Merry Christmas!

2012 IN REVIEW...A YEAR OF BLESSINGS!

As we close the year and reflect upon God’s good gifts and abundant blessings in our life, we wanted to share some of our favorites with you. 

Roy...

*time to study = continued work on my master’s degree

*watching The Amazing Race on Sunday nights with Emily

*summer mission trip to Gallup, New Mexico, with our small group from church

*our tall handsome boy who captures our heart

*health and safety

*celebrating 5 years of marriage

*coaching Cross Country at ADM High School this fall

*play time on the floor after dinner with Hudson

*completing my 4th year at Pioneer as a Research Associate

*teaching Hudson new things

*the birth of a niece and cousin = Clara Naomi Swinger

Emily...

*the purchase of a Honda Odyssey mini van

*a fall weekend away, just Roy and I, to celebrate with friends

*God’s goodness in providing for me to stay home with Hudson...best job ever

*new roles and opportunities = homeschool supervising teacher and Thirty-One Consultant 

*movie nights at home with popcorn and M&M’s

*inspirational ideas and opportunities to “create” and then bless and encourage others with my work

*celebrating the 90+ years of life of my Grandma Dorothy after her passing in March

*Bomgaars family weekend to Omaha in August 

*a happy healthy boy who eats well and sleeps well

*new friendships 

*Tuesday mornings = Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and “Bible Class” for Hudson

Hudson...

*celebrating my first birthday with family and friends with a sock monkey themed party

*warm summer weather = play dates, walks, water fun, park outings, exploring outdoors

*wonderful grandparents and their loving care

*smiles, giggles, and uncontrollable joy

*cars, trucks, tractors, and diggers

*combine rides with my grandpas during fall harvest 

*Kindermusik class on Friday mornings

*“tubby time”

*books and learning

*playing with friends

*family walks, bike rides, and wagon rides

Check out our blog for frequent updates and pictures...The Swinger Days

http://www.theswingerdays.blogspot.com

Psalm 67:1 - May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among the nations.   

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  BLESSINGS IN 2013!  

Love: Roy, Emily and Hudson Swinger

operation gingerbread house

 My interest in making gingerbread houses is not one that goes all the way back to my childhood, as it may for some of you.  In fact, I don't ever remember making one as a child.  Yet, in my years as a young adult and spending lots of time with the Steenhoek family I had the opportunity to be a part of their Christmas tradition of making a gingerbread house.  No fancy kits needed, just an empty box, hot glue gun, graham crackers, left over Halloween candy, and the creative juices in motion will get you a pretty good looking gingerbread house in not too much time at all.  I wanted to start this tradition with Hudson early on so we tackled the family project for the first time this year.  It really is quite simple and inexpensive.  I bought 3 bags of candy and 1 box of graham crackers, totaling less than $5.  Even Roy was involved in the process (just not in the pictures).  Below is the picture recap...   

Hudson closely watching me at work.  This homemade icing is amazing.  Its like super glue...really!  

Hudson working on the "stone sidewalk" leading up to the front door.  

"This house looks so yummy, I don't understand why we aren't eating it?"  

Ta-da...our finished project!  

Hudson has just LOVED showing off our house to everyone who comes over.  He thinks its like the coolest thing and is very proud.  I think his favorite parts are the gumdrop "deck" and large S, both on the back of the house.  

friday night pizza night

We have really gotten into making homemade pizza at our house lately.  I have a homemade pizza crust recipe that is super yummy (and easy), and therefore the inspiration.  Plus its a fun activity to do with a group of people because it gets everyone involved in the dinner preparation process.  Here are a few pictures of Friday Night Pizza (and Game) Night with the Ackermans!  

Hudson loves anything that has to do with food!  He had a blast making his own pizza but struggled with having to wait while it baked before he could eat it.  

Nate and Shannon, showing off their pizzas.  

We are not quite the same as The Pizza Ranch, but pretty close.  :)  

miss you guys...

Just this morning I was reflecting upon how wonderful it is that Roy's parents live close by (just about a 25 minute drive away).  We see them often and they can stop by for even 5 minutes if they are passing by or need to drop something off (like Sue did this morning on her way to work) and get a snuggle or smile from their grandson too.  Bonus!  What a blessing!  They help out and care for Hudson often, which is SO wonderful.  With that, my parents are farther away and we don't see them as often, but when we do its for a few days at a time.  We are currently on a longer stretch of being away from my parents (1 month plus) and we typically don't go that long.  :)  Therefore, we are missing them these days.  When I found these pictures on the camera card, that we took over Thanksgiving, they seemed appropriate to post.  Grandparents are a beautiful blessing!  Love you all!  Thank you for your loving care!    

  

STRIKE!

Thanksgiving weekend my parents came to visit and we decided to head over to Warrior Lanes for some bowling fun.  I was a little hesitant with how Hudson would do (since he tends to move constantly and doesn't sit still for long), but he seemed to have a wonderful time and even got his first opportunity to roll the ball down the lane.  

"Go Bapa Rog Go!"  

Roy...not taking things quite as seriously as the rest of us.  Ha!  

On my 10th frame I let Hudson have a turn.  I was intentional at waiting until the end of my game or I knew I would never get to finish it.  :)  

We put up the bumpers, put the ball on this ramp, and he gave it a push.  

Watching the ball roll slowly down the lane (right down the middle I must add).  

To our total surprise Hudson got a STRIKE!  Maybe I should have let him bowl for me the entire game?!  Therefore, he got 2 more turns.  What a fun way to end our time!    

We captured this picture of our scores.  Not too bad.  My dad had an impressive score of 181!  

Oh Christmas Tree...

Sorry for the delay in new posts.  We were working to trouble shoot some "space issues" to make room for more pictures on the blog.  I've got some catching up to do (like usual).  No worries, Christmas preparations are "full speed ahead" at the Swinger household.  Much to share!  

It is an annual tradition of ours to cut down a real Christmas tree at Howell's Tree Farm.  Roy and I started doing this together our first year of marriage and I just love it!  This time was even more fun because the little man got to participate and take in all the excitement as well.  Oh what memories! 

Hudson enjoyed exploring, walking up and down the many rows of trees, helping us find just the right one.  It was a perfect afternoon for it.    

"Tree...Tree..."  

"This is just my type of activity...outside, running around, exploring, tractors."  

"Mommy and I watched them cut down our tree and then we got to ride the wagon back.  This place is so cool!"    

Hudson was in awe, watching the men shake the tree, wrap up the tree with twine and then secure it on top of the van (he thought that was especially cool).  And yes, he held on to that mini John Deere tractor the entire time we were there, never left his hands, not even for a second.  

Happy Christmas tree!  

Thanksgiving

We celebrated our Thanksgiving out at Lynn and Jacy's.  It was a small group of us, but plenty of food and lots of relaxing, none the less.

  

Thanks for hosting, Lynn and Jacy!  

Sue showing off her delicious pumpkin pie.  It makes the day complete.  

Hanging out and relaxing with the help of a hot chocolate and lots of magazines.  

Hudson enjoying his first piece of pumpkin pie (with whip cream).  He was in love and really savored every bite (which surprised me as he usually eats so quickly).  

A beautiful sunset to close out our day and the post.  So many blessings!  

Meeting Clara

On Saturday, November 17th, we met our precious niece/cousin Clara Naomi Swinger.  She was 5 weeks old at the time and we had all been waiting patiently for this special day.  I had done lots to "prepare" Hudson for meeting his cousin (drawing pictures, learning to say her name, looking at her picture on the computer, talking about her) and it was totally evident that he understood she was something super special from the first moment he saw her.  Oh precious memories, a moment I will always hold dear.  We love you Clara!  

  

Love at first sight!  

Unlce Roy loving on sweet Clara.  She really was alert and checking him out.  

"Being a cousin is so much fun!  Clara is so pretty!"  

"Mommy says I have to have nice touches.  Aren't I doing a great job?"