Two students from each classroom at Big Woods were chosen by teachers to go shopping at Target on Monday. They were there to buy Christmas gifts for local needy families using the proceeds from the garage sale they held in November. We are so excited Mrs. Herian chose Brienna, her group in this photo had such a wonderful time, what an honor, we're proud of you pumpkin!

We Are SOOO Proud of You Conner!!!!

Mommy was never so relieved, sleepless nights worrying about whether this experience would be good or bad, our little man pulled through and had a great time! His age group was the eldest so you can imagine all the LITTLE people all decked out, very precious. What a beautiful night we had!

What a handsome little guy!

The stain glass at the altar was amazing, a gorgeous back drop for these beautiful children!

Go Conner!

Winter Fun!

The kids were outside for over 4 hours today and I can't help but remember when we were kids when we bundled up in the morning and didn't come in until dark. So happy they are building the same wonderful memories! Sledding, building a fort, played at the park and ventured into the reeds/weeds! Better make way for soggy mittens, and cold noses, get out the hot chocolate!

Believe it or not the Timberwolves WON!!!!!

Yes, they actually did it, maybe they are on a role, they are 3-17 now :) ! . Here's the recounting of the evening and what an evening it was, take it away Brie. Daddy and I went to the game and we won we had crunch come and sit right next to us. Then during one of the breaks I was dancing and got up on the big screen with daddy. then at half time crunch and the hoop team did a trampoline show slamming the basketball. Then during another break they where throwing T-shirts and beenie babies that's how I got the T-shirt in the picture. We had a great time!

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.