A Rare Occasion

Huh?.........Is Matt in the kitchen?!!  

I mean, it is not a surprise that he is in the kitchen, but it is a surprise what he is doing in the kitchen.....I have to say that he is pretty good at doing the dishes, but BAKING.  This is new!  I guess when someone has a craving for brownies and ice cream they will do whatever it takes to put a fix to that craving.  

Thank goodness for box mix brownies!!!

Here he is looking very serious because box brownie making is intense for a beginner.

Wow, honey.  I'm impressed.......

Time to go watch the Olympics.

You're the best my Matt!

Family of 3

While my dad visited last week we had him snap some pictures for us. 

What a little ham!

It has been fun to see Judson start to chunk up.  Is it a bad thing that I can't stop pinching him?!  Haha, poor guy.

Can't Get Enough of Nana & Papa

Judson has been getting LOTS of time with nana and papa considering we live quite a drive from nana and a plane ride from papa.  A few weeks ago my mom drove all the way to St. Joe to meet up with Judson and myself.  The little stinker grows and changes so much I want my parents to see him as often as they can.  We met at Starbucks to quench my craving then headed to the mall to just walk around and spend some time together.

Here is nana and Judson being united at Starbucks.

Just about a week ago my dad came for a visit.  He, of course, was a huge help with Judson which gave me the opportunity to do some extra relaxing and some tasks that needed to be done.  Papa is so good with his grand kids and they LOVE him!

Judson and papa watching some football.  Perfect onesie Judson.....little footballs.

This past weekend our family ventured to Quincy to see my mom.  It just so worked out that my dad was in Quincy too.  I am sad that I didn't get any pictures (I've been bad about that lately), but it was so nice to relax with them and spend some time.  I'm thankful for their willingness to be together and to continue bringing our family together in anyway they can.

Now, here are just a few pictures of Judson.  He is 3 months here going on 4. 

I cannot get enough of this smile!  It captivates my attention, and I will do just about anything to get one.  GLAD NO ONE IS AROUND WHEN I DO!  =)

Judson got a play gym and escapes to the rain forest when it it.  He is really starting to grab things and likes to talk to "his friends."

He likes to sit on the counter when mama (me) is working in the kitchen and jabber to me.

Date Night #1: Newlywed Game

Part of my Christmas gift to Matt was 12 preplanned dates (thanks datingdivas).  One for each month. When you live in a small town "dates night" are hard to plan due to the lack of activities/coffee shops/restaurants/and everything else!  I decided that even thought many of these dates are a tad cheesy they are a great way to be more intentional about dating each other.  Most of the 12 dates are dates that we can do at home, but there are a few throughout the year that get us out of town for a day and even get us double dating once.

Last night was our January date- The Newlywed Game.  We started off the night with dinner.  Tomato basil soup with homemade croutons, lemon-honey fruit salad, and grilled cheese. 

So sad that our "together" picture didn't turn out clearer.  :(  At least I can see most of my handsome man.....

Matt brought home some surprise wine.  He must of bought it for the name....haha.  It was a lot dryer for our liking, but if taken in by small sips it actually started to taste good.  =)

Dinner time.....comfort food!

We did have a little 3rd wheel on our date night.  Good thing he's cute!

We then went downstairs to catch some of the K-state basketball game and during half time came back upstairs to play the Newlywed Game.  It was basically 10 questions that Matt had to answer and 10 questions I had to answer.  We then took turns drawing out the questions.  If a blue card was drawn Matt asked me the question.  If a pink card was drawn I asked Matt a question.  The reader would then ask the question about the "opponent" and if the "opponents" answer matched what the reader put down they would get a point.

Let's get started!

Matt thoughtfully trying to answer his questions.  All which were about me.

My question and answer page about Matt.

Look who won..... :D  I can't wait to use my winnings!  We decided that the loses would have to choose the restaurant the next time we were going out to eat.  Matt knows I always have a hard time choosing and usually like him to pick.  Yay, I'm out of the decision the next time..... 

I think I am going to like these at home dates.  Great on the pocket book and helps bring in the silliness any relationship needs.  :)

Random pics from the last few months.....

We seem to forget to take pictures as a family all the time, so this past Sunday we set up our little tripod and snapped a family picture.

I could take pictures of Judson sleeping everyday.  He is darling and so peaceful.  Thanks for being a good sleeper Jud!

This past weekend was the Chiefs playoff game.  I was sorting through Judson's next size clothes and found this outfit.  Daddy was very happy!

I think I see some dimples =)

Ready for the game.  I sure do love these 2 guys.....

Someones upset......

The "little raccoon" cuddled up to daddy.

Grandma Kaeb got Judson this frog hat.  Adorable!

Judson is starting to really check things out which makes reading books to him much more exciting.

I'm walking at 3 months!  Ha, no.  Look close and see my arm behind him holding his shirt.  It is pretty amazing though how strong he is getting.

Judson-3 Months

A Christmas Exchange

We had our little Christmas gift exchange on the go this year and ended up exchanging our gifts to each other at the Great Wolf Lodge in KC.  Half of Matt's family went there the weekend before Christmas, and we had plans Christmas eve and day to spend in Emporia at my aunt and uncle's house.

We have had a little fun tradition the past couple years where we like to fit our Christmas gift to each other in our stockings.  We ended up both adding one more gift this year that was too large to fit into our stockings, but it is kind of a fun way to be creative with our gift to each other.

The little boy in Matt came out right here....haha.

Poor Judson got left out this year and was sound asleep when we did this.  Hopefully he won't remember.  ;)

The gifts were fun to give and receive, but may we never grow more thankful for our "stuff" than for the gift of Christ and our Salvation!