Ezekiel Alexander Breitbach

We welcomed our newest family member on September 17th.  Ezekiel "Zeke" Alexander Breitbach weighed 7 lbs. 9oz. and was 19 in. long.  We are so thankful that he is here and we thank God that he is healthy and strong.  We wanted a strong biblical name, but even when he was born we weren't decided.  Ezekiel means "God strengthens" which is something we have seen so much in our lives the last year.  And Alexander came from Hans' confirmation name.  Sam is so proud of his new little brother and can't wait to teach him about fire trucks, cars, and anything with wheels. 

Our Bookworm

Our new camera makes it so easy to take lots of pictures in a small amount of time.  I think Sam was having book withdrawals while we were in IA.  He was glad to come home to his shelves of books.  If you can't find Sam he is one of two places, either snuggling with his best stuffed friends, Lenny and Bunny, or sitting in the living room engrossed in books.  He just can't get enough reading time....he's a curious little man.  This Thursday he starts preschool two mornings a week and is excited to go play with the toys there.  More to come on how this transition goes for us all. 

Announcing Mr. and Mrs. Grover

We were so excited to be there to share in Casey and Sara's wedding day, thanks for having us be a part of this celebration.  We wish for you God's many blessings on the both of you in the many years to come.

Sam was asked to play a special role as the ring bearer for the wedding and was proud to be a part of his godmother's big day.  He hammed it up pretty well!

We purchased a new and very nice camera while we were back home.  I went to just look, but Hans, knowing how much I miss having a nice camera, decided with little kids now is the best time to have a camera that captures on the little moments.  So we have lots and lots of photos, these are just a few. 

I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends in my life.  Sara and I have been friends since since junior high and Abby and I since third grade.  The history I have with these to beautiful women can never be replaced.  They are two incredible people in my life who have always been there to support my family and I.  Thank you both for being such a special part of my life.

Sam got this special gift for being a part of Sara and Casey's wedding.  Casey is a volunteer fireman in Solon, IA and Sam thinks knowing a real firefighter is pretty cool.

A great picture of my two favorite boys!

Welcoming Back Some Special Heroes

Our timing for being home in Iowa could not have been better.  We found out just before flying home that the soldiers Hans deployed with in '06-'07 were coming back after another deployment.  After serving time together deployed there is a special bond that is never broken and you could see that when Hans was back with them all for that brief time to welcome them all back.  These soldiers and their families will always be a part of our extended family.  We are so glad you are all home.

Hans' Piece of Heaven

We started a bucket list for our trip to Iowa months before hand and the first thing Hans put on it was to spend time at "the farm".  This horse farm is his piece of heaven and a place where he spent much of his free time the last 10+ years before we moved.  He was able to spend time there on two different days and Sam was absolutely thrilled to sit on the tractor and ride all the different vehicles.  Thanks to all the wonderful people at Horsepower for making our time there so special.  I think this might be one of Sam's favorite places, too.  Luckily, Hans has found a few places in WA where he can go an ride horses at his leisure, as this is his favorite thing to do and so much a part of him.

Home Sweet Iowa

We booked our flights six months ahead and were determined to get back home at the end of August for a wedding we were all blessed to be a part of.  See when I say I am going to do something I will do anything to keep my word, even if I am nine months pregnant and traveling across the country.  As far as the doctors knew it was my sister's wedding....but a best friend is the same thing as a sister.  We made it to Iowa without a hitch and got to do so much in the two weeks we were there.

We have so many wonderful family members and friends who we got to spend time with, although we always wish we had more time with each of you.  Hans' sister was due a few days after we arrived and we so hoped that the her new little one would arrive while we were there so we could meet him/her....but the baby didn't arrive until after we were back home.  Gretchen and I were pregnant at the same time with our firsts as well, so we had to get a quick picture of our matching bumps again.  We are glad to say that we now have a new nephew who arrived on September 11th...can't wait to meet him!

Sam was able to see all of his cousins and we all got to meet Grady (my brother Caleb and sister-in-law, Rachel's second son)....we waited four months to finally meet him.

Grady Richard Wallace - We were so glad to finally meet you!

Pool Weather Finally!

I can't complain because we have had wonderful weather here in Washington since mid-June....however not as hot as we are use to back in the mid-west.  I have loved having cooler summer temps this year.  Mid-August it finally warmed up to what we would consider "pool weather" and with that came the back yard pool.  Sam and his dad are much alike when it comes to pools...cold water makes them run.  Sam at least wanted to get in and play, but the look on his face when he slipped and went all the way in was priceless.  He wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or cry he was so shocked by the ice cold water.  We all had fun with our water gun fight and spent a full day outside in the sun enjoying the beautiful summer weather.