Hawaii

Aloha! My parents treated us to a trip to Kona, Hawaii for their 40th wedding anniversary, where they renewed their vows. My sister and her husband went with us also. Unfortunately my brother and his family could not make the trip because they just had a new baby girl, Abigail Paige. We had an amazing time. Nate had never been to Hawaii, so he enjoyed the beautiful water (much different than California) and the volcanoes. My brother-in-law chartered a helicopter for a couple of hours and Nate got to go over an active volcano. Kate loved the warm weather! She liked to sit outside with grandpa and watch everyone go by. We also did some snorkeling, went to a luau, and just enjoyed time with my family. Nate and I also went to the top of a 14,000 foot volcano with my sister and brother-in-law. There is actually snow in Hawaii! It was the only time all week that we had to wear pants and a jacket. It prepared us for coming back home to snow.

Kate and Adison

We just wanted to share some pictures of Kate and her best friend, Adison Roland. Adison was born one week before Kate. We have so much fun watching them together. They are so different. Adison is a comedian and is always laughing and smiling. Kate is much more serious (we don't know where she gets that from). They both have a lot to say. Adison wants everyone to hear what she has to say, and Kate just quietly talks to us (again, I don't know where she gets that from).

Seattle

Kate went on her first trip to Seattle to visit her Auntie Lori and Uncle Joe. Once again she did great on the plane. We had fun going to Pikes Market and looking at the different sites. We also got coffee at the first Starbucks . Joe is a volunteer for the Coast Guard so we were able to go on the base. They had one of the biggest ships I have ever seen. They use it for breaking up ice in Alaska. The picture doesn't do it justice.

California

Kate had her first plane trip to go visit Grandma and Grandpa in California. She did great! We had such a blessed time in Carpinteria and got to spend lots of time with family and friends. Kate got to meet so many people and we got to meet Solomon Balli and Gavin Nystrom for the first time. Two very handsome little men. It was great to see everyone! Our time there never seems long enough, but we had a great time and can't wait to visit again.
We just wanted to share some pictures of our time there.

Happy New Year

We were able to bring in the New Year with good friends here in Colorado. You know you are getting older when you celebrate the New Year with the East Coast time so you can go to bed early :)

We have finally gotten some more snow. The weather here is crazy.
One day it was 60 degrees and two days later we had 4 inches of snow. "If you don't like the weather wait a couple of hours" is the saying here in Colorado.
We pray that you all have a joyous, healthy and blessed New Year!!!!!!

Our House

In August, after months of looking, the Lord blessed us with a house in Colorado Springs, CO. It needs some love, but we love it and it was an answer to prayer. Thankfully Nate can do most of the work needed on it. We are just getting ready to redo one of the bathrooms. It was not really in any condition to be used when we bought the house, so we are excited to get it finished. There is a large backyard for Cash and Kate has her own room decorated in ladybugs. And we have a guest room for whenever our friends and family want to come visit :) So when are you coming?

Christmas Day

We woke up on Christmas day to light snow and had about 3 inches by late afternoon. Kate's 1st Christmas was a white Christmas!