These are in random order, however, it's good to catch up a little!

Early December

Mark took me to Stillwater for a night at the Rivertown Inn. Highly suggest it to anyone looking for a

 nice B&B.

February 

 This is what happens when your house is being prepared to "show". We are moving! The next step toward the Philippines.

March

Ian and Dad looking all adorable. He wants to be just like dad. Not a bad desire at all.

March

 First time for Emmaline to be out in the snow. She isn't really walking yet, though she is very close. She just stood... 

January

 This is from several months ago, she want even close to walking, yet I found her on the table. She LOVES to climb. Plus, a photo of some of her first pig tails. :)

December

Original House of Pancakes during Christmas break with the Grandparents!

December

The girls and their dolls! What a Christmas.

It was so fun to have both Jack and Corine and Elizabeth come for Christmas. This time our water heater didn't break!

Best Buds. Best Cousins! as Ian says, he's not my friend, he's my cousin. 

January

Emmaline so happy now that she can finally see.

Two weeks after she got her glasses, we were able to schedule for her to get tubes. 

January

prepping for surgery. 

THEY CHANGED HER LIFE!!!! (the tubes)

Always tries to do what Ian does. Maybe she will start early...

Some family time at the Mall of America.

March

                                               

This is where we will be moving! God provided a wonderful house for us to rent. Each step along the way, God's provision and sovereign hand have been such a comfort. I'm so thankful that He is directing our future and has our immediate needs taken care of. I've been rebuked time and time again by how he  takes care of things in a way that is so much better than I could have imagined. 

August and Next Came September

August
was a hot month, but enjoyable. Mark purchased and started putting up a wooden picket fence to finish enclosing our back yard. A completely fenced in back yard will be such a treat with a household of (soon to be six) children. Yes, we are still living in the basement apartment of our siblings house. We love how the Lord has worked this out. After Mark and Jason's parents visit in July, we have buckled down on house projects in preparation for baby Emmaline's birth.

     Mark is still teaching the college sunday school class at Fourth Baptist and we had a wonderful weekend together with them at Camp Clear-Waters. Most of the college students went back to various out of state colleges, but we still have a great group that faithfully attends. We hope to band together encouraging one another in the truth of God's Word. Our mission statement is something we pray will be exemplified in each life.

 "Our desire is to intentionally pursue the fullness of Christ through a deeper understanding of and maturity in the truths of the gospel, through unity and accountability with fellow believers, and through a demonstration of the love of Christ."

      August 26, was mark and Jason's birthday. Also, it is time for the Minnesota State Fair.

    Ian is an absolute blast to watch. At 15 months, his mechanical mind is just spinning. He will work at and study something for the longest time. He loves keys and tries to open everything with them. He has been pretty quiet up to this point enjoying watching his cousins.

Fall

The fence mark has worked so hard on...



Leaves we've been raking...



Ian's costume...



Birthday date with honey...



Ian pretending he is sleeping beside Mark...



Playing in leaves at grandparent while in Illinois...



Almost here-Emmaline!



- Posted by Amy

Dude, Dough, Darlin', and Deputation

 Thankful!  Joyful giggles, stolen pacifiers, increased dexterity, and almost sleeping throughout the night are things for which to be thankful.  We are blessed! Also, we are anxiously awaiting our next step toward the mission field. The VIP of our future plans to visit the Philippians will be joining us here in MN for an update and to answer many questions. We couldn't be more happy to hear him explain important details to us about the trip he has just made there and the building progress that is well underway. 

Ian's first time playing with play dough.

Emmaline sporting one of Grandma "B's" beautiful headbands

Emma's new arrangement

He LOVES working with his hands on little projects. At 211/2 months his favorite toys are his tools from Aunt Beth and Uncle Jason. He fixes everything around the house. :) 

another favorite!

The Last Several Months

Ian visits the hospital

to see baby Emmaline Rose- Born 11-14-11 @ 11:20am 7lbs 7oz 

21 inches long

Mom came to help with the transition and had her grandma "love" meter filled

bringing "Em"home

Ian finally wanting to touch his little sister

Grandma and Grandpa out keeping the kiddos occupied while Thanksgiving dinner was being prepared

Little Emma asleep and Aunt Beth with a camera :) -Love that!!!

Bye to mom and dad and to November and Hello to the Tree Farm and December

Wow, a house with 13 people means lots of presents.

So thankful to the Lord for Family and for their love!!

Something is WRONG!!!!! No snow in Minneapolis in December??????

Our Christmas puzzle

Ian helping Dad with this new Christmas tools from Aunt Beth and Uncle Jason.

Mark has done an amazing job this year fixing so many things in our house. He is such wonderful man and help around the house. He is shaping up to be an excellent Handy Man. Thanks Mark!

Laundry Time

Best of Friends. Worst of Enemies.

Isaac comes down to visit Ian often in the basement. They both enjoy swinging in the swing. On this particular evening, both very tired, they cuddled up together and almost fell asleep. It's not always as peaceful as this picture portrays.

attacking or hiding

My Valentine's present from My Honey!

A pot of bulbs

Beautiful Jade Plant

plants in my living room

The next plants aren't from Valentine's Day, but I wanted to take pictures of them. I'm just so thankful that they are still alive when there is three feet of snow on the ground outside and they are in a basement with minimal light. My goal: how not to kill house plants.

This is a orchid that I'm trying to save. I've never tried to do anything tropical  before and I'm not sure if I'm keeping it in all the right conditions for blossoming again. (I hope, the blossom was beautiful.)

i think it is some kind of a Palm. (transported from Bend, OR)

Mark's Bamboo (also transported from Bend, OR)  

 We'll see it they survive... 

I read the other day about someone attempting a small garden in a rubbermaid in doors. That might be my next goal. :)