through his eyes...

we recently went as a little family to disney world in florida. despite illness and a few other unfortunate dilemmas, we had a great time. it was so nice to be in an area where it is mostly warm in january, especially considering how much snow we get at home! papa joined us later in the week which was really special.

my sweet boy zach got his very own camera from grammie before the trip. instead of showing you the pictures i took, i thought you'd like to see the magical world of disney through the eyes of my boy. he was so excited to take pictures and being only 5 - i'd say he did a fantastic job. obviously i'm not showing you all of them (there were a lot of blurry ones) but these are the highlights. a photographer in the making? who knows! what i do know is that although he may lack communication skills like the rest of us... his love for life, joy in picture taking, and HOPE in his bright little mind... brings nothing but pure pride to my heart!

enjoy the pictures!!! :)













































































:)

winter wonderland

CHRISTmas was so wonderful. we spent the eve with my parents, morning with just us 4, and afternoon with jerry's family. it was lovely. God is so wonderful. i'm so glad He was born! yay!

the day after CHRISTmas, snow came blowing in.

here are some snapshots of CHRISTmas eve and the day after (the 26th). fun was had by all.

hope you enjoyed being together as a family. i'm sure thankful for the HOPE i have in my Lord and all He has provided for me.

may your new year be just perfect.



my boys christmas eve




the boys with grandma and papa



cute of grandma and zach



my hubby and me



logan in his snow suit



my boys together



walkin' hand in hand



with papa




my beautiful z

christmas fun in DC

met with our Braatz side of the family out in DC for a little pre-CHRISTmas fun.
we had a fun - filled, whirlwind weekend. lots of laughs, food and love were shared by all.

may you and yours have a very merry christmas!

love to you...



on our way to DC with the cousins


my most handsome boy on our way to our "mini vacation"


sophie holding logan's hand and saying ... "ahhhhh!"


at the hotel with my man


seeing the sites with cousin tessa


cousins holding hands, on their way to a new adventure


cutie sophie opening her new jammies


i was so excited to see one of my favorite peeps, keirsten, from college... she came to see me for a quick visit. love her!


whole fam (minus parents) at dinner


Merry CHRISTmas from my little family



after a workout at the build a bear workshop! :)



boys in jammies i made for them...



cousins posing in the jammies



santa with the cousins



lovin zach's face as he hugs santa. pure bliss



courtney and zach in line to see the Grinch's ice kingdom



sisters in law. we are so cool in our parkas



the braatz boys



me and the boys!

i have a [gulp] 3 year old

little logan bennett braatz is 3 today.

good grief.

i love him.

he makes my heart happy.

he is super silly.

smart.

stinkin' adorable.

funny.

trouble.

mr. attitude.

imaginative.

thoughtful.

a good eater.

a good sleeper (after a few minutes of " rubbing his back, patting his back...etc)

my little joy.

we love you loggie...

happy 3rd birthday.

it. is. finished.

"... let us run the race with endurance the race that is set before us..." hebrews 12:1

hello friends....

i am happy to report that i flew to oregon, saw my bestest from college, and ran in my first ever 1/2 marathon.

i am still alive. i am sore. i am forever grateful for the experience and i already look forward to doing it all over again with my running partners on 10. 9. 11! nope, i'm not crazy... just excited and thankful and give all glory to GOD for the completion.

let me also say i am thankful to my hubs for taking time out of work to watch our boys and have the chance to play with them. i am also thankful to my parents for their active participation as well as prayers from family and friends. you all ROCK!

i completed my mission sunday morning (10.10.10) in super cold rain (seems to be a pattern for me) with my running buddy josh in 2 hours, 45 mins, and 26 seconds. not bad for first try, right? jennifer and her great husband, chris, finished not too far behind us.

can i just be random right here and say how much i love jennifer? it is sad i only get to see her once a year but there is never a time we don't have fun together - this being no exception, soreness and all! :)

i got so many encouraging texts, too, from friends (ie MICHELE :), sweet joy, jess, crystale... etc) while away - i can easily say i'm the luckiest girl alive.

to top things off, after being terribly spoiled by the olsens and my husband's sacrifice to allow me to be "free" for a weekend, my friend noelle came by with 13 balloons representing the 13 miles i ran. how cool is that? love you girl!

sigh! now i gotta start training for next year and hopefully i'll reach my new goal...

but as my sweet joy reminded me... "i can do all things through Christ who gives me strength..." phil 4:13

AMEN!



out to dinner with jennifer... 2 days before the race! ha! :)


morning of race. in parking lot... nervous, excited... and look how super cute we are?! :)


our running partners, chris (jenn's husband) and my new bf :) (that's for you josh), josh!



oh and i did finally get the chance to meet and play with this fantastic little dude, benjamin. a pure love, for sure! i had the opportunity to enjoy sweet girl, avery, as well! love them!!!



the "finisher" shirt. worth it!!! :)



the 13 balloons. yay! thanks noelle

wow.

my husband is really the best husband in the entire world.

it is saturday afternoon and i just got back from the biggest surprise birthday party.

he rented a movie theater

got all my peeps involved

he put together a little movie about me

we all watched a g-rated movie so our kids could be there to celebrate

cake was involved

and snacks for everyone!

i am in shock

i feel extremely loved by my husband

and humbled and blessed to have such great friends and family surrounding me.

today is a good day, indeed!

thanks babe!!! :)