Merry Christmas and a happy 2012!

Greeting to you all!

We hope you have had a happy and blessed 2011. We so look forward to correspondence during the holidays because what truly matters most are faithful friends and family. Upon reflection of another year, it's with whom God has allowed us to share this life's joys, sorrows, and all that lies between that gives us reason to celebrate and be truly thankful. God is good! At this phase in our lives, our children bring us the most joy and make the holiday season extra special.

Carson turned 4 on December 3rd. He has decided not to attend preschool this year, by saying "Mom, can't you just teach me what I need to know at home!?!?!" Well, with two teachers for parents, we decided we could. He is such a little academic and we just love his eagerness to learn. There is NOTHING as tender as a four year old, which the intriguing questions and keen observations of ordinary things that all to often go unmentioned. Carson enjoys anything and everything sports, and can just about hit a consistent drive from the lady's tees as well as land a front flip on his trampoline. (We're pretending the latter is an accomplishment and not a hazard.) One major highlight for Carson this year was catching his first fish at Bass Lake.

Caden is 2.5 (will be 3 in April). He is quickly becoming just the "younger" brother instead of the "little" brother. I'm often asked if they are twins. We nearly have a equally sized wrestling match between our two. It has been so fun to see him become his own little person as his speech, most notably, has developed. Caden follows in his brothers footsteps, with their love for anything outside and active. He is a complete aeronautics enthusiast and cannot get enough of anything and everything airplane. In fact, his first observation of the day is wind speed, alluding to whether or not his grandpa or dad will be able to fly their planes that day. With potty training well underway, his mom is clinging on to anything baby that remains with this little one. Thankfully, one of Cade's favorite activities is snuggling with his mommy. His crowning phrase being, "I need you!" We have been incredibly blessed with happy, healthy, growing boys.

Brock continues on with year 5 at Arapahoe School, teaching MS math. He also coaches wrestling and track. I am completing my first year as Instructional Facilitator at St. Stephens. With our daycare situation working out so well, I love being back to work. We are both blessed with stable, yet challenging jobs. Brock reported that his biggest highlight of 2011 has been our move to just outside of town. How we all love the space and view! I would probably say that along with the move has been finished grad school. Ah, how I love my free time! We are counting down the days for our trip to Detroit to spend Christmas with my sister and brother-in-law. (You cannot even imagine how excited our boys are!)

We hope that you all have a happy and blessed 2012. Know that we are here for you should you need us in any way. Please make a point to call or stop by if you are passing through!

With love,
Aftann & family

Planes

A tribute to my Mom's green thumb!

I bribed them to sit "nicely and smile" in the tractor wheel. lol!

Caden and Grandpa Rob (and about 10 of his local friends) share a fixation with airplanes. They enjoy flying model planes and both boys cannot wait until they can fly too. Caden now notices the wind speed, in high hopes it's calm enough. Not to mention how excited they all get when the cargo planes in route from FE Warren AFB to Guernsey would fly over.

Caden "working on" a propeller from a recent crash.

Carson's turn.

Bits of random from our new home...

We've been so blessed with a warm fall (besides for the snow today)--that we've been enjoying outside projects. Brock has been burning the midnight oil planting trees, trimming trees, cleaning up old fences and woodpiles, building a sandbox, and together we've given new shape to many of the flower beds. Unfortunately, I was apparently too focused to take picture of any of this. I wish now I had before and after pictures. Here are some of the things I have remembered to capture. We are so enjoying our new space with the room to share it! Please drop by if you are in the neighborhood! We do best spur of the moment. :)

Carson and Caden roaring like Lions!

(Go #29!)

A new meaning to book basket.

Grandpa Rob & Grandma D to visit.

Now, I realize it isn't good to "love" earthly possessions, but... it has grommets and reclines. ;)

Family VaCa to Sinks Canyon

These adventerous parents find that some of our most fun is spent close to home.

(PS..we do have an actual trip (on a plane) booked for December.)

"Camping" for the day near Dubois

The pinnacle of summer time...thank you Bud & Suz!

We're BACK!

Nothing like a triple (both boys and I) case of strep throat to get caught up on the blog.

Here is a glimpse of what we've been up to.

Hope you're all well!

TIME OUT, we're moving!

We are in the final stages of box packing and have started hauling our things to our "new" (to us) house's garage. Brock was able to sell our home and buy another one all in 48 hours while I was away at a conference in Reno, NV this past June. We are moving to a house a bit larger than the one we're in now on 1.3 acres. We couldn't be more excited! And the best part is, our babysitter has agreed to come watch the boys at this house too! We are so blessed.

So, our plan for the week. Angie coming today. Brock starting school Monday. Closing on both houses Tuesday evening. Aftann starting school Wednesday. Grandma D coming Thursday. Must be out of our current house by 5pm Friday. Unpacking with the help of our family--Sat & Sun. Hopefully life as normal to begin on Monday. Nothing like a good project. ;)

Summer, Part 6

Nothing like a day at the county fair...

Grandpa Bud and Grandma Suz with their three crazies!

Fremont Co. Fair 2011

Three Cousins

Addie and the baby goat

Caden rabbit whispering

Carson and the baby goat

Summer, Part 5

We've been able to go to the lake a few times this summer. I'm so bummed that I forgot my camera over the 4th of July, so I'm relying on my mother and sister-in-law to share their pics with me!

We took the boys on their first fishing adventure to Bass lake...

Our family...

Trying to compensate for my wishes as a youth, I packed Lunchables for lunch...and my kids were convinced I was trying to kill them. LOL! I then looked at the list of preservatives and maybe they were right. So much for trying to be "cool mom". ;)
It runs in their blood...

Cutest lil' guy on the water...if you ask his mom!

Carson's first catch!

Summer, Part 4

We've so enjoyed our lazy days of summer spent in our backyard.... Carson (3.5 yrs)

Cade (2.25 yrs)

Carson & Mom
(Ah, how I've loved being home with my boys!)

Brock & Cade

Summer not complete without a slip-n-slide!

Carson the climber.

Caden learns to ride his bike!

(Thinking of heading to Sturgis!)

Dad's helper as they worked to clean out 50+ years of treasures out from under our house. Come on people, really!?!?!?

and riding...

So proud!

Summer, part 3

Love is in the air...Congratulations, Eric & Samantha Jacobsen!

(Nate the groomsmen in background.)

(in love year 30!)

(in love year 5)

(in love year 2)

(in love year 3!)

Summer, Part 2

Fun at the farm...Grandma loves pools--and so do we!

Caden the pilot--he can't get enough of airplanes!

Uncle Nate

John & Ang--Carson bossing the cows. ;)

Feeding the cows.

RIP Mike

(brown faced pup)

Highlighs of Summer, Part 1

We've had the best time with cousins!
Little Miss Addison, turned 2 in June.

1st cousins, one removed, right Patti????
The Santhuff's came to visit us on their baseball/softball circuit. We look forward to seeing you over Labor Day weekend!