Christmas 2014 & Kelly's Wedding~

 I actually can't even remember to blog anymore, but I love looking back at the pictures and what I wrote so I just can't quite give it up.

 This was truly the one day before Christmas when we were all home and no one was sick, but it was really overcast!  I know I won't care in 20 years if they were perfect or not.

 This little guy is sooooo in love with his sissy and brobro!

 Love my three Thiesens!

 Seriously, this guy!?!  He wears this necklace to school often. A public middle school!!  His summer camp counselor told us he would always raise his hands during worship and how he thought that was so BOLD!  I agree!  Zachary is bold.  Let's just say when he was a bold toddler it wasn't as fun, but God has created Zach for His own purposes and I can see that more and more everyday.

 Since it was overcast for the other pics we did another try before the Christmas Eve service.  Mikayla was kinda sick, but at least it was sunny.  And I have to write this or I won't believe it.  This IS what we wore in December. Ha!  No coats required!

 Christmas Morning!!  Zach actually cried happy tears when he saw this guitar.  

 Landen was more happy about that hover soccer ball than the giant space ship.

 She finally got an iPhone!!!!!  She couldn't believe it!!  Don't tell her it was my "old" one.  Since her last one is at the bottom of the ocean we are a little wary. 

 They are more than happy to pose before opening presents!

 I wrote, "to Fred from Carrie" on the tag and he couldn't figure out what that could possibly mean.  We have been binge watching Portlandia the past several months and I got Jeff a few of the new books.  If you haven't you probably don't get it either, sorry.  But they can be pretty funny if you're exhausted almost 40 year old parents.

 And a skate board!  This guy cleaned up this year, but I will say skateboards are way less expensive than they used to be.

 Every year Landen wraps up a fake spider from Halloween and gives it to Jeff.  And being the great Dad he is he acts super scared and surprised which pleases Landen to no end!  I will be sad when he grows out of doing this prank!

 A rare hug after exchanging gifts!

 He rarely ever gives kisses, but he will kiss you on the cheek when he is very happy!!  Mikayla gave him his favorite character from Planes, Blackout.

 Just a few pictures from the professional photographer from Kelly and Kefri's beautiful wedding!  All credit goes to Nyefotography!

 The "Here Comes the Bride" guy.

 Can't believe we just celebrated our 17 year anniversary!!

 Cutest ever!!!

 Zach played the guitar and I sang "That's What Up" for their first dance.  Zach did amazing!

Fall Fun~

I am so behind on blogging I planned to do a summer recap, but we did so many fun, amazing things it is too much to catch up on.  Maybe some other time I will get to it, but for now I can catch up on some fall fun!

 Pumpkin patch!  

 Thanksgiving at Papa's house.  I have a picture exactly like this 14 years ago when Mikayla was a baby.  It is on my instagram account if you're curious.  My name is 5thiesens on there.

Our baby girl!!

 The Hierlmeiers plus spouses.

 Someone had the bright idea to do silly upper lips for the goofy picture.

 And this would have been our Christmas card picture, but unbenounced to me at the time Zach was still doing the silly upper lip face. I might just still send them out! LOL!

 Celebrating my Mom's 70th birthday at Olive Garden.  We surprised her!

 Me and my Mama!

 Zach at his Winter Band Concert.  He is playing the Baritone Saxophone this year and loves it.  Although I think he might be the only boy big enough to hold that thing!

 Mikayla before her Homecoming dance.  Thankfully, Landen is still the only man on her life!  She went with a group of her new friends from her new high school.  It has been an adjustment, but she is doing ok.

 She has blossomed into a beautiful young lady!  And she is 5'10" now! Crazy!!

 Zach got to play with Mikayla's high school marching band for middle school band night.  He is 4th from the right barely carrying the giant saxophone. But he loves it!  Exactly 20 years ago that very night Jeff and I went to a high school football game on our first official date!!  

 Landen really wanted to take the big kids to the Noah's Ark exhibit at the Skirball museum, so we had a fun family day there.  They are always mostly good sports about doing the things Landen wants to do.

 Oops, some more pumpkin patch fun!

 Landen suddenly loves coloring and took great care to color this bear exactly like the picture in the top corner.  I am homescholing him for Kindergarten and it is going very, very well.  We are having the best time and he is such a willing, bright student!

Really great personalized sight word pad from Frecklebox!

 A beautiful, awe inspiring Socal sunset. This is out my bedroom window.  Words can't describe the beauty God paints in these southern California skies and pictures barely do it justice.

 ~Halloween~

An astronaut! 

Landen has been obsessed with the space shuttle Endeavor since we first saw her at the Discovery Science Center when he was 3 1/2.  He loves learning about planets and space and can tell you all about Endeavor and many other space shuttles.

 Zach decided to be Sheldon Cooper. Ha!  We don't let him watch The Big Bang Theory, but I think his friends at school tell him he reminds them of Sheldon.  Or maybe he just likes to say bazinga!  It's not incorrect to say he is a genius and knows it!

 The Three Thiesens!

 Our beautiful kitty cat! 

 I don't know if this video will work, but it is Zach's solo at his concert. Enjoy!