Christmas Blessings 2012

 We had a great Christmas holiday at Gordon's parents' in Northern Wisconsin.  We arrived on Saturday, December 22nd and stayed through the 26th.  The kids are getting older now and are more cognizant of  Santa and the you better not pout, you better not cry... or at least we try to remind them. :)  Either way, we all enjoyed seeing the kid's eyes light up with many delights all throughout the season.  From miniature Christmas villages and trains, to sledding in the snow, reading stories with Nana, eating cookies and chocolates, or opening presents... complete bliss, with bountiful blessings.

Please enjoy our Christmas slideshow!

This free slideshow design generated with Smilebox

Central Region Christmas Party

Last Saturday, Gordon and I hosted his work's Christmas party at our house.  We had a great time and it seems like everyone else did too!  I put together a little slide show of our White Elephant Gift Exchange:

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Our little tumbling tot!

Kirsten started gymnastics few weeks ago and LOVES it!  She attends once a week and since the building is nearby by our house we drive by it daily... and everyday Kirsten asks if today is the day she gets to go to gymnastics!  

This evening the parents were invited to watch the class and both Gordon and I were able to attend.  We saw the kids do a bear walk, twirl ribbons, perform with rhythm sticks, cross the balance beam, complete somersaults, and dance.  Kirsten did an outstanding job!  She followed directions, was very attentive, and completed all of her routines and tricks.  Gordon and I are very proud of our little girl!

Kirsten passed her age group and can attend the next level.  They awarded her with a certificate! 

The local newspaper came to her class and took pictures!

Happy Birthday Drake!

 Drake is already 7 years old!  To celebrate we had a bowling party in Minocqua, WI while visiting Gordon's parents for Thanksgiving.  There was fun dance music playing loudly over the speakers and the kids were having a great time showing us their best dance moves.  Later that evening Drake opened his presents and he and his sisters were excited to play with all the new toys.  The house was especially busy with all the boys (Gordon, Steve, and Drake) running around with Nerf guns trying to shoot each other.  One of Drake's favorite gifts was a Red Rider bb gun from Nana and Papa (Gordon's parents), he practiced a couple of times shooting soda cans and hit them several yards away!

Leona Fredricia Groff 1942-2012

On Thanksgiving, my best friend Tiffany lost her mother to an awful disease with no cure or medicine to prolong life.  Leona lost her battle to ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.  

I have such fond memories of the wonderful woman that also shared the same birthday of my own mother.  Leona turned 70 on November 10th and enjoyed a festive birthday with friends and family.  http://tiffanysparks.smugmug.com/Family/Moms70thBirthday/26481736_PVjpwD

While sadness fills my heart, I am happy Leona isn't suffering any longer.  It feels just like yesterday when I was a 20 something getting ready to go out on the town with Tiffany while Leona looked on at us eager to hear the details of our upcoming evening.  Or even more recently at Alyssa's (Tiff's daughter and my goddaughter) graduation where Leona held Kirsten almost all night in her arms, dancing and smiling the night away.  

I'll miss you Leona, sending my love to heaven!



Leona and Kirsten (7m)

Kirsten's first Shirley Temple

I had to post this photo!  After Alexa's baby dedication we all went to brunch and Kirsten had her first Shirley Temple.  This was also her first time having soda... so it was quite comical when she took her first gulp and her face turned bright red, followed by her eyes.  Then our little cutie looked at us and said, "mmmm, kind of spicy!"   Love it!

Alexa's Baby Dedication

Last Sunday was a special time for our family as we came together to announce our promise to the Lord to raise Alexa with the principles of our Christian faith.  Our dear friends, Klint and Jenny Belz are Alexa's Godparents and they were also there for this special day.  We prepared a series of photos that our church played for the patrons at the service, it was quite beautiful and it was hard not to get emotional during this wonderful time.  Alexa's biblical name means "benefactor", strong willed and a fighter for those in need.  I think this fits her perfectly.  

We love you Alexa Lynn!

Here is a link to the Dedication slideshow played at church:  https://vimeo.com/53888818

Kirsten turns 3!

This year's birthday theme was... Elmo!  Most that know Kirsten would expect a Dora theme, but Kirsten had her heart set on having an Elmo birthday cake since she saw one at Dairy Queen a few months ago.  Sounds good to us!

Kirsten brought cookies to share with her playmates at daycare, which she proudly said she made... which is partly true, she did help me open the roll of cookie dough and put them on the cookie sheet.  :)  Both Gordon and I picked her up from daycare with a huge balloon bouquet--Elmo was the same height as Kirsten!  She loved it and was all smiles.

Kirsten's favorite food is rice and beans, so we took her and the family for a Mexican dinner where they sang to her and had her wear a Sombrero hat... she didn't like the hat very much!

The next day was our family party where we took Kirsten swimming at the indoor pool, opened presents, and ate birthday cake... Elmo cake, of course!

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Introducing the Hulk, Dora and her best friend Boots

Drake, as the Hulk
Kirsten, as Dora the explorer
Alexa, as Dora's best friend Boots

Dora and Boots, getting ready to trick or treat (as soon as Boots has some milk)

Drake finally put his Hulk mask on!

 Candy time!  Alexa had her first lollipop and LOVED it.  So much that she stole his sister's and ate that one too.  Oh, Lexi!

Let's carve pumpkins!

Happy Halloween

The finished products, 3 carved pumpkins!

Step 1: what kind of faces do we put on our pumpkins?

Step 2: clean out all the seeds and slimy parts

Step 2.5: still cleaning them out... Kirsten and Alexa, are you going to help?  Nope, they let Drake do all the work!

Pumpkin Patch Fun!

The whole family went to a Pumpkin Patch nearby and had a great time!  We started out petting and feeding the goats.  Alexa was a little unsure of these animals and Kirsten didn't dare touch them, but Drake was all for it!  He was feeding them handfuls of food and laughed every time they licked his hand.  Next up was the corn cob launcher, where Drake was an active participant.  Four cobs for $1 gave him the chance to shoot towards a silo with a giant smiley pumpkin.  He did a great job!  It was a beautiful fall day - a little chilly, but great none the less.  It was a perfect backdrop for photos, so the kids gathered together for a few pictures in front of the pumpkins.  Afterwards, we took a tractor ride to the Corn Maze and peddle go carts.  The kids were running through the maze quickly, with Gordon and me trying to keep up.  It is a large maze (a few acres), but we managed to get through without confusion and with the direction of Drake (and a little help from Gordon).  This place had it all, because after running through the maze we headed over to the peddle go carts for a little race between Gordon (w/Kirsten in back), me (w/Lexi in back) and Drake.  This had everyone in giggles!  To wrap up the day, we all picked out a pumpkin to bring home and carve.  This was my first time to a pumpkin patch, but we all had such a good time I imagine we will be back every year for a new family tradition!

Corn launcher, see the giant smiley pumpkin?

Alexa wasn't too sure about the goats

Daddy and Drake during the tractor ride

Me and the kiddos on the tractor ride

Who is going to win the race??

Daddy and Kirsten on their peddle go cart

Smile!

Drake starts 1st grade!

Hike in the U.P.

We went for a visit to Northern Wisconsin over Labor Day weekend and went on an adventure to the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!  Gordon's parents had hiked recently and showed us the way.  It was beautiful and a lot of fun!!

Family photo in front of one of the waterfalls

Are we there yet?  The kids were being silly!

Porcupine Mountains in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan

Skipping rocks on Lake Superior