Waiting for Santa...

Papa took this picture of Carter on Christmas Eve...

Hope you all had a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Blessings,

Trish

The Berends Family Christmas Card

Wishing you all a wonderful celebration of our Savior's birth.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Berends Family

Dave, Trish, Ethan and Carter

Neighborhood Christmas Party!

This past Friday we hosted our neighborhood Christmas party. Four families came over...there were 12 kids in our house! Thank goodness for our finished basement :) We enjoyed good friends and also lots of good food.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I love decorating for Christmas! I thought I would post pictures of our home all decorated since most of you don't get to see our house around the holidays.

Yesterday was a fun day! We took the kids to get our tree last night and then drove downtown to see all of the Christmas decorations and also to visit Santa. Carter wasn't to sure about him, but Ethan sat on his lap and told him what he wanted for Christmas. It was so sweet. On our drive home Ethan kept saying, "I sat on Santa's lap!!!"

By the time we got home it was almost 8:30pm...way past the boys' bedtime. Carter went straight to bed and I set Ethan up to watch Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas in our room...Dave had to run to the store to buy a tree stand. He found that our tree stand had a tiny hole in it! Anyways, I wanted to keep Ethan busy while we waited to decorate the tree! When the tree was ready to bring in I went to get Ethan. He was fast asleep in a little ball on our bed. It was so cute. We decorated the tree but saved all of Ethan's ornaments so he can put them on this morning :)

I hope you all are enjoying the Season!

Have a blessed day,

Trish

Snow is here!

Finally, the snow has arrived. Yesterday morning we woke to snow and today it is even more beautiful. The trees are covered and the snow is gently falling...it looks like a picture from a story book. Ethan was SO excited when he saw it today and said, "I want to do snow angels!" Yesterday Carter was giddy over the snow. He literally was throwing his head back laughing while trying to catch the snow with his mouth!

We just back inside from playing out in the snow. Ethan made his snow angel and I pulled the boys all around the yard on the sled. Cheeks are rosy and noses are runny so we are back inside to warm up!

Thank you Lord for the snow!

Have a blessed day,
Trish

Thankful...

Things I am thankful for...

1. The unconditional love of the Lord.

2. The love of my husband and our two sons.

3. Our house...it may not be big, but it is HOME!

4. The "little" things...finding the most perfect fabric to make a kitchen valance.

5. My neighborhood...I am surrounded by wonderful friends!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,

Trish

Thankful!

Dave is coming home today. I am so excited to have him back home with us. I can't wait to see Ethan and Carter's faces when they see him for the first time. I can already see "Bubby" scrunching up his face into a big smile, squeeling all the way to Dave's legs and then tugging on his pants until he picks him up! It is amazing how much you can miss someone even when they are only away for 3 full days.

Blessings,
Trish

Indian Summer

I can't believe it is already the middle of November! The leaves are almost all down and there is a chill in the air that let's me know snow is just around the corner! This week we have been blessed with almost an Indian Summer. It has been in the 50's and 60's which is unheard of in November. Me and the boys have been trying to soak in the outdoors as much as we can; playing at the park, jumping in the leaves, and just enjoying the site of sun!

We are hoping for a gorgeous weekend too! Dave heads to Irons tomorrow to hunt and my Mom/G'ba is coming to stay with me and the boys! Ethan doesn't know...he will be SO surprised when she pulls in tonight!

Yesterday I finished our invitations to our neighborhood Christmas potluck that we are hosting. I knew I better get them out as December weekends fill fast! Just putting them together and delivering them to my neighbors got me excited for the Christmas season! Maybe even the snow :)

Blessings,

Trish

Love

I read this prayer yesterday in the book, "The Purpose Drive Life" by Rick Warren. I thought it was great....

"God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend time loving you and loving other people - because that's what life is all about!"

He wrote, the Bible says:

- Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone.
- Use every chance you have for doing good.
- Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it.
- Never tell your neighbor to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.
Galatians 6:10, Ephesians 5:16 and Proverbs 3:27

To love...it is the main purpose of our lives!

Pet Pals!

Last night we made Pompon Pet Pals before bed...Syd made the poodle and Ethan made the cat. They didn't quite turn out like the picture on the package but we all had fun making them! I can't believe how fast the week has gone. Tomorrow Syd goes home already! We are going to miss her...Ethan especially!!!

Apple Pie!

We had a lot of fun making our apple pie yesterday and it was delicious! There is something about picking the apples, making and baking it yourself that makes it taste all the better.

Old Mission Peninsula

We are so happy to have Syd staying with us this week while she has her fall break from school. To start our week, I took the boys and Syd up Old Mission Peninsula. We went to the Old Mission Lighthouse, walked on the beach, and stopped along our drive to pick apples. The trees were the perfect size for Ethan and Syd to pick all on their own. Carter had fun picking up the apples off the ground and throwing them. Tonight we are going to make a pie :) I love the fall here in Michigan.

Grandma

We were sad to find out this morning that Dave's Grandma passed away...she was 90 years old! I was blessed to meet Grandma 6 years ago and am thankful for all of the wonderful memories I have; her being able to be at our wedding, taking her to Sleeping Bear Dunes, introducing her to Ethan and Carter and many more. I will also remember her sense of humor, her smile, and the love she had for her family. She was a special woman...we will miss her!

New Blogger!

Welcome to my first blog ever!!! Recently I have been inspired by some other blogs and decided to start one of my own. My main purpose is to journal family memories and share everyday moments. I hope you enjoy my up north life!