Christmas 2007

Merry Christmas 2007

Here is what we did today.... After everyone sleeping in till almost 8:00am we started out the morning with some home made crepes with lots of whipped cream on top.
Then we gathered around the table to read the Christmas story from God's Word.
David read the account from the book of Luke. By then the kids were ready and waiting by the tree excited about the giving... and the getting!





They were all excited with lots of smiles and hugs and words of jubilee.










Here are the boys with their new light sabers.
And Mommy got a gift card for Caribou Coffee!! Whoo Hooo!!
Mommy and Daddy just had a great time watching all the Joy go around.

Then... it was time to go OUTSIDE!




There was a beautiful snow falling all day but that only added a magical element to the fun.
They had so much fun just being together... And of course, eating lots of snow!
Daddy got in on the fun.... but seriously, I think it is time to get the man a real snow board... He has gone as far as he can on the kids plastic one.
After a few hours and lots of rosy cheeks, it was time to pack up the sleds and come inside.
Every one relaxed in their own way. The big kids played Play Station. Josiah was so excited to get a set of remote controllers so now he can play with 2 people.Jonah decided to spend some quality time with his trains.And Daddy decided to spend some quality time with Mom's new Christmas present.... The Homedics Shiatsu Massage Cushion. He has decided that it is the best present he ever bought me.
It was a beautiful day of celebrating the gift of Family and the beauty of God's creation.

Micah

My Nephew, Micah is here visiting with us for Christmas. He arrived last night after braving his fist ever solo Airplane flight. He was quite the brave 10 year old and managed the whole adventure just fine.

Josiah and Siri were so excited. They took a nap yesterday so they would be able to stay up til he got here. With the flight delay and a winter storm slowing down the roads David and Micah finally arrived home at 12:35 am. They were all tired but warmed up in front of the fire and had a snack before getting to sleep at about 1:30am.

Micah wanted to get outside and play first thing this morning. So with a chilly 9 degrees outside they bundled up for some digging and sledding.
The first round was fun but after a short time they were cold and came in for some hot chocolate. When Micah finished he promptly bundled up and went back outside for more sledding with Uncle David.They had a great time. They are all begging to go out again already. What a fun way to enjoy a beautiful Christmas Eve.

Christmas Craft

Now that the kids are feeling better from their Chicken Pox episode....
It was time for a little Christmas Crafting. We made a fun Christmas paper chain with red and green construction paper.
But before we put it all together, a name is written on each strip. Mostly names of Aunts & Uncles, cousins and friends who live far away.
After putting it all together we hung it up next to the kids beds. Each night at bedtime, they each tear off a ring and read the name. We then pray for the person. It is so sweet to hear them pray for their friends and cousins. They pray mostly for the things that matter to them at bedtime... that you will sleep well and not have any bad dreams... and last night Siri prayed that her cousin would "Rest in Peace".

Adventures in Chicken Pox

Yes, you read that title right... we have the Chicken Pox. I have to say that it did not come as too much of a surprise when Josiah and Siri started getting it. We knew that they had been exposed..... The surprise came when David got it right along with them!So... I went out and got all the recommended stuff. Oatmeal bath, lavender oil, Sea Breeze, itch relief cream. I ending up making a mixture of all of it in a spray bottle and I am like the little running spray dispenser. The kids are hanging in there. Distraction seems to be the main strategy. Siri and I did this 300 piece puzzle yesterday. I went to the video store and got lots of stuff to watch.
Siri seems to have the worst of it. She didn't get that sick but started breaking out almost immediately and now is quite uncomfortable.Josiah and Daddy are doing really well. They got sicker in the beginning. Josiah did not break out as bad and the ones he has are not bothering him too much. David is still getting more spots so we will have to see how he does but he is not a complainer so it is hard for me to tell.

Oatmeal baths are the recommended treatment. They seem to serve more as a fun distraction than anything else but it is a treat for them to play in the "big bathtub".

As you can see by Siri's back, she is at the worst stage. Very itchy and painful. I think she should be over the hump today though and we are hoping for a better night sleep tonight.She did manage a nap this afternoon which is why I found time to write this entry.As for me.... I am a little bit frazzled but hanging in there. I am expecting that Jonah will be getting it in about 10 days or so. Here is what I have learned for maintaing my sanity....

Coffee is a necessity, getting dressed is optional and

words of sympathy are welcome.

First Winter Snow 2007

This week, we had our first good snow of the season. The kids were so excited. Every day, now, they are begging to get out there and play. They like to play on the snow drifts and sled down our hills. Last year, Jonah did not like to go out in the snow but he seems to have had a change of heart this time around. He especially loves to eat the snow.. While we were outside the other day, our neighbors came over to join in the fun. They are very sweet girls and the kids all played together for hours. They made a train with their sleds and tried to come down the hill like a together. It was fun to watch them. I am sure there will be many more days like this to come, but there is something a little extra special about the First Snow.

Gingerbread Spice Tea

Yesterday, My friend Lisa's children picked out this tea to bring me as a gift. I woke up on this cold wintry morning and made myself some. I added a smidgen of sweetener and a touch of cream and sipped it form my mug that Kristi made me. What a delightful and yummy experience. If you like the taste of gingerbread.... I highly recommend that you pick some up the next time you visit the market. Then cuddle up next to the lighted Christmas tree and have a quiet holiday moment!

Play Date

Today we invited some friends over for a play-date. There were 3 of us mommies and 12 little Blessings ranging in age from 3 to 13. The kids had a blast. They used up all 4 levels of the house playing Castle. We were overwhelmed with Princesses and Knights in Shinning Armor. They only took a break to eat and there were a few tears shed when it was time to say goodbye. We were so blessed to be surrounded by friends and look forward to many more days like this through the long winter.

Thanks Sara and Lisa for sharing your Families with us today.... You are such a blessing!!!

Dinner Guest from Hawaii

This evening we had the pleasure of more wonderful Hawaiian Guests. Sam and Gisele, our dear friends from Honolulu stopped over in Minnesota on their way to Africa. They came for dinner along with Jacque and Elijah.
We had a wonderful time of catching up and talking story.....
We have not seen them for a year and a half and yet it was like it has only been a month. We settled right in to sweet fellowship..... just like old times.

We played a fun game of Who Nu.... lots of laughs, and Jacque won both rounds.
Sam and Gisele are off to Africa to minister for a few weeks and then they will be stopping here again. It was nice that we didn't really have to say goodbye yet... Just, "We love you, we will be praying for you and we will see you in a few weeks".

Thanksgiving 2007

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. It is one of my favorite Holidays and this year was no exception. We love all the preparations. I love how I have to call my mom 12 times in 3 days to discuss how to make the sweet potatoes and how David is always in charge of the Turkey. He did a great job this year.... Well, I helped a little.
As always, rain or shine.... or snow, he cooked it in the grill. It came out perfect.

This year we had the wonderful privilege of spending the day with our friends, Andrew and Sara and their children. It was a feast of good food, football, and fellowship.

The children had a wonderful time and we all felt blessed to be together. We hope all of you had a great day celebrating all the goodness God has brought into your life.

Our Family Fishing Blog

We have a new blog.... It is especially for our friends interested in our fishing adventures. A sort of Scrap-Book, if you will, for David and the kids to share their Fish Tales. Check it out! http://fishingwithjosiah.blogspot.com/
You will also find the link at the right side of this page. The updates may be slow, as we don't do much ice fishing but come next spring we will be ready to go. Enjoy!

Dean

This week, we had a visit from a dear Friend. Dean flew in from Honolulu for business but was able to spare a little time with us. David and I got to take him out for dinner the day he flew in. We went to the Twin Cities Grill at The Mall Of America. It was fun to catch up.After his conference, he got to spend his last night with us. We spent some time outside enjoying the beautiful, crisp day.

Of course no visit to Minnesota would be complete with out a visit to Cabela's. So after a dinner of Lamb Stew and Sour Dough we loaded up the van and set off.The kids enjoyed showing Uncle Dean all of the animals and the shooting gallery.We ending the evening with dessert at Perkins restaurant. We were so blessed with Dean's fellowship and the Joy of the Lord that always shines through him.

Cold

The Weather is starting to get cold. This past week we had our first snow flurries. It is always so exciting when it begins.... Ask me how I feel about it in March. But for now we will enjoy the wonder of a new season. The Kids watched it falling and couldn't wait to get out there.
They were hoping to be sledding by the end of the day but nothing stuck this time. Maybe we will be sledding by Thanksgiving. We'll see.

Wedding Dress

Well, I have a little story to tell you about my day. It all started a couple weeks ago with a bright idea.

"Wouldn't it be fun to be able to fit into my wedding dress for my 10 year anniversary?" So a few crash diets and a several hours on the elliptical later.... here I am in my dress.

Then I decided it would be fun to take pictures in it and make a card for my husband about how I would marry him all over again.

So, I put it on today, fixed my hair and put on some makeup. The dress is a little tighter than the first time and I kept having to re-zip it, but it worked. So I got my personal photographer.... aka my 7 year old daughter Siri, and we started shooting. We took a few in the house but the lighting wasn't great so we decided to go outside.

Never mind that it was 35 degrees out there. We were determined. Things we going fine until I got another bright idea. I thought it would be fun to take a picture of me running down the hill, looking like a carefree bride.... ok so maybe I have watched a few too many romantic movies... but this was my chance to shine. We had to do it a few times to get a decent shot.Then, on my 3rd run down the hill, the unthinkable happened..... I tripped on my dress and went tumbling! Literally, head over heals, rolling, bumping and thumping down the hill. The straps on my dress broke, my flowers were crushed and there were grass and mud stains on my beautiful wedding gown that I had saved for 10 years.

I couldn't decide weather to laugh or cry.... I wanted to do a little of both. I escaped with only a scraped up arm and a little damaged pride. But I don't think my dress will ever be wearable again... It may have been worth it though. My daughter will forever have the memory of her mother tumbling down the hill in her wedding dress. And I guess I can tell my husband about how I still fall head over heals for him.