The Sickies

Welcome to the Hess Family, welcome to the sickies. It seems as though our entire family has been under major attack lately. Grandma Hess has been sick with a respiratory/sinus infection for a month and she tore her retna last week. Justin and Brenda's family has had the stomach flu and a respiratory thing. Sep and Allison have been through RSV, strep throat, scarlet fever and a small stomach thing. Finally, we have battled RSV, other respiratory/sinus yuckies and now the influenza virus (despite the flu shot). HOWEVER, WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET THE EVIL ONE HAVE HIS WAY WITH THIS FAMILY....WE SERVE A GOD WHO IS BIGGER THAN ALL OF THIS AND WILL HELP US COME OUT VICTORIOUSLY!!!! I only tell you this to ask for some prayer. Also, I wanted to encourage you that no matter what you are facing right now, God is in complete control. His ways are much higher and more powerful than the "yuckies" of this world. If you serve Him, you have access to all His great power. Hang in there, and He'll get you through. You will come out stronger...and healthier. I am claiming this promise, I hope you will too! Lots of love from our home to yours!

New Year's Eve

I know this is long overdue, but we had a wonderful New Year's Eve party with our college age Sunday School class, and I couldn't resist sharing some of it.

It all started out perfect with our dear friends, Michelle and Israel, staying at our house. As you can see, this absolutely thrilled the girls. We have been missing them since they married and moved away. We were used to having them around just about every weekend. What a treat to have them around again!
The night was hopping as soon as Israel busted out the DDR and we all got down. :) Even Aaron enjoyed this. Isn't he just so handsome?!?!
Sean and Louie even were in on the fun!
Ben is used to dancing with his sisters, so his future sister-in-law was a perfect competitor.
Here's Ben trying to figure out one of the mazes we had around. Some of them were filled with gift cards. These were a huge highlight. There's nothing like challenging the brain a bit and getting some reward when you master the maze.

We had such a fun night. Jayna made it until 12:30 am. Aaron and I managed until 3:00 am. That is pretty amazing for us. Maybe that is why we hang around with this age group...they make us act and feel a bit younger. That is until the next morning when Autumn got up at 6:00 am. It was worth it!

Christmas with the Hess Family

After our birthday party at home on Christmas Day, we went to Grandma Hess' for the rest of the day. We had a wonderful celebration time. We started with Jayna and Taylor singing for us, followed by Grandma Hess sharing the Christmas story. She had cool props and all. (I am bummed we don't have any pictures of these events to share.) Next, we had dinner, then presents, sledding, playing and relaxing. Here are a few pictures of our very enjoyable day.

Auti with her 'Tickle Me Elmo.' She giggles just as hard as Elmo when he gets going.
Grandma Hess always puts the adults' presents in these very challenging, but fun mazes. Well, while I was working on mine a silly sting war broke out. As you can see, nothing was distracting me from getting to my present.
The kids got these really cool sleds from Grandma. Of course, they had to try them out. They are fast and super fun! Grandma Hess also got the girls these cute matching pajamas.

Here is a video of our fun-loving, crazy Jayna. I think we have the next Hannah Montana here...what do you think?

Our Birthday Party for Jesus

Each year, Christmas in the Hess home is celebrated as a birthday party for Jesus. We begin each year with a reminder of what happened the night Jesus was born, as well as a small talk about what a wonderful gift He was for all of us.

Then, of course, there are always presents at birthday parties...
Autumn was a pro at opening her gifts.
Jayna didn't seem to have any troubles either.
This "Melmo" (as Auti calls it) couch was her favorite present that morning.
Jayna was pretty excited about her tickets to the Hannah Montanna concert/movie.

Following presents, we had a nice breakfast together...there's always food at birthday parties as well. It was a wonderful celebration! We hope your family had a super fun birthday party that day too.

Christmas with Dad, Ellen and Grandpa Messer

My dad, Ellen and Grandpa Messer came up for dinner and a Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve. We had a very nice time together.

Unfortunately, this is the only picture we got with anyone other than the girls in it.
Jayna got a stuffed bunny from my sisters. She enjoyed this, as you can see by her beautiful smile.
Autumn was very focused on opening her presents.
Dad and Ellen went to Mexico at the beginning of December. They got the girls these cute matching dresses.
Aren't they so precious?!?! Maybe I am a little biased here.

Christmas with my mom's family

This year was extra special at Mom's because we all were able to be there together. It has been a few years since this has happened. Also, my older brother and sister's families were able to meet Autumn for the first time. It was a great day!

My sister, Tracy, her husband Brian and two sons Carl and Eric came from Pennsylvania. It was so nice to see them. Carl and Eric are such polite and kind young men.
It was nice to see my brother, Scott and his two girls, Courtney and Maddy. Jayna really enjoys these girls. They are so good to her.
Here's Mom and Roger with all their grandkids...Kahnen (with Roger), Autumn (with Mom), Courtney, Jayna, Madison, Eric and Carl
My brother and his wife Jordan with their son Kahnen.
Jayna was very pleased with her new Hello Kitty alarm clock.
Eric played with Autumn all day. He was so good with her.
Mom and Roger enjoying each other and opening their gifts. We love and appreciate them.

This cute video is of Kahnen and Autumn playing together. This is really the first time they have interacted like this. They had a ball together all day.

Happy Birthday Grandma Hess

In the beginning of December, we celebrated Grandma Hess' birthday. Here are some very fun pictures of that time. The grandkids have so much fun together.

Here is Grandma with 5 of the 7 grandkids.
As you can see, they don't hang out long.
Grandma is great for playing with the kids and making them laugh.
Jayna and Taylor can be the best of friends.
As you can see, Autumn cannot just sit with the others. She is always on the go.