Ben's Bonfire
After program, lunch, tree, and a nice nap. We got back in the truck and headed to Grandma and Grandpa Leaverton's house. Ben (aunt Kay's fiance) had been working on picking up all the fallen trees off the forest floor at grandma and grandpa's. He was finally finished and wanted to have a big bonfire. We had such a great time! It was a very big fire, the wood was dry so it burned quickly and hot. Rachel and Johnathon were very concerned at first because they thought everyone was saying "bomb fire" so in their little minds they thought for sure it was going to BLOW up and be very loud. They were relieved when they realized it was just a really big campfire! After we all watched it burn for awhile we went to the house and had a big pot of chili and a whole bunch of good snacks and goodies. What a good ending to a great day!
Most of my people pictures turned out really fuzzy. I haven't quite figured out how to get my camera set to take good night portraits. It did an amazing job at the fire pictures though.

Christmas Tree
After the program and a really good lunch that Dad made. We all loaded in the truck and headed to the Scotch Hill Tree Farm. After a very cold walk through the trees we found the perfect one. Dad and Gideon did most of the cutting but Rachel and John wanted some of the action so they helped a little bit. After it was all cut down Gideon drug it to the truck and Dad loaded it up.
A decorated tree photo may come later, though it daily changes, so we will see:)



The kitty in the picture followed us all through the tree farm so Rachel thought he needed in the picture. We later found out that the kitty belonged to the neighbors of the tree farm. He must of just enjoyed all the company visiting the trees.

Sunday School Christmas Program

Sunday School Program

What a day we had last week Sunday! It started out with our churches annual Christmas Program.
We sat both children down and gave them the "standing in front of church " speech that they always get before a program. When we got to church we sent Rachel to her class room before we went to find a seat and both BJ and I said a quick prayer and waited for what was to come. To our pleasant surprise she did an exceptional job! She did all the motions and sang (loudly) but at least she sang. Her dress even stayed down. I have to admit I was a little concerned about it. But she did wonderfully! We were very proud of her.
After the pastor's sermon it was Gideon's turn. He did extremely well too and sang when he was supposed to and really focused on paying attention. He daily amazes me as he continues to grow and make decisions for himself. It is such a blessing to see him growing in the Lord!

Christmas Snowflake Ornaments

Rachel worked on her mitten wreath for a little bit then she started on the snowflakes. She finished 3 snowflakes but hasn't gotten to far on her wreath yet. She assured me that it would be finished before Christmas. We will see, I think it is a good thing that it is a winter decoration and not just a Christmas one:)


We had a great time making ornaments out of pipe cleaners and beads. They were very creative and they all turned out really cute!

Gideon's fall program was on Friday night. He did almost all the motions and sang very well when he wasn't yawning. He must of been pretty tired because he kept yawning and yawning.
I tried to get some video but I haven't got my new camera figured out very well obviously. Oh well here are some pretty good pics.
BJ and I thank God every day that our kiddos can go to a school where they can worship God freely.

Cedar Bluffs

Welcome to The BJ Boender Family blog. I am still learning all of this stuff so you might have to put up with me a little bit.
This is our most recent family picture. BJ surprised all of us and took us to Cedar Bluffs to go on a little hike. It was a beautiful fall day and the trees were just starting to change. We hiked for a while beside a long corn field. In the back of my mind I was thinking( welcome to a hike in Iowa) but as we went around a corner there was a trees and as we continued to hike through the trees it became very beautiful and a lot like Colorado, just with different trees. I love the trees here because the leaves change such beautiful colors.
Rachel, Gideon and Johnathon wanted to pretend they were bears hiding in a tree. Scary huh?