Home for the Holidays

Nothing can describe what it's like to wake up Friday morning after enjoying such wonderful meals on Thanksgiving and pull out all the totes full of Christmas decor. This year, Conner was my little helper and we had such fun that it still brings a huge smile to my face. He was in charge of all the nutcrackers and if you could have been there you would have heard his jubilant "Mommy, Mommy, I found another one, look at this one!" He's hooked on these handsome soldiers too, so I hoisted him up so he could place each one. Of course he was also instrumental in helping me put the tree together and lights up (yep this is year 2 without a real one, next year we're going back to a real tree again). Conner was not interested in decorating the remainder of the tree but when I pulled out the garland for the railing and all the ornaments Nana so lovingly made along with Steve's creations and several of the kids' too, he perked back up again. Decorating the railing garland I have to say was my absolute FAVORITE part of the day. Conner was so mesmerized by each handmade bobble that he practically screamed as he took each one out and very cautiously hung them. Little mice, snow men, snow flakes, ice skates, stars, and even a Vikings helmet were amongst the ornaments. Those most special were the hand made ones by the kids, Grandparents, and Great Grandparents. Below are just a few shots for you to peek at and we pray that each and everyone one of you had your own special day decorating!

POOL TIME!

We all just came home from a wonderful evening at the middle school pool. Through community ed we have pass for Mon & Thrs nights and we're having a blast. The junior high swim team has half the pool while the other half is open swim. Brie spent the evening mastering her cannon ball and other jumps, some were quite creative :)! Steve did lap after lap after lap which was great and hopefully wonderful for that knee! Conner and I played motor boat most of the time while I tried to coax him to jump from the sides, something must happen to their confidence once summer ends, oh well, we've all winter to work on it. Met some nice families already (only 3 others were there so we pretty much had TONS of space - it was great) and hopefully by the end of the winter Steve will have helped me eliminate this unreasonable fear of drowning I have. Off to watch the rest of Polar Express as these kiddos (and parents) are plum tuckered out!

The Bastin Family asked that we take some shots of them while we were there for Thanksgiving, I think they turned out pretty cool, but then they're a gorgeous family so making great photos wasn't hard.

Happy Birthday Stephen!!!!

Very special birthday wishes to you, we love you so very much and feel so blessed to have you in our lives!

History Lesson

We sometimes look back very fondly at our school years and recall all the friends, good times, sport accomplishments, Prom, first dates, driving for the first time, all things synonymous with school. One thing not missed however, was homework, and maybe it's not missed because truly there didn't seem to be much of it. Study halls were aplenty and what didn't get done during those hours was finished on the bus to a volleyball game or other such event. Over the years we've realized that you are never free from homework. You finish high school and it's on to college, from there research and continuing education required for our careers and last but not least our children! We finally had a project this past weekend in which Brienna needed to interview a family member that could recall someone immigrating to America. Thanks to Nana, we have copies of Sarah's, Em's and Steve's family tree reports and had a great time reading them to the kids. They giggled at most of it and when all those reports didn't yield much about the boat trip over, we called Grandma Grochow! She was able to tell us many fascinating details, my history buff husband had a great time! Thanks Grandma for the information and also to our decedents for their unbelievable dedication and courage to leave their homelands & family only to a endure treacherous voyage to this great country!!!!!

Welcome Genevieve!

Tiny toes and feet!

Their little miracle!

AWESTRUCK!

Pretty little girls!

Already has him wrapped around her finger!

baby, new parents, & proud grandparents

We had a wonderful visit last night, what a little pumpkin she is all curled up and content. She slept the entire time but her little mouth was in constant movement with smiles, smirks and the occasional frown. Just as we were leaving I think she sensed it was feeding time because that's when we were given a show of her beautiful eyes! Sleep well precious, grow healthy and strong, and know you are so loved!!!!!!

Conner is officially a Penguin

A huge congratulations to our youngest who graduated to the Penguin room at preschool this week. He didn't need a transition period, Conner was ready to get in there for months now, that's where all the big kids are after all. He's already met a new friend, Jack, and I'm told they are joined at the hip. Finding his cubbies has been a challenge as it seems, the Penguin's have their own area and on top of it all, another Conner with an "e" has joined the ranks which has thoroughly confused our little man and Mommy for that matter. We have a bucket for our nap time blanket, one for his hats and mittens and yet another for his boots. Not to mention his hook for his coat and snow pants. It's a geographic nightmare for us Mommies who arrive early and without their coffee each morning. Anyway, we're very proud of you Conner and love you very much!