2014

"Aslan, Aslan. Dear Aslan," sobbed Lucy. "At last."

The great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell,

half sitting and half lying between his front paws.

He bent forward and just touched her nose with his tongue. 

His warm breath came all round her. She gazed up into the large wise face.

"Welcome child," he said.

"Aslan," said Lucy, "you're bigger."

"That is because you are older, little one," answered he.

"Not because you are?"

"I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger."

C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian

Yes, God. Let that be true of us this year.  May we continue to find You bigger and deeper still.

Four-Oh

 We celebrated Jeff's 40th last week, and thus starts the year of "40 Things" that Jeff is going after.  These include running goals, reading 40 books, etc. I thank God for this amazing man that we get to share life with.  I am grateful for how he lives his life-intentional, on purpose, and pursuing God. I'm thankful for the adventures Jeff takes us on and for how he leads our family spiritually.  He is often one to take risks, hike off the beaten path, and go into uncharted waters (literally as well)!  This challenges and inspires me to live life to the full.

 Whether it's hiking in the Rockies, or at an orphanage in India,

 or jumping waves in the Pacific (all of which Jeff had the ideas to do), I'm so happy to be along his side for this journey!

One

 On January 7, we celebrated Chapman David's first birthday!  Above is one of my favorite pictures taken of him recently.  He's won our hearts and we all love him like crazy. If I counted how many kisses he gets each day, it would probably number in the fifties.  Sometimes I fear we smother him...

 I can't believe a year has passed since he snuggled in close as a little newborn.

Some of my favorite things about him: When the kids get home from school, he's often the first one they ask for and want to see. We call him all kinds of nicknames like "Chap-O," "Happy Chappy, " "Chappers," or "Chappy Dave." Chap does a silly wiggle head bob dance when he's happy eating his food.  Hudson wrestles with him, and I carry him around like he's my koala baby, along for the ride. When it's time to lay him down, I sing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and that's his cue for his thumb to go in his mouth and his tiny hands to grasp onto his blanket.  He rarely fusses at those times, but just looks up at me contentedly.

Happy Birthday, Chaps!  We hope that you continue to grow and learn to love your Maker.  May you follow in His footsteps all the days of your life.  We are so thankful that God chose you for our family.

Winter Fun

 We've enjoyed getting tons of snow this year.  Here's our jolly snowman that greeted people in front of our house for a few days until the temperatures got warmer.

 Here are the Reichanadter cousins for our annual photo in front of the log cabin.  This was taken moments before Chap leaned a bit too far forward and did a face plant in the snow.  There were only crying pictures after that!

 We went skiing with the Lehmans at Bittersweet.  It was great to see the kids learn to ski and get brave.  By the afternoon, Clay was doing slopes that I still won't do!

 While the kids play outside, Chap watches longingly from the french doors.  I think next year he'll be out there with them!

 One more special event of this winter has been a visit from our former neighbors, the Stiansen family.  They are some of our kids' best friends.  How many kids can you fit on a couch? At least 10!