Central TX

For Oma's funeral we made the long trek to Central TX. While it was a sad time, there was also a lot of joy. All of Stephen's brothers and sisters were able to come and it was the first time in a LONG time that we got to see a few of them. (Stephen's brother and wife had never even met Jaden although their kids had come to "grandparent camp" when he was a baby).

Of course, there is nothing better than sun, fresh spring air, and COUSINS!

After lunch the boys had to play in the drainage canal (dry of course)
Boy was it fun to run up and down that steep ramp
Jaden playing ball with Grandma H

We stayed in Oma's house. It has been mostly empty since she came to live with Stephen's parents although they had been there a few times to fix odds and ends. Stephen's sister and uncle spent a lot of time getting it ready for us to come.

And here Jaden had to help daddy and grandpa tidy up before the other cousins arrived
Playing games
all the cousins (plus Stephen's uncle's grandkids........I don't know what those are called! In my family I still call them cousins!)
Silly boy, silly mommy
Not maybe the BEST picture of the three of us....
Stephen's sister Laura's family
Stephen's sister Teri's family
Stephen's sister Angela's family
Stephen's brother Philip's family
Mom, Dad, bros and sisses......never a dull moment
a shot at getting everyone.....

there was a photographer....

hopefully his are better!
chillaxin' with a tootsie pop (having newly discovered candy I think this one might be an addict!)
checking out the river

telling stories
walking (running) home
playing at the park
and even a tractor to ride (don't tell the construction company working on the courthouse!)
Oma's house with SERIOUSLY the COOLEST TREE in front of it
doesn't it just SCREAM to you - CLIMB ME!!!

Oh the possibilities

So, I´ve never crocheted anything but a straight line (aka something like dishcloths)

But, for some reason today I was feeling inspired - creative. So, I decided to see....just SEE IF I could pull off this pattern. I was skeptical that I could do it but, it was SO easy and SO cute.

Now there is a whole new world of options if I can actually follow at least a SIMPLE pattern!

Woohoo!!!!

Oma

Shortly into the new year after our return home from our MN trip Oma (Stephen´s Grandma) passed away. She had been struggling with the progression of Alzheimer´s for some time and had been living in our town with Stephen´s parents for the last 5 years.

While it was wonderful to have her with us - and Jaden always had fun entertaining her! - we know that she is truly at home with her heavenly father and her loved ones that have gone before. While we are sad that we can´t spend time with her we know that she no longer struggles with the confusion and failing body that she had here on earth. She is now where all things are perfect, in heaven. Her life was an example of a strong and vibrant faith - to the very end.

We were blessed to spend her 91st birthday with her in early December - celebrating life - and singing some of her favorite songs.

The funeral was held in Blanco, TX where she was buried next to her husband.

She loved flowers and grew many varieties throughout her life. And, she had beautiful flowers given in memory of her life.

From her grandkids

from her great-grandkids
- from her children
we had some photos up of her. from left to right - her wedding picture, her and her husband Wilbert, a picture taken of her this fall
various pictures of her with her kids, grandkids and great grandkids, and one of her as a young woman
we put pictures that we had of her living here for the last 5 years on a digtal frame so those from her hometown that hadn´t seen her much since her move could see what she had been up to
there was a beautiful worship service complied by her daughter that celebrated her life and the assurance we have of a heavenly home
it was a rainy, windy day
so the gravesite ceremony was brief


We rejoice that she is free from the burdens of this world and at peace, living in joy with her Father God

Burrowing

I always find Jaden in interesting sleeping positions. It seems he likes to have his head covered.
Nearly gives me a heart attack every time and I search frantically to make sure he can breathe. But, I'm getting used to it. Somehow, in his sleep-burrowing, he always has a clear path to the nose!

Higher Higher

Jaden has a favorite song on the Watoto Children's Choir CD - Higher Higher. He watches the video at Grandma H's all the time so we've been working on the actions. Actually, he's teaching me how to do them right.

First of all, I just think it's funny that he's sitting in this laundry basket WITH a giant beach ball. I thought he'd get mad at the ball once he got in but I guess he just wanted to be a sardine.

And here's the dancing

Snuggles

...are the best thing in life!

Christmas at Home

After all of the Posadas, the Christmas Eve Service, Christmas day flights to MN, mountains of presents at Grandma & Grandpa's house, and 10 days of bumming around with family....

...returning home to our still messy from the Mariachi Christmas Party house (see the stack of chairs still there) and presents from mommy and daddy was pretty anti-climactic for me.

But, Jaden didn't mind. He saw presents and he saw Thomas wrapping paper and he was EXCITED!

We were even able to Skype with Grandma & Grandpa K while he opened them
I'll spare you the details and a bunch of not so great photos. But, lets just say we've had to get creative about toy storage and I'm looking for a realistic toy rotation system.

Of course, some things that Jaden received that I thought he would have a lot of time to "grow into" like puzzles and Mr. Potato Head he gets like an old hat. I dn't know how he's able to put together the difficulty level of puzzles that he does but he LOVES them. Obviously those gifts won't have us set until next Christmas. He's too quick!