February 2010

The shortest month of the year felt endless here as winter persisted with bitter cold. We are so ready for spring. At time of writing it has finally warmed up enough to take down the Christmas lights! Andy and Dada made a snowman the first week of the month, and it only just melted a few days ago. So it was a rather uneventful month other than Aimee's 3-day business trip to Atlanta. Daddy and Andy survived. Also, Aimee finally turned a corner and is feeling better in week 14 of pregnancy. Just a few photos and videos for you this month.

Lots of cute Andy stories, though. He loves prayer time at night. We have lots of things we always pray for, including a hat for the baby in momma's tummy. I have NO idea where this came from, but he insists we ask for a hat to keep the baby's head warm. He loves to kiss and hug momma's tummy and even shares his toys by laying them on top of my belly. He doesn't speak in sentences, but still manages to share his ideas. Like while Aimee was traveling, every airplane noise overhead elicited, "Momma home." As in "that sounds like an airplane momma will come home on tomorrow." One of his favorite things to do at night is help momma cook dinner. "Help, help, help," he says. He continues to be a great eater, unlike some of the adults in this house.

January 2010

We had been looking forward to this month for a long time as we returned to Snowmass for the first time in three years. We had a little more luggage this time, including a 2-year old little boy. To paraphrase some anonymous genius, "If you're lucky enough to be in the mountains, you're lucky enough." That's how we flatlanders were feeling that week. Because Andy is too young yet for skis, we didn't ski as much. But we were just so pleased being in one of our most favorite places.

Marshall's father was our resident chef again - may you be so blessed to experience his cooking sometime. Besides skiing, we did some snowshoeing and sledding and took Andy to see the Krabloonik sled dogs. Whenever possible, we played a game of gin rummy here or backgammon there. Or we just read by the fire. It was a fantastic time. Then, to cap off the week, we had 10 inches of fresh powder on the last day.

When we returned to Kansas City, we found much of our Midwest snow gone finally. But Marshall had to immediately turn around and go to the mountains in California again where he found another foot of snow waiting for him during his week at the Leadership Institute.

Most of you who follow us already know that we are now expecting our second child (due September 1), or maybe you discoverd this little secret for yourselves, hidden in the videos we posted last month! But yes, we found out on Christmas Eve. Praise God!

We hope you enjoy the many pictures and videos we've posted this month.

God Bless,
Aimee and Marshall

Happy New Year

The month of December really flew by. But here in the Midwest we were blessed with the first truly white Christmas in years. In fact, it snowed nonstop for at least 48 hours beginning Christmas Eve. It was the most snow Kansas City had seen on Christmas day in 50 years! And since then it has been bitter cold, and the forecast calls for another week of temps in the single digits and lower. As we write, another 2-4 inches is falling outside.

This was Andy’s first Christmas which he could begin to understand. Using our nativity scene advent calendar, he understood that something special was going to happen when we reached December 24. And boy did it ever! Andy was showered with gifts, including a tool belt, a couple of tool boxes and a tool bench. (Perhaps soon he’ll understand that Jesus too was a carpenter.) He also had a blast playing with the Kinney, Carter, and Andersen cousins. And of course, we also just celebrated Andy's 2nd birthday!

Aimee had a very busy month at work, which goes with the territory in the world of charitable giving. But this too was a blessing, seeing people give so generously still, in a year that was tough economically by any measure.

And Marshall celebrated the return of his friend and partner in ministry, Craig Babb. Craig took a much-needed sabbatical during 2009 and we are glad to have him back.

As Aimee and I celebrate our ninth New Year together, we thank God for you and pray that 2010 will be a year marked by growth in your journey with Him.

Blessings to all of you,

-Marshall and Aimee

Merry Christmas 2009!

November was a momentous month. Don (Pops) had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and he came through it with a great report from the doctors. It was a scary procedure by any measure, but Don is home now and recuperating. We are so thankful and we praise God that he is doing so well. This brought particular reflection during Thanksgiving, especially since Don was still in the hospital that day.

Andy continues to develop into 110% little boy. One morning he decided he would start caring about clothes he gets to wear. He showed Mama the outfit he wanted to wear, which included a pair of brown pajama bottoms. Momma tried to get him interested in some jeans but he would have nothing of it. Then Dad showed him the “hammer hole” loop on his jeans and how his plastic hammer could go with him wherever he goes, and the deal was sealed. He now has two plastic hammers that go everywhere with him, including bedtime. After setting him down for sleep, it is not uncommon to hear him remodeling his crib before nodding off. Tap tap tap tap BANG tap tap.

Andy also has learned to whistle, if you can believe it. He sees Daddy doing it all the time and so, what the heck, let’s learn to whistle before we learn to talk, shall we?

Not that he doesn’t have any words. Our favorite is probably “wet”, which is his word for anything that he drinks.

And further evidence that God trumps Darwin, Andy does not take after his dad’s own childhood diet. Beets, pumpkin, green beans, sweet potato, you name it…he loves it all.

November was also the height of leaf removal for Prairie Village this year. Andy was not to be left out—he really enjoyed helping Dad rake (and un-rake) the mammoth piles of leaves.

Lastly, Marshall spent a long weekend in Pennsylvania helping Andy’s Pawpaw split enough firewood for the winter. Thank God for gas-powered log splitters. Still, it was a workout.

Thank you for tuning in to this blog to catch up with us. We do this for loved ones who live far away, and it is a great blessing to be reminded of you each month as we put it together.

This Advent season, may you be blessed as you celebrate the coming of our Lord and Savior.

Merry Christmas,
The Minnichs

*It came to our attention that we failed to notify folks of last month’s update. Sorry about that—you can scroll down below to see October’s entry.

October 2009

Before the update, let us thank you all for reading and keeping up with us. We love putting the blog together each month and thinking of our friends and family as we do so.

The last few weeks have been marked by lots of leaves and acorns. Andy and Virginia love romping in the leaves and throwing, chewing (V), and collecting the acorns. Andy is quite the helper when it comes to yard work. He loves to carry the rake around and help daddy use the leaf blower.

A big highlight of the month (for Andy) was the construction of speed humps on our street. Marshall took some videos of the asphalt paver, roller, dump truck and skid-steer so that Andy can re-live the experience over and over. And over.

It's so fun to watch Andy learn new things every day. He's a smart cookie, and even knows that the best way to get daddy out of bed on Saturday is to bring daddy's slippers and "ears" (hearing aids), then tug on his hand.

Marshall and I celebrated our 6th anniversary together. We've seen lots of wonder in the past few years. Thanks to each of you for walking this journey with us.

September 2009

Wow, we (Marshall here) really don’t have much to share about the month of September. Fall definitely arrived, and we celebrated Aimee’s 29th birthday. Aimee also went on a 3-day business trip leaving Marshall to survive his first multi-day stint taking care of Andy alone. The last time we tried this it was for less than 24 hours but Andy awoke in the middle of the night puking all over everything. That was good times that I will never forget. But alas, Andy and I escaped unscathed this time. But, we only have 2 photos and a couple of videos to share this month. Sorry!

August 2009

We had a pretty slow month, other than a visit from Marshall's aunt and uncle--Brook and Pete. It was great to see them on our turf and show them our house. Aimee's Great Aunt, Sister Rita (she's a nun) also came for a visit. Four of the 10 great-aunts are still living and a few of them came to lunch at Nana's. Andy enjoyed showing off for all the guests and we enjoyed catching up.

Andy continues to amaze in cuteness (ok, I might be a little biased, but he's pretty cute). Still not much for talking in English, but he definitely understands what we're saying. Sometimes too much. He stepped on a flower and said, "Darn!" Guess Mama better watch her language. And the other day Marshall said his shoulder hurt. Andy looked very concerned and started rubbing Marshall's shoulder. Marshall said, "Oh, thanks Buddy, but it's the other shoulder." So Andy switched to rubbing the other shoulder.

Andy wants to write something this month. hn nn/ m0/ sss s[';sjkdzszmm n hh bnb nhb V 2555nn n n99+65- That translates to: "I love you guys. Talk to you later."