Three Months and the Holidays

Well, I meant to do these in two different posts. However, I decided that while I had a bit of time, I am just going to combine these.

Oliver is three months already...where does the time go? Well, I decided to take a couple pictures real quick. When I showed Jarod, he asked why his boys were naked in them...not so fond of naked baby pictures around here...I laughed and said, Oliver was ready for his bath, and Will's shirt happened to be dirty, so they both ended up half naked.

Here is my sweet Oliver.

I told Will to kiss him, and he is so sweet to Oliver. I just love this picture.

Then I think Oliver spit up a little, and Will wasn't so excited about that.

Matt and Bek went to Florida this year, and we had the privilege of sharing this little boy with Tami while they were gone. I was so busy, but he is sure a precious little boy. We called him Gus-Gus all week, from Cinderella, because when he jabbers, he sounds like Gus the mouse.

I didn't take any pictures of Christmas with my side of the family...but here are some from some of our Christmases this year.

Here will is ready at our little family Christmas to open his present...notice, only one present for Will, and Oliver didn't even get any from us. I figure they get so many from both sides that they didn't need a bunch from us...I know I'm a Scrooge.

Grandma Rink made up for it...even Oliver got gifts.

Jarod got a snowboard...which he was pretty pumped about since he broke his last one last year.

We went to my mom's side of the family in Indiana...which is always such a good time. I didn't get hardly any pictures.

I did get these two...which they look like a little Sharlin and Rebekah.

My cousin Morgan and his wife Kyra are expecting #1.

Kait and Tami...the caboose...as my dad always says.

The picture by the tree. Not a great one of Oliver.

Love this one of Will.

Can't believe 2010 is over already. We pray for the Lord's grace and blessings in 2011.

Maybe next year...

Matt and Bek get home today from Florida. We were so bummed not to be able to go this year with them. I realized it's been 2 years ago that we went last as a family.

Hopefully next year.

In memory of two years ago, I thought I would post a couple of us enjoying the lovely weather and pool...which is the best thing about Florida this time of year.

Happy New Year

This year for New Years, we are having my Dad and Tami, since the rest of our families are busy. I was trying to think of what we should do. Then I started thinking of when we were little and how we would celebrate in

We would go to a big parade...where they dressed up in very traditional Japanese clothes and played music and banged on big drums, which as a kid sort of frightened me a bit.

We always ate traditional Japanese soup, called Udon. Mmmm...so yummy.

Then we would watch TV, where we would watch an old history series that was on at that time of year. And of course, the temple priests banging the big bells in the temples...people would actually watch this. (I looked up, and they hit them 108 times)

So, in thinking of Japan and the olden days, we are going to have Udon and good old Japanese fare. (I'll bet your glad you're not coming to our house).

Hope you have a wonderful New Year celebration and a fabulous New Year in 2011!

So, grab your loved ones...

open a bottle of champagne...

Get your party gear...

And have a Happy New Year's Celebration!

7 year itch?

Jarod and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary yesterday. When we were at dinner, (awesome Tami babysat as we went out), Jarod said, "well, we made it through without the seven year itch".

It's very strange how 7 years seems to have flown by, but at the same time, it seems like we've been together forever. I love this man for so many reasons, and couldn't imagine life without him. He is generous, thoughtful, hilarious, always yearning to love God more, and a the best dad out there! He loves me and Will and Oliver so very much, and I count myself among the very blessed to have such a wonderful marriage. So, thank you, Honey, for the past 7 years, and am so happy to spend the rest with you.

As I was going through our pictures, to see what I have to post, I realized that we do not take any pictures of the two of us. These are almost all of the pictures that we have of the two of us from the last 7 years. Pretty pathetic...I know.

Love you, Mr. Man

Tis the season...

...of the Christmas card.

I wasn't sure what we were going to do. Do to the fact that we didn't have one family picture from the whole year...we don't take many pictures. I don't have even one picture of Jarod and myself together. So, I called Tami, VERY LAST MINUTE and asked if she could do our picture. She said that she just finished another family in town and was on her way. I was already in my car with Oliver, going to do some errands in town. So, I turned around, went back home and picked up Tami at our house, grabbed a sweater for Will, and a coat for Jarod, since he had just his work stuff on. I called Jarod, who had Will with him, and asked if he could meet me in town.

We met at at an old Manor right by the post office, since Jarod was at the post office. And got run off by a lady that works there. She told us that you have to have a permit to take pictures there. Then she informed me that my infant had no socks on...which I knew since I was the one that got him dressed that day.

So, we drove off the property and took the picture right by the gate, since I was not about to drive around town to find a spot to take a picture...and I can tell you, neither was Jarod. We took this picture in less than a minute, got in our cars and drove off. I have to say, it was the fastest picture we have ever done, and we are usually fast.

So, a BIG thanks to Tami for taking our picture and then putting our card together! Don't know what I would do without her...in many ways...but this year, I probably wouldn't have gotten a card out, if it wasn't for her. Thanks again Tam, for always being so willing to help out...especially so last minute!

Merry Christmas to all of you who read my blog and blessings to you this coming new year,

Random act of kindness in memory of Sandy

Here is a post from my sister Tami's blog...please read....and act.

Here's Tami's post:
My dear friend, Sunita's mother, Sandy Kupferschmid, passed away a few years ago after fighting breast cancer. Sandy would have been turning 50 this Saturday and whether you knew Sandy or not, we'd love for you to join us in honoring her life! Please read the following note from Sunita as we'd love to have at a minimum 50 people involved...

December 11th (TODAY) is my moms birthday. She would have been turning 50. This day has been really difficult for me for the last two years. This year I want to celebrate her life I want to celebrate the amazing woman she was. I am wanting (at a minimum of) 50 people to each do 1 random act of kindness to honor her life. Not only will it pay tribute to her, but it will give me something to look forward to on her birthday.

You can do anything for anyone...your family, co-worker, students, stranger...anyone! We'd love to hear about all the special things that were done in honoring her life! So excited to hear about your experiences no matter how "big" or "small". Please either leave a comment here or on Sunita's facebook wall in letting us know about your experience!!!

Thanks SO much for getting involved in this!

My little Eskimo

Will and Jarod went outside to enjoy the snow the other morning around 8 a.m. I was not about to get bundled up to play in the snow that early...

...so we stayed indoors.