SNOW

As many of you experienced and probably the rest of you heard that midwest had quite the snow storm last week. It's been so bitter cold but I think next few days should be warming up - you know to like 20 to 30 degrees.


Yesterday I left the house at 8:30am and returned home little after 4:00 and then ran around like crazy person trying to get stuff done before leaving again at 6:30. I got home about 10:00 and remembered I needed to make food for Micah's department annual Christmas potluck. I was so so tired but plugged through. I made fruit pizza cups - it was pushing 11:30/midnight and the orange glaze needed to be cooled to drizzle over and then I was done so this was Micah's idea to help speed along the process....it worked! Thanks honey!

Micah plowed this path for Ellie to use. The other day she tried to jump it and poor thing just sunk - it was actually pretty funny and she hasn't tried again since.

Random Fall Fun

Some random fall pictures. I can harldy believe we are on the count down to Christmas already - how does that happen!!!! I am 14 weeks and finally feeling better. Starting to get in the pudgy stage - I don't look pregnant just like I've gained weight - I hate this stage. I don't know about anyone else but good grief the 3rd time around I sure feel like I'm bumping out a lot quicker!



We found Ethan like this one night when we went to bed. We have no idea how long he was up before he fell asleep - his light was on and fast asleep in the bean bag. Micah and I were cracking up taking pics and video and he never flinched. I've found him asleep on the floor at nap time several times since with books on top of him.

This was game day, K-State against Nebraska - Micah kept saying need to get kids k-state shirts but I just never got it done so finally did and had surprised him for game day. Didn't help, K-State lost. Oh well, they looked cute in their purple pride! :)

We went to Kansas for Thanksgiving. We went to Hesston to my grandparents and weather was really nice so we walked around aboretum across the street from their house. Grandparents with great grandkids.

Ethan was stuck to my grandpa the whole time - wanted to hold his hand and kept him going. My grandpa was a trooper but he told me several times he doesn't know how I do it (have i mentioned how busy this little boy is) and that he was going to sleep very well that night.

3 little Beachy's.......

Baby Beachy Due June 5th!!!


(I know, the sign didn't show up to well - it says, "You've got to be kidding me, another one!!!" from Ellie) :)

Halloween and Fall Fun

Finally this past weekend we had nice fall weather!!! We actually got all our leaves raked up in our backyard. I started after church and then Micah finished up when he got home from work. This pic doesn't do the pile justice - it was HUGE!

Micah was not impressed that the store was out of brown lawn bags so opted for plastic upon my persuasion. I know they don't decompose like the brown bags but I just really wanted it done! Sorry green folk!

Of course kids had a blast in the leaves.....

It was a great night for trick-treating but we were shocked how low numbers were this year. Several people I talked to said their neighborhoods were really quiet as well. Strange.

October 10th we had huge snow - I think we got 5-6 inches. It took me literally 20 minutes to first dig out the snow gear and then get the kids and I bundled up but we had fun.

Micah took them out again in the afternoon when he got home from work and this is how much it had melted already. By night it was all gone and Mr. Snowman was bye bye.

Last week Kayla had western day party at school. I really wanted to find her a cowgirl hat but just never got it done - oh well, she looked cute regardless! :)

Iowa/Kansas

Sept. 26/27 weekend we went to Iowa and Oct. 3/4 weekend kids, my sister and I went to Kansas. Some pics - okay a lot of pics - sorry.

Kansas:

Cherise and all the kiddos. We went to a fun corn maze which also had a lot of fun stuff the kids enjoyed.

My parents and the grandkids! My moms birthday is Wednesday so it was fun to celebrate with her over the weekend.

Chad and Sondra (my brother) and Luke just moved back to Kansas from Ohio this past summer, my brother took a youth/associate pastoral position. It's SO fun having them close and getting to see them more often. They just bought a house so we got to tour while we were there.

Ethan LOVES my dads old truck. Sorry dad - I know you love it but it is old!


Iowa weekend:

Des Moines - we stopped to see our friends the Drost's. They just had baby #3 which I didn't get a pic of. Kids had fun together.

From Des Moines we headed to Kalona, Iowa to see Micah's grandparents and uncle/aunt and cousin. There were having fall festival so we ate yummy food and kids had fun pony rides and playing in a huge tank of corn.

Grandpa and Grandma Beachy - I might be off just a bit but I believe Gpa is 94 and Gma 92.

Uncle Dale hooked up wagon ride for the kids. They loved it! On the way back to Omaha we stopped in Des Moines again to see friends Koenck's - they just had baby #3 as well. I'm so bummed I didn't get any pics of them.

Mommy/Son Date

Kayla goes to same preschool as one of her friends and they both go to Cubbies Wed. night so my friend Jen and I decided to switch each week picking up the girls from preschool and then brining them to Cubbies at night. So, today was my first day not picking Kayla up so I told Ethan that him and I were going to have a "date day". We went to the pet store to get Ellie some food and looked at all the animals - Ethan couldn't get enough. Ran to Target to get a gift and then treated ourselves to lunch. After his nap we went outside (it was BEAUTIFUL) and raked leaves - played - raked leaves - played - you know the drill. It was a lot of fun. I have to admit I called Micah and said "Kayla is never going to school" I seriously missed her and felt so strange to not have her around.

Yes, he has his pj bottoms on. He loves trucks and grandma gave him these truck pjs and he fought me to put them on after nap time and I figured why not. Later he wanted the top on - whatever. :) His daily outfit always includes these cowboy boots as well - he either has the boots or a pair of Kayla's princess shoes on all the time. Fun pic to capture this stage.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.....

Evie Jayne was born last night at 6:37pm. 6lbs 11oz 16.5 inches long. Praise the Lord they are holding their baby girl alive and doing well. Only God is the answer to this - our God of miracles, God of healing and our God of ultimate love! Thank you Lord!

Praying for Evie

Praying so much today for John and Lindsey and their baby girl Evie. They are having their second daughter today but very small percentage she is going to make it. They have known this for most of her pregnancy. Prayers and tears - prayers and tears.............I ache for them........

Here is a link to their blog - she put up scriptures she is going to have in delivery room - so powerful.

www.eviejayne.blogspot.com

Ethan to the ER.......again

I had a haircut appt. last night and so Micah took the kids to the park. I guess they were walking (Ethan of course running) to the playground and he went flying into the sidewalk. Micah took him to urgent care and they said he had to take him to ER and Micah finally said "look, I'm a physician he's okay he just needs glue or stiches" They (no offense - but it was a nurse - there wasn't even a physician on site) were so concerned with head trauma and told Micah as a physician he should no better and that he needed to take Ethan to ER. (interesting thing is last time he had "head trauma" was just above his right eye and I took him to that urgent care and they never said a thing to me about head trauma concerns) Basically they were busy and didn't want to deal with him and that's the last time we will ever go there. Anyway, turned out to be a blessing because Micah took him to ER at hospital he works at and friend just had him come in the back and glued Ethan up and they were on their way in 10 minutes. I have to admit I was glad Micah was there to take care of it this time - I just don't deal well with blood. Not sure if I blogged this but about a month ago he fell outside and chipped his front tooth - thankfully baby tooth. Sigh........I'd like to hope this is the last, but deep down I know it's probably just to be continued.............

Preschool and Cubbies

Wednesday was kickoff to preschool in the morning and cubbies in the evening. Kayla was exhausted by bedtime!

Kiddos not cooperating in photo time - they were holding hands all cute but couldn't get it quick enough.

Last spring we started attending a new church. Micah isn't always able to get to church Sunday mornings and if he does it is only for late service and our old church had sunday school at 9:00 which put that all together he was never there. So, we talked, prayed, talked and prayed a lot and decided that we needed to find a church that has small groups that meet in the evenings so Micah could be involved more. We are settling into a new church and it is large so it takes time to connect but feel like we are where God wants us. We are connecting and enjoying our small group. All that being said, our church has Awana's program which we were excited about and so this is Kayla's first year. Not sure why Micah chose this background for the picture but oh well! :) Kayla loved it and told me all about it the whole way home. I'm helping out in the 3 year old room and it's just awesome hearing these precious kids saying their verse!

Ethan - Big 2

These past couple weeks have just been crazy around our house - that's my excuse this time for being such a slacker on posting Ethan's birthday pics. He turned 2 August 27th and Micah's parents were here last weekend and my parents came up this weekend to celebrate for Ethan and my bday. I'm going to be honest here, I'm exhausted and am happy to just have some pics up even if they aren't organize to well. Once again also disappointed in my picture taking and I don't have good pics of kids and grandparents - I'll get there.




Baking with Mimi (Shanna's mom)

Ethan enjoying every minute of his birthday cake - he really had his eyes closed eating at this moment, I guess that's how much he loved it. He picked Elmo theme and the pic of his cake is on camcorder and haven't gotten those downloaded yet.

Telling Ethan he gets to open his gifts now. He is the most animated kid - cracks us up.

I'm 2!!!

Yes, of course I made everyone wear Elmo hats.

We went to Children's Museum here in Omaha on Ethan's actual birthday. The special exhibit right now is Sesame Street so we knew Ethan would be excited. The kids just ran from one thing to the next. Micah enjoyed it just as much I think. :)

Birthday streamers - he had them all pulled down within 1 or 2 hours I believe.

Washington

We got back to Omaha last Monday night (Aug. 10th) from Kansas. We had flew out of there to make it easier picking up the kiddos. Tuesday we unpacked, did laundry and repacked to head to Washington to see Micah's brother and his family. No, it wasn't ideal to head off so quickly but for Micah's work schedule he was able to do vacation the first 2 weeks of August. We also were trying to fit it in before Ethan turns 2 on Aug. 27. We flew into Seattle and spent the day and first night there and then next day went up to Mt. Rainier. We then drove to Ellensburg and stayed with them through Sunday. Thank you guys for a wonderful visit!!!!


Grandma had sent pj's for all the kiddos!


Cute family at Lions Rock - can't wait for baby coming in October.

Cousins had so much fun together!!!

Mt. Rainier - it was 40-50 degrees - freezing!!! I had brought some warm clothes but not near enough. Micah's Uncle Roger and Aunt Jo happened to be camping there that same time so we met up with them and thankfully they had some warmer clothes they shared with us. Despite the cold, rain and fog it was still beautiful.

The hotel had a pool so of course the kids loved that - okay brothers did too!

You can't go to Seattle without going to Pike Place Market. Do they look like brothers?

Family at the market - oh how I wish I could just walk down the street to buy produce, flowers, fish, etc. from there. Do we look like we had been up since 4:00am traveling that day?

So, now we are home and trying to get back into the swing of things. Last night Micah, Kayla and I all started feeling icky have colds now - punishment for 2 weeks of fun vacation I guess. Hope we can recover quickly.

10 years

It's been awhile since I've posted anything. Where has this summer gone? On August 7, Micah and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary! If you haven't heard the story here you go. My family moved to Hutchinson, Kansas area when I was in 6th grade and that is when I met first met Micah. Both of our families went to the same church and we were in the same class in school. Micah asked me out every year (I still have a note from 6th grade from him that says "will you go with me circle yes or no") and I always thought of him as a very good friend but finally middle of our senior year in high school it all clicked and we've been together since. I transfered out to Virginia to college our sophomore year and then Micah came out junior year and we got married before our senior year (yes we were young). So in 10 years we have lived in 6 states (Kansas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Ohio and Nebraska) and have added 2 wonderful kiddos to our family and who knows what the next 10 years will bring. We are currently on our way home from our trip to Maui (sitting in Dallas airport with 4 hour layover) celebrating 10 great years! We met A LOT of honeymooners and you should have saw their reaction from most when we told them we were celebrating our 10 year anniv. and not on our honeymoon - we just followed it up with yes we were young. Micah surprised me and brought our wedding video (yes it was VHS but he had it made into DVD) and we had a lot of fun watching it and seeing all our friends and family from 10 years ago! We enjoyed some good laughs! :) To the next 10 wonderful years honey!

Our last night on the beach - we watched the sunset.

Ziplining

On our actual anniversary we went to a Luau.

Black sand beach

Micah's birthday is August 1st so I told him I would go golfing with him for his gift. If I could golf with the ocean in view, I would go a lot more! :)