Lane's Baptism

This past Sunday we were able to attend Lane's baptism. It was a great day complete with fellowship, family and food!

We decided it might make for a better morning if we headed over to IL the night before. We arrived in Springfield after 6:30 but just in time for dinner at Texas Roadhouse...Yum! It was definitely a fun night out...Andi, TJ and especially Cooper loved the atmosphere, especially when someone was celebrating a birthday and they could help clap and sing! Brody also did a great job and for the most part just hung out at dinner.

We didnt end up back at our hotel until after 10pm which made for a late night and of course we totally "forgot" that no one wants to go to bed in a hotel! :) Finally the kids crashed and we had a few hours to sleep ourselves. Somehow we got up, ready and re-packed and made it to church on time to see Lane's big day!

The big boys were excited for some tv time...which really meant sitting still for this picture and then wrestling!

Cooper eating his favorite...oreo's! Well at least the white part of the oreos :)

then it was dance party time!

Brody hanging out during all of the commotion


Ready to make the trip to Mason City. It was only about 45 minutes which really wasn't much longer than we are use to for our church commute anyways! (lots better than the 3 1/2 hours that it could have been lol)

Lane's big moment with Pastor Stephen, Gina and Jason and his Godparents Megan and Justin.

Afterwards everyone headed back to Gina and Jason's house for some lunch and fun! We didn't get to stay as long as we wanted to but the cousins did get some quality play time together! and we did remember to snap some photos of them together too!

Kale, TJ, Lane, Andi, Brody & Cooper

6 under 5- sounds like fun right?!

and we even got a family picture!

and a picture of Uncle Kyle and Brody Kyle

and a "Girls Only" picture :)

Just hanging out in January

We have lots of dressing up at our house. Here lately the favorites have been the Halloween costumes including a "real cowboy" complete with lasso and guns and "Cinderella" Usually Andi is Cinderella and TJ the cowboy but just the other day they decided to switch, or at least TJ did.

Our boys..."Cinderella TJ" and Cooper who could not miss a photo opp.

he really looks surprising like Andi in this costume :)

Big Brody

Cooper, as always, excited to see "Bro-Bro"

and always ready to give out some kisses!

Sledding Fun

We have been taking full advantage of all of the snow that we are having! The kids LOVE sledding and playing in the snow in general. Of course after playing in the snow you just have to come in and sit by the fire place followed by hot chocolate and marshmellers :)

It has been rather cold lately but that does not deter any of the big kids so we find ourselves acquiring more and more "cold weather gear."

Andi ready to head out

TJ ready (sort of!)


and Cooper too!

This is how we sled ;)

and Brody and I take pictures from inside lol

Cooper loves heading out with the big kids but usually can't hang the entire time. Can you tell it was cold out?!

Andi told Travis that "my feet were really cold but I didn't want to tell you because I knew that we would have to come in." Isn't she smart? and a die hard sledding kid for sure! :)

Travis and Cooper ready for another day.

Bath Time

One thing is for sure, we have lots of "help" with Brody. He is definitely loved and is probably already well on his way to being spoiled with attention!

The "bath crew"

TJ wanted Brody to take a bath with them in the bath tub. I am thinking that the 3 of them are already a tub full! It will be a while before Brody can move up to that!

waiting for his 1st bath

Awww...everyone is impressed with Brody liking his bath!

so calm and peaceful :)

now for lots of lotion...

All clean and ready for bed

Brody already 1 week old!

Brody's first few days

Our 4 precious kids!

this is more like it! lol

Andi loves holding Brody.

Brody in some clothes from his big brother TJ. Another Tiger fan for sure!

dressed and ready to checkout

Travis and Brody, almost ready to go.

Me and my baby :)

so tiny!

hanging out at home

Big sister's turn again.

Cooper so excited for his chance to hold "Bro, bro" aka Brody.

lots of love

and of course a hug!

Brody Kyle Belt

On January 6th we were very excited and extremely blessed to welcomed our newest addition Brody Kyle Belt into our family! He arrived at 1:02 pm coming in at 7 lbs 6oz and and 19 3/4 inches long.

He made it a little harder for everyone, including his self when he arrived face up and with his cord wrapped three times around his neck. He gave us all a little scare with the cord especially when the nurses and Dr. Morse kept talking about how it was "so rare" to have the cord wrapped around 3 times. One time is scary enough for us and we were and are even more thankful that Brody arrived safely and with the help of a fantastic doctor and nurses!

The hospital was full of newborns that week and especially that day and all of the rooms were full so we didn't get into our room until after 7pm that night. Even though we could only have 2 visitors at a time, we had good visitors who were willing to take their turn. It is always nice to have family and friends be able to come visit at the hospital!

Dr. Morse and Brody

We love her (and not just because she is a huge Mizzou fan either!)

She has delivered all 4 Belt babies and right before Brody she was teasing Travis that we needed to keep going to get a basketball team...he told her that he would settle for a "backfield and a cheerleader" instead. ;)

Mr. Brody Kyle

just hanging out




Andi was not disappointed at all. She says that he is the best baby brother ever! :)


TJ was pretty excited too. He to this day still says "Hey Brody Kyle." in his soft sweet voice! I can just imagine that it will change in a few months!

Travis and his newest "Belt Boy"