I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

snapshots of a few of 

our many blessings

Birthday!

(someone turned 32 yesterday...and it was NOT me!  :)

This is Ben's favorite cake...ever!  Chocolate, raspberry, cream...can't go wrong there!

 (one day I will make sure the family is dressed appropriately at dinner table...espcially when we're taking pictures...one day)

Happy birthday, my love!  I hope your day stood out a little from all the rest and that your family made you feel special!  We love you and are thankful for a daddy who loves the Lord and leads us in love!

FESTIVITIES!!

PUMPKINS

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS...mmmmm!

MEATLOAF HAND & MUMMIES FOR HALLOWEEN DINNER - CREEPY!

NINJAS

CANDY GIRL AND PUMPKIN

LOOT!!

FUN!!

 C-O-L-O-R-A-D-O

A few months back, Ben had this idea that I should take Noel and go see my family in Colorado.  My grandparents had never met Noel and I had not seen them in a long time!  So, after I made sure Ben knew that  -  I leaving with 1 kid = HIM staying home with 3 kids  -  I bought a ticket!

Noel on her first plane ride!

The fist day of our trip was spent catching up with Jamey, Autumn, and Rachel...but I guess I was too busy gabbing (and eating OREOS) to take any pictures.  You will have to imagine us girls comfy on Autumn's couch sipping tea, catching up, and watching Noel and Axel, who are just 1 day apart, bang on each other's heads.  It was wonderful.

Jamey dropped me off to spend a few days at Granny Stutz's house the next morning.  We stayed the nights with my Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill.  (THANK YOU, OH SO MUCH)

Noel and Great Grandma  and Grandpa Stutz

spending some time with Pops!

Grandma and I decided to spend one of our days puzzling...whew...what a doozy!

Aunt Hannah and Uncle Isaac picked us up from my grandma's house on their way from Nebraska and we traveled over the mountains and through the woods (no woods) to grandmother's house!

Great Grandma Ehmann loved Noel.  It was fun to see how much joy a baby brings to an older person! 

 (Relax, mom and dad!  I'm talking about Grandma not you guys...hee hee)

notice a little 10 inches of me gone??

yeah, Hannah got ahold of me!  

Gotta love new hair!

What a great trip!  Thank you, Ben for the great idea and encouragement to go.  3 kids - alone - 10 days - WHAT A GUY!!