Mike and Jennifer's Wedding

Mike and Jennifer got married on New Year's Eve. What a fun night to get married!
Are you ready for picture overload? You might want to grab a cup of coffee and a snack.

Jacob and Isaac were ring bearers. This was at the rehearsal and from the look on Isaac's face you can see why we had some doubts as to whether he would walk willingly.

This was before the ceremony started. Why do I look so worried when my parents look so happy and at ease?

Look at this handsome ring bearer with his pillow! Jacob was so excited to carry the pillow to Uncle Mike!

My Grandma and uncle came out from MI for the wedding. Oh, and that's our awesome photographer, Mark Leonard, in the background.

This picture is hilarious! I have no idea what they are doing.

Whatever it was, it made Isaac upset.

As you can see, the boys wouldn't walk down the aisle by themselves. Isaac wouldn't let go of Alan and I think once Jacob saw all the people he kinda freaked a little. I saw his big, round as saucer eyes and knew he was nervous. So Alan escorted them down. Hee Hee

This picture cracks me up. Look at Benton holding the bouquet!
On a serious note, I think it was really cool that Benton could marry Mike and Jennifer. We've known Benton for almost 20 years and Mike and Benton's son Brandon have been friends for that long too.

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Mike Boersen!

On to the reception.....
What a handsome bunch of guys! That's the fedora that I got Alan for Christmas.

What a sweet face!

Isn't this the cutest picture?

The boys thought it was pretty neat that their names were on cards at the table. Isaac carried his around for quite a while, showing everyone, 'It's Isaac's!'

Then he found the disposable camera at our table. That was a HUGE hit!

I think he went up to Mike and Jennifer's table to show them the camera about 50 times.

Here he is getting a little photography lesson from Mark.

He's a bit directionally challenged, just like his mom and Oma. Every time he came down the stairs from visiting Mike and Jennifer, he went the wrong way. Here he is looking for us.

The happy couple arriving to the reception. This picture was taken right before (or after) Jennifer stepped in a drainage vent. She lifted her foot and with it came this two foot long grate. Sorry, Jenn! I just had to write the story down so we never forget!!


Uncle Jeff and Jacob. Funny how neither of them is looking at the camera or even the same way, for that matter.

A little dancin'.....


Not sure who had a bigger smile on her face that night - my mom or Jennifer!


This was so, so sweet! They had a time where people could go up and give toasts and Jeff asked Jacob if he wanted to go up there. Amazingly enough, Jacob said yes and then even spoke into the mic. I was so surprised! Of course Jeff had to help him, but Jacob said in just the sweetest voice, 'Congraduwations, Uncle Mike'. Then after a long pause and lots of whispering from Jeff, Jacob whispered, 'and Auntie Jenn.' Oh, I could just hardly stand the cuteness!

Isaac got super crazy and then just crashed. Jacob couldn't sleep with all the fun going on so we ended up leaving a little early so we could get him to bed.
Couldn't you just eat this little guy up with those squishy rosy cheeks?

Congratulations Mike and Jennifer! We are so happy for you!!

Hermits

For nearly 2 weeks Jacob and Isaac were sick. Neither one of them was sick the entire 2 weeks, of course. They took turns. Isaac had a nasty cough and fever and then Jacob got the stomach flu. So sad. :( For 2 days he slept/rested on the couch all day long.
Because everyone was so germ-ridden, we stayed at home so we didn't share the 'love'. At least during the time they were sick it was horribly rainy so we didn't feel like we were missing out on too much, but it is so nice to be able to see people again.

Some kids snuggle with stuffed animals for comfort, but Isaac prefers Thomas and Percy!


At one point they both wanted to rest on the kiddie couch. You can imagine how well that worked! So, I made up a little bed for Jacob made out of couch cushions and he thought that was pretty cool.


Look at those poor, sad eyes! Still has the trains too! He wouldn't put them down even though it was quite difficult to carry his cup of milk, one for Jacob and the trains!

While the boys were sick and lazing around, Alan decided to try his hand at making some homemade pasta. It was so good! He made a rustic sauce to go with it made with pork, onions, carrots, celery and tomatoes. Mmmmm.....I scarfed it down so quickly I didn't get a pic of the finished product.



Sad boy!

Still managed a smile even though he was sick.

Isaac was feeling a little better here - making the bunny dance

Kisses!

I am also glad that everyone was well by the time Christmas rolled around! Now we are hoping to stay germ-free for a long while!!

Christmas

Christmas morning Isaac carried around George and gave Mary, Joseph and the 'Wise Guys' (thank you, Alan) for a little ride in the safari truck.


Around 10:00 we headed over to my parents' for a yummy brunch. I was wearing my Grandma's smock while cutting up potatoes and Alan made fun of me. I think he said something like, 'Wow. That's really something else.' Then he took my picture because he reminded me that I am always telling him he needs to take more pictures of me.
So, I threatened him with a knife. Too bad you can't really see the knife in the picture.

Reading the Christmas story with Boppa before opening our gifts. Isaac had no interest whatsoever in sitting and listening to a story. Go figure!

I got Alan this cool fedora to wear for the wedding. Snazzy guy!

Thomas tub toys from Uncle Mike and Aunt Jennifer. Those were a hit!

Jacob had to help everyone open their gifts. Usually by the time he brought the gift to you it was already half unwrapped. He had so much fun!

Brooms! The boys love to help me clean and they had been pushing a squeegee around as a broom so this will be much more 'effective'.


We got the boys trains - James for Jacob and Hiro for Isaac. Love the look at the excitement on his face!

Mike and I both got my mom an umbrella. That was my fault. When Mike asked for some ideas for mom, I said, 'Oh, she needs a new umbrella' Then I forgot I told him that and got one for her. She thought they were both so cute that she decided to keep them both.

Isaac really threw himself into opening this gift.

But he lost interest pretty quickly and started playing with his train.

Jacob helped Boppa put the wheels on the new wagon. He was so proud!

Two red wagons!

Love this picture!

Jacob is very into birthdays, always asking whose is next and what kind of cake we can make so I knew we just HAD to make a birthday cake for Jesus. Jacob was so excited about the idea and loved helping me make a cake for Jesus' birthday. While we were making it he said we couldn't eat it because it was for Jesus so I explained that I was sure Jesus would share.
Chocolate almond cake with chocolate ganache and sliced almonds.

Jacob loved wearing Boppa's new headphones and dancing to some tunes. In the background Alan is reading his new "Cooking for Geeks' book. I have a feeling we'll be seeing plenty of cooking experiments going on in our kitchen. In fact, as I write this Alan is preparing to put a no-knead bread in the oven. Can't wait to try it!

Two kids at heart!

After we ate a light dinner we went to look at some cool Christmas lights. There were three houses that put up a ton of lights and then synced them to music. The boys were mesmerized! So was I, actually.

This Christmas was definitely more crazy since both boys are so active and into the gifts, but it was also a ton of fun! I love seeing Jacob and Isaac get so excited and especially loved how they got excited about the story of Jesus' birth.