2015 In Review

I have been trying to get in one more post before the end of the month. Since my last post, we had a baby and ... celebrated the birth of Jesus. Busy times.  I thought a review of the year would be a good way to close out the year. We've had a full year of joy with Eva. We also have enjoyed preparing and welcoming Audrey into our family. Get ready for an overload of photos.

Always cheering on the Buckeyes.
National Championship, Baby! 

Snow day stroll to Marshall's for breakfast. 

Hanging out with Commodore Perry
at the Cleveland boat show.

Valentine's Day date at the Fish Market. 

Winter reprieve at Franklin Park Conservatory.

Opening Day at Progressive Field.
A fun tradition.

Easter Day. He is Risen!

Happy Birthday, Eva! Lots of love and celebration. 

COSI trip with Larkyn and Rhys. 

Opening Day fun at Progressive!

Mother's Day at the Clippers baseball game. 

Our washed away beach.

Carrie, Julie, and all the kiddos. 

Date night at BNL concert. 

Aftermath of our basement flooding due to heavy June rain.

Playing Fascination with the Christensens at the Lake. 

Yay! Keith finishes 50 miles at the Velosano.

Our growing family standing in the same spot
where we were engaged seven years ago.

Labor Day in tie-dye. 

Marching band selfie. Go CCHSMB!

Columbus Oktoberfest is a great tradition.

Pumpkin picking at Pigeon Roost.

A baby is born! Welcome Audrey!

Decorating for Christmas.

Unseasonably warm December weather gives us
a chance to walk the Scioto mile. 

Quiet time with Mom.

Getting ready for family photos. Our first time as a family of four. 

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. 

Blog Browsing

A little Christmas 2014 photo recap to go with some links that could be your distraction from reading what you should be reading. Just a few tidbits from the year end...

A Columbus State feature in a mag. This is where I work...The Atlantic

I remember when I could sit down to read a book. Someday...Best Books 2014

Slow Cooker Chex Mix, how interesting!... Gimme Some Oven

Did you see the Google 2014 commercial? Pretty good stuff... Google trends

In the 8th month...

"This is how God showed his love among us: that He sent His one 

and only Son into the world that we might live through Him."

1 John 4:9

In the 8th month...
...at the last week's doctor visit, she weighed in at 17lbs 7 oz.
...Eva loves to move. She is crawling fast. She is working on climbing the stairs. She is getting pretty good considering she can go up four stairs by herself. Watch out!

...She is pulling herself up to standing using ANYTHING: her crib, stepstools, chairs, couches, baskets, the bathtub and even the toy piano.
...She'll eat anything, too. She loves Cheerios and applesauce but nothing is off limits. She's had yogurt, Rice Krispies, pizza crust, peanut butter cookie, scrambled eggs, raspberries, cherries, raisins, pumpkin pie, hummus, toast, pasta, crab dip, Veggie Crisps, and an onion ring (by accident).

...Eva is getting a little Mommy-clingy. She loves people and always has, but it seems that my absence shakes her up pretty well. Any advice on this?
...Thanksgiving time was shared with lots of family: Grandpa C, Grandma C, Kevin, Wrenn, Connor, Christopher, Chip, Ross, Grandma & Grandpa H.

...She didn't travel out of state this month, but made trips to the airport for arrivals/departures for Daddy and Uncle Chip. 

...Her attention span is getting better. Yes, a little better than that of a gnat. We can sit her in our lap and read a whole book to her. I just read her the Legend of the Candy Cane. (Last year's Christmas gift from Grandma C.)

...We visited Santa at both the Library and at the CCHS Sweets & Treats Shoppe. 

...We've also been to the Zoo Wildlights. 

...Ruth came to babysit while I attended CSCC Commencement. How thankful we are for the care from friends. 

...We heard great music at the Brass Band of Columbus concert at our church. 

...They say this is a fun age and it is! We have loved every stage with this girl and can't wait for what will come next. 

Hi! I'm 8 months old.

I'm 8 months old and can't wait for Christmas!

Tis the Season

We've got lots going on. Isn't that how it goes this time of year? Thanksgiving meals and travels. Keith's car is in the shop. Cookie baking and getting the Christmas cards in the mail (or ordered). I'm getting ready to give Final Exams. Decorating and shopping. We still need to go get our Christmas tree this weekend.

My women's group at church had a program this week about the "hymns" of the Bible. It was neat to look at the song of the delivered Israelites in Exodus and Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel. But during this busy time the year, I really like Zechariah's song in Luke that reminds me how John came to prepare the way for Jesus. "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins." Luke 1:75-76

Keith and I had a fairly peaceful experience taking Eva to see Santa at the Grandview Library. It was neat to see the other parents with babies and kids. I know it is just Santa but in a way he prepares an open door for conversation about why we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Rosie the Comfort Dog was at the library for kids to see. She is owned by another Lutheran church in Arlington. I told Eva that Rosie knows Jesus, too.

Sweet Little Pumpkin

A year ago Christin sent me a text: "On this day next year, you are going to have a little pumpkin to dress up!" (Christin and I are notorious for saving texts i.e. Maid of Honor Speech 2009.)

This year I do have a little pumpkin to dress up. What a cutie she is, too! She fought trying on the outfits with Grandma C, but we were still able to dress up as a cupcake/ice cream cone to pass out candy to the 112 neighborhood kids last night. I also had to make the ladybug costume work today.

First Beggar's night with the family. 

Photo quality not too great, but the fun was special!

An apple treat for our little sweet.