Colton

Colton is a very coordinated boy. There are several skills that have come easily to him that his older brothers have yet to master. For example, Colton can whistle and snap his fingers. One day he was bragging to his brothers that he could do those two things and they could not. Hunter quickly retaliated with, "Oh yeah, well we can read."

Fast forward a couple of months and Colton is beginning to sound out words/ do some basic reading. While we were traveling over Christmas, Colton began to sing, "I can whistle, I can snap and I can read...and you guys can only read!"

Carter

Today at lunch Carter came over and gave me a big hug. I smiled and said, "Carter, your love language is physical touch."  He asked what I meant. I told him that I had read a book that described five different love languages and I proceeded to list them. "Physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts and..." He cut me off when he finished off my list with this..."sexual marriage."  I laughed and told him that the last love language was actually quality time.

It was so funny to me. I guess he thought of that last love language that is just available to a husband and wife.

Tubing

Boompah and KK were gracious enough to sponsor a fun outing while in Tennessee. Several members of our group went tubing at Ober Gatlinburg. Thanks mom and dad for this adventure!

Carter ready to tube.

Colton...and KK to his right.

Hunter's turn.

One last shot of kids and dads in the hot tub. What a fun Christmas!

Fun with Cousins!

We took pictures one night at the cabin. All the cousins were gathered on the bunk beds. It was so cute! No pictures of Connor though, he wasn't feeling very good this night.

Look this way Collins!

Big smiles!

Does that face look mischievous?

Happy boys.

Collins and Hunter - besties!

Hold on to that girl!

Christmas 2012

This year for Christmas we traveled to Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains, to spend time with the Schields family. All of my siblings, plus significant others and kiddos were there so it was a full house. We enjoyed lots of great food, games and time together as a family. We were thankful that we were able to go and for God's protection as we traveled to and from the cabin. Here are a few favorites from our Christmas.

Cousins and best buddies! Colton and Finley DeTray.

The bookends - Alexis and Bronwyn

Collins thought it was funny when Hunter wrapped her up in a gift bag. She walked around the kitchen like this for awhile.

The cabin had a hot tub. The cousins wanted to get in every single day!

A Christmas tradition - PJ pants for the Rapp boys on Christmas Eve.

Dear Santa...we left cookies and milk for the big guy.

Time to open stockings. Collins was showing off her Abby Cadabby figure and her kicking slipper socks.

Christmas morning - mom and Colton.

Time to open presents - Hunter got Batman 2 for Wii.

Connor was super excited with his new knife.

Check out Collins' new bib and sippy cup. Plus the gift bag made a fun purse to carry around.

Christmas morning picture from above.

Collins was trying out her new non-spill travel cups.

Fun with a new Lego game.

This is a sweet picture of Collins and her daddy.

Cousins: Cason DeTray and Colton

Time for a manicure! Finley was getting some special attention from Aaron's girlfriend Whitney.

A beautiful rainbow that appeared one morning at the cabin.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family. Christmas is such a fun, special time and we are thankful that we got to be with family for Christmas. But above all else, we know that Jesus is the truth, the reason, the hope of Christmas. May you know Him and His great love for you.

Collins

Not great quality on this photo, but it makes me smile. Collins (who is still a very shaky walker) was trying out her walking skills with this baby stroller at church. This picture was snapped just before she crashed to the floor, thus the reason that the stroller is popping a wheelie!

Piano Lessons

Todd took this picture of Connor practicing with Miss Dee!

Neighborhood Nativity Play

Let me share some pictures from the 2013 Neighborhood Nativity Play. This may be my favorite Christmas tradition for our family. Last year Melissa Houston had a great idea to revive this tradition that had been started years ago with some other Kanakuk families. So we gathered a group of kids, came up with a script and put together an adorable nativity play.

This year's production was a little bigger (nearly 35 kids) and it was great. So many moms pitched in to help with costumes, help kids memorize lines and helped keep the kids in line during rehearsal and the play. It is a priceless time with the kids. This nativity play is a special December event the helps us keep our hearts focused on Jesus. I love it for my kids and I love organizing this play with Melissa  - such a talented and amazing friend!

Here are some of our characters. Mary and Joseph - played by Hadley and Titus!

Carter Rapp as Zechariah.

Hunter, Hayden and Caleb were our narrators.

Isaac (an animal), Logan, Connor and Nehemiah (the Wise Men), plus Fisher and Shepard (two more cute stable animals.)

This picture is almost the same, but this time I captured Colton on the end. He was a camel.

Sara Beth and Eleanor were our stars to lead the Wise Men.

A whole flock of adorable sheep - with Gabriel and the Shepherds in the background.

Mary, holding baby Jesus.

The whole cast! I hope this Christmas tradition is a treasured memory for our kids.

Happy Birthday Hunter!

Today Hunter Thomas Rapp turned 11 years old. Amazing! I remember bringing him home from the hospital. As a new mom I was so nervous. I probably checked to make sure he was still breathing at least six times during the ride from the hospital to our house. Hunter is a wonderful son and we are super proud of him. We love you HTR! I think he had a great day. Todd made him a special chocolate chip biscuit this morning to start off his birthday.

In other news, we also had our ultrasound today to see new baby. Just as we were walking in to the doctor's office Todd said, "Should we find out if it is a boy or girl?" Yep, we wavered...but just for a moment. We stayed the course and told the ultrasound tech that we didn't want to find out. She did a great job of showing us baby, but avoiding the anatomy that would reveal the baby's sex. What a blessing it was to see two arms, two legs, a brain, a little heart, kidneys, etc. All praise to God for creating this little one. We are thankful! And our sweet doctor just gushed about how excited she will be to deliver the baby and then tell us the big news in the operating room. That will be so awesome! Very likely this new one will arrive on or near April 12, 2013. Todd is hoping for the 12th - it is his favorite number and it reminds him of Roger Staubach. I love my husband!

December

In December we have...

been having fun with our Elf on the Shelf...

enjoying yogurt...

wearing cute stocking caps...

accidentally visiting Silver Dollar City an hour and a half before it opens, so we left and went to Andy's instead...

and hosting birthday parties! Yep, Hunter turns 11 this month so we had a birthday party for him this weekend. We rented the pool at the Music City Center and the kids had a great time. That is Hunter with the bucket on his head.

Everybody on the raft!

Lots of smiles.

Aunt Alexis is back in town. Hooray! She helped out at the birthday party.

Presents are always fun!

Happy 11th Birthday Hunter!