Dear Payton

Dear Payton Allen~

You are the most amazing blessing! I am so in love with you! These three precious years with you have been the gift of my lifetime to this point. I have loved learning to be your mommy. I know God has special intentions for you because He tells me everyday as I watch you change and grow. I am so proud of the big boy you are becoming. There are days that I am overwhelmed by the exact precision with which God made you for us. Your Daddy and I are thankful for you everyday.

Your world is about to change....OUR world is about to change. And....I know you are going to love it! You will be such a wonderful big brother! I just want you to know how much I have treasured these special times with just you. I love you more than I could have ever known I would, and I am certain that I feel will feel the same about this new baby on his way (literally- right now). I am beyond blessed to be your mommy and I am in awe that God has lent you to us, that we get to watch you become who he wants you to be, and that we get to snuggle you every morning before you start the day running! Thanks for being my first little boy and for loving me the way only YOU can. Smooches!

Reimer Reunion...Kansas

We had a wonderful time under the same roof with 72 of the Reimer clan for Thanksgiving day! There was a lot of new cousins and activities included lawn mower driving, blowing things up, falling in thistle bushes, riding the giant stride, and eating noodles to our hearts content (well almost). It was a happy day and Mom would have loved being surrounded by so many relatives who have grown to be such a large and joyful family! She was missed and remembered well!

Colorado

Some of our time with Grandpa Rowe:

Grandpa's special star- GiLana :)

Three Sisters Mountains....Jeanne, Wendy and Tiffany

Helping Feed


Payton told me after we came home that he put hay in the feed box with the horses just like where baby Jesus was born. Guess he gets that part.

YEEHAW!

A little riding with Grandpa Rowe. Payton LOVE it! So he's a bit of a city boy with his rainboots, but he sure enjoyed this special time with his Grandpa and is still talking about it!

This makes me smile to my CORE! Not just that my favorite boy is smooching his mommy, because he loves her so much, but the complete act...the horse, the saddle, my belly, the white streak in my hair, the mountains. I love it. It's us- it's who I AM and I love it!

Three Year old BIG Boy! (Complete with Shiner)

The Fabulous faces of Payton! (I asked him to show me his muscles...I like the muscles in his FACE the best!)

What is this little gangster digging?

My Little Newsie!

I could just smooch that face all day long!

I have decided that these are Payton's three year old pictures.....what better way to say I'M THREE than to have a black eye. I guess it is a record of the fun he had.

Things I like to remember

Grandma's Bell. I used to love to ring this thing!
A few photos that almost capture my memories of warm afternoons spent in the chapel Grandpa Willis built....preaching, singing, and 'playing church.' When I think about it Grandma and Grandpa dedicated the chapel to their grandkids, I guess playing church and 'pretend' worship is a good way for us to honor that. We certainly learned from the best and just did what we knew....and now we are all grown up and that legacy lives on in our lives- outside of the little chapel.

The Alf Family- November