In the evenings before bed we ask Anna what her high and her low of the day were. Corny as it sounds, we actually saw it in a movie The Story of Us and thought it was a good way to sum up our experiences of each day with the kids. It's kinda fun because Anna usually asks us in return what our best and worst parts of the day were too. Quinn's high is usually "nursery"-he thinks about going all week long! He never says what his low is but I'm pretty sure it's going to bed-it's never a fun time for him! Anna's highs are usually that she gets to play with Chloe, and her lows are that she didn't get to play with Chloe (on non-playdate days). It's funny though because sometimes we get something deeper out of her. When Brett put her to bed, after all the family left the day we blessed Izzy, Anna said her low was that she was sad because Grandma K (her great grandmother) was going to die in a few weeks and she would miss her. That statement was profound to me, it was an eye opener to know that she'd processed Grandma's ailing health, but it made me think too about all the feelings these kids have that they don't find the words to express.
What special routines or traditions have you established with your kids? Is there anything from your childhood that you've carried on in your own family?
This weekend was special, Brett blessed baby Izzy and we had an intimate little gathering at the house after church. My parents and my brother Taylor came, Aunt Katie and Uncle Ron were here, Brett's parents, Kathy and Madison came, and we had Grandma and Grandpa Rupper and Grandma K here to support us. Our children had ALL of their grandparents together to love on them!
Here's the proud Daddy.
Thanks to Aunt Shelley for the beatiful blessing dress!
Grandma Rupper and lil' Elizabeth having a talk
This is a shot of a trip to the Elk Refuge at Hardware Ranch
We braved the cold and took a sleigh ride to check out the wildlife.
Yeah, these pictures aren't really in order! Here is a shot from yesterday afternoon with all the fam.
Brett and Quinn showing off their grins.
Mom and Dad had a feisty dart gun war. I think we've found a good gift idea for the two of them for Christmas!
My baby Girl is getting bigger! (And no, that isn't makeup on her, she's just a pink girl!)
Daddy having a snuggle with his girl.
Anna and Chloe with their freaky bunny cakes
G.G. gave Izzy a bath and the baby gave her Grandma plenty of smiles in return!
Anna and Maddie loving on the Iz. 
