#1 Area Sales Manager for WFHM

2012 was a great year for many reasons and from a career perspective, it was a phenomenal year for me!  I had the most volume produced in WFHM with $4.2 billion dollars.  Yes, I said billion. 

In celebratory fashion, WFHM sent Gordon and I to Florida where we had a great time!  But Gordon and I will need to keep our swimsuit bodies in shape because we are off to Jamaica, too.

We are so blessed, thank you Lord for everything!

17 months old, where does the time go?

Lately, I've been thinking about how fast our little Alexa Lynn is growing up.  She is starting to talk, she can say "Mama", "Dada", "Kiki" (Kirsten's nickname), "D" (short for Drake), "please", as well as "Dora" and "Boots"  :)  All this getting older is hard for me to grasp... she's my baby, or at least I would like to still think so.  I still call her my baby and although she is losing some of the chub in her cheeks, I kiss them while she squeals with delight.

Little Lexi,

I love rocking you to sleep and holding you in my arms.  I'll keep doing it for as long as you'll let me.  You are very loved, little one.

Love, 

Mommy

Kirsten's first haircut!

 Look at our pretty girl Kirsten, she just got her first haircut!  We only took off 2 inches, but it looks a lot more healthy and I know Kirsten loved all the pampering she received during the process.  It took me over 3 years to build the courage to have someone take scissors to her hair because I was so afraid her curls would be gone.  The tight little ringlets aren't there anymore, but they are saved in an envelope as a keepsake.  When she is older, I'll show her how I wear my hair curly and we'll rock it together!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! 

The Guthrie Family celebrated the beginning of 2013 with our 3rd Annual dance/slushy drinking/pizza eating Party.  Before the festivities begin we decorate the house, then it's off to our bedrooms so we can get dressed in our party clothes.  Once we are all dolled up, let the party start!  The kids love Gordon's dance music (as do I), so he made a special mix that had everyone dancing on the tables... literally!  The kids danced for hours, with only a few breaks so I could snap some photos.  All that dancing works up a thirst and an appetite, so we made each of the kids a slushy in our Margaritaville machine and filled our bellies with pizza.  To wind the night down, the kiddos changed into their PJs and we watched Megamind in the Theater room.  The kids didn't stay up until Midnight, but I could tell in their tired little eyes in was a great night and a fabulous end to a fabulous year.

Thank you Lord for all our blessings, here is to a prosperous 2013!

Enjoy our New Year's Eve party slideshow:

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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!