Easter According to Marin

There has been lots and lots going on around here the past 3 weeks. I don't have the time or energy right now to blog about all of it, but, seeing as it is Good Friday, I had to share this.

A week or so ago, I found Marin in her room having a combination of Bible Study and Sunday School with her dolls. I wasn't invited, but this is what I heard from the room across the hall:

Marin to dolls: "Do you want me to tell you why Jesus died on the cross?"

Apparently they said yes, because she went on to answer: "He died on the cross because we didn't want our sins---so He took them."

AMAZING! I praise God for sending His one and only son to die for me on this day so many years ago. My family and I have sins...and we don't want them!!! THANK YOU, JESUS for taking them far, far away!

Our MVP

Today was a proud day in my life as a mom. Today, March 15th, 2012, Kaden got the MVP award at school. This award is given each quarter to one boy and one girl from each room. So the classroom teacher chooses 4 boys and 4 girls each year. I'm so thrilled that Kaden is

exhibiting on target behavior at school. It's so fun to get to celebrate his good choices and hard work. Way to go Son! Keep up the good work!

Another Season, Another Sport

Kaden started his second sport last week. For the next 7 weeks our Saturday mornings will be spent learning, growing, watching, playing, and coaching basketball! Fun! He loves it already, and although we didn't think it possible to play any closer than our 4 minute commute to the soccer fields, we were wrong. This league is played a mere 2 minute drive from our front door! Gotta love it!

Managing and corralling little miss here, may be the most difficult part of this 7 week exercise. She thinks she's ready to play too! Soon enough little one, soon enough.

Marin and Dora

Not sure how long the fascination lasts with most girls, but Marin still loves Dora. She's getting pretty good at this puzzle too.

Thanks Aunt Judy and Uncle Larry!

Martin Luther King Day

Monday Kaden had the day off school. He got to come with Marin and I to Bible study, then we went to lunch with daddy. We got to try out a new restaurant downtown. It was a hot dog place and we all liked it. It was a fun treat to have lunch with daddy and to have Kaden home.

Christmas Break (the abbreviated photographic version)

With a few minor exceptions we had a most glorious Christmas Break. The kids and I have had a great balance of staying home and going fun places with friends. Christmas weekend itself was a successful whirlwind as we celebrated 4 times in just over 48 hours with various sets of family. Our kids did amazingly well and I think they *may* be learning, gradually the joy of giving and the art of being thankful and patient at Christmas. They truly LOVED everything they received. So, without further ado, here is a brief recap of the past two weeks around our house. (Not that it matters to most of you, but these photos are NOT in chronological order...me and blogger have issues)

playing in the snow Dec. 27th

Kaden at Grandpa Mike and Grandma Teri's

Marin and Auntie

Brielle and I

Annelise and I

Cousins on the couch: Brielle and Marin

Grandpa Mike and Brayden eating pizza

Marin singing while she waits for her turn to open a present

Kaden's new Cardinal's sweatshirt from Grandma & Grandpa Steckel

Kaden with Grandma Steckel

Marin with her new Hello Kitty...the first thing out of her stocking at Grandma & Grandpa Steckel's

Reading the Christmas story at Gramie's house

Daddy opening his Christmas presents from the kids

Leaving cookies for Santa

Sprinkling reindeer food on the front yard

petting a real reindeer at WonderLab

Marin and the Dinosaur at WonderLab

Kaden at WonderLab

Catching a bubble...yep, at WonderLab

Making candy cane cookies (yummy, but hard for kids!)

fishing at Jolly Days at the Children's Museum

Kaden wore this hat, quite literally 24/7 for the two weeks leading up to Christmas...so cute!

The note Kaden wrote himself for Marin's present: "Marin, I hop (hope) you lic (like) my prasit (present) I got you so it is sbachil (special). Love Kaden"

Kaden hugging Marin for her gift to him

jumping on their new gift from Great Grandma Sauder

Christmas at the Zoo

A fun annual tradition...wish we could somehow get a VIP pass, so we didn't have the fight the crowds. The kids loved the dolphin show, the polar bear, the tiger, the sea horses, and the penguins. We went early and were so glad because it got REALLY cold!