Merry Christmas

Hello everyone, I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Christmas at the Brainard's house was especially fun this year with it being Austin's first Christmas. I don't think he got into it like his mom did but he did liked the wrapping paper of course. The bow is still in his toy box.

   Noah got his wisdom teeth out the Friday before Christmas. After his appointment we headed over to Jeremy and Deanna's to spend a long weekend. Deanna and I went out for a girls lunch date on Saturday afternoon at the Lunchbox and on Sunday we sang at the nursing home and Austin, Brianna and I payed a quick visit to Nene (Jeanine) and Pat. Deanna and I spent Monday cleaning and getting ready for Christmas Day. We took the three boys outside to play in the snow and slide on the pond. On Christmas Day the Velie family got together at Jeremy and Deanna's house; Grandpa and Grandma Velie and Uncle  Tom and Aunt Kay's family came as well. We had a wonderful spread of tacos with all the fixings you can think of. Grandma played the piano and little kids ran all over the played inside and out; skating and snowmobiling. We played games and everyone eat Christmas goodies and drank hot chocolate. KayLee and I had our annul walk, talk, laughs and photo shoot.
   Everyone says Christmas is a time to love but it is not the only time to love. We should be loving all the time. The Bible teaches us so much about loving. People need to remember that Christmas is not a time of show but rather a time to show love and Christ. Tell people why Jesus came to earth so very long ago. So that He could die on the cross and forgive sinful retches such as I. So while getting caught up in all the hustle and bustle remember to share the greatest gift of all; the plan of Salvation. I know it is the greatest gift I have ever received.

Austin with his present. 

A Car! Noah made it.

He loved the bow.

Happy face!!

Another one.

Another toy made by Dad

Brainard family Christmas 2012

                                Fun times with my Best Friend and our Annual Christmas Tradition

 

Love her!!                       

Snow Fight (She started it!)                            

                                     

                                     

In honor of KayLee 

                                   

Thanksgiving

   I love Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday. Does that mean that I only have to give thanks once a year, or that I need Thanksgiving Day as a reminder to give thanks. I hope not, or I do not understand the true depth of what my Lord and Savior has done for me. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. It is something I am to be doing continuously.  I do love the time of getting together with family and friends, eating a big turkey dinner and visiting and sharing all the wonderful things the Lord had done in your life and all the trials He brings us through. 

   We went to the Whittakers for dinner and had a wonderful time. Pauline made a wonderful turkey dinner. It was so good and Austin would agree. It was Austin's first Thanksgiving and he loved it. He got to eat turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, cranberry sauce and olives. Of course Dad had to give him his first bite of pumpkin pie as well. I think that Austin's favorite holiday is Thanksgiving too. Austin also learned to climb the two living room steps into the kitchen and did it all night long. We had a wonderful time of fellowship and laughter. Of course we eat till we were full and then some more. Pauline's apple pie was yummy. Josiah and family was there along with Ezra so I was able to have Thanksgiving with family and church family. Yes I have so very, very much to be thankful. may I always remember that and continually  show it.  

   We had such a beautiful Thanksgiving week. It was in the 50's all week with a high of 60 a couple of time. Austin and I went out for a walk everyday. Then friday morning we woke up and it was 20 degrees outside with SNOW!!! That is ok with me because I love snow. Of course I bundled Austin and took him out in the snow to play for a little bit. It was cold so we didn't stay out for long.

Austin taking advantage of the beautiful weather we had the week of Thanksgiving.

Austin and Jonathan

                           Austin's first Thanksgiving!

I love turkey dinner!

Did someone say food!

Keep it coming Mom!

YUM!!!

Trying out the stairs.

Hi Dad, look at me!

 

Lets Go Fly a Kite!

 Hi there. We had a wonderful three weeks with my little sister Hope. She stayed with us while my Mom was in Colorado. We had so much fun playing games, going for walks and bike rides. I worked on my homeschooling skills, and she was so much help to me with Austin. I got canning done and so much house work done it was crazy! I had some major cleaning that need to be done in Austin's room and I finally got that done while she was her. I also cleaned my entire house in one day! Noah and I also got to go on a date while Naomi Kowles watched Austin and Hope. It was so fun to get out for couple of hours with my man.

  Well the last weekend that she was with us Noah decided to make a kite with her. Noah and Hope ran around town picking up the supplies they needed and the came home and tackled the project. They went to Josiah's and cut the sticks they needed for the frame and found a pink shower curtain at Goodwill for the body of the kite. Noah was a very willing teacher and Hope loved having something to do with Noah. She loves spending time with him.

Hope and Noah with the frame of their kite.

Austin wants to help too!

Here they are trying it out. 

 

Gotta love that face!!

Austin loves his Dad!

Look at me!

   We packed a picnic lunch, blankets, kites, fishing poles and a camera and headed out for a family picnic. Here are some of our picture from our afternoon at Hodag Park. It was a beautiful fall day with lovely, bright, fall colors. The weather was beautiful and Austin loved playing in the leaves (it was Austin's first picnic). We had to try our new kite out too but, unfortunately there was not enough wind for them to fly it, so they went fishing instead. Austin loved getting to swing and play on the playground. We stuck his hands in feet in the water too! He never gets tired of being outside. It was such a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.We ended the afternoon with going home and taking a nap!

Some fall colors at Boom lake

Loves the swing!

Loves the leaves!      

Noah and Hope fishing. Thought this was so cute!

Loves being outside with his Daddy!

My guys!

Trying out the big kid slide.

Go Hope! She was just a pro on the monkey bars. She showed both Noah and I up.

Canning, canning, CANNING!!!!!

    It has been so fun and such a blessing to be able do some canning and a little freezing this year. Time to take my new canner that I got on sale from Farm n Fleet last year and put it to good use. I got corn and plums (free) from Golden Harvest, green beans and rhubarb from my mom, and apples from my mother in law.  I have been busy, busy, busy the last couple of weeks and loving it. I was so blessed to have my sister Hope here last week and help me with my apples and plums.
There is the list of what I was able to do with it.

   Freezer:
     10 quarts of corn
     several quarts of apple (for pies!)
     lots of baby food!

   Canned:
     10 pints of green beans
     7 quarts of apple sauce
     3 pints of apple butter
     2 pints of plum jelly
    7 quarts of rhubarb syrup

 

Austin watching Hope run apples through the apple strainer.

Green beans

Rhubarb syrup

Apple sauce, apple butter and plum jelly.

Austin and his Aunt Hope outside.

Rhubarb pie for Noah

   Canning brings back lot of memories of my childhood and I get warm fuzzy feelings! I love it and it makes me feel productive and like my mom! I love being like my mom and I strive to be like her in so many ways. She is a busy lady from sun up to sun down. You should see her pantry and freezers. Throw a chicken butchering weekend in there as well. I love the country life and the do it yourself from scratch food preparations! So thankful to the Lord for his many blessings!

    Well I now have my canning all done and my canner and strainer put away for the year. Our pantry shelfs and freezer are full (for Austin as well) and I am now ready for fall. It is so in the air.  Time to bring out the fall decorations!

 

Labor Day

   We had a pretty quiet day. Noah worked for a couple of hours at the shop. Austin and I cleaned the house and went for our usual walk and played outside. His newest outdoor toy is the clothesline. His feet start kicking and his arms waving when every we walk near it. If I hold him up to the line he will grab it with both hands and put his mouth on it and laugh and laugh and laugh.  I got a surprise visit from Rachel Towle and had a wonderful chat with her. Noah and Austin took a nap in the afternoon while I just putts around. The to finish off the evening we had a bonfire with smores, Velie style and our family devotions. It was a very lovely evening together as a family. It was so fun to watch Austin watch the fire. He loved his first taste of roasted marshmallow. Yep start them out young I say! One lick was not enough and I had a mad little boy on my hands for a little bit. Austin likes food more than any other baby I have ever seen.

Waiting for the fire to be just right for roasting marshmallow!

Our family

Austin covered in marshmallow!