Church Christmas Program and Lady of Leisure

Another year down and we pulled off another Christmas program. We always wonder if it will come together, but in the end it always turns out cute (if not perfect). I just love all the kids in Sunday School-they worked so hard!

Here's the bunch during a Christmas song....

Alaina performed a Cello solo to "Little Town of Bethlehem" and I couldn't of been more proud and a little choked up. She practiced for weeks and I think she did a fantastic job!
Heeeere's Jonnie (that never gets old, does it?). He was a shepherd and honestly these 4 boys did a fantastic job. They all had their lines memorized weeks ago and they all spoke so nice and loud. My favorite line of his was when he said "we should of offered them a cup o' tea...."

Alaina had some lines, as well. She had a lot to memorize and did a great job, too! I love that she picked out a fancy dress for her Christmas outfit-she looked beautiful!
She also closed the program with a prayer. Way to go you two! You make your mom and dad very proud!!
Last week, Sawyer and I attended my mom's retirement party. Strange that she is retired!! She looked beautiful. There's Sawyer hiding in the brush (:

She received an adorable quilt from one of the other nurses. It was so cute and the highlight of my mom's day. Congrats again, mom! Enjoy your life of leisure (:

WW- "Dad's Helper"

Twelve Years!

Once upon a December afternoon twelve years ago, when Jon and I vowed to spend the rest of our lives together, come hell or high water, boom or bust, and walked out into the bright, snowy world and thrown birdseed and the blue, crisp sky glittered with frost covered trees, I knew that December would always be ours.

What I have learned over these past twelve years is this : love is a choice. Sure, sometimes love is all swooning and songbirds and blue skies, but love is frequently sickness and recessions and exhaustion and whiny children. True love is not a reflex, an unconscious, bone-deep response, but a deliberate exercise, something in the muscles that you have to flex, flex, and flex some more. Love is being kind and brave when all you really want to do is put your head under your pillow and call it a day. Love is relentlessly, foolishly, hopelessly optimistic in spite of everything. Love is watching our wedding video with our now three children and still getting teary and dancing again to our first dance song with the three of them dancing with us.

Love is choosing us, no matter what.

And, twelve years ago, I'm sure glad I made the best choice of them all.

Santa 18 Wheeler

Well, I am feeling a little more festive these days. I have bought some gifts and my own three's gifts are just about done or in the process of being done and that was my biggest worry. My Christmas cards are done and in the process of being sent out (probably next week), the Christmas tree is up and stockings are hung, the kids excitement is wearing off on me, and the 18 wheeler rolled into town! All three were so excited to get there even though it was 4 degrees, yes, I said 4 degrees-we are all die hards here in Minnesota, aren't we? I had to laugh at all the people I heard say it wasn't so bad because for once it wasn't windy-so true.

When we first got there, Sawyer was literally attacked from a bear, snowman, Santa, and a reindeer. He would smile and wave but kept hiding his head in my leg when they got too close. Here he is with daddy.

Jon and Alaina dancing up a storm- I LOVE that they still love it and get into (:

Oh, this picture makes me smile.....Alaina's eyes are the best!

We went in to talk to Santa and Jonnie was the only one who wanted to. Alaina said she was too old ): Sawyer went up there with him, but refused to sit on Santa's lap. I heard Jonnie say he wanted a Go-Cart (GIVE IT UP BOY!!).
I talked Sawyer into standing beside Jonnie for a picture-he refused to tell Santa what he wanted which was fine by me. I was happy to just get a picture.

I am hoping to get most of my other gifts this weekend and just thought today that I should probably do a little baking. So, that is the plan for my little chefs and I this weekend. Jonnie has ANOTHER birthday party to go to tomorrow night. I cannot believe how many parties that kid goes to! Other than that we have no big plans, well I guess it is our 12th anniversary this Sunday-haha. We said no gifts this year, but we will hopefully go out to eat or something. Hope every one is staying somewhat stress-free these days!

Thanksgiving Pictures and more...

It feels like we should be preparing for Thanksgiving still. What is happening with this year? It is going by in a blur.

We spent Thanksgiving day on my in-laws side. Lot of great people, food, and fun!

Here are the kids at their table. I love when the cousins can get together and have fun.

Some of the adults...

After eating all the kids had fun just running around all the open space. We had it at the church again. Here are the 3 oldest taking care of the youngest-Levi.

I honestly had about 100 pictures of the gingerbread houses and I know you would all love to see them, but.... I only picked out a couple (:

Jonnie's

Sawyer's

and Alaina's. They had so much fun!

On to my family. We got together the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I love seeing everyone and always wish they lived closer. Here is Liam-he is so adorable and looking at these pictures, I cannot wait to see him on Christmas!!!!
Raquel (my niece) brought her boyfriend, Joe. I really liked him and thought he was a great guy!
Here's Nevie, Alaina, Courtney, and Raquel. I realized out of all the pictures I took here I didn't get any of Jonnie and Aidan. Those two love to just run around and Jonnie does all he can to make Aidan laugh-some things not so funny in my opinion (:

My parents.

Danielle and Liam.

Here's the adults-Jon couldn't make it as he was in a mad rush to get the harvest out, so he missed out. Food was delicious!

Stutelbergs

Sawyer took this picture of my dad and I told him that I am going to blow it up and hang it by his bed. He didn't think that was such a good idea.
On Sunday, we decided to put up the tree. I was not into the Christmas spirit yet and had to clean the house before I thought about it, but the kids brought up the tree and all the decorations and put it together while I cleaned and rearranged. It worked out great and there excitement made me get into, too. It's nice that they are older now and help me out (:

They LOVE going through their own ornaments.

Dex checking out the tree.

Tada!

Sawyer insisted on holding the cane and I had no other choice if I wanted him the picture (:

Now we are onto Christmas activities galore and I will post as many as I can. Last weekend we went to my Mom-in-laws work Christmas party but I forgot my camera. Tis the Season!

Glasses!

Before I post my thanksgiving pictures, I wanted to put these on since I have been meaning to. First off, for those that don't know.....Jonnie got glasses! He looks handsome in them and so far he has been very responsible.


Also, here are a few pictures of Alaina's concert. The sixth grade orchestra has diminished by about half from last year. Every year it gets smaller and smaller. I am proud of her for sticking with it. She really loves the cello. She did a great job up there.



Tomorrow I will have Thanksgiving pictures after I get together with my side. I know you will be anxiously waiting (;

Wrestler?

This is the second time in as many weeks that my son has colored all over himself. All he can say as to why is that he is a wrestler. Not sure what this kid is watching to think that this is what wrestlers do or look like. I don't think he has ever seen wrestling!

Notice the lipstick and the circle around one nipple (;

Now this takes some skill.
The best part was he colored his little boy parts, as well and each individual toe-HILARIOUS!!