basketball on an intermueral league with some other staff members. Also in 2012 Jarren ran his first half marathon. He finished the Des Moines half and the kids and I were at the finish line to let him know how proud of him we were.

In 2012 I was able to start working part time. In April, I started working 7-12 and spending the afternoon with the kids. I am SO lucky to be able to do this and have those memories with the kids. In June I ran Dam to Dam for the second time.

Our lives are so full with joy and blessings that sometimes I just need to take a step back and thank God for everything we have.

And now because they are fun to look back on, here are the New Years resolutions:

Jarren-complete a half marathon
Jen-finish reading The Story
Hudsen-clean room and play a lot
Eleanor-dance and play a lot

Christmas with the Grandparents

On December 15th we celebrated Christmas with the Hummel family in Cedar Falls. Seeing all the cousins together opening presents was SO much fun! They all have such a good time together and truly enjoy each other. Below are a few pictures from the day.

Every year Uncle Jarren (or Dad :) reads a story to the kids. They all sat still the whole time while he was reading. We were all very impressed!

Grandpa Dave with Eleanor and Isabella.

The cousins with Grandma Kim and Grandpa Dave in their new pjs!

The cousins with GG

Our family picture at the Hummel Christmas

On the 23rd we headed to the farm to celebrate Christmas with Grandma Pat, Grandpa Gary, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Lina. The kids were so excited about opening gifts and seeing everyone. My cousin Joe road home with us and also joined in on some car dancing on the way home. Jeff and Lina had to head back after opening gifts but we were able to spend a few days and celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas day with Grandpa and Grandma. The days went by so fast and were so fun.

The kids getting ready to start opening their gifts and Grandma Pat's and Grandpa Gary's.

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Lina giving Eleanor kisses after opening gifts.

Eleanor fits right in with the snowman family :)

On Christmas day we went to the Tindall family Christmas. Every year the Christmas is held at the Catholic Church and then we go to Nancy's afterwards. But not before the dishes are done :) This is the first year that Hudsen helped with the dishes and Mom could hang up her towel :)

Dad and Hudsen both wearing their new ISU shirts and relaxing on the farm.

Celebrating Christmas with family is always a special time. We feel so blessed to have so many people in our life that we get to spend this special time with and love that our kids have so many people that love them. As our kids grow we will continue to help them grow in their faith and understand the true meaning of Christmas and why this day is such a special day to all of us.

Our Christmas

This year for Christmas we celebrated with just our family on the 22nd. The kids were so excited about opening their gifts from Mom and Dad. Hudsen got a pair of ISU basketball shorts, a baseball glove and a chunington train set. Eleanor got some clothes from the Gap, a softball glove (lefthanded)and a kitchen. They both tore into their gifts and had huge smiles on their faces. After opening gifts we went to Christmas Eve service at Hope. It was beautiful and a great experience as a family.

The kids had some fun with the Santa hat.

Eleanor and Santa

A few weeks ago Eleanor and Mom went to the CWG Christmas party while Hudsen and Dad went to an ISU basketball game. Eleanor is very standoffish when it comes to Santa. She looked at him and then just gave him a wave bye bye :)

Hudsen's family birthday party

Below are some pictures from Hudsen's brithday party with family that was on Sunday December 9th. The guest were Grandma Pat & Grandpa Gary, Grandma Kim & Grandpa Dave, Brandon, Kari, Grace & Payton, Morgan, Kasey & Isabella, Great Grandpa Walt & Marie, Jeff, Lina & Rose. Hudsen had a great time and LOVED every one of his gifts. Below are some pics of the day.

All the cousins together for a picture (or an attempt at a picture :)

Hudsen blowing out the candles on his cake.

Mom and Dad with the birthday boy!

Hudsen and Payton. On the 23rd Payton will be 4 and then it will be her time to go crazy with presents too!

Grandma Pat and Grandpa Gary with birthday boy Hudsen

Grandpa Gary and Grandma Pat gave Hudsen a bike for his birthday. He was/is pretty excited to get to ride it!

Hudsen with Grandpa Dave and Grandma Kim

Grandpa Dave and Grandma Kim gave Hudsen a Lighting McQueen scooter for his birthday. He tries to ride it around the house as much as possible and even lets his sister take a turn. Charley does not like riding it :)

Mom and the birthday boy

Dad and Hudsen have a birthday chat about not being able to take his toys outside as there was snow on the ground. That is hard for a 4 year old to understand.

Grandma Kim and Grandpa Dave with their grandkids. This picture just cracks me up.

Monday was Hudsen's birthday and he brought gift bags to his friends at school that had a cars note pad and a pencil in the bag. All his friends sang him Happy Birthday.

Turning 4 is a big deal. I can't believe that 4 years ago this little man came into our lives and blessed us so much. You are kind, smart, and such a loving little boy Hudsen Scott and Mom and Dad love you VERY MUCH.

Pump it Up Party!!!!

Turning 4 is pretty exciting and celebrating with friends at pump it up makes it even more exciting. Saturday morning started the birthday fun for Hudsen with his first friend's birthday party at Pump it Up. To say he was excited was an understatement. At 4:30 am he came into our room and said "its Pump it Up time!" To which I promptly replied, "go back to bed!" Luckily he did :)

There were 16 friends at Hudsen's party. All the kids seem to have a great time and I think the parents did too. Hudsen said it was the best time and could not stop smiling after the party. Below are a few pictures from the party.

Brady and Hudsen going down the big slide.

Can you tell he is pretty excited about his birthday party? :)

Kaden and Hudsen taking a little break from bouncing to get a picture taken together.

The kids at the party all telling Hudsen Happy Birthday!

Payton and Hudsen after going through the obstacle course together.

Hudsen and Mom raced through the obstacle course

Next it was time to race Dad through the obstacle course. After that race, Mom and Dad raced each other and Dad won!

Most of the kids at the party. Having 16 kids sit to take a picture is a challenge!

Sitting in the big chair!

Blowing out the candles. All 4 of them!