Christmas Tree Time

The reasons we cut our tree down each year:)

Caleb looking for the perfect tree

Strategizing

On a Mission!

Brendon helping Meryn stay warm

Trevin trying to stay warm with hot chocolate

This is the one Meryn liked.

Hanging up all the ornaments on the tree.

Working together (most of the time ) to make a Christmas tree

After putting together the tree in a box Grandpa & Grandma Lanker sent

What the Lanker kids are Thankful for this year

Caleb

My family
School/good grades
Supporting parents
Good Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles
My new house
Everything I have!


Meryn

My new house
My new room
My family
Jesus


Trevin

My Family
My Friends
My cousins
Food
Water
A Home
Toys
Being alive
Jesus
A bed


Brendon

A new home
Education
For my parents and how they care for me
My big room
Cousins/aunts & uncles
My Grandparents
My brothers and sister
Clothes
That Jesus died on the cross for me!

Meryn Plays Soccer

We let Meryn play soccer for the first time this fall. She got the concept really fast and took off the first game straight to the goal. She scored, only problem it was the wrong end:) She was pretty shy after that happened. It was fun to watch all the little ones constantly fall in piles over the ball. She had a fun time and already talks about spring soccer.

We are taking a break from all sports until after the new year. It has been so nice just being at home in the evenings and not rushing around every night!

Happy 9th Birthday Trevin!

Our baby boy is 9 years old today. It makes me sad to see how fast our kids are growing up! Trevin is such a tenderhearted boy and he brings a smile to anyone who crosses his path. He was very excited to get a Bible for his birthday (that was the age grandpa Neir was saved and he now gets all the grand kids one at 9) and has been reading it today and writing verses down. Of course that makes a mom & dad very happy!

Trevin loves to play soccer, baseball, and basketball. He is a big KU fan and loves spending time with his friends & cousins. He just wishes he could live a little closer to the cousins. He absolutely loves school and does very well in all his subjects.

We are so proud of you Trevin and love you very much. Happy Birthday!!!!

Sprucing the place up

Meryn & Lauryn watching Greg's hard work

We have been trimming the trees up and trying to get things ready for winter. We will do a bunch more in the spring I'm sure but this is a start

Fire

I know it's not that big of a deal to most, but we have waited many long years to finally have a fireplace that works. Today has been pretty chilly and when the kids came home wearing shorts and t-shirts like they're from the Bahamas, and complaining of freezing, go figure, I decided to fire up the fireplace. After turning on the gas and not finding the ignition spot as quickly as I would have liked, we got it going with a thunderous roar and are really enjoying it. Now we'll have to see how much this little adventure is going to cost!

Chicago

A fancy McDonald's

Having lunch in the snack car

Having too much fun

Exhausted

Navy Pier

I had a great time in Chicago with my parents, Elisa & John. It was a full weekend. We kept on the move all the time even in the train. When we first got on the train in KC my mom, Elisa and I decided to explore the train. They took off and I was a little behind, I made it out of our car before the door closed but the one into the next car was already closed. I think if I would not have panicked I would have noticed the large button you press for the door to open. Instead I panicked and was getting rocked back and forth pretty bad while manually trying to pull(does not work) the door open. And it gets pretty wild standing between two cars, it is no smooth ride. I was just starring at my mom and sister walk further away thinking how rude of them to not turn around and check on me:) Well a bright light went off and I calmly pressed the button and nonchalantly strolled through the next car of people that had been staring at me for the last 10 seconds of confinement. About the time I figured it out my mom turned around and asked Elisa what I was doing so far behind. We all had a good laugh at my expense.

Friday night we went to the Navy Pier and spent some time walking around and riding the Ferris wheel. It was a neat way to see the city. That night we headed to Gino's Pizza. We had a couple delicious pizza's and ate way too much. We then were able to leave some graffiti on the walls to say we had been there. Saturday we had another full day at the Museum of Science and industry. We went shopping on Michigan Avenue which was packed with people. That night we went and watched Fireproof which was a great movie. Sunday we went to Moody church and got some lunch before heading back to Union Station for our train ride home. We had an awesome time! Thanks so much Mom & Dad for everything!

Grandpa & Grandma Came To Visit

I'm playing some catch up! Last month we had Grandpa and Grandma come to visit. It had been a few years since they were here last, so it was good to see them again and spend time together. We were also glad to finally have some extra room for company. I'm sure they appreciated it as well. No more sleeping in the living room! While they were here we were able to go to the underground salt museum. It's a new museum that takes you down 650' to where they used to mine salt. The mine is still active, but the section we were in, was mined in the 40's. It was really cool and I think we all had fun. We really enjoyed them being here and are looking forward to the next time.

Picking out a piece of salt.

Got to find the right one Dad?

Huge chunk of salt.

Watching a video about mining equipment.

Waiting on the elevator back to the top

The pitch black elevator ride

Mom and the kids

My beautiful mom and I

Mom and Dad relaxing

Meryn & Mommy's California Trip

Ready for take off

Grandpa just happened to be on a trip and his plane was at the gate right next to ours at LAX. He surprised us and was able to take Meryn into the cockpit.

"Hi Daddy"

Surfin' girl just like daddy

Meryns twin

Minnie's house

Roger Rabbit Ride

Great Grandpa & Grandma Thompson came for some fun.

Meryn & Ariel

Dancing princesses

Meryn and I had such a great time in California. Meryn loved dressing up and the royal treatment she got. We made some great memories. Thanks Grandpa & Grandma for making it a very special time!!!