+1 Nephew

We have added another nephew to our list! Matt's brother, John and his wife Deb, had a little baby boy Wednesday morning at 5:22am. His name is Orson Jack. He was 7lbs 13oz (I think that was the exact weight) and 18 inches long. Mom and baby are both doing great! And Matt and I get to go meet him in about 3 weeks! We are so excited to meet this new little guy!

Here are a couple of pictures of John and his new son. 

What a proud dad! I can't wait to see him and Deb be parents!

Beard Please!!

I love bread. It is probably my favorite food. I like banana bread, pumpkin bread, sour dough bread, french bread, rosemary bread, pumpernickel bread, beer bread....rye bread is the only kind of bread that I have found that I do not like. I had asked for a bread maker for thanksmas. But then, Matthew surprised me with a bread maker for our anniversary!! I am sooo excited. I have a loaf in the bread maker right now to try it out for the first time.

 I decided to try the sweet bread recipe from the cookbook that came with the bread-maker.

The long version of bread only takes 2 hours and 20 minutes! And you can do an express version that only takes 58 minutes. This is amazing because then when I have procrastinated and have lots left to do to get dinner ready, I can just throw the ingredients in the bread-maker and walk away and still have fresh/hot bread for dinner!

Annie Get Your Gun

A couple of weeks ago, Matthew took me out to shoot my 12 gauge shot gun that he bought for me a couple of years ago for Christmas. The last time he took me out was a few weeks after he got it for me. Since it was January here, it was about -10 degrees outside, and needless to say, I shot the gun once and the kick hurt my shoulder so badly (because I was sooo cold), that I got in the truck and didn't want to shoot it ever again! But Matthew was going to go shooting with a couple of his buddies and since I was off, I wanted to go too (just to hang out with Matt). They were shooting clays...so I thought I'd join in for a couple of shots and try shooting the 12 gauge one more time. It ended up being a blast, because I actually hit the clay 4-5 times! I told Matt I'd for sure be up for more shooting :) And Matt has happy to know that I would actually be able to hit something with the gun if I ever have to shoot it.

Guilty. Pleasures.

Growing up I didn't even like Root Beer. In fact, I wouldn't drink it at all. But recently, my friend Jen, brought over stuff to make Root Beer floats and I decided to try it again...and LOVED it! So, lately I have been a little addicted to them :)

These are Matt's guilty pleasure. Matt loves tapatio. He eats it on nearly everything. 

And the other day he discovered these tapatio Doritos.

We have discovered together that we really enjoy going to a good play together. Fiddler on the Roof is in town right now. I had never heard the story or seen the movie (I'd heard OF it...just never seen it). So, Matt wanted to take me to see it. It turned out to be a fabulous show. We both thoroughly enjoyed it! And before the show we also tried a new Thai food place. Yuummm, definitely the best Thai food we've found in Anchorage so far!

10 Ways to Encourage

A friend of mine who has also been dealing with miscarriage sent me a link to the blog of a lady who has had multiple miscarriages and this list was on the side of her blog, so I thought I would share. I am sure that applies to any kind of lose, not only in miscarriage.

10 Ways to Encourage Someone Who Has Had a Miscarriage 

1. Fill her arms with something to hold. 

2. Initiate communication, "How are you today?" However, don't push conversation, she'll talk if she wants/needs to. 

3. Don't say, "I know how you feel." 

4. Listen, even if what she has to say is something she has said a hundred times.

5. Always use the name of her child. 

6. When words fail, share silence or a hug. 

7. Always remember special days with a note or gift (mother's day, birthday, day the child passed) 

8. Remember, you can always give your Presence & Prayer. 

9. Give Kleenex, a CD, book, or personalized piece of jewelry with the child's name engraved. 

10. Don't use the phrases "Everything is going to be ok" or "God just must have a different plan for you." They hurt more than they help.

Ready for Snow

I am ready for snow in the city! Snow has made it's debut on the mountaintops but hasn't made it to the streets of the city yet. But, I imagine that it will be on my front porch before I know it.....and I can't wait! I love the snow! And am so excited about winter being almost here :)

Happy Birthday Hailey Brooklyn!

Kate and Aaron ready to witness the Dora the Explorer pinata extravaganza.  

 These pictures are really out of order. This is the picture of Ryan helping smash the pinata the rest of the way (after the little girls were done hitting it and were unable to bust it open).

 The birthday girl and her family :)

 Uncle Matt helping Hailey get the candy box open.

 Awwwww :)

 Courtney and sweet Aiden. Aiden partying it up at only 2 weeks old!

 Happy 3rd birthday, Hailey!

 Eli looks like he may be about to join Aiden in his nap...the joys of being a new dad :)

 Opening birthday presents!

 Hailey wanted everyone to try on her new princess crown.

 Even Uncle Matt!

 The birthday girls parents!

 Sorry your eyes are kind of closed, Kate! I didn't notice it when I took the picture....but it's the only one I had of you guys...so I wanted to post it anyway!

 Aiden sporting his adorable purple and gray jacket. Love it.

 Aaron and baby Lily. She's growing up sooo fast!

 Lily and Lincoln. Too cute.

 Aiden sleeping...again :)

 Hailey letting us know how old she is!

 Jen and Hailey

 Hailey trying to get to the candy!

 Getting a little help from mommy.

And a little help from daddy.

We are so blessed to be a part of this community of people. Living way up here in Alaska we so often miss out on precious milestones in the lives of all of our little nieces and nephews. So, we are so thankful to have friend that let us be the aunt and uncle to their little girl Hailey (since all her aunts and uncles are also far away!). Happy 3rd birthday, Hailey!! We love you!

Pandemic

A few weeks ago Kenny and Emma invited us over and after dinner they introduced us to a new board game called, Pandemic. It is a game where all the players are on a team together and you are all playing against the board game. This was a perfect game for the four of us....as it helps us not get so competitive against each other :) We are slightly addicted.