Good ol' January

 January started on a good note with Dan's family assembling here in CO! It was so fun to get the cousins all together! They are sure to be dear friends! (Their mommies quite require it!) :)

6 weeks apart: Sophia and Graysen (Caleb and Erin's adorable little munchkin)

 The Leman Cousins Three! Graysen, the beautiful Soraya (Joel and Kristi's) and Sophia

 I think Sophie enjoyed meeting her other Leman aunties and uncles!

 She and Aunt Tif are already pals :)

 Playing with Graysen! (Sophia is quite fond of her uncle Jake too...and he her) :)

 Our beauties from Mexico!

 It was kind of weird having everyone over and it being our house...not Dan's parent's! 

Love Soraya's fuzzy bear coat! :)

 We have started having our time in the mountains in the summer since our family now has several youngsters and there is a lot more to do in the summer! So this winter we stayed around Aurora. Went to the Rec center a couple times for basketball, hot tubbing, and volleyball. We also explored the Western Stock Show! Even though it was really cold that weekend we sure enjoyed being all together again...and can't wait for this summer! :)

This little miss recieved this in the mail the other week! 

All ready to go to Haiti at the end of this month! 

(I think received her passport about 2 weeks after sending it in!!! Prompt service!)

 Excuse the classic teenage girl mirror photo...but I had to take a picture of Sophia all bundled up for a walk! It was such a nice day...but didn't want her to get chilled!

 Daddy took his girls to the RODEO!!! A first for me...and it was AMAZING! Sophia did great too!

 Smiles! She can be quite smiley at times...unfortunately, I don't seem to be too pro at catching those moments on camera!

 

 Fred, Jodi and Letty came to visit for several days!!! It was so good to be reunited again...

We went to the Rodeo again! Jodi and I agree that it was so fun to watch our husband be together again...such good friends...

 

 The girls did such a great job! Before too long they were both cashed out!

All prettied up for church!

 :)

 Sunday evening we were able to have the young people come over to spend some time with Fred & Jodi (and Letty too, of course!)

 Dominique, Sophia and Tif

 Monday we went bowling! "Uncle" Jared joined us!

(Jared is a brother to my sister-in-law Kristi)

 Go Daddy Go!

 The girls hang'n out while their mommies and daddies bowled

 I don't know why I didn't take a picture...but Fred and Jodi brought the "Farming Game" and we just might have spend hours playing it! We really had a great time with you guys! You are welcome anytime! 

Somebody is sitting in her Bumbo that we're borrowing from Mike and Sherice Reinhard :)

  

 Oh, hi there Mr. Monkey!

  

 We think she looks kind of cute in the buff...but she doesn't quite know what to think...

(Pretty sure she had just had a blow out!...goodness little girl....)

  

January was a fun month for us! We're looking forward to going to Haiti at the end of this month! So excited to take Sophia to meet her Grandpa Gutwein, Aunt Alisha and Uncles Mark, Derek and Joel! I know my mom is excited to see her again too! I'm really looking forward to introducing her to my Haitian friends as well. I already know how Mme. Lulu (our houselady) is going to respond: Jumping up and down (she's in her 60's mind you!) with raised hands saying, "Thank you Jesus!" 

Much love!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Lemans! 

 

Jesus has come! Hallelujah!

This year I've been struck by the words in the Christmas Carol 

"Good Christian Men Rejoice"

Good Christian men rejoice
With heart and soul and voice!
Give ye heed to what we say
News! News!
Jesus Christ is born today!
Ox and ass before Him bow
And He is in the manger now
Christ is born today!
Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye hear of endless bliss
Joy! Joy!
Jesus Christ was born for this
He hath ope'd the heav'nly door
And man is blessed evermore
Christ was born for this
Christ was born for this

Good Christian men, rejoice
With heart and soul and voice
Now ye need not fear the grave:
Peace! Peace!
Jesus Christ was born to save
Calls you one and calls you all
To gain His everlasting hall
Christ was born to save
Christ was born to sa ve

 What JOY and HOPE we have because that little baby grew up to hang on a cross and rise again for our salvation!!! Praise HIM!!!

 

(We know that our Christmas card arrived to many of you scratched up (no more using Target and sending postcard style for us!) We're sorry!)

December Happenings

December has thus far had several enjoyable events. Of course there is Christmas-y things like the Sunday School Christmas Program, Christmas Carloling, and Christmas cookie making. We also enjoyed some lovely snow views in the mountains! It had been so nice here in Aurora that I was desirous of some snow so that it kind of felt like Christmas time! The mountains nicely obliged! (As I write this though, it is a winter wonderland outside! Maybe we'll have a white Christmas after all!?!?!)  Here are some photos of our recent adventures!

Mountains and Jeep'n! It's not just two of us anymore! Sophia was so good though that at one point Dan asked, "Do we still have a baby in here?!?!" Guess she likes Jeep'n! :)

 Hanging out while Dad gets us unstuck from the snow! Ooops!

 Nothing like getting your diaper changed in the front seat of a Jeep! haha...

 Not a bad view in your mirror! God is quite the artist!

 Good job Daddy! It was the most lovely spot to get stuck...(oops, misjudged that spot in the snow!) A sunny, clear, crisp day with gorgeous views all around!

 Snuggled in for the ride!

 The trains we saw on our Jeeping adventure...

MOVING! All of my stuff is now residing in the kitchen! It's hard to believe that Mom and Dad Leman move into their new house (and out of our new house!) in less than two weeks, Lord willing! Though we are both looking forward to having our own spaces again, I think it will be a little sad!

 It's Christmas cookie time!

 Dan and I celebrated our 3rd Anniversary! My friend Autumn offered to curl my hair for our date night! (Thanks!) We went to dinner at Jim & Nicks (yummmmm) and even though we had Sophia with us, we hardly would have known it, she was kind enough to let us have a quiet dinner!

This is what she thought of Mom and Dad's anniversary....whatever.....zzzzzz

 We hope that you all are enjoying your pre-Christmas December days as well!

There's a weed growing!

 At least that's what it feels like. Our sweet Sophia is growing fast! It has been so fun to watch her little fingers get chunky and her cheeks get round! She is smiling intentionally now and even cooing some! When people ask how everything is going and how I like being a mommy all I can say is, "I LOVE IT!". She has been sleeping pretty well at night: she normally has a couple/few hour stretch followed by a 5-hour stretch followed by a 3-hour one. She is definitely well loved by those at church as well as her family! It has been fun living with Grandpa and Grandma Leman and it will be an adjustment when they move into their new home in a couple weeks!

*Sorry about the poorer quality of some of the photos...they are phone pictures!

Her first dress...a gift from the Martins :)

 Ready for a tea and treats at Ema's with her adorable blanket from Great Aunt Joan!

 And a bow from Aunt Kristi :)

 Guess who she's looking at with those adoring eyes?!?

 Her Daddy!

 Baby its cold outside! Good thing Victoria A. has her prepared! A little big still but she's snug as a bug!

 Chilling out while Dad and Mom decorate for Christmas

 In style!

 Though she doesn't appear to be a fan in this picture, Sophia does like her balancing tricks with Dad!

 :)

 Sophia and I went to visit Claire and her mom last week! Claire loves holding her! Wondering why Sophia's foot is out of her clothes? Claire wanted to look at and feel her toes! :)

Bath time! Isn't such a fan of the sponge bath, but loves the real deal!

 Girls night at Aunt Tifani's! Christmas cookies and games :)