New threads from Aunt Sara

Aunt Sara made this cute kimono style top for Karina.

Karina Ann Spohr

It has taken us a while to post pictures. It has been a crazy 2 weeks! Here is our sweet daughter, Karina Ann Spohr.

Big brother Benjamin loves her. He has been very sweet to her. When she cries he often says, "I am going to go check on Karina" or he sings to her. Children of the Heavenly Father and Rock-a-by Baby are favorites. Yesterday Karina was asleep in our bedroom and we were all sitting in the living room. Ben went in and then came out and said, "I gave a car to Karina." For those of you that know Ben, you know that he loves to hand out cars to everyone in the room. A while later I went into our bedroom and there was Karina still asleep with a little car on top of her. I just had to take a picture. Benjamin is a very sweet boy.

Singing Praises!

And now, for the first time on video, we give you the singing Benjamin Spohr.

Christmas Weekend at the Osthoff

We spent the weekend at the Osthoff with Babushka, Dadushka, Jim, Kathy, Alexa, Alex and Mia. The two days were packed with Christmas activities for the kids. We had a great time.

The weekend started with "knee-high" brunch (buffet table at kid level so they can get their own food) and meeting Santa. On our first try meeting Santa, Benjamin cried. After brunch we tried again. This time he ran right up to him and yelled (yes, yelled) "Merry Christmas!" Then he climbed up in his lap and told him all about the fire truck ("a big one") he wants for Christmas.

After brunch we decorated Christmas cookies with Mrs. Claus. Benjamin ate the first cookie plain, but eventually decided decorating was fun. Santa was very impressed with the cookie Ed decorated. (Those kids have nothing on Ed when it comes to cookie decorating.)


We all enjoyed a whole bunch of German food for lunch. No pictures. Just eating. After lunch Ben napped while the big kids made Christmas ornaments with Mrs. Claus. I made Ben's for him - a cute pine cone Christmas tree. We also had time to play outside (lots of snow and a warm day!) as well as go swimming.

On Sunday we had a brunch with Santa and then met a few of his reindeer.

Look How I Have Grown!

6 inches since January! Wow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all! We have so much to be thankful for this year. As we went around the table during dinner with Chuck, Liz, Sara and Bill, Chuck's new heart was at the top of everyone's list for things they are thankful for. Benjamin was in there, too, of course. It is amazing how much has happened this year.
The weekend was full of family and fun. Benjamin LOVES his aunties!! They are so good to him and he has so much fun with them and his cousins. Here are just a few pictures from the weekend.

Charlie declared Benjamin "healthy"

Play-Doh fun!

Aunt Sara is awesome!

Halloween

We had a fun filled day on Halloween with Cookie Monster.

Ed made two cool political pumpkins.

Trick or treat!