Christmas Traditions and decor

We started out December with our daily book unwrapping, which has been a favorite. Also we have the little advent stockings with an activity, scripture and Hershey Kiss-Canon's favorite. As a matter of fact if you look in all the stockings there may or may not be any kisses left. Canon figured out that they were in there and now they are not! I used to leave the stockings up but after continuously picking them off the floor, I've given up and have put them away after each day.

I also believe next year will be the year I get to get a new decor and color scheme thanks to my youngest, sweetest, gentlest little boy who thinks every ornament makes a great ball to throw. He doesn't just drop them, he gets air, height, and distance.

Little vent cover thief

We have a vent cover thief on the loose. At one time during the day there were 5 vent covers missing on our main floor. I hate to think of what may have been thrown down them.....maybe a missing nuk or two? The only suspect I have is this one here but he is so adorable that I cannot believe it would be him...what do you think?

4th of July reviewed...

We once again attended the Delano parade and carnival for the 4th of July. This was Canon's second year and this year he was a little more into it. Although the fire trucks scared him with the loud sirens but the lollipops made up for it:)



We got to spend the 4th with John Randle and Michele Bachmann ......
At the carnival this year Colton got to go on some more rides. He was so excited that he was old enough to ride with daddy on the fast ones. Although he did enjoy the motorcycle ride also:)And this post I get to welcome the newest addition to the Braun Family-- Little Miss Zoe Estelle. Congrats Bonni and Matt and Big sister Gracie and Big Brother Josiah!

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy belated 4th! More pictures of the parade and carnival to come.

Yikes!! Where did that year go?

Seriously, where did it go? I think I'm going to blame Facebook for my lacking. Going back is probably not going to happen but as I'm editing pictures I'll try and do a short review the last 10 months. For now I will leave you with Canon and his wrestling match. Cousin Jordan gave him this huge bear for Christmas and it has fast become Canon's wrestling buddy.
I want to also say congratulations to Roxanne and John. Canon is not the littlest grandchild anymore. Ezekiel John now has that place and we couldn't be happier for this new healthy blessing from God.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."
Psalm 139:14

Just because....

we need to be reminded and this shows how amazing God is.

We live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

Where did July go?

Really, it was just the beginning and now my calendar informs me it is August. I feel like all the plans I had to do this summer will have to wait until next summer. Is it sad that I'm secretly loving the "cooler" feel in the air? I cannot deal with heat and Fall is my favorite time of year so I'm actually loving this cool summer. Let's see, what have we done...
--Caden has lost 3 teeth-one at home, one in the car after we got done with our dentist appointment and one by getting hit in the mouth after a baseball bounced-thanks to Uncle Randy for that one.

After Caden lost his tooth Colton was sure he had a loose tooth also.--Caden had VBS for a week. It was the an African theme-he was a gentle giraffe. He came home one day and asked what a beast was. I told him it was a word for a big animal and he kind of gave me a look and I asked him why. He told me that his guide, AJ, had said "Caden, you are a beast" when playing a game. So I told him that it also meant he was playing hard and not giving up so it was a good thing.

--Caden started soccer and so far he loves it.
--Colton and Canon just get to tag a long and seem to be happy doing it.
We had special visitors for a weekend. Stacie, Vern and the kiddos came out. We had a jam packed couple of days. Stacie, Canon and I hit up Costco. Gotta love that place. We then went to Trader Joe's and Walmart. The next day we went to Valleyfair. The kids had so much fun. Both of my boys love fast rides, too bad they weren't tall enough for the super fast ones. We ended the night at the Mall of America at the Aquarium and dessert at the Rainforest Cafe where Stacie and I shared the Sparkling Volcano which the waiter had told me fed 6-8 people although the menu says 2-4. Stacie didn't hear that when she ordered:) We were a little nervous about the scene he would cause when he came out but he didn't embarrass us too much. It was yummy! A warning to those going: the desserts are HUGE! All of them!

We celebrated Colton's 3rd birthday on the 22nd. He told me he wanted chocolate cake with white frosting and sprinkles. So got to pick out the cake and then I let him decorate it with the sprinkles. He was so cute when he got cards in the mail, if they contained money he wanted to share it with Caden.

We went to the Braun picnic and had some yummy food, met up with an old friend (Kim you are not old, just an old friend), went to the Canby fair and then back to Grandma and grandpa's for another round of birthday cake and gifts. Colton scored some pretty cool gifts.

Canon just hung out in the stroller

I had a MOPS meeting and started getting excited about the new session coming up. We have some pretty cool and amazing women on steering. It should be a fun year.

We went on a play date with Grandma Voorhees, Aunt Annette, and cousins Max and Zach (or Great Grandma, great aunt and 2nd cousins? ). This was the first time they have seen Canon and he put on a happy, smiling, giggling show for them.
Well I'm off to enjoy my cool weather as I clean and get ready for my sister to fly in from Alaska in a few days. I'll leave you with a sleeping baby! I have a picture of Caden sleeping like this also. Oh and don't let him fool you-he doesn't sleep very much!

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8