Family Pictures from Grand Rapids

These are a sampling of the pictures that we had professionally taken while we were back in Michigan. The settings were out in the snow by an old covered bridge and in Joy's dad's bookstore. We definitely had fun taking them.

January 2009: Happy New Year

Here is a little video to introduce the new year to you. There is a little foreshadowing as Garrett and Bryce are both playing together in THEIR future shared bedroom. (If you can't hear them well enough you can scroll down and pause the music- basically Garrett says "Happy New Year")

2008 Our Year in Review

Our Twelve Days of Christmas 2008
…On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me,
Twelve Bible Study kids playing,
Eleven loads of laundry piling,
Ten K trail Running,
Nine months a-growing,
Eight partners working,
Seven days star wars playing,
Six monster trucks a-carrying,
Five years a-staying,
Four airplanes a-boarding,
Three softball teams losing,
Two half-days working,
And a Savior in a manger!

2008 has been quite an adventure for our family. Here is a glimpse of what our family has been like over the past year…
Twelve Bible Study kids playing,
You wouldn’t think that a Bible Study with twelve kids (soon to be 13) could actually study the book of Romans and learn anything, but it works. We continue to lead a home group with 6 couples where childcare is provided on site. The 9 boys have been studying modernized roman gladiator war tactics (Nerf guns), and the 3 girls just stay out of their way. We have also been blessed this year with our respective men’s/women’s accountability small groups where we have been challenged and encouraged.
Eleven loads of laundry piling,
Somehow adding Bryce to the mix seemed to more than double the number of loads of laundry we do. In addition, our food budget has grown exponentially, but of course, that food produces energy which can be burned in the form of voluntary helping with chores, mowing the lawn, and raking leaves. Ah, the benefit of two more helpers…
Ten K trail Running,
Imagine: Napa, on our anniversary weekend, without kids, and we are…running a 10K trail race of course. Visions of a simple dirt race danced in our heads, only to be quickly displaced by the reality of running up and down steep cliffs and through streams of running water. Who’s idea of fun and romance was this? Ours.
Nine months a-growing,
We are very excited about baby boy number three due in April 09. The boys were able to go to the ultrasound appointment and see their new brother in 3D and hear his heartbeat. They still have no idea what changes are going to be taking place.
Eight partners working,
Brett continues to work as a hospitalist. This year, he felt called to become a partner to serve as a community liaison to their outpatient doctors. No, that doesn’t mean more pay or benefits, but it does mean more say in how the group is run.
Seven days star wars playing,
“Mommy, it is a dark day for the republic.” Yes, you can say that our children have been totally brainwashed at this point. They pretty much play Star Wars seven days a week. Garrett draws ships on the back of his Sunday school papers and makes ships out of almost everything. Bryce joins in by humming the Imperial March while flying his Millennium Falcon and Star Destroyer. Joy is not immune either, as she watches the new Clone Wars episode on TV every Friday night with us.
Six monster trucks a-carrying,
No more baby toys: Bryce loves everything his brother loves. In one trip, while making truck noises, he carries as many of his prized monster trucks (“bump, bumps”) as possible. He also enjoys saying “ready, set, go” and then running full speed at you.
Five years a-staying,
This is the first time since high school that either of us has lived in one place for more than four years. We feel blessed to be able to invest in the people in our church, neighborhood, and community. Plus, even our boys have a clue when our various fruit trees are ready for harvest.
Four airplanes a-boarding,
We started our travels with our annual trip to Arizona for relaxation, swimming, and, oh yeah, cactus league baseball. With two active kids, Brett doesn’t keep score anymore, but we all enjoy rolling around on the grass, playing catch, and collecting autographs or balls. We got to experience Disney World with Joy’s family who all met up for our Christmas in April. Garrett went on his first big kid water ride (shocked and wet), but wasn’t tall enough to battle Darth Vader at the Jedi Academy (Vader didn’t want to defend his knees). Both boys, interestingly, qualified for the Star Wars gift shop thanks to Grandma. Bryce guaranteed we didn’t wait in line for any Princess autographs or pictures. Later, we went to Idaho to visit Joy’s extended family where the boys were in tractor heaven. Garrett spent most of the days begging to sit in all the farm equipment, but his favorite was getting to ride in a real combine. We spent an extended weekend with Brett’s family at a cabin in the Sierras where we relaxed and watched the cousins play together. Our last trip for the year is still to be had as we write this letter. We plan to travel back to Michigan for a white Christmas this year. Garrett is very excited about the snow and Bryce is just excited about airplanes.
Three softball teams losing,
When we said we were going to softball, Garrett would ask “the big one (A’s/ Giants) or the little one” (Mommy & Daddy). This year we still were able to swing being a part of two coed and one men’s softball teams. Our kids are growing up at these fields before our eyes. They love to join us for clapping hands and then running the bases after the games. Garrett already has mastered the baseball slide into home plate after watching Daddy.
Two half-days working,
Joy is still working at the Public Health clinic seeing children and Christian refugees from Iran and Iraq. Since the addition of Bryce, she works two half days. This seems like the right balance between work and home: a rewarding place to use the talents and education that God gave her, while just enough to keep her sanity and foot in the door. When Joy is at work the boys enjoy getting to spend more time with Daddy, which often includes a Star Wars day or possibly a run to Toys R Us. The rest of the gaps are filled in by Grammy and Poppy and a gal from church who comes to the house.
And a Savior in a manger!
Finally, as we reflect on all the adventures our true love (God) has provided to challenge and grow us through the last year, we look to the one Savior in a manger. What an awesome gift of love and life He has given us that we celebrate this Christmas. Above all, may you know the peace and love His gift brings.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Brett , Joy, Garrett (3 ½), and Bryce (17mo)

Visiting With Friends

We had some fun times with friends this month too. Garrett and Bryce went to a Christmas faire with Noah and Brianna where they took pictures with Santa and ate lots of candy. We met Mike and Amy who were in town from Maine with their three boys (we have another thing in common) for dinner. Nicki joined us for lunch before we flew out of Michigan.

Our secret plot to be trouble has been discovered, maybe we should just take a silly picture...

Mommy was envisioning her life with three boys as we hung out with Mike and Amy. Tokens sure disappear fast when you're having fun.

Hey Nicki, pretty soon I'm gonna try to pick you up for a picture, what do you say?

Bryce 17mo

Bryce graduated from the baby chair to a booster seat at the table this month and he seems much happier and willing to eat more food. He continues to chase after his brother and do anything and everything his brother does-for better or worse. It seems like he thinks he is two already, and sometimes we forget he is barely 1 and 1/2 years old. His vocabulary continues to expand and he surprises us with some words that seem to come out of nowhere--crystal clear.

My order for this meal will include a bowl of life cereal, some juice, and maybe some Diego (yogurt)...please.

Don't I look like a little junior olympian in this outfit?

Bryce the builder, can he fix it?

Ooohhh, I get my own coloring paper now, how do you do this?

Garrett 3y7mo

Garrett has surpassed the 3 and 1/2 mark and is beginning to realize he is going to be four and the big brother to two guys, but the weight of all that is not slowing him down. He is an experienced traveler, having mastered going through security and having memorized the emergency procedures for the plane flights. He is playing with his little brother more and more, but still wants time away from him. He started taking tap dance this month with his friend Jace and so is learning the song "Born to be Wild."

Oh, boy, two little brothers to keep track of and protect my stuff from, I have a bad feeling about this.

Let me show you how exciting your time with me can be.

Grandpa and I share some laughs together.

Have you ever made a snowman out of marshmellows and just wanted to eat it the whole time?

Daddy found my ticklish spot.

I've got my Star Wars pajamas on with all our figures out on the table ready for battle.

Bowling

We all went bowling while in Michigan and this was Garrett's first time doing actual bowling. He proudly went up to the line and swung the ball back and then let it fly, or shall we say roll very slowly as it bounced between the bumpers. Joy couldn't complain too much about the bumpers since she got a bumper-assisted strike. Bryce couldn't handle not being involved so he "rode" on Brett's left arm while he bowled each frame.

I did it! I knocked down some pins. How do you like my pose while I watch my ball roll down the lane?

Yeah, I know, that is called a line foul, but when you're bowling with bumpers, nobody cares about a line foul. More importantly check out my form--pretty good I think.

Aunt Alecia showed me a big grin (and big eyes) after her strike.

Charlie taught me the art of polishing and shining my ball before each frame, so I did it. Bryce is tucked in Daddy's left arm as he was all night.

Christmas in MI

Christmas was a great reunion time for Joy's family this year. Aaron and Kaarli flew in from Kenya, Alecia flew in from Iowa, and we came from California to complete the family get together. We played games, laughed, relaxed, and ate together during our celebration on Christmas Eve.

Daddy missed the memo about green as the theme color today.
Mommy was wondering if I was pooping or just making grunting noises, well I can tell you it was the latter.

My first experience with chopsticks, I heard I did better than Uncle Aaron.

Wow, Grandma, I think I fit right in with your angel theme on your tree.

Christmas morning stockings: Bryce liked this little surprise, I had it all scoped out.




Daddy tries to unwrap the present with cooking mittens on, he didn't get very far and I won the game and now I'm $10 richer.

So what is the air speed of an African swallow?

GR Museums

We took in two museums while we were in Michigan: the Children's Museum with Matt and Mary and their four kids and then the Van Andel Museum with Keith and Betsey and their two kids. All of the kids seemed to love the chance to run around, explore, play, and maybe learn a little while keeping warm out of the elements.

Today, my first trick, I will ride an old bicycle that is twice as tall as I am.

I think you'll notice that we are a little more bundled up than Keith and Betsey, maybe that's because they live here...

I got to play with balls and drive cars, what more could a boy want?

Mommy and her friend Mary and the 6 kids: I'm feeling pretty lucky right now between two cute blondes.

Daddy left the keys in the rental car and away we went...

Bubbles to catch and bubbles to make...that bubble is bigger than my head?






This is combat training for 18 month olds.