FUDGCICLE FACES!!!

IT'S GREAT TO BE A KID!!

It's Official!

Well, effective February 2nd Jasen will no longer be a State of Alaska employee. He officially handed in his notice today. This step is a huge one for us, but one we know is right and will be good for our family. Please pray for us through the transition, I'm sure there will be some "moments"!

Jasen has been on leave for the past month working on an extensive project for my parents. It will take him through the end of February first part of March. We are getting everything lined up for his business, there is alot to think about, but it is coming together :)

Happy Birthday Adam!

Four years ago today, I was laying in a hospital bed totally shocked that we had another little boy....we all thought Adam was going to be a girl! He has been such a joy for us to watch grow, he is such a sweet boy, with a tender personality, and quite the character too!!

Party pics to follow tomorrow!!

Tennessee (just for Ted!)

Two weeks before Christmas, Jasen headed down to Nashville Tennessee for his friend Ted's wedding. The breeder we bought Macy from was also in the area, so he picked her (the dog, not the breeder!) up the same weekend.

It was Jasens first visit to Nashville. There is such a huge emphasis on music which he enjoyed, and the people there were very warm and friendly. I think it is definitely a place we will put on our "places to consider moving to" list when the time comes!

He got to do a little sightseeing, he toured The Gaylord Opry Hotel, which was incredible. He also took a couple of hours to walk around downtown Nashville at night and listen to the different live bands play. Next time, I get to go!!

Welcome to Wickerts Salon!

It has definitely been a stylin' weekend at our house. The twins got their first real haircut, and the dog got her first bath!

Before...

During...

....and after

Christmas

Well I guess, seen as Macy has been mentioned on a couple of other blogs, I should probably get round to mentioning her too!! We had a great Christmas, the kids were very surprised, and so excited about the arrival of little Macy. She is alot of fun, and really hasn't been too much work so far. She is getting the potty training down well, and sleeps at night, with no middle of the night trips outside and no crying. We are working on biting, she seems to have taken a liking to Leahs flesh!!! Anyway, here are a couple of pictures of the morning!

Jaden finally had his prayers answered, but he still can't believe she is his to keep.

We ate Christmas dinner over at my Mom & Dads, as we always do, this year we were joined by the Cookes, The Johns, and the Linders. We had lots of fun, although having lots of kids to take care of makes it a little stressful at times :)

Role Models

Jeremy Baums influence is definately rubbing off on our boys! The other day they came out of their bedrooms, armed with every kind of weapon they could find, shouting "We are Jeremys, and we are off to the woods to go hunting animals!!!" Thanks a bunch Jeremy, I now have two bloodthirsty boys, your example is priceless!!

Singing Tree

Well, that time of year is upon us again. The Singing Christmas Tree is performing this weekend! Jasen, the boys & I went tonight. I have to say I think it was the best music of any tree I have heard, the songs were great this year.



Of course one of the highlights was listening to my stud of a brother sing a solo, well, duet with Jodi it was really good!


I got a couple of cute shots after the performance, this one with "Uncle D" and one with friends Selma & Raymie!!

So I started my Christmas decorating tonight. Jasen is at work, the kids are all in bed, I have all of my candles lit, I am listening to a great Christmas saxaphone CD, it is SO peaceful!! I had to laugh though, because all of my decorations are a good 2 to 3 ft off the ground :) With two toddlers running around, ya do what ya gotta do!!! I guess it gives "stockings were hung by the chimney with care" a whole new meaning!!!

Christmas!!

In just 26 days it will be Christmas again. The months go by so quickly, it seems that we were just packing up last years ornaments, and burning the tree, which we harvested from our own back yard!!

We kicked off our Christmas celebration a little early this year. My Mom, Chris Cooke and I hosted a Christmas tea for the ladies in our church. There were about 50 ladies, it was a really fun evening for everyone, including us!!
We have also been experiencing some unseasonably cold weather. It has been VERY, VERY nippy. The boys have had fun getting bundled up and going out to play.

This is my very favorite time of year. I love to bake, wrap presents, and decorate. I enjoy the fact that it gets dark early, so I can light candles and be cozy. This year, I have no other commitments and I am so looking forward to a laid back, relaxed and enjoyable Christmas.

Thanksgiving at the Wickerts

I know I am a couple of days late posting thanksgiving pictures, but I had to do it seen as everyone else has!! We had a great day. Jasen took the boys down to the beach, it was very cold but it was such a beautiful day.


The Longs, the Baums, Monica Douglas and Shawn Caskey came over for dinner, along with my parents and Dave & Jenn of course. The food was yummy, the company was great, we ate WAY too much, and we laughed alot!!

My kids found it very entertaining to pull all of their books off the shelf in the living room, it kept them occupied for a long time though!

Changes Ahead

Things are changing in the Wickert home over the next few weeks. Firstly we are getting a dog, which we are very excited about. Jaden, with Sydney's help is slowly overcoming his fear of dogs, so we feel that it is a good time, so they can all grow up together :)

Secondly, I have officially handed in my notice at the daycare. Over the last couple of weeks, it has been made very apparent to me that I just don't have the time needed to effectively run the facility. I am slowly learning, and it has taken me a while to figure this out.......that my job right now is to stay home and raise my kids, look after my house, be there for my husband, have an open and hospitable home etc!! I know many of you are saying "duuuhhh", but this has been a process for me. Up until having my children I worked full time, in good jobs with good pay. Since deciding to quit and be a stay at home mom, I have never really put to bed the desire to continue working outside the home. I have always felt a need for more than "just home & kids". I tend to thrive in a challenge and I like to be busy. Over the last few weeks though, I am finally realizing that this is where I am at right now, and this is what I should be doing. It was confirmed to me last week when Jaden asked me "Mommy, why don't you play with me much anymore?" If that doesn't break your heart nothing will....... So, to cut a long story short, I know this is the right decision for me, us at this time, and I can actually say that I am content with it.

Thirdly, Jasen is in the process of making a huge career change. At this point he is planning to give notice at his state job by the end of the year, and go into business for himself. This is a big step for us, leaving the security of benefits, and retirement, but he is convinced that this is the right time, and I trust that.

So, you can pray for us, and also hold me accountable!! If I come up with anymore hairbrained ideas, PLEASE hollar a huge "NOOOOOO"!!! Thanks :)

Macy!

Well, our decision is made. Thanks to all of you that had input :) We chose little "turquoise" who we have named "Macy". Jasen will be bringing her home from Tennessee on December 18th. She will be staying with Dave & Jenn until Christmas morning. It was very hard to decide because they are all so cute, but she is the one I have been drawn too since the beginning.

The boys have no clue whatsoever, but Jaden said to me the other day "Mommy, you know the thing I most want for Christmas? A Retriever puppy" You don't know how bad I wanted to tell him... but I controlled myself well. Christmas this year is going to be one of those you never forget..... I can't wait :)

Input Please!

So, we are coming to the point of having to pick a puppy. They are all so cute, but I think we have narrowed it down to three. They are now almost four weeks old, and their eyes are just about fully open. We did get our families opinion, what do you guys think? Purple collar, Yellow collar or Turquoise collar?

Ready for Winter!!

It has been unusually cold here for the last 2 or 3 weeks. I think we may be heading into a very cold loooooong winter!! At least my kids are prepared and excited for lots of snow.

Visit from Friends

We had a great visit this afternoon with Bob & Flo Benton, our good friends from Sitka. Bob is here preaching for my Dad while he is gone. They hadn't met the twins, so were anxious to come over and see them. As you can see the kids loved them instantly and didn't seem to be intimidated by Bob's size........he's just a big teddy bear!

Sweet

Becky snapped this picture tonight, I thought it was sweet. Jaden is a great big brother.

Dough Boy!!

Most of you that know us, and our children, know by now that Evan is the little monkey in the family. He is the sweetest, cutest thing, but I can not leave him alone for one minute without him getting into something. Becky was over for dinner tonight, and we were having a nice, actually quite relaxing chat, when Jaden came running in to the living room "oh no mommy look what Evan's doing, he made a big mess!" Sure enough, Evan had made his way into my baking cupboard and this was the result!! Isn't he cute though? :)