Christmas in Full Swing

Christmas is in full swing at our house.  We didn't get to have Thanksgiving at our house like usual since we were so very sick therefore we got right to decorating the day after.  Usually this is a forbidden act until Dec. 1st but I think Dad new we were bored with being cooped up in the house for so long.

First order of business...putting the trees in the kids rooms

Second order...getting mommy's at the tree farm

As you can see mommy even got in on this picture

Third order...Ellaree's Christmas program at school

The little ones got so excited when Santa visited

Fourth order...Church friend gathering

Picture of all the kids....18 kids and 10 adults

Fifth order...Christmas at Grapa & Grama's

Grapa and Grama in their glory with all the grandkids

Harry's first remote control toy....can he get a bigger smile on!

Kynlee's 1st Christmas

Ellaree made her first tie blanket for Uncle Jerod her Godfather.  She was so excited to give this to him

Next up...today is the kids Christmas program at church, Ellaree's Parent Tea at school, and much more!

November

It seems like lately the time has just been a blur.  I feel like just yesterday I was posting about our 7th anniversary and now it is the end of the month and we are getting ready for Christmas already.  WOW!  Well here is our month in a nutshell...

Here is our cutting wood crew!  There have been days where dad has just sent and cut a load by himself because we were running out of time but there is at least one or two times a year we get out there as a family.

Ellaree waiting for the bus to come and catching the first snowflakes

We had the chance to ride in the tractor and grain buggy with dad.  Harry was with Joe in the combine and mom, Ellaree, Lorelai and dad were in the tractor.  We were "quite comfortable".

Ellaree tried out hockey.  She looks so tough in her gear.  She is a natural on the ice.  Lor has already informed us that she will be doing this next year when she is 4!

Ellaree got a ribbon for perfect attendance for the first quarter of school.  We are so very proud of her.

We had quite a scare a week ago.  Ellaree got her first ride in the wheelchair at the clinic as she couldn't walk.  She had a really bad virus where she had a rash, fever and had arthritic symptoms.  Thankfully she was able to pass it and is doing very well now.

We love twinklefest parade the night after Thanksgiving.  I love how Harry has his arms around the girls!

Harry had to eat his lunch here and watch the combine out the window.  It was so cute and he loved it.  He is a natural farmer.

I think Lorelai should be the next Kwik Trip model for eggnog.  She loves her eggnog!

Happy Anniversary

7 years ago today I walked down the aisle on my daddy's arm and married the best husband a girl could ever ask for.  We have so much to be thankful for.  We have been through the good times and the hard times, we have been through richer and poorer and we have hung onto each other for support through it all.  Happy Anniversary to my handsome husband!

So Much!

We have so much to report and it comes so quickly that there are times I have a hard time keeping up on everything.  Then there are days that are a little slower but that is when I catch my breath and relax.  Therefore here is a stream of updates.

Ellaree's 1st grade school picture

Ellaree's first spelling test...which she came home with a 100%!

Halloween was very fun with Ariel, Snow Princess and a Lion!

We got to go with some of our great friends and their Daughters the Pirate Princess and Elephant.

Really Ellaree was excited

Harry enjoyed his costume but didn't necessarily like his hood

Lor loved her costume but with the wind the wig did not stay on for long.  She didn't care, she still had fun.

Cutting wood is always a fun time as a family

Ellaree driving the tractor with daddy

Ellaree has started hockey practice.  She has it in her blood.  Her first time ever on the ice and she was skating all over the place.  

1st semester of school is done and we got a Perfect Attendance award!

Harry was so tired after working with dad that this is where I found him...under his train table sleeping.

Life!

I can tell that life is getting busy as I haven't posted in a month!  Here are some pictures to sum up our month.

The beginning of September our family was privileged to participate and help with the Angels of Hope Remembrance Walk.  Angels of Hope is a group for parents who have lost their babies.  It is a wonderful ministry that has been started through our church.   

The kids got to ride in the ranger and deliver water to all the walkers

The last of the balloons that we sent to heaven with little messages on them. 

Ellaree's teacher is wonderful.  She sends us updates and conversation starters each week with what they have done for the week and what is coming up for the following week.  This has been very helpful. Besides that she has also sent many pictures of the kids.  I love this as I can add these into her keepsake books that I make for her.

Ellaree during quiet reading time.

Swimming day at school with her friend Serenity

Back to school night

Ellaree with her fourth grade reading buddies

The little ones have been having a blast with all the rain we have had lately.  I believe some day when we go to redo our driveway we will have to keep the dips so that they still have their mud puddles.

Harry and Lorelai making "chocolate"

It took Harry 4 days but he got his puzzle put together all by himself. He was so proud of it.  Ever since he has been very busy with putting puzzles together.  He loves figuring things out.

During "school time" we practiced spelling and writing his name

Horse and Colt show weekend was lots of fun...Tilt-A-Whirl with Aunt Jen and Maddie

One proud little girl!

With Kynlee's dr. appts in our area we get lots of play time with her.  We love when she visits.

We went to Mt. Horeb and visited our dear friends. It was great getting a kid shot

Ellaree decided that mom and dad needed to have a birthday party.  So she had help from our friend Emily and planned, shopped and picked out everything for a party.  We invited a few friends from our church and had a grand time.  She picked out this yummy DQ cake all by herself.  She sure is growing up fast.

Ellaree loves to be organized and planned...just like momma.  

Ellaree came home with her first spelling test and it was 100%.  

Since then she has brought home another 100%

Fall fun with leaves is always a must!

Mr. Batman

Thanks to our friend Tina who let us come over and ride horses...Ellaree has been in heaven ever since riding

Lor would have stayed on Lily all day long also had she gotten the chance

The girls have a natural gate!

Mr. Harry needed Dad to make sure he stayed on the saddle but did a blast as well.

Love this picture

Just precious!