Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life

Steve  - Age 9 months.  I guess it was common to pose with a telephone in a snowsuit?

Steve, We will be enjoying your birthday with your mother in Iowa.  Hope you have a wonderful day.

I LOVE YOU!

Immanuel

This is my song for this Christmas season (and all year). It really speaks to me and I listen to it over and over. Hope you enjoy.

A Visit with Santa

Last weekend we took Ty and Nathan to “Christmas in the Park” at Central Park.  I thought we might go and see Santa, ride the hayride and enjoy all the lights.  Little did I know that every other parent (or grandparent) had the same idea.  We ended up standing in line to see Santa for an hour and a half.  Once we got in the line we didn’t want to leave!  Steve and Ty went and got us hot chocolate and cookies while Nathan and I kept our place in line. 

 

The boys really did enjoy their little visit with Santa. 

  

When asked by Santa what they would like for Christmas, they both replied “surprise me”.  No specific requests.  Santa tried to query them about what they might like and asked if they had a list.  They stuck by their answer “just surprise me”.  So Santa promised them he would!

Nathan’s 5th Birthday Party

Nathan celebrated his 5th birthday at Gattiland with family and friends.   

Nathan and his friend, Grayson.

He loved all his gifts.

     

And had a great time playing in the gameroom.

Happy Birthday Nathan.  Papa and Nanie love our happy little 5 year old!

Happy 35th Birthday Heather

Cannot believe you are 35.  The years have passed so quickly.

Always our joyful spirit….may the Lord always give you a joyful heart.  We love you!

James at 2 1/2 months

We were missing our little James so we went to Houston for an overnight visit. 

 

I took a couple of “mommy and me” photos.

We were blessed to witness lots of smiles and his precious laugh.  He loves to patty cake and to play with his papa on the floor “doing his exercises”.  He had also began to roll over from tummy to back that week and he showed off his skills for us. 

 

Such a sweet little guy! 

Happy Birthday Nathan Ryan!

Love you most first!!  Have a fantastic day.

Happy 60th Birthday to My Brother

Scott….love this photo of you with Dad and Grandma Bankert.

Photo of Scott and Jan from their visit this summer.

We hope you have a very special 60th birthday.  Love you!

Hodge Family Photos 2010

We tried and tried to plan a photo shoot with Heather’s family and nothing would work.  So last weekend we did a rush job as Heather was on the way to Austin’s birthday lunch.  This was the best we could do for now.  I have lots of pics of the kids this past year but really wanted at least a few of the whole family together.

Kevin and Heather Hodge:

 

Austin, Ty and Nathan Hodge:

 

Hodge Family:

 

 

I hope to get everyone (the whole Crouse clan) together for a photo at Christmas….we’ll see how that goes.

The Hideout

Ty and Nathan spent most of last Saturday with Steve and I as Heather and Kevin took Austin to lunch and a movie for his birthday.  Steve loves to get the boys outside playing and teaching them to work outdoors as well.

They cleared an area under our large cedars for their “hideout”.  Ty and Nathan each had a large stick to use for a weapon in case any intruders tried to raid their hideout.

 

Ty used a small axe and worked for a long time chopping off a branch and Nathan used other tools to help his Papa clear their hideout (well-supervised of course!)

When Nathan went down for his nap, Ty and Papa worked on the lawn by mowing leaves out into the woods.  Steve is very good to teach as he goes and Ty picked up the workings of the mower very quickly.

 

And so it goes…..work ethic being passed down through the generations.  Enjoyed having the Hodge boys over on a beautiful December day!

Austin’s Birthday Dinner

We celebrated Austin’s 14th birthday with dinner and dessert at Carinos.

Austin enjoyed an appetizer, soup, entree and dessert.  Teenage boys can put away some serious food.  The family went together to get him an iPod Touch and he was very surprised!

 

He had requested money for his birthday and he was happy about that as well.  He tells us he is saving for a car when he is old enough to drive.  Wise young man!

 

Happy Birthday to you Austin.  We pray you have the most blessed 14th year ever!