Merry Christmas (early!)

We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas. This year has been very special, as Silas has started to enjoy opening gifts and understands more. I was able to do the toddler party at church this past Sunday. We had a wonderful time. We had a Happy Birthday Jesus Party with cupcakes and played Pin the Star on the Manger and did some stories and activities with the nativity scene. Although they may not fully understand, it is a delight to be able to see some "lights" turn on when you talk about baby Jesus.

Anyways, we hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season. I will let you know how our holiday went after the first of the year!

Merry Christmas,

Love,

the Aichele's

First "semi-official" day at work

Kurt's last day at the YMCA was Thursday. On Friday, we spent some time as a family and then we went over to watch a fencing competition that is being held here in Colorado Springs. Wow, it is much different then what we are both use to. I think the most unique aspect is that all ages can compete in fencing. We watched some veterans compete and some had to be in there 60-70's. I love seeing people still actively competing in sports at that age. Then, Friday night we were able to get a babysitter for Silas so Kurt and I could have a date night. We took Nathan since he is pretty easy on a date still. We went out to eat and did a little shopping, but were home by 9:00 pm.

Today, after seeing the fencing competition yesterday and realizing maybe Kurt should wear a suit, we had to purchase a suit. Yes, with all of the interviews Kurt has had these past two years, he doesn't own a suit. He has always gotten away with a nice blazer, but we realized yesterday he is going to need a suit (maybe even 2???). So we took advantage of some Christmas sales and purchased a suit for a very reasonable price. (Thank goodness!).

So with that being said, Kurt has now left to go to the competition to be announced as the new Executive Director of USA Fencing. After that, he will go out to eat with the Executive Board of Fencing. He "officially" starts this position on Monday. I will attach a few pictures of him getting ready.

Notice the toddler at his feet "helping" him get ready!

All but the jacket on so far, as it was 50 degrees here today, not bad! Doesn't he look handsome!

Big bear hugs before leaving.

Big, Healthy Boy

I continue to be amazed by how Nathan is growing so quickly. We had his 2 month appt yesteday and realized just how big he is. He now weighs in at a hefty 14 lb 14 oz which is the 99th percentile. His height is 24 in which is the 86th percentile. I got out Silas's information from when he was 2 months just to compare. At 2 months, Silas weighed 11 lb 3 oz which is 25 percentile and his height was 23 in which is 35% percentile. I looked at Silas's 4 month appt and he still wasn't even 14 lbs. Amazing how children from the same genetics can be so opposite on the scale. Oh well, I'm just so thankful they are both healthy and might be sharing the same size clothes soon!

Proud Owners......

We are "proud" owners of a ...........................mini van! Yeah! I can't believe I'm excited about driving a minivan, but oh so functional! Anyways, now we have two vehicles. See, we have been down to one vehicle for just over a month, so I have been somewhat housebound. With having two young children, I must admit going out too much doesn't even interest me, but there have been days where I wanted to go somewhere or do something and I couldn't.

However, I knew it would be worth it in the end and it was. We were able to pay cash and immediately own the vehicle and we do not have any car payments! For those of you that have known how difficult these past few years have been financially, I finally feel like we are getting back on track. Kurt and I are now a team, trying to be wise with our finances, consulting with others before making big purchases and tracking every little penny that we spend!

I am so proud of Kurt! He was leaning towards another direction which would mean car payments and I was biting my lip trying to decide how to submit to my husband, yet kindly tell him, NO. So, I asked him to consult with a friend from church and see what they said while I prayed hard for wisdom. Sure enough, Kurt called back to say our friend along with Kurt didn't feel like that was the wise decision. Praise God for answer to prayer and much wisdom. I'm very thankful for Godly friends that are willing to speak truth into our lives even when it isn't easy!

So with that being said, we are going to continue with what we budgeted for in car payments every month (which we don't have to use now) and save that for car repairs. Our minivan is a 2002 Dodge Caravan with 109,000 miles on it, so we know there will be repairs, but we're hoping it will get us a long time and then we can have saved up enough money to purchase another car with cash. Our next step is probably purchasing another 2nd car since Kurt's car (1990 Grand Am) will probably die soon.

Kurt and I were so excited about our purchase that we even went out Sat night with the kids to cruise around. Haven't done that in awhile. We were like teenagers again! God has taught us so many lessons this year and I wouldn't trade it for anything! I'm just glad it was with Kurt. We had to laugh that although it has been hard, we're glad we were in it together! Oh the stories we will share w/ our children!

Some Christmas Photos...

Hey all,

Just an update for you. In reading through SHeila's post form yesterday, I am continually amazed by His grace. I am grateful to God for how blessed we are as a family to have a wife and mom like Sheila who supports us unconditionally, cares for us regardless of how tired she may be, and prays for us incessantly. As a result of her support and care, we have been blessed with a job with the United States Fencing Association. All of the abilities, strengths, weaknesses, expereiences and opportunities that I have had up to this point have been designed by God so that I may be prepared for what's before me. Please continue to pray for us that I may serve Him for His glory, and His glory alone.

Over the last week we've been able to put up some o the CHristmas decorations...and we've had some help...take a look.

Much to be Thankful for.....

I'm finding it hard to believe that it is Thanksgiving already! I'm not sure where the fall went! I guess that is what happens with a newborn. Anyways, as I reflect, I'm just amazed at God's grace and mercy on us as a family with the many blessings he's poured out on us! Here are just some reflections.


We have two healthy and wonderful boys that amaze me everyday. Silas is growing and changing by the moment. He repeats all kinds of stuff and is responding very well to being disciplined, which isn't always easy. Nathan, well he is definitely growing. He is constantly smiling and still very cuddly. He's starting to hold his head up and sleeping a good 6 hours at night!


I have a wonderful husband who has now become a morning person (ok, maybe not by choice!). A husband that desires to serve me not just in the big things like helping with Silas and Nathan (which he does whenever he's home), but in the little things, like making me chai this morning when I didn't ask, but definitely needed it. I could go on and on with blessings of Kurt to me.


We have a very nice home that fits our needs in a neighborhood perfect for children. A wondeful view out our window which constantly reminds us of God's beauty. We couldn't ask for anything better.


Kurt has two job offers (we should know more this week) which is such a blessing in this economy. They both appear to be able to meet our needs in abundance and in perfect timing. This shouldn't surprise us, because that is God's grace.


I have the ability to stay at home and raise my children, which I absolutely love. Yes, it is the most challenging job I've ever had, yet most rewarding. There are days when I tell Kurt I'd like to quit my day job (ha, ha!), but I know in the end it is all worth it.


A wonderful church that continues to amaze us with their willingness to serve one another. We have been the recipient of this and I feel so blessed! We have a "diaper fairy" (thank you Lynn) that drops diapers and wipes off at our front porch every other week. What a blessing that is. We have amazing friends like the Swasey's that allow us to use their vehicle and watch Silas for us when we are in a bind. We've had so many people bring us meals when both Nathan and Silas were born that blessed us beyond what we can imagine. And the Dontanville's who continue to encourage us and who are allowing us to crash their Thanksgiving and be a part of it with many other church families.


We have amazing families that constantly are calling and checking in on us. We had wonderful visits with both Kurt's mom and my family. We were blessed with meals and with them helping me with the kids while Kurt worked.


We feel very blessed by Miss Sandy who has provided care for Silas and continues to be willing to watch him when we need her. It is nice to know he is taken care of when we need someone to watch him and soon to be Nathan.


I could go on, but Nathan is ready to be fed and Silas is wanting to read, so off I go. I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving and also takes some time to reflect on this past year and the many blessings you have this year!

Here are some pictures of some of my blessings!

bunch of pictures

OK - so it's taken me a while to get these up... but at least they're up here...

With Grandma "uck-ee" at the zoo...and aquarium...







with "shippy" and ama at the zoo...















and in the cockpit of a plane at a local restaurant...

75 Degrees in November???

Yup, the weather has been amazing this week and looks like the rest of the week will be nice also. Yesterday was mid 60's and today was upper 70's. I'm not complaining at all. We went to a local park with a friend and her son to feed the fish and throw many rocks into the lake. We had such a nice time and now everyone is exhausted.

What melts a mommy's heart....

Nathan has this way about being so smiley at the 3 or 4:00 am feeding. I look down when he stops feeding and here is this huge grin! It is hard to be tired or dreaming about bed after that. Well, that is not the time that I'm going to get the camera out to take a picture, so I was very thankful that yesterday he decided to give me some great smiles during the day so I could capture them. Enjoy!

Aichele update

I thought I'd put some updates up while I have a few seconds. Things are going really well here. We just had Grandma Aichele out here and it was a very nice visit. Hopefully Kurt will post pictures, as he has more on his camera.

Silas is doing really well being a big brother, however he still likes to know that he can cuddle by himself with daddy as you can see by the picture.Silas is starting to do many things, including walking up and down the stairs by himself. He use to scoot up and down the stairs and now he holds on to the railing and goes up and down by himself. I must admit, it does scare me at times, but he hasn't fallen yet!

Nathan, well....here is a normal day for Nathan. He hangs out in his bouncer quite a bit and lounges. He is not real fond of the swing yet, but I'm hoping that will change soon. He's still pretty cuddly, so I take advantage of times when Silas is down for a nap or quiet time when I can cuddle with him. He's a pretty easy baby for the most part, but does have some fussy moments at night. He's still eating like crazy and growing way too quickly for me. I can hardly believe it has been a month already!

Well, we survived Halloween. The weather was beautiful during the day (70's) so I decided to try trick or treating with Silas and Nathan. Kurt had to work at the YMCA for their family fun night, so I went with the Swasey's in their neighborhood. They had an extra costume for Silas (a shark) and Nathan went as a bundled baby!! Silas had a pretty good time, but ended up in the stroller for a lot of the night as he realized how tiring it can be. Thankfully he has no idea what candy is yet, so we have hidden his bag and we've had a few pieces of candy and the rest is going to Kurt's work!!!!

Here are some pictures from last night. Elijah is the pirate and Silas is the shark.

grateful for a smile, some animals, and family

Thought you would all like to see Nathan, caught in the act - of SMILING!


We took a trip to the zoo on Saturday, and we couldn't have been given a better day. It was absolutely beautiful outside, and as you can see Silas and Grandma had a great time. Nathan - well, for the first visual experience of the zoo, his eyes we shut for most of it.




OK - so the birds aren't as fun as the giraffes, but hey - you can't win 'em all.

Our Healthy Baby Boy!!!

Hard to believe it, but we had Nathan's 1 month dr's appt today. It feels like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital, so for it to be a month is amazing! Anyways, he's still a good sized baby. He weighed 10 lb 13.5 oz which is the 78%. His height is 22 inches and that is in the 68%. His head is the 45%.

Other than that, we are having some problems in the evenings with him being a bit colicky. He has some issues w/ gas, so we're going to start using some drops to help that. The other evening, we were up with him from 8 pm to 1:30 am with him just crying. Thankfully every night is not like that, but it is becoming a lot more frequent, so we're going to try the drops and hope that this helps.

Silas still really loves his brother, but there are times he gets jealous. I guess that is expected, but I know in a year or so they will be best buddies!

Well, Grandma Aichele comes and visits this week, so we're excited to spend time with her. We'll hopefully post pictures of that visit. Have a great weekend.

Last weekend, we were able to take advantage of the Colorado sun and visit a pumpkin "farm". OK - in Colorado it's a field with imported pumpkins, but it's close. Anyway, as you can see, Silas is still a clown, and Nathan - well, he slept through it all.