Good Question.....

I gathered up the courage to volunteer at Church this year as one of the snack ladies in the Preschool & Kindergarten Sunday Pathfinders rooms, a much more intense job than I could ever imagine. You have no idea how serious these little tykes take their snacks, what they didn't tell me was that it's also our jobs to entertain the children until the teacher arrives, no small task when you're dealing with 3 year-olds that have to be pryed from their parents legs. Puzzles, crayons, and play dough help me accomplish this with ease.

The last class before Christmas was a huge birthday party for Jesus. A big hit, cupcakes, and not one, but two projects! Double the mess too, but it will forever be ingrained in my heart as the one time my little peanut broke out of his shy state of being. As the teacher asks the class who's birthday they're celebrating, a resounding cheer of "baby Jesus" erupted. What did my son say when everyone quieted down? Little Conner asked "When is God's birthday?" Silence........

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Daddy getting an upgrade to the basic razor....

More favorite recipes to try in her new cookbook

Just Dance 2, and boy are we glad it was on her list, it's just hysterical fun, I didn't know my kids could boogie that well.....

Star Wars for his new Leapster 2 - received a cool "AWESOME" from Conner

He wanted one just like his cousin Ayden's, looks like Santa was listening...

Why is it that after a very late night, parents think that their kids would sleep in just a little bit the next morning? Not my kids, and certainly not when that morning is one of their favorite days of the year, Christmas! My only hope was that they would at least wait until the sun came up! So in the early morning hours the kids came bounding up the stairs with excitement. Conner noticed that all that was left of the cookies and candy were crumbs and then headed to the garbage to see if Santa threw the wrappers away (from the chocolate candy) and when there weren't any he said he hoped Santa didn't throw them on the floor. Steve redirected him to the big window to see whether the deer had found his food they had sprinkled on the snow the night before (a school project he came home with, sprinkle the deer food so they have something to eat while waiting for Santa to come back up the chimney). Lo and behold, deer tracks! Santa had certainly come!

Stockings were the first order and boy do they make quick work of that process, time for a coffee break, and much needed at this early hour. The sun finally completes it's beautiful task of arriving and we move onto the presents. This year was the first year our household did NOT creatively adapt a favorite game to make present opening interesting. The reason, we broke down after a year of pleading from our eldest, and blessed them with a WII. They are a ton of fun and something the whole family can enjoy! My hubby surprised me with a much needed replacement in the camera area and bless him for finding a simple alternative, all automatic!

Pancakes, whipped topping, bacon, a yummy breakfast and a very late seafood extravaganza lunch and off to Willmar we go for more Christmas fun! Papa took us for a ride so that we could take in the lights display put on by a very nice young man, Chad Koosman. He does it every year and stands at the end of his driveway taking donations for the Salvation Army. Last year he raised over $20,000! A very fitting way to end to a very glorious day, Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas Eve with Grandma Reese

Traditionally Stephen grew up spending Christmas Eve in Winthrop MN with his grandparents. They'd attend church with them and come back to the most amazing meals with aunts, uncles, and cousins. Steam pudding, lutefisk, etc.... Well times have changed and Grandpa is in the glorious grasp of our heavenly father and Grandma Reese is in the most amazing independent living home in Gaylord MN. We traveled there today and the usual joy in her face greeted us. Now only the aunts and uncles gather with a spattering of cousins here and there. Today we were treated with seeing Steve's cousin Tiffany and her two boys, McCoy and Brody. The shock of seeing how big they've grown wore off quickly, and I'm telling you that McCoy must definitely be the best of athletes for he certainly has the height. We walked in to organ playing and I cheerily said, "who's playing?" All responded with "Brody," entering Grandma's room to lay our coats on the bed confirmed that, yes, Brody was playing and a funny hello followed. What a treat he is, an extremely good humored and caring man he is becoming. Aunt Mary even slaved over the stove with steam pudding, yep, it was all good! We had a great time visiting, Brie played Upwords with Betty and Conner shot some pool with Mary. We made Grandma our favorite soup for supper and left with happy hearts. What a wonderful day!

Last year the four of us had the pleasure of mini-golfing at the MOA, it ended with Steve and Brie both getting a hole in one at the end. Yep, that meant two more free rounds, well we sort of forgot about the slips until now and decided today would be a great day for an adventure. Mommy, Brie & Conner took off early to get that coveted up front parking at what we expected to be a very busy mall day. What an adventure, so much laughter, our sides hurt! Mini golf, Santa, Candy shop, and Lego land, an amazing day!

The shot of the day, Brienna smashed this ball on hole#10 over the wall and hitting the rock bottom ride on it's way down until it landed in it's resting place just below the ride. Laughing hysterically at this point. Thankfully the nice man let her grab another ball!

They've really switched up the courses at this place, every hole seemed to have bigger and more complicated obstacles.

Mini golfing this year was way better, Conner didn't need any help and man the giggles were just rolling as Brie ended up with some serious air swings, and I thought Conner would need help!

A quick shot with Woody!

Snuck in some Lego land time, Conner was certain he could live there as the games were so much fun and then put trays of Lego's nearby too, just heaven for this little boy...... I believe him when he says he could spend all day there!

As adventures go, we can't just make it all about the mini-golfing. Mommy had ulterior motives in getting the kids in front of Santa as well. Needless to say, I was very impressed!

Sitting with Santa, he was so fun, Conner was just amazed that he had time to sit and chat with all the kids in line, he thought Santa would be busy wrapping all those toys.

Conner's favorite movie of 2009, The Polar Express, was depicted so beautifully on the pathway to Santa, quick stop for a photo op...

Have to say, the MOA really out does themselves, they make even standing in line to see Santa an adventure, they have an area with tables and crayons for kids waiting as well, so glad we got there right away in the morning, lines were pretty long by the time we left.

So fun to see the elves from our favorite traditional Christmas movies.

A quick stop for breakfast, yep, cinamini's from McDonald's, I know it's not the breakfast of champions, but on an adventure it's all about the kids......

Breakfast by a transformer Lego, Conner, who isn't a speed eater to start with took extra time this morning as staring at the larger than life giant robot was WAY more fun.....

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Annual Grochow Family Christmas!

The traditional gathering of the Grochow family occurred this Sunday the 19th and we were blessed with hosting this year! Steve volunteered shortly after Em & Mitch hosted last year so that gave me time to hit all the post Christmas sales in an attempt to put our vision into play affordably. It paid off, opening up the Christmas totes this year was so much fun and seeing all the fruits of our shopping labor payoff. I highly recommend braving the crazed stores to take advantage of their 70% plus sales if you foresee any entertaining in the next year. This year everyone was in attendance, the only regret, and it's a huge one, is that my camera didn't once leave it's case. The photo opportunities missed just make my heart ache but hopefully the memories remain clear, it was so much fun seeing everyone. Steve converted the garage into a "fun house" of sorts for the kids. A heater was set up making it toasty in there, Brienna and I stayed up till 11am Friday night putting up a Christmas tree, tables were set, their own special punch concoction made, toys galore and my kids' favorite, a WII. The noise level reached new highs and kids were everywhere, what a fun scene to behold, all the cousin's playing here and there.

The food was amazing and although it felt like I never left the kitchen, a lot of laughter and great conversations were a plenty. Babies oh babies to hold, little Abbott and Adley were just precious and cuddle time with both of them were sought by all. Family, what a wonderful word, the most precious out there and it's importance to us had us both smiling as our heads finally hit the pillow later that night. We feel truly blessed to be a part of such amazing families, thanks to everyone who brought such delicious fare to share and hopefully plans that were made to get-together in the New Year come to fruition.....

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!!

Brienna & Conner - Real Life

So today was just one of those mornings that just make you giggle and shake your head at the same time. Brienna began by requesting help in creating an outfit that included every color represented in each of the schools Knights of Honor code (Safety, Honesty, Respect, Citizenship, etc...) aka all the colors of the rainbow! Presenting Brie's rendition and tribute to that code!

Conner's turn, he came running in as proud as can be to show us his first loose tooth! He is so excited and yet nervous about eating something that might dislodge and cause him to swallow it! He's in a constant state of wiggles, look out tooth fairy here comes a very light sleeper. You'll have to use all your magic tricks to pull this tooth out from underneath his pillow without waking him!

Super Hero Conner!

Okay, we'll have to come up with a better, more catchy name but after hearing a report from the Seattle Washington area, I am convinced Conner's career path is set. Apparently there is a band of vigilantes who are roaming the city, dressed in their own makeshift superhero costumes fighting crime. They've assisting with robberies in progress, and purse snatchers to name a few, police are concerned for their safety and it's been reported that one in particular suffered a minor stab wound during a recent altercation. When asked about the danger involved their response what to the effect that no one else is doing anything about crime on the streets. So I guess my little boy's dream of one day being a superhero and saving the world is within the realm of possibilities. He's also indicated a desire to be a dentist, whichever he chooses we'll be there to cheer him on! In the meantime I'll start plans on designing a fire, bullet, and knife proof superhero suit! Wish Edna Mode was real, I could use her help!