January Catch Up Post

After not posting since the summer, we wanted to start back up for 2014.  So far, it's March and we haven't posted yet so it was time to get back on track.  :)

STOP IN BILLINGS, MT:
For Christmas in December, we celebrated in Kalispell, Mont., with Chelsea's family.  We drove this year so we didn't have to board Ace at the kennel but that also meant for 4 long days of driving in wintry conditions.  However, one benefit of driving was being able to stop in Billings on the way home and see Jon's brother and sister-in-law and their two twin boys!  Jon's birthday was over break and we all celebrated in Kalispell (thanks to Chelsea's mom who made a delicious ice cream cake in the shape of a tennis ball!) but when we got to Billings, Amy had also decided to treat Jon with a homemade Oreo pie (Jon's favorite and only pie he likes).

In addition to eating a delicious meal, not sure how Amy does it all managing two 18-month old twin boys and preparing a wonderful meal every time we come to visit, but the pesto chicken was great!  We also found time to play a game of Stone Age as well as catching up on everything in our lives.

Cody and Jaden got into some fun with Ace in the nursery.

The boys getting kisses from Ace before dinner.

Aunt Chelsea reading Jaden and Cody a book before bedtime.

Jon and his birthday cake.  Thanks Amy!

Jason and Amy with the birthday boy. 

Playing some Stone Age; Birthday boy Jon won the game.

ALEXA VISIT:
One of Chelsea's best friends, Alexa, and former roommate from college came up to visit from Texas for a weekend for Val's bachelorette party.  It was great to see her and spend some time with her for a few days.  Thanks for helping Chelsea with all the prep and getting ready for the bachelorette party and for driving all the way up for a weekend.  We owe you a visit!  :)

Chelsea, Val and Alexa before
going out for dinner.

Thanks for a great visit Alexa!

YOUNG ROADS SKI TRIP:

On a Saturday in late January, a few of us from our Bible study community went outside Omaha to a "hill" here in the midwest plains.  It was the first time that either of us had been skiing since middle school but it was a lot of fun.  Jon went down the sole black diamond a few times while Chelsea said once was enough.  We haven't had a super snowy winter so the ski place made a bunch of fake snow but it started turning to ice so that was the only downer; it wasn't very powdery.  However, it was a great day with friends and we hope to go again next year!  

Front Row: Bre and Matt
Back Row from L to R: Andie, Chels, Jon, Mark, Wendy,
Amanda and Benjy

SHOES FROM BE WELL SERVE WELL:

A perk to working for a Lutheran organization is the health insurance and their rewards program.  We had to document our working out routines, daily fruits and vegetable intakes as well as our preventative screenings.  We then earned several visa gift cards based on our performance for the year and we decided to use those for a series of new shoes.  Jon got a pair of tennis shoes, a pair of volleyball shoes as well as a pair of winter boots.  Chelsea was able to buy a pair of volleyball shoes, a pair of running shoes for her upcoming half marathon in May for her training.  Chelsea also got a pair of leather brown boots but they hadn't come in the mail yet so they aren't pictured.  Thank you Concordia Plan Services!  We also got a new home phone with two handsets as well as paid off our dental bill.  What a great use of funds!  Can't wait to fill out the Be Well Serve Well information for 2014.

FIRST ADULT BAPTISM AND GAME NIGHT:
At the end of January, Jon was able to witness his first adult baptism.  One of the perks about working from home is that he has flexibility to go to church for a half hour and come home without a problem.   It was pretty special to see as this girl is a part of our Bible study community and with the help of her neighbor, another friend from Young Roads, she decided she wanted to become a Christian.  It was special to be there and Pastor Schnake did a great job making it a mini service and not just the baptism insert in the front of the hymnal.  Also, that following night, we then had a mini celebration and get together to play some games and celebrate.

Pastor Schnake baptizing Betty; Rachel and Kensy watching.

Patrick, Chels, Kensy, Kyle, Angela, Rachel and Betty playing
WhooNu at the game night.