Our letter for Christmas 2007

A sweet little voice singing We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year has been ringing through our house for the last two weeks. Christmas 2007 has already been like no other Christmas in my past. Yes, we had wonderful Christmas' as I was growing up but seeing the Christmas spirit in my own child is amazing. This is the first year that Ryan really "gets" Christmas. I find myself taking mental pictures (and digital) constantly so I can remember these special moments forever. The idea of Christmas, both religiously and commercially, is so pure and fresh in the world of a three year old.

I might as well start with Ryan since he is number 1 in our house. Ryan continues to be a smart, funny and charming little boy but with age 3 came Mr. Independent. There are pros and cons to newly found independence. I no longer have to watch him like a hawk because he can play responsibly on his own or with friends but when it comes to getting his shoes or coat on by himself, it takes forever. I have been working on being patient but that is tough when you are in a hurry. I am always reminding myself to take a deep breath.

Ryan's biggest accomplishment of the year is preschool. It took a couple of weeks to adjust to the idea of preschool but he loves it now. He is doing great academically, it is wonderful to see the eagerness in him to learn. I love it. His social skills have also greatly improved. I am so glad we made that last minute decision to enroll him in preschool because it has been a positive influence in his development in the last 3 months. Don't get me wrong, he still has his 3 year old moments but most of the time he is a true joy to be around.

The farming blood runs thick through Ryan's body. He spent lots of time in the tractor this year. When he isn't riding in the tractors he is playing with his gazillion toy tractors. We have inside tractors, outside tractors, bath tractors, tractors in mom's purse and tractors in the Tahoe. We recently dug up some of Ben's tractor that he played with as a child. It is neat to see Ryan treasure the same toys that Ben got so much joy out of. There are a few other things that Ryan likes such as trains, games, firetrucks, swimming, being outside as much as possible and spending time with grandma and grandpa.

We took several trips this year. I love to travel so I am always looking for opportunities to hit the open road. In the beginning of July, Ry and I visited my aunt, uncle and cousins in southern Missouri then met up with my grandparents and headed to southern Alabama for a family wedding. At the end of July, all of us went to Colorado. We visited Ben's sister and brother-in-law in Colorado Springs, went to Pikes Peak, Black Canyon, Durango and other places along the way. My favorite part was Black Canyon and Ryan's favorite part was riding the Durango/Silverton narrow gauge railroad. I have been to Colorado lots of time but it always a place I have no problem returning too. In August, we joined my family in Omaha to celebrate Ryan and my nephew's birthdays. It was nice to have all of us together for a whole weekend. Ryan and I took our 2nd annual trip to Prairie Du Chien, WI and spent a few days on the Mississippi River. Ben's aunt has a place on the river. We go in the fall when the leafs are changing and the apple orchards are having their festivals. We take this trip with Donna but we were very happy that Lynn could join us this year. I am already looking forward to returning next year, I love it over there in the fall.

Ben has been busy farming and trucking again this year. We had a pretty good crop this year. Not as good as some years but not as bad as others. His annual "guys" trip was to Canada this year. They fished for a whole week. The 2008 trip is already planned...fishing in northern Minnesota in July. Ben says he is taking Ryan this year, we'll see ;) Ben has taken an interest in old tractors this year. He has bought and sold several. Mostly John Deere two cylinders but he just purchased an IH 1026 so that is something different. Now you know where Ryan gets his tractor fever from.

It is so hard to come up with things about myself. I continue to be a stay at home mom, best but hardest job ever. I help out in Ryan's classroom as much as possible, I joined the local MOPS group, we were also involved with playgroup again this year. I enjoy scrapbooking and stamping. I created a lot of cards this year so hopefully next year I can do more scrapbooking. I also have a secret passion for photography. My goal in 2008 is to learn all the technical aspects of taking photos. I am just starting to work with the manual mode of my camera. If I can talk Ben into getting a SLR digital camera, I would like to take a few photography classes next year.

Wanna see some photos from the past year? I don't have to worry about using to much paper or ink so sit back and enjoy.

Early Spring

Easter

New colt

Tractor Ride

Fishing

Fishing at Grandpa and Grandma Knerr's cousins Father's Day
New quad

Love riding horses

Fourth of July in MOBiloxi, MS
Durango/Silverton Steam Engine - CO
Becoming a Godmother to Madelyn MaeWater Bug - Omaha
My side of the family in Omaha
Best Friends - Jack, Maddy and Ryan

Riding Thomas the Train in Boone

Driving Great Aunt Cina's boat on the Mississippi River

My birthday

Halloween - Pirate

Playing with daddy's toy tractors before bed SNOW ANGELS! Talking with Santa I guess the best way to end would be simply...We are healthy and happy, we wish the same for you and your families. Have a great 2008! May God bless you many times over.

Feel free to check our website as often as you would like. I do a pretty good job of keeping it updated.