Merry Christmas 2015!!

Christmas started early in Gordon's hometown of Minocqua, WI the weekend after Thanksgiving.  We went to the local Ace Hardware store to see Santa and we successfully were able to photograph the kids without Mommy or Daddy sitting next to them (next to Santa!!).  YAY!  Then we went on a magical horse drawn sled ride...Jackie and Steve sure do know how to show us a good time, weather permitting or not!

Alexa performed at the Des Moines Christian School Christmas concert.  She did such a wonderful job!!  Our baby is growing up!

My Mom arrived to town the Sunday before Christmas--what a great time!!  We made some of the best cookies for Eve Eve service at church...  Speaking of church, we were able to kick off the Christmas festivies with a wonderful service at our church, including my cousin Lee, then we all had a wonderful meal at Bone Fish Grill where my Dad was able to join us and we had an exciting night--welcome to Des Moines!

Christmas Eve was a great day!!  And let's not forget Christmas Day!!  What an amazing time all around...wow, we were able to enjoy so much time with the children AND my parents!  Yay, Thank You Meme and Grandpa Steve (aka Skeeter) for being with us.  Wow, what a wonderful time!

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Happy Birthday Drake!!!

Drake's 10th birthday

I can't believe he is 10 years old!?!?!  WOW.  Slow down time!!

Drake is such a wonderful boy, er, young man.  He is thoughtful, considerate, super smart, handsome, a great big brother, and a blessing to our lives.  I know he is going to do big things in his life.

We are so proud of you Drake and love you SO much!!

The Guthries are getting ready for Christmas!

We're in Minocqua, WI for the Thanksgiving holiday, and our annual tradition is to visit Santa Claus at the local Ace Hardware store.  They make it a wonderful experience for everyone...gifts for the kids, horse drawn sleigh rides, and refreshments with yummy pastries!
This was the first year we were able to get all three kids to sit with Santa, without Mom & Dad.  The girls have been a little intimidated of Santa in years past, but not this year!  Kirsten and Alexa brought a hand written Christmas lists and Kirsten read hers to Santa.
This is going to be a fabulous Christmas season, I can just feel it.  Happy Birthday Jesus!

Kirsten's 6th Birthday

Kirsten celebrated her 6th birthday at Build-a-Bear Workshop at our local mall.  This was the first time our girls have been to this store, and it was the first time for some other friends, too.  It was a fun-time for everyone!!  Our lead team member, Silvia, was wonderful with all 12 girls.  So much fun was had by all!

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Introducing a Skeleton, Pumpkin, and a Bumblebee!

Halloween was a lot of fun this year!  My Mom sent us a care package with some fun decorations, so the family was inspired to continue making the house frightfully fun.  Each of the kids decorated their rooms, check out what they did below!

To the Circus we will go!

We took the girls to the Barnum & Bailey's and Ringling Brothers Circus show today.  It was a great event!  The girls snacked on several treats while watching some amazing feats!  Their eyes were glued to the stage--it was fantastic to see them enjoy it so much and being entertained myself!!!

Go Pack Go AND Happy 7th Anniversary!!!

Gordon and I like to take a little trip away from home to celebrate our wedding anniversary each year.  This year we thought it would be great to go back to where we got married!  Well...close to where we got married :)  Door County is where we exchanged vows, but to get there you travel through Green Bay...so why not go to see a Packers game?!?!  It was awesome!  As coincidence would have it, Gordon's parents were there too!!  We really enjoyed ourselves--it was amazing!  7 years has gone by so fast....guess that happens when you're with the one you LOVE!

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Rafi (we're in love!!)

It was only a little over a year ago when Gordon and I traveled to New York City to visit my our good friends Alex and Alexis (New York, New York)...now they have a baby!!  Rafi is the name she'll go by, and from what I've heard, she is a wonderful little girl.  I love that my best friend, Alexis, now has a baby, too!!  We're so happy for all of them--LOVE!

Alette Rafella Staus

5 lbs. 13oz.

April 30, 2015

Guthrie Family Photos 2015

We recently had our family photos taken, and it ended up being a rainy day...but, the sun came out just long enough to take the photos.  So many good ones!!  Here are some of our favorites!!
Drake, 9     Kirsten, 5     Alexa, 4

Hopping Around!

Go out and grab a copy of Better Homes & Garden's Halloween issue, turn to page 42 and you'll see Kirsten!   She is wearing an adorable frog costume made out of sweats!

Our neighbor is an Art Director for the Meredith Corporation and several months ago she reached out to see if Kirsten was available to be a model for an upcoming magazine issue.  Not knowing if Kirsten would be too shy, I asked her to give me her best poses...she was a natural.  Gordon took her to the shoot and she did a great job.  The hard part was waiting until the magazine came out!!  :)

Cousin Lee has moved to Iowa!

Gordon and I moved to Iowa in 2007 without knowing anyone or having any family here...fast forward 8 years and we can now say we have family here!  My cousin Lee moved from Ohio in late August and I've already signed him up for babysitting duty.  Welcome to Iowa Lee!

Happy Times!

It was a fun filled summer in Iowa!  We visited our usual "fun" spots...Adventureland and the Iowa State Fair!  Nothing compares ;)

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First Day of School

The kids have completed their first couple of weeks of school and it feels nice to be back into a routine.  Drake is in 4th grade, Kirsten is in Kindergarten, and Alexa is entering Pre-K.

I can't believe Kirsten is already in Kindergarten!  She did great on her first day and loves learning! She checked out a book in the Library and brought it home to read to me.  It's a Level 2 and she was able to get through it with only a little help from me.  I'm one proud Mama!