MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Santa and I had a GREAT time.

Cousin Cyrus & I love singing Christmas Carols

I love ripping paper!

Kate with Grammy & Papaw Briscoe

Cousin Tate, Mateya & Tregan were so much fun.

Sorry it has taken so long to write! We made the trip to Virginia to be with our Briscoe family this year and we finally slowed down enough to add to the blog. Our family had a wonderful time in Virginia while celebrating Christmas in Indy before and after with the Cole and Toombs family. Ice storms and thunderstorms aside, it was a wonderful celebration with all our family and we thank everyone for all the wonderful memories!! Kate enjoyed ripping paper this year, probably more than finding out what gift was inside. She also was very peticular about throwing away every piece of gift wrap before she would open another gift! Kate made the memorable trip to the mall to have her picture made with Santa, and as we suspected, what an experience!! We will forever cherish the picture of her on Santa's lap. The funny part was as soon as we took her off his lap she started waving bye bye to him as fast as her little hand would wave! Kate had fun with all her cousins during the holiday, and Kate loved following Tregan around as he played basketball. Tate, Mateya, and Tregan kept Kate tired for Mom and Dad which meant she slept very well at naps and bedtime. We attended wonderful Church services and enjoyed celebrating the REAL meaning of the season. We thank the Lord for sending his Son that we might have life! Thanks again to everyone who made this Christmas season so special. Kate now refers to Santa as "HO-HO" and loves touching his white beard (at least grammy's fake santa!). We wish everyone a very blessed New Year in 2009! More Christmas pictures to come!

Ok, Jamie's turn to write!

I had to share the story of our eventful trip down to Roanoke. We drove into a bad ice storm after we crossed the Ohio border on Saturday evening before Christmas. We passed eight cars in the ditch, and many semi trucks were creeping with their hazards flashing. We decided that we would drive to Dayton and try to stop. Chad decided we could just "stop by" our friends, The Kelley's house in Dayton and ask if we could stay the night. I was worried about how Kate would sleep since we were not traveling with a pack-n-play for her to sleep in. We also were not sure if our friends would have a full house of their own family for the holidays. We were welcomed with open arms to stay the night and Mrs. Kelley mentioned that there was a crib set up in the guest room! God knew the need for Kate and mom and dad to get a good night's rest, and He provided a wonderful place to stay the night. We joked with the Kelley's and said they didn't know they were going to have baby Jesus knock on their door looking for a place to stay! Thank you Lord for providing the Kelley's, and thank you Kelley's for your wonderful hospitality! The beauty of God's provision even to the tiniest detail of a crib in the Kelley's guest room makes me certain of God's faithfulness and caring about even our smallest concerns.

Visitors from Sweden!

Our Swedish visitors

Anna & Emelie with Kate & Mom

Kate took Emelie & Anna out to eat.

Kate loves her big Swedish brother Henric

We were blessed this past week to have visitors from Sweden come and stay with us. Henric, the Swedish Golf player who is studying at Grace College had his sister and her friend come to stay for 4 days. They arrived last week and spent 5 days in New York and then came out to Winona Lake to visit Henric. We had a wonderful time visiting and shopping during their visit with us. Henric finished up the semester and they are heading back to Sweden tomorrow. They are spending two days in Chicago before they head back. It was fun for Kate to practice her Swedish and fun for us to have visitors. We thank the Lord for bringing Henric to Grace, Kate has enjoyed finding an older brother! Emelie and Anna, we appreciate you coming to stay with us and we pray you all have a wonderful GOD JUL (Merry Christmas in Swedish)! We are heading to Indy this weekend and then on to Roanoke, VA to be with Chad's family for Christmas this year. We look forward to Kate sleeping through the nite as we travel. Talk to you soon!

Family Brunch in Indy

Kate & Cyrus in their Santa PJ's

I love opening presents!

Toombs family Christmas picture

All the cousins together--what a BLAST!

Kate actually slept part of the way back to Warsaw

Kate took Mom and Dad down to Indy on Saturday for the Toombs Christmas Brunch on Sunday. We had a great time staying with Uncle David, Aunt Megan and Cousin Cyrus. Thank you for opening your home and allowing us to stay. Kate enjoyed playing with her Cousin Cyrus and all his FUN toys. Kate and Cyrus are at the fun age of following one another, watching one another, but not sharing with one another...yet!ha.. Thanks David and Megan for a wonderful evening. We were at Lance and Kristie Ertel's home for the brunch and all the food was great. It was a blessing to have all the family together and see all the grandkids together. We watched the Colts win and headed back to the snowy, cold north. We are looking forward to heading south for Christmas this year... Virginia see you soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Oh! I love Thanksgiving!

I love family pictures.

G-Mom had her hands full on Turkey Day.

Cousin Cyrus & Kate played all day.

Cousin Cyrus does not want to be kissin cousins

We had a wonderful time in Indianapolis with all our family. Kate enjoyed all the turkey, mashed potatoes and of course the dessert! Thanks to G-Mom and G-Dad, Granpa & Granma Cole and all the family for a wonderful time together. It was fun to see cousin Cyrus and Kate together, Kate always wants to kiss cousin Cyrus and he is not into kissing girls...yet!ha! Kate loved having the opportunity to climb stairs over the weekend. I think she would still be crawling up and down the stairs if we would have let her stay. Thanks to all the family for all the wonderful fellowship and food. We thank God for our family!

COLTS GAME!

Mom & Dad had a great time at the Colts game!

It was great to see Uncle Jim & Aunt Betty

I love playing at the Grace games.

Look at me...just like Mom!!

Granpa and Granma Cole bought Colts tickets for Chad's birthday and Aunt Abbie provided the babysitting for Mom and Dad to enjoy the Colts game this past Sunday. It was great to see the new Lucas Oil Stadium and for Kate to have time with Aunt Abbie. We ate breakfast with G-Mom, G-Dad, Uncle Davide, Aunt Megan, Cousin Cyrus, Uncle Justin, & Miss Tracy before the game, it was great to see everyone. We also ran into Uncle Jim & Aunt Betty...it was great to see them and for them to finally meet Kate. Thanks Granpa and Granma Cole for the Colts tickets!! We are looking forward to being with all our family in Indy for Thanksgiving.

Basketball Season Once again!

Basketball Season has started

I love my Barbie Bike from Papaw & Grammy Briscoe

When does the snow come?

Well the fall has quickly given way to winter in Northern Indiana and basketball is off and running once again. We celebrated Homecoming at Grace this weekend and Kate loves watching basketball. It is a different year...no sitting and watching! Kate wants to be moving around and is still learning she cannot participate yet, she is too young!ha. Thanks to G-Mom and G-Dad for coming up and watching Kate while Mom and Dad had the Hall of Fame banquet on Saturday. We wish Grace all the best for a great basketball season!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Look at Me a happy Bumble Bee!!

Hey Mom let me eat some Candy would ya!

Hey my teeth are coming in...see!

I love shooting hoops with dad...even my shoes.

Kate told Mom and Dad that she wanted to be another bug this year. Last year a lady bug this year bumble bee. Grace College was holding a fall fest that was put on by the students, Kate enjoyed watching different games and eating candy. She continues to grow up way too fast, and has become attached to watching Praise Baby videos. Kate also enjoyes shooting hoops with Dad each night...the latest of putting her shoes up as you can see means shooting her shoes too! Happy Halloween!!

Anderson University Homecoming Weekend

Anderson University Homecoming 2008

Grammy & Papaw Briscoe-Cousins Tate, Mateya & Tregan

Papaw & Grammy Briscoe-We love you!

Aunt Lisa & Cousin Reece

Grammy & Papaw thanks for the Disney Bike

Kate took Mom and Dad back to Anderson University for the weekend to experience AU Homecoming for the 1st time since Kate joined the family. It was an extra special weekend, due to Grammy and Papaw Briscoe along with Aunt Brooke, cousins; Tate, Mateya and Tregan all came up from Virginia for the weekend. Plus...we were able to see and stay with Uncle Joe and Lisa Davis and play with cousin Reece. It was great to see Reece & Kate play together really for the 1st time. Thanks to Joe & Leis for being such great hosts! We love you guys!! We had a great time on campus Saturday at the football game and just being together with family and friends. Christmas came a bit early for Kate as Grammy and Papaw Briscoe brought what Kate wanted the most...her own BIKE! Now, Kate wants to ride around the house all day. Mom and Dad must hide the bike and pull it out as a treat in the evenings. Thanks to Grammy and Papaw for a great weekend and for ALL the gifts, it was great to be with you all...we love you!!

Kate Loves Soccer Games

I love the Grace Soccer Games-put me down so I can run!

Go Grace!

I love watching soccer with Mom.

Oh--I love being independent!

Kate has enjoyed the great fall weather we have had in northern Indiana. The Saturday afternoon men's and women's soccer games have been come a fun event for Kate & Mom. She loves watching everyone chase the ball and kick it. Kate is getting faster on her feet and enjoys looking at ants and bugs in the grass. We are heading down to Anderson for homecoming this weekend and get to visit with Grammy and Papaw Briscoe along with Aunt Brooke and Cousins: Tate, Mateya and Tregan.

Check up! ALL GOOD

Granpa & Granma Cole came to visit from Indy

I love Grace Soccer Games!

I love helping Daddy cut the grass

Dad help me push

Kate made her trip to see the doctor for her 15 month check up. The doctor has given her a good report and all is well. She has jumped from the 10th to the 50th percentile for height and weight. Keep growing Kate!! We thank the Lord for her health and her continued daily growth. Kate has also enjoyed starting to help Mom and Dad around the year and you can see Daddy is making her earn her keep by cutting the grass. Kate has started to branch out and likes to dance a bit...stay tuned for video in the near future!! Kate had Granpa and Granma Cole visit from Indy this past weekend. It was great to go to the Grace Soccer game and then to dinner together. Kate loves being with Granma and Granpa.

Visitors this past weekend

The soccer games at Grace-Kate loves to chase the ball!

I love dinner time

Cousin Joe and Lisa visiting from Anderson

Kate received some family visitors this past weekend. Cousin Joe and Lisa Davis (minus Reece) came up on Saturday to see the soccer games and visit for the day. It was great to see and be with Joe and Lisa, we were able to eat breakfast on Sunday before they headed back to Pendleton. We also were blessed with G-Mom and G-Dad coming up for Saturday to visit during the soccer game as well. We were able to go to dinner and spend time together. Kate continues to grow fast and becomes more independent each day. She wants to feed herself and she wants to go where no Kate Briscoe has gone before walking all by herself everywhere! Her new thing is bicycles...she loves to see people riding bikes. As long as we keep a ball in her hands, she is a happy camper. We thank the Lord for her life as she continues to grow so quickly and cherish everyday!

Kate growing up way to fast!

Kate likes to watch Daddy come home from work.

She loves her playhouse...where is the phone?

Kate learning to drive at a young age.

Big brother Henric from Sweden.

Kate has enjoyed FINALLY being home these last two weeks since the softball tournament. To be back in her bed and normal routine has been good for the entire house...especially Mom! Kate has enjoyed going to the Grace soccer and volleyball games to see Dad. She also has found a Swedish big brother, Henric Knutsson from Sweden came to Grace to play golf this year and is from Nassjo where Daddy used to play basketball. He has spent time at the house talking Swedish to Kate. We are thankful Henric is here and wish him all the best for a great year! Her top teeth are finally coming in and she is now in the stage of wanting to feed herself. Next thing you know she will want to take the car for a spin around the block. She loves to wrestle and always wants to have a ball in her hands (I think Dad is happy for that) or find one on TV.