Merry Christmas 2009

Another year ends for the Kempston family with 1 Condo listed on the market, an almost 2 - year-old precious little boy, a 3 -year-old crazy puggle, 2 jobs (Shaun's full-time, Heidi's part-time) and over 4 years of marriage. Whew!

I'm excited for what 2010 will bring!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Kempstons.

May you experience Christ's love this holiday season.

Christmas Tree Shopping

Happy Birthday Shaun!!

We love you SO much and are so thankful for all that you do for us. Enjoy your special day!

Anyone need a photographer for family Christmas pictures?

I know a great one! Her name is Linnea Bergstrom and besides being a great friend she is also an amazing photographer! A few weekends ago she took some fabulous shots of our family down on Ruston Way. Despite a super cranky toddler we got some great pictures! Fabulous Christmas cards to come! Here is her new website:

www.libphotography.com

Check her out!

Happy Halloween from Huckleberry Finn!!

21 months

Family Update

Since its been a while since my last post I thought I would play catch-up with whats happening for us this Fall.

Finn is running circle around us at nearly 21 months. Shaun and I both find ourselves saying '2?' Is he really going to be '2' in January? Crazy! He's finally started talking and our days are now littered with 'Uh-Oh, Dank Doo (thank you), Wuv Woo (love you), Dye (bye), Yay, and Foose (shoes), Helwough (hello), and LNo (Elmo).' Not to forget the ever present 'NO' that we hear quite often. All that said, Finn is the highlight of our lives and we love watching him learn new things like coloring, jumping, playing with his trucks and anything involving kicking/hitting/throwing balls.

Shaun is still working for World Vision as a Writer 2 position in their internal Creative Agency department. He's enjoying the friendships that it brings and we are so grateful for the security of his job. This Fall has also given him the opportunity to receive some freelance copy writing and play Fantasy Football with lots of friends. ;)

I find my weeks busier and busier as I'm now working 10 hours a week for the Children's Ministry Program at our church. I also watch a sweet little boy 2 days a week and am involved in few different bible studies and playgroups as well. Life is moving quickly but we are trying to enjoy each day and the adventures, challenges, and opportunities it brings with it.

Happy Fall from all of us!

San Diego

Thanks to help from a lot of people I was able to fly down to San Diego for a fun girls weekend! I met up with some of my closest friends for great talks, beautiful sunsets, hilarious adventures, and amazing food. Here are a few pictures from an unforgettable weekend! I miss you girls!

Elmo takes on the SWINE FLU!!

For those of you who are heading back to school tomorrow. . . be it teaching or learning . . . here are a few tips to keep you happy and healthy and protected from the Swine Flu this year. :)

Maybe you haven't heard . . .

but I received a sewing machine for my birthday! (Thanks Mom and Dad) Sadly, it has sat a little neglected for the summer due to work/Finn/special projects/Finn/BBQ's/work/shaun's work/vacations/crazy summer/Finn. However, I made my first official purchase of fabric from a fabulous website called Sew Mama Sew and couldn't wait to share it with you all! Here's a little preview of what I'm getting in the mail in a few days.

Ready for school?

hmmmm . . . :)

Zoo - part 2

A few more of the Kids Zone at the Zoo . . .

Mom, seriously? Will you stop taking pictures and help me down from this thing?

;)

Zoo - part 1

Today we went to the Zoo with Mary and cousin Ben. We had so much fun looking at all of the animals. Here are some fun pictures from the day.

Mary and Ben

Our best attempt at a picture

Mom, look! Fishies!

Ben, check this out.

His favorite part was watching the seals swim.

Finn & the Furious Dance Moves

Serious dance moves. We were watching "You Don't Mess with the Zohan," and Finn starting doing his Kevin Bacon impression. I think we have a future Young Life song leader on our hands.

Happy 30th Mom and Dad!!

We love you!

Rapper's Delight Roller Babies

I can't believe we have an 18 month old little boy!

summer photos

Father's Day

Hike up in Hood's Canal

playing by the river

silly, sweet, happy boy!

'Eight'

A sweet, sweet friend from college, Stephanie, tagged me on her blog for this fun list. So, here goes!




Eight things I look forward to...
1. Moving into a bigger home so we can continue growing our family!
2. Getting to see my dear friends, Jen and Kristen, in September
3. The first time Finn says 'I love you Momma'
4. Date nights with Shaun
5. Being able to have all of our friends and family over to our house for holidays and parties
6. Teaching preschool again someday
7. Traveling to Italy - someday!
8. Upcoming Fall season of TV - juicy!



Eight things I did yesterday...

1. Drove thru starbucks (same here Steph!)
2. Worked in the Children's Ministries office at church
3. Went to Target
4. Chatted with my parents
5. Did some laundry
6. Went out to dinner with a great friend at a super yummy restaurant!
7. Read and went to bed
8. Woke up this morning to find out another good friend had gotten engaged!



Eight things I wish I could do...

1. Eat a meal without an 18 month-old running around me in circles
2. Redecorate my house without a budget
3. Run or excercise with ease - ha!
4. Be more comfortable with myself
5. Sleep peacefully at night without thinking of everything else I 'should' be doing
6. Sew
7. Be able to drop everything for Finn to spend time playing instead of finishing my to-do list
8. Finish an entired crossword puzzle all by myself!



8 Shows I Watch:
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Dancing With the Stars
3. The Office
4. The Bachelor/Bachelorette
5. Gossip Girl
6. One Tree Hill
7. Anything and everything that is on the Food Network!
8. I love re-runs of Friends, Gilmore Girls, and Sex and the City (only on TV)


I tag:

Linnea

Moriah (when you get back from vacation) ;)

Allison M.

Allie S.

Melissa O.





Can't wait to see what you write ladies!

A highlight from past week of vacation!

more to come . . .

Happy Father's Day to a couple of #1 Dads!!

WE LOVE YOU!  

silly boy

Colorado

There are too many pictures to count from our fun trip to CO last week. So I thought I'd just give you the highlights from David's graduation. Enjoy!

I can't wait! Sad, but true.

You did it!

Way to go, David!  You've finished 4 intense, challenging, amazing years at the Air Force Academy.  And thats not all you've got to show for it - heading off to Pilot Training in a few months.  We are SO proud of you and can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend!

Congrats graduate!

First Tech Support Guy - Ever

The Journey of Heidi's Mommahood!

Happy Mother's Day Heidi!

We love you~ Shaun and Finnegan

Happy Mutha's Day! almost.

Spring face-lift

Grow little flowers, grow! 

Smelling the flowers

Exploring the 'backyard'

Helping Mommy sweep the finished back patio

The new look of our front door.  Love, love, LOVE the welcome mat.  (Thanks Mom!)

I pray for love, more and more
That I might have, a love like Yours
A love that shines, upon the earth
A love that fills the ocean floors

I pray for peace, like rivers flow
I pray for joy, like fountains glow
Faith that moves the mountains to seas
But most of all

I pray for love, like Yours for me
I pray for love, like Yours for me

I pray for love, more and more
That I might have, love like Yours
A love that goes, from east to west
A love that has no height or depth

I pray for peace, like rivers flow
I pray for joy, like fountains glow
I pray for truth and grace over me
I pray for strength, this hope I believe
A faith that moves mountains to seas
But most of all...




Love, Above the Golden State

Meeting the Easter Bunny

Evidently meeting the Easter Bunny for the first time is a very traumatizing event.

The boys and their Moms from Bible Study ready to hunt for eggs.

Looking for Easter eggs.

Look how many I found!