Winter Fun

One of cousin Julia's favorite activities while in Dubuque was to go sledding. We got some good snow right before Christmas, so sledding was great. On Christmas Day, Elias went for his first ride.

Going down the hill with Dad.

Ben wiped out but managed to keep Elias on top!

I think that Elias' favorite sledding partner is Dad so far.

Christmas with the Van Dines

This year we spent Christmas in Dubuque with my whole family. It was a big change from the last time we spent Christmas all together...Addie and Elias and another one on the way. Having three little ones enjoying the festivities really makes a difference to the way I am used too, it is not as peaceful...but it sure is fun!

One of the few pictures of the three all looking at the camera. Julia was a trooper to sit for so long while we worked with Addie and Elias.

Christmas jammies...my favorite. (I tried to start this tradition with Ben and I a few years ago, but I think it will just be for the kids now - they are so much cuter!)

Pure excitement! Loving his puppy from Aunt Kara. We love that it is not real!

Tunnel from Grandma and Grandpa. Elias crawled right in!

Oh Canada

The week before Christmas we had the chance to go to Canada to visit Ammachi, Appacha, the cousins...and other family as well! Elias had a great time, getting spoiled with a birthday party, visiting family and playing with Kerala and Calvin.

Celebrating Kerala's 5th and Elias' 1st birthdays. Kerala was kind and blew out the candles for Elias.

Enjoying some birthday cake (the first of many cakes!)

Elias playing with Ben's cousin Latha. She was way too nice to let him check out her glasses.

Trying to get a good shot of three crazy kids...it was a challenge!

A few picture at Home

Lacey and Kelsey (2 Emmaus girls) helping decorate the Christmas tree. They came over one evening and decorated the house with me. I loved it and Ben did too (that way he didn't have to help!) They are hired for next year already.

The Christmas tree. Notice the lack of ornaments on the bottom section - we thought it would be best not to tempt Elias too much!

Elias enjoying a Christmas treat. He loves anything he can put in his mouth.

Addie Day #2

An update on times with Addie....
Saturday - Addie was with Grandma and Grandpa but Elias and I went over to play. We were all going to go to Wisconsin to watch a basketball game, but stayed home due to a big snow and ice storm...so we went shopping instead!

Sunday - We went to church and both kids stayed in for a bit of the first service. As Addie got loud, Grandma decided to take her out. Seeing her leave, Elias got upset and so we had to leave too! These kids can't get enough of eachother. Sunday night was a concert at Emmaus, so Addie came over to play and a friend from church came to babysit. Both went to sleep while we were gone but Elias decided to get up when we got home and join the Christmas party we were having with a few students...he stayed up until midnight!

Monday - Another day at home. Our friend Joy came over for a bit to watch the kids in the morning, then we took Joy out for lunch (Grandma came too). On the way to lunch, Addie decided to hold Elias' hand. Elias didn't mind for a bit, but then decided it might be more fun to bend Addie's fingers back. Fortunately Grandma was there to rescue Addie. Elias is definitly a boy! The rest of the afternoon was spent watching one of Uncle Wayne's favorite Christmas movies, playing and tiring me out! These kids sure are active.

Note - I did try and get some pictures, but by the time I took them the kids were already on the move. (I have quite a few pictures of the back of their heads!) We will try and get some more up this week.

Addie Day #1

Elias and I have the joy of spending the next week with Cousin Addie while Aunt Hil and Uncle Wayne are on a trip to Africa. Today was a great day...We played, ate lunch at Emmaus, tried to take afternoon naps...Addie didn't want to so we watched "Charlie Brown Christmas" together instead! And amazingly, Elias and Addie actually played pretty well together (sometimes Elias gets a little frustrated with Addie's "affection"!)

Playing together...it was hard for them to stop to look at the camera!

Concentrating hard on that ring (maybe counting something already!)

I told Hilary that we would try and post some pictures of Addie this week...more pictures to come of the sweet cousins!

What a dresser!!

Just wanted to show you the cool pants that Elias got yesterday. I don't know if he likes them...but Mama sure does!! (Daddy thinks that he looks like a golfer!)

A New Trick

Elias decided this week that it isn't fun to just pull the toys out of the toy box....sometimes you just have to crawl in and get them....

He even sat up while in the box...now he just needs to work on getting out.

Cleaning

We are starting to see glimmers of Elias' parents in him already...for instance, he already likes to play with the broom and drag it all over the house. Whoever this cleaning trait is from, I don't mind!

Fall Fun

Yesterday we had beautiful fall weather (almost 70 degrees), so Hilary and I decided to take the kids to Eagle Point Park for some pictures. The kids had a great time playing in the leaves, and we even got a few pictures of the two of them both looking at the camera!

Elias and Addie

Always something in his mouth...

"Look what I have Mom!"

Latest Picture...

We haven't been taking too many pictures lately, but we did get this one....

That is right....Mathew Baby #2 is on it's way! Elias will be a big brother the beginning of March (boy is he excited!)

Baby is 22 weeks along and is doing well. "It" was sure moving alot during the ultrasound which was good to see. (We chose not to find out if Elias will have a brother or sister). We are praising God for this gift from Him!

Afternoon with Addie

A few weeks ago, Wayne and Hilary had some appointments in the afternoon, so Addie got to come and play with Elias and I. She and Elias are really starting to play well together (before Elias used to scream everytime she came near!)

Gearing up for the ride...

Having lots of fun.

Make sure we don't run into anything (Addie is a pretty good driver!!)

Two cuties (even when they aren't smiling)

Labor Day

For Labor Day weekend we headed up to Manitoba, where Ben was speaking at a Young Adult Conference at Faith Bible Camp, north of Winnipeg. Elias and I went along and had a fun time.

Looking out over the lake.

The cutest little feet ever.

Great Granparents

Just before school started back for the year, Elias got to see his Great Grandparents from Arizona again. We went to a family picnic near Decorah and then headed over to get ice cream at the famous Decorah "Whippy Dip". We spent a little time at the park visiting before coming back to Dubuque. Great Uncle Jibber and his grandson Tristan were also there.

Tristan playing with Elias.

Elias sitting with Great Grandma Barth.

Is He Smart or What?!

Today while putting some clothes away, Elias was playing on the floor. He loves to crawl now, and a favorite room to crawl into is the bathroom. Off he went to the bathroom with me following behind, just to make sure he didn't get hurt. Anyways...he pulled himself up to stand by the toilet and then banged on the lid for a while (he likes to make anything a drum). Before I know it, he has scooted around the toilet towards the handle and reaches up to flush it!!! Our son knows how to flush the toilet and he is only 9 months old! I am just amazed at his brilliance! If only he knew how to use it...

Here Goes....

I have been getting some 'encouragement' to start my own blog, letting you know what Elias (and Ben and I) have been up to. Since Addie, Hilary and Wayne are moving back to Dallas soon, and Addie and Elias won't be together as much (so Hilary will not be posting pictures of Elias), I figure it is time to start my own "Elias" page.

I don't really know what I am doing, so it might take me a while to get going...