Happy New Year!

2013 was an amazing year! God answered our long awaited prayers of Jared perusing a PhD in New Testament studies. Jared's first semester has been good but challenging. We are looking forward to another good year ahead of us in snowy Wheaton :)

Here's to 2014!

Wheaton Snow!

We are enjoying this Wheaton snow!! The first time it snowed, I came home to Calvin throwing these snowballs at me! Fun times :)

\On Sunday we got at least 2 to 3 inches of snow. So far it's not too bad driving in it becuase the city is so great about taking care of it. Jared shoveled our driveway for the first time yesterday morning at 6:30 am. What a good husband!  Don't worry, many more snow pictures to come. This weekend Cal and I are going ot make a snowman... we hope!

Our stocking collection is complete! Thank you to my wonderful mom who hand made them for us.

Chicken Pox!

My sweet boy got the chicken pox over Thanksgiving break! :( 

He is a trooper and is finally ready to go back to school. It was perfect timing since there were all kinds of distractions: cooking, decorating, eating, more eating, Legos, gingerbread house making, and watching Christmas movies! Adeline is healthy so far but I'm sure she will get it next week :)

Brown Family Turkey Fest 2013

This was a good but sad Thanksgiving for us. Every year since I was 3 year old, my family has rented a beach cabin in Galveston, TX. Since we are soooo far away and we will be flying home for Christmas in a few weeks, we stayed in Wheaton to celebrate.

Here it goes!! My first turkey that I made... it was delicious! Thank you to my Aunt Beth and mom for putting up with my calls all morning as I cooked :)

Cute kids the morning of thanksgiving Thank you Jared for carving the turkey

Centerpiece 

We had a blast celebrating with new friends! 

I would say Mr. Chris and "Turkey-Shoot" was the hit of the afternoon :)

(i.e. Chris ran around like a turkey and we threw toy balls at him)

Cute Kids

Fall Leaves

18 months old!

I can't believe my little girl is already 18 months old!!! She loves to talk, read books, puzzles, play house, cook in her play kitchen, cuddle, Elmo, and do whatever "Bubu" is doing!

 Attempted 18 month pictures...

Here the kids are before we went to downtown Wheaton for a Halloween event.

This picture explains it all.... she adores him!

She did NOT want to wear her costume on Halloween... so she was a cupcake :)