The Chasteens: December 2010

8 Months Pregnant

We are one month away from my due date. I can't believe we will be meeting our little man in just 4 weeks...maybe sooner! As the days and weeks progress, I get more and more ready. I'm definitely feeling the aches and pains of pregnancy and will be glad to trade those for a sweet little boy to hold in my arms!

My sister-in-law, Liz, and I are due 9 days apart. Here is a shot of
our bellies. It's fun to think about our boys growing up with a cousin
so close in age! (I'm on the left and Liz is on the right!)

8 Month Belly Shot

35 weeks

They love to kiss on their little brother!

Boston Blizzard

For those of you that know Jon, you know how he loves to watch the weather...especially in the winter. He LOVES snow and when there is any kind of leaning toward a snow storm, he is watching the weather websites and studying the models. Needless to say, the storm that just hit us, had him very excited! We documented our adventures in the snow through pictures. I think he may have even kept a journal on the computer of how much snow had fallen through the night of the storm! He is thankful that Ava shares his love of snow. Emet, however, would rather sit inside and watch from the window!
Our anniversary was also on the Monday of the storm. It's hard to believe we have been married for seven years. I am thankful for a husband who loves the Lord, loves me and loves our children. He is a blessing! We didn't get to do much since we were burried in snow on Monday, but Tuesday we took the kids to my doctor's appointment then went out to dinner as a family. We hope to get away for a date night soon! Love you babe!

The calm before the storm...we went to Home Depot to get yard
sticks to measure the accumulation and a shovel to clear the driveway!
The snow you see in this picture was from our previous storm.

Emet's idea of enjoying a snowy day!

It's coming down!

He enjoyed looking at it from the
inside, but didn't want to go out in it!

A view from our door...normally you could see our driveway and our neighbor's
driveway. They are completely covered in snow. Thankfully though, our road
gets plowed and was already clear when we woke up on Monday morning!

Measuring...we got about 12 inches, but the backyard had big drifts!

Jon and Ava dug tunnels out and made pathways through our backyard!

She was outside with Jon for about 2 1/2 hours playing and helping
him. I think she would have stayed out all day if we had let her!

We are thankful for our neighbors who are gracious enough to let
us use their snow blower. It made clearing the driveway much easier!

Merry Christmas from Medford!!!

This was the first year since we have been married that we were in our own home for Christmas Day. We enjoyed time as a family and had a relaxing, refreshing day. On Christmas Eve we went to church and the kids and Jon decorated a Gingerbread house. Jon and I did a lot of wrapping after the kids went to bed. On Christmas Day we read the Christmas story, opened gifts, had a great breakfast and then went to church to serve a meal to the homeless. We truly had a blessed Christmas! Merry Christmas from Medford!!!

On Christmas Eve, Jon and the kids continued a tradition in our home.
They built a gingerbread house. Ava and Jon worked hard, but Emet
seemed to eat more of the candy than he actually put on the house.

Concentration

Finished Product

Evidence of his love for candy

Smile

They had so much fun!

Our living room on Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning

He went straight for the Gingerbread House and asked for candy...go figure!

Reading the Christmas Story...after we do this, we put Baby Jesus in the manger.

I love my babies!

She was so excited to get a watch!

We let each of the kids shop for the other.

Ava gave Emet this bucket of
animals and a box of sea animals.

He gave her makeup...she loved it!!

What was I thinking?

He was thrilled to have his own "real" basketball!

The bike...when he opened it he said "I got a bike."
He has been talking about riding a bike for months!

She was so excited about her scooter!
She woke up from her nap before it got dark
so Jon took her out to ride. Emet slept a
little longer and had to ride in the basement later!

North Carolina Christmas...Durham

We enjoyed Christmas in Durham with Jon's family while we were in North Carolina. All 17 of us were at Don and Scarlet's house for a few days. It was fun to see all of Jon's family and to be together for an early Christmas. We appreciate Don and Scarlet opening their home for us all to take it over! We all went to the last Durham Christmas Pageant on Saturday night. We went to church together at Ridgecrest on Sunday. We saw Chronicles of Narnia Voyage of the Dawn Treader and exchanged gifts on Monday. The kids also enjoyed time in the hot tub! On Tuesday, Nana and Papa treated the kids to some play time at Monkey Joe's. It was good to be with family! We also were blessed to see some of our dear friends from Gorman. We were able to see Larry and Janet Perry, Cindy, Tammy and Logan as well as Chelsie and Brittney. We were reminded of how much they mean to us and are thankful for quick visits with them.

This is not from this year...but 2008 on Christmas Day at Jeremy and Liz's house. I happened to get another picture this year with our five kids on the couch again...check out how much they have all grown. Next year we will have to add two more...our little boys are soon to arrive!

2010