The Next Great Adventure: Merry Christmas from the Toppenberg's!

Happy Holidays to all of you that were able to find our page from our Christmas Card! We hope that this year has been filled with health and happiness for each of you! The year has flown by and we have had a lot of fun, kids are growing fast and keeping us busy.

We are still here in Washington, Jared is working on temporary orders as a civilian Instructor Pilot filling in for the National Guard. He was home with the kids in February and then went to access for 160th. For those of you that don't know Jared had been accepted into a Special Forces unit after a lengthy assessment period. We were planning to be in Tennessee mid September but after the Army's huge downsizing and Jared being so close to retirement the actual Army would not allow this placement. So we are back at square one, hanging on though both Jared and I being furloughed and then the government shut down this year has brought a bit of uncertainty. Jared and I are pretty good planners, and my position is essential. So while Jared ended up getting paid to sit at home, I got to go to work as a volunteer of sorts. Jared is still hoping for work back fulltime with the National Guard instead of as a Civilian Contractor but for now he is happy to have a contract through August.
I am still working at the military hospital on the pediatric floor and enjoying a part time schedule, although 30 hours a week when they are 12 hour shifts doesn't always feel so part time.

We spent a lot of time this summer on the Boat, and Camping. Jared's Parents were here in June we met them at Mnt St. Helens for a few hikes. Becky's Parents were here in Washington for three months this spring, and met us for riding in the dunes in Oregon. It was nice having them just a few miles away.

We Spent the 4th of July in MN this year at the Lake House!

Maycen turned 3 years old last December and enjoyed preschool, soccer, gardening and Gymnastics!Big things for her were giving up her little blankie this year and sucking her thumb!

Brody now 18 months old, had a year of a lot of firsts, talking and walking, now running and climbing. He only has been held up a bit by all the daycare germs and will need to have Ear Tube surgery this January. He just had his 18 month appointment and is the 90% for height. He loves to Roar like a bear, maybe because we call him Brody Bear, but we often wake up to him roaring in his bed.

We celebrated our 7th Wedding Anniversary with an Alaskan Cruise. We were blessed with great weather and my mom being able to stay with the kids.

It is never dull at our house. We got back from the cruise to have some major water damage issues in our kitchen as well as our townhome in MN. The phase "You pay to play" really nailed it. We ended up with a major kitchen and floor remodel project that is still having some loose ends that need finishing but for the most part we are settled back in. See the blog (Nov) below to see the project pictures. Yes, we are way behind on keeping this blog up to date.

After we got home from Alaska, my grandfather's health began to worsen and he had to have hip surgery after a fall. One thing progressed to another and he passed away at the end of October. He was a wonderful grandparent and left a great legacy, he will surely be in our hearts this holiday.