Work Christmas Party

On Thursday evening, Broc and I attended my work Christmas party.
The entertainment for the night was Clyde Bauman from North Dakota. He acts as a fictional character Mylo Hatzenbuhler - "The Strasburg Superstar". He is a unique entertainer that sings, plays piano, and tells humorous stories about life on the farm.
He did a great job of entertaining. I would definately recomend him to anyone that is looking for good, clean entertainment.

We haven't been up to much lately - work, preschool, etc. Can you believe I haven't even downloaded pics from my camera for an entire week? I have still been taking my pictures for Project 365.
A couple highlights from the week...
Last week Saturday, I had my first massage ever. It was very relaxing.
Tuesday we visited Grandma Mary (thanks for the sewing!)
The kids didn't have to beg much to get ice cream cones from Grandma!

Project 365

I have added a link on the sidebar of this blog to my Project 365 blog. (Yes, I too have joined the fun!)
You will see what we have been up to in 1 picture a day along with a brief explanation.
I can tell already (20 some days into this project) that I am going to need to get some creativity going on the picture taking - since most of the pics are of the kids. LOL!

Trent goes to Germany

Last week Friday night, we went to a graduation/farewell party for my cousin Trent. He graduated from Iowa State and is leaving for Germany for 4 1/2 months. Congratulations Trent! Trent is great with kids, and Caden and Allyson love to play with him.



















Hannah, Hailey, and Carly watching a Star Wars movie. (It is what Tyler and Eli love to watch!)














Caden and Uncle Milt getting some snacks.



















Aunt Dianne with Eli, Carly, Allyson and Tyler

Baby It's Cold Outside!

It is soooo cold outside the past couple days. When I woke up this morning at 6:30, the outside temperature showed -21. That's right! Twenty-one degrees below zero. The temperature didn't even get above 0 today! They are forcasting 30 degree temps this weekend. Hopefully they are right.

Another Birthday celebration

Tuesday evening, we had a little birthday party with Grandpa Rick and Grandma Kay.
We had spaghetti for supper, and then opened gifts.
Great Grandpa made the marble works game for the kids. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma - the kids love it!

































Caden got a flippy floppy (aka - slinky) and Allyson got a hairbrush that folds into a little case.
They also got warm jammies, and a lego table. Thanks for the great gifts!































Then we had cake. Allyson ate the white filling layer and Caden ate the chocolate chips off the side. They enjoyed blowing out the candles and singing Happy Birthday.

Birthday cake pictures

Here are a few pictures of Caden and Allyson with their birthday cake.







































































Thanks Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Mary for the the yummy cake!

Birthday Celebration

On Sunday, we went to church and then had Grandpa Rick over for dinner for the kids birthday.
Grandma Kay was in MN shopping for the weekend.
After dinner, Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Mary joined us for cake.


















We had a great time opening gifts.
The kids got "a dollar" from Grandpa Wayne and Grandma Mary, along with a sticker book and stickers.














Aunt Tammy got Caden a tool box set with tools, and Allyson a makeup kit - with real fingernail polish. Both kids loved their gifts. Thanks!














Caden got his Dinosaur Hot Wheels toy from mom and dad. (He had been asking for this since before Christmas - everytime we would go into Wal-Mart, he would want to look at it, and cry because we didn't buy it - after explaining that we can't always get everything we want - sometimes we have to wait and put it on our wish list. - Hard for a little boy to understand.)
He was super excited to open it!














Allyson got a Barbie doll head with hair you can style, and also has a microphone and you can sing along with songs that she sings. Allyson loves this - she sings into the microphone all the time and does a great job. When she opened this gift, she said, "Just what I always wanted!"

Iron Beads

In Sunday school today, the kids used iron beads to make a craft. They enjoyed it.

Happy 4th Birthday!

Happy 4th Birthday Caden and Allyson! I can hardly believe that you are 4 years old already. I want to reflect back... For your baptism, I chose the song

"Hold on To Jesus"
by Erin O'Donnell

You're a little piece of heaven

You're a golden ray of light

And I wish I could protect you

From the worries of this life

But if there's one thing I could tell you

It's no matter what you do

Hold to Jesus; He's holding on to you

The world will try to tell you

That might is more than right

That beauty's on the outside

And being good's a losing fight

But remember what I've told you

Because the world will make you choose

Hold to Jesus; He's holding on to you

CHORUS:

Hold on to Jesus

Cling to His love

Rest deep in His mercy

Whenever things get rough

Don't lose sight of His goodness

And don't ever doubt this truth

That when you hold on to Jesus

He's holding on to you

Hear me dear Jesus

Rock this little one to sleep

Keep her close when she's scared

And give her grace when she is weak

I know she'll stumble

But I know she'll make it through

If you hold on to her

Just like You said You'd do

Hold her Jesus

And she'll hold on tight to You

Caden and Allyson, you precious miracles from God. I am completely humbled by the blessings and gifts that you are. I pray that you will always "Hold on to Jesus".

Sleepover with Friends

Friday after preschool, I picked up Abby (a friend for Allyson), then drove in snowy weather to pick up Eli (a cousin and friend for Caden). We were originally going to go home for a little while, and then go and pick up Eli and go swimming, but because of the weather, I decided to skip the swimming and just pick up the kids and find fun things to do at home, but we decided to go swimming after all. We borrowed swimsuits for Caden and Allyson, since theirs were at home. The kids had a great time at the pool.




















































After swimming, we drove home in 3 inches of snow. (they predicted only 1 inch!)
We had cupcakes with candles, and opened gifts. Abby got a Webkinz puppy for Allyson, and Eli got an Incredible Hulk toothbrush set for Caden. The kids loved thier gifts. Caden's toothbrush set came with 2 toothbrushes, and he said, "There is one for me and one for Eli!"















































The sleepover part went okay. Eli was the first to sleep and Caden was sad because he "doesn't have anyone to talk to." Soon after, Caden fell asleep. The girls were up until midnight talking and giggling, then they went to sleep (after getting separated to help them sleep). In the morning, the boys were up at 7:30. (not too bad, since Eli tends to get up by 6.) They right away went to wake up the girls. Abby went back to sleep and slept a couple more hours. Allyson was up at 8.
Allyson and Abby wanted to be "twins" for the day with matching shirts.















For lunch, we made our own pizzas and enjoyed eating them.













After lunch, we brought Abby home. (Eli was picked up earlier in the day by Uncle Dan).

Preschool Birthday

On Friday, the kids celebrated their birthday at preschool. They brought Rice Krispy bars for a treat to share with their friends. They got to pass them out to their friends and had a great time.

Bedtime Stories

Tonight, after I tucked the kids into bed and said prayers, and gave lots of kisses and hugs, I went back up to check on them because I heard noises coming from their rooms about 15 minutes later. I quietly walked to the the doorway to their rooms, and listened. Allyson said, "Caden, you better go to your room, I heard a noise, it's mommy or daddy." Caden gets out of bed and runs across the hall to his bed. (I was standing 3 steps away from him, and he never saw me!) I stood there for a little bit, and Caden got out of bed and started going back to Allyson's bedroom. He saw me this time, and ran back to his bed. I proceeded to tuck them both in again, and tell them goodnight, with more hugs and kisses. Allyson had to explain to me that "I was just telling Caden a bedtime story."
Now part of me says - go to bed -it is 30 minutes past your bedtime, and I know what you are like in the morning when you don't go to bed. Then the other part of me says - awwww! How sweet.
Is this what my parents felt like when I was little and my sister and I would "sneak" into eachother's rooms to talk and fall asleep? Those were some of the best memories. We would fight during the day, and be best friends when we were supposed to be sleeping.


Caden also has told me twice tonight "I wish I was a dult" I didn't understand him and asked him to repeat himself. Finally he told me again - "I wish I was a dult - so I could sleep downstairs." I asked him why - "so I can sit in the chair and watch tv."
(If it takes a couple times to catch on - Caden wishes he was an adult!)

Celebrating Chrismas in January

Today we celebrated Christmas with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Wayne.
We had a great dinner. Pork loin, mashed potatoes, green beans, and the best chocolate cake for dessert. ( made by Schwan's)
Allyson loved the white mousse layer of the cake and the chocolate chips on the top.
Caden loved the chocolate chips on the top the best. I, of course, loved it all - it's chocolate!














Then we opened gifts. Allyson got a baby doll that talks and snores, etc. She loves it!














Caden got an Iron Man mask and gl0ve that shoots discs. He loves it!














Broc got personalized floor mats for his truck and an auto defroster. (It was also his birthday present)



















I got a personalized cake pan and an auto defroster. (no pic)
The kids each got a stuffed puppy from Aunt Tami.
Thanks for the great gifts!

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009!
We rang in the new year by going to church and then going to dinner with my mom's family.
We had soups and grandma made homeade cinnamon rolls. After dinner, the ladies and cousins played Apples to Apples. We had a lot of fun. Broc was the winner of the game.

Caden loved playing Duck Hunt.














Allyson and Eli played Spirograph with Tessa.