personal project/four people/twelve times/12.11

Well, I didn't manage to take one single picture of the four of us in November, so no personal project post for November and it looks like I was only able to get ONE blog post in total for November. Not good since I said I would post about things I was thankful for. I did however post daily on Facebook what I was thankful for.

December: What a busy and FUN month.

I LOVE, LoVe, love Christmastime. I haven't always though. I would say within the last five years or so I have really taken a hold of the Christmas season and ran with it. Starting in November, right after Thanksgiving I start to feel it. The magic that IS Christmastime. I love all of it. The reason we celebrate, the music, the traditions, the baking, the extra time off with the boys, the smells, the feelings inside my heart, all of it!

This Christmas season was Ah-maz-ing!

~Each day started with our daily advent activity.

~We did a lot of crafts I got from Pinterest, like reindeer feet prints, yarn wrapped Christmas trees and candy cane reindeer.

~We baked. We shared our baked goods and we received baked goods from friends.

~We hosted two Christmases and loved it.

~We attended the Hillcrest Lutheran Academy band concert which was beautiful, LOVED it!

~All the time spent with family and friends.

~We bell rang for the Salvation Army. This was the first year we've done it as a family and the boys held up well. Abram lasted about 25 minutes before he was starting to get too cold, but after a quick warm up inside Walgreens he was ready to complete the hour.

~We went to a few Christmas parties.

~The boys each had their own separate Christmas school programs and did a fabulous job.

~We played games, LOTS of games. Jenga, Old Maid, Wii.

~We took a trip to the cities. After last Christmas, I was overwhelmed with the thought of them getting more "stuff" so this year we decided that instead of giving the boys gifts from us, we would take them somewhere instead. Ethan and I went to a Vikings game while Steven and Abram went to the Aquarium. We all had a wonderful time doing that. We stayed at the Mall of America water park & hotel and it was incredible! So!Much!Fun!!! The next day we went to the Lego store so they could spend their Christmas money from Grammy. Over and over again I kept hearing, "This is the BEST Christmas ever!" Steven and I decided that "Less IS More" and think we will make this a new Christmas tradition. They did however get stockings, still something to have on Christmas morning.

~We attended the most beautiful Christmas Eve service where I was so moved by the Spirit. I wanted to take a picture for fear I will someday lose that image of my family sitting in that beautiful church singing the most beautiful Christmas hymns and all being together. I closed my eyes tight and hopefully it's a sight I will never forget.

~We built Rice Krispie houses instead of gingerbread houses, way easier and the boys enjoyed it!

~We went to Johnson's, a favorite annual Christmastime tradition.

~The weather, oh the weather. This was the first December in the 9 Decembers we've lived here that we've had no snow! And not only no snow but it was warm! I wore flip flops well into mid December and it was 40 on Christmas day and the sunset, breathtaking!

Such a wonderful feeling.

~17! The boys had 17 days off from school. I have really enjoyed this time with them. All the things we've done, all the memories made, all the love felt...such an awesome Christmas break.

I can say that December was a perfect way to end 2011. Well...except we have all come down with a cold. Ethan had it for about 2 days, Abram still has a cough, Steven was down and out for about 5 days and it just hit me a yesterday. I am so thankful that it waited until after Christmas to hit us and it didn't hit our kids that hard, such a blessing!

(picture taken tonight from my bed where I've spent most of the day)

2011 was a fabulous year, I am looking forward to what 2012 has in store for the NessNest.

I'm thankful for...

Each November I try to really focus on the things I'm thankful for and blog about them.

As often as I can this month, I will share some of the things I'm thankful for.

I'm thankful for the beautiful seasons Minnesota has to offer, especially Fall.

personal project/four people/twelve times/10.11

October was a good month.

Fall was in full force which made my heart feel so happy. I absolutely LOVE Fall.

We were able to make our annual Maplewood State Park trip, which is where these pictures were taken. I LOVE going to Maplewood to marvel in the beauty of Fall, the colors, the changing of seasons...it all make me so happy.

~Steven was busy getting ready to open a new store this month, so he was gone more often than normal. We are thankful for his hard work, the fact that he has a job and that he is successful and we are very thankful when he returns home too.

~Abram had a birthday on October 27 and turned SIX!?

I am still trying to process where the time went, wasn't he just my baby last week?!?!

He had a small birthday party at our home.

He loves low key, small scale events and the fewer the people, the better.

~Ethan finished football mid October and I was actually sad to be done with it.

He loved it, learned and improved so much.

Steven and I took Ethan to a Third Day concert in Fargo. Like his parents, he LOVES music and loves having some special time with just us. We really had a great time with him.

Halloween, can't forget this day.

Ethan was a dead/zombie/weird football player and Abram was a swamp monster.

~I got to get away for a few days over MEA weekend and attend Women of Faith. This is the 3rd year I've gone with my girls. It's a wonderful event, uplifting and refreshing. I think all moms/wives/women should attend this! Praising God, shopping, eating great food, laughing, staying up too late...it's all so worth the way I feel when I return home to my family.

We were blessed with mostly good health this month too. I got a small cold and lost my voice for a few days, but thankful I was the ONLY one to get it and it was gone in 10 days. October was a fun, good month for us. Looking forward to finishing the year with the holidays, my most favorite time of the year. Blessings~

Happy 6th birthday Abram!

6 years ago today, the Lord blessed us with YOU!

You are such a blessing to our lives.

At 6 you can: tie your own shoes, ride a two-wheeler and climb just about anything.

You love your family, closest friends and animals of all kind.

You love to be read to and love learning how to read.

You are a very helpful child and love to pitch in!

You are smart, witty, funny and make us laugh.

We love you Abram Mathew, happy birthday my baby!

Love,

your mama, daddy and Ethan~

5 Question Friday

1. What is your go to comfort food or sweet?
I am not a sweets person, but my go to for comfort is coffee. When I'm down, cold, sad, you name it I want COFFEE!

2. What is the most romantic place you've ever been to?
Puerto Rico was pretty romantic, but I also think Inspiration Peak is pretty romantic too.

3. What is your favorite thing about fall/Halloween?
There isn't much that *isn't* my favorite. I LOVE the fall foliage, the cooler temps, football...all of it!

4. How would you spend 24 hours alone?
It depends, do I have an endless amount of money to spend? If so I'd shop, eat good food and get a mani&pedi. If not, I'd sleep, clean, drink coffee and relax.

5. Does you husband bring you flowers? Are you the bring-me-flowers type of girl?
My husband DOES bring me flowers and I am a bring-me-flowers type of girl, that's why he does it, he knows I love it, it brightens my day and makes me know he loves me more than I thought!

To answer your 5 questions, check out: my little life.

Wordless Wednesday: finish line

personal project/four people/twelve times/9.11

September:
Many people like to think of January 1st as the start to a New Year, a time to start over, start fresh, but for me that happens each September. The lack of routine in the summer throws Abram and I off kilter, so when September finally rolls around and we start back into our normal routines of school, work and activites I just feel refreshed and new again. I absolutely love fall, so that also helps me as well.

September started a whole new chapter in our lives...our youngest child, Abram, started Kindergarten! He goes all day, every day. He had a rough start, but on the 10th day of school he exclaimed to me that he wasn't going to cry or get himself worked up and he didn't need me to walk him inside the school either! Although we prayed for "no tear" mornings, I wasn't ready for that confidence and independence only after 10 days.

First day of school, forcing a smile behind the tears.

Abram also learned to ride a 2-wheeler. He had been practicing hard all summer but a bike party of one of his best friends really got him to do it! He LOVES it and we've been on several rides including the Central Lakes Bike Trail.

Abram grew many zucchini and squash over the summer, but only one watermelon.

He was very proud of that piece of fruit.

Sept 10, Steven 619 and Ethan 618 ran in the Dick Beardsley race. Steven finished the half marathon in a time he would NOT like mentioned and Ethan finished the 5k in 32:22. I was beyond proud of both of them. For Steven's first race(besides our family one mile race we did in June)to be a HALF MARATHON and finish, that's good enough for me...and Ethan, that boy blew us out of the water. He set 2 goals for himself, something we didn't even discuss prior to the race. 1-to not walk at all and 2-to beat that one guy in the blue shirt. He accomplished both! When I asked him how he picked that guy in the blue shirt he said, "I just picked someone and said I WILL beat them!"



He also attend Inspiration Point's Fall 45 fall retreat. It's designed for fourth and fifth graders. He had a wonderful time.

Ethan is still playing youth football and loves it. He is, I think, one of the most improved players on the team. It's really fun to see the coaches work with the boys and encourage them to be the best they can be. He has had many people come watch him play and he absolutely loves that!

Ethan & Thomas

Ethan playing center.

What a wonderful month September was. I can only hope October will be just as wonderful. Already, we are experiencing warmer than average temps in both months which makes for a longer, warmer fall which is always nice!

I'm Blessed...

Every Monday, my friend Melissa inspires me to reflect upon the things I am blessed with. This Monday I will share them with you!

I'm blessed...

-to have the amazing husband that I have, that works very hard at both his jobs as well as being an awesome husband and an even more incredible father to our boys.

-to live in a part of the country where the seasons change. Fall is by far, my most favorite time of year. I am blessed by God's beauty during this time of year.

-to have known my grandfather for as long as I did. He passed away recently and although I am sad to see him go, I am blessed to know he is at peace.

-to hear. Today as I sat outside hoping the fresh autumn air and sunshine would heal me, I heard the most amazing sounds and was immediately thankful for my hearing.

-to have a job and work with some really amazing people.

-that my boys are blessed with incredible friends. Both my boys really have awesome friends!

-that *I* have incredible friends as well, some that I don't even think I deserve but am extremely thankful that the Lord thinks I deserve them and has placed them in my life.

To see how other people are blessed, check out He Sows, She Sews.

personal project/four people/twelve times/8.11

August: A nice month.

We camped in Itasca, a favorite place of ours.

We finished all of our outdoor landscaping we wanted to get done this summer.

I worked less to spend more time with my boys making memories I hope they cherish.

A zoo trip, parks, play dates, cousin sleepovers, the movies...lots of memories made.

Ethan started football. He's had practice 2 days a week for 1.5 hours each night. It's been awesome seeing him practice. He celebrated his 9th birthday with all his friends at a Redhawks baseball game on Saturday and then with family on his Sunday, his actual birthday. I can't believe my boy is NINE!?!

Abram got glasses. He looks so darn cute in them and he really likes them. He never takes them off except to sleep. I think they were very much needed and that's why he likes them so much, the boy can see now!

Steven is busy with work, working hard to provide for our family. I appreciate all he does for us!

September will be a whole new charter in our lives as both boys will be in school all day, every day. I can not believe we are at this point in our lives, saying the time has flown by would be an understatement. My heart is happy and full though, hoping September is awesome. I love Fall!

Happy, happy birthday Ethan!!!

9 yeas ago you made your daddy and I parents.

I will be forever grateful for your life.

We are so very proud of the young man you are becoming.

We love you!

Happy birthday from Abram, your biggest fan!

Happy birthday from your mama :)

Happy birthday from your awesome daddy!

HaPpY 9th BirThDaY!!!