New Years Resolutions

The Holidays flew by this year as they always do, leaving me a list of goals for the new year. Richard and I are like many who are vowing to lose weight this Year. We want to get healthy and each have a specific goal we would like to reach. Wish us luck, we are prett excited.
We had a lovely Christmas and were able to see many loved ones. We saw Henry and Joni during our Caroling party earlier this season, and we saw DeJay's family, Cory's family, Joel's family and of course mom and dad. We were able to spend Thanksgiving with Richards family and mine as well. It has been wonderful to be with so many loved ones.
The kids loved their gifts. Matthew got a bike,Shelley got a scooter, Nicholas got a Skateboard and all Holly wanted from Santa was a new baby. They got other wondeful things as well from us and from grandparents too. They were pretty lucky kids. I had to have a D & C surgey on the 22nd, so that wasn't the funnest thing to do the week of Christmas, but it wasn't too bad and now I have my body in better health.
The kids are enjoying Christmas vacation, and I am enjoying reading. I am loving the fact that I can just read and spend time with the kids this week. Until next time!

Merry Christmas 2008

Thanks for checking our blog! I thought this would be a fun way to update our family and friends on our year, and you can check back at anytime to see what we are up to.
This year has been busy and fun. We have been blessed to see lots of family and friends. We enjoyed the family reunion with the Wiedrich's in July, seeing DeJay and Jeff's family in September, and being at Wendy and Adrian's Wedding in September. We saw so many of our loved ones. We are so thankful for each of them.

Matthew is 11 and had a very full and busy year. He played baseball and football this year, and really loved it. He was able to sing in two Honors Children's Choirs this year. This last November he sang in a 150 voice choir from all over the state of Nebraska. It was a very prestigious honor, and had to audition for the Music Dept. at the University to be accepted. It was phenomenal!!!! He is a great babysitter and helper and we are so blessed to have him in our home. He is also excelling in Band on the trumpet (his teacher say he is a natural :), he is also still playing piano. He is pretty busy!

Shelley turned 10 this month, and is still the tallest girl in her class. She is such a sweet spirit, and she is a good example to all around her. Her teacher at school made sure I was aware that she always included a little girl that no one else would play with. I was so proud of her generous spirit and choosing to be kind to others no matter what. She is still enjoying Dance, and is taking private voice lessons. She loves the piano, and hopes to play the flute next year. She is all about fashion and loves the Jonas Brothers.

Nicholas is growing up! He started Kindergarten and loves it. He is learning to read and loves to tell me what letter everything around him starts with. He loves to play T-ball, but was the star player on the Soccer team! He made 2 or 3 goals everygame. (Scroll down to the video in an older post to see him in all his glory)!
He still says things everyday that make us laugh! He makes our home so fun. He started piano this year and is performing in his first recital this week!

Holly is a darling little girl who is my little buddy everyday. I enjoy her immensely. She has a huge vocabulary, and an attitude to match it :) She loves Dora the Explorer, and her new obsession is a Mickey Mouse christmas Movie. I don't know what I will do after Christas, I really don't want to watch it all year round. She is so sweet and cute, and we grateful for her sweet spirit.

Richard and I are enjoying our life. We love our children, and are so grateful to love eachother so much. The Lord has truley blessed us this year. We wish each of you a Very Merry Christmas. Feel free to leave any comments you would like on the blog. I would love to know you have been here!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

So Grateful

It is that time of year to be feeling "thankful," and I feel thankful for so many things. First and foremost I have to say my testimony of the Savior and of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the one thing I can always count on. I am so grateful for my membership in the Church. I am so grateful for the direction it has given me. The joy it has brought into my life, and the peace it gives me everyday. My wonderful husband and my children are so wonderful. I have wonderful and loving parents and brothers, sister-in-law's, in-law's, etc. I am very blessed.

Today I have spent a lot of time examining my testimony of the church, and realized that it is so strong. Stronger than I even orignally thought. I am always reminded that through prayer the Lord is always waiting to lovingly listen, and through prayer you can feel his love fill your heart. We can find the answer to every question, we can find peace from any trial. He just asks for our faith, for our sincere and open heart to be ready to hear him. Faith is a hard thing sometimes. To believe what we cannot see. To trust something that we cannot "prove". I am just so grateful that the faith that I have is so steadfast and true. It truley is a blessing.
Sorry, that I am on a soapbox. I just had a lot of things on my mind today. I wanted to let my Family and friends know how grateful I am for them in my life, and for the Gospel that gives me such strenth and peace.

Our honor kids

Shelley made the A &B honor roll this quarter, we are so proud of her. She worked really hard and overcame a lot of struggles to get there. Matthew also has exciting news. He auditioned to be in the "Singing Around Nebraska" Childrens honor choir and was chosen!! He had to send a tape of him singing to University of Nebraska/Lincoln. It is quite an honor to say the least. But, he has a voice like a bell. His concert is this Saturday. I will post a audio of it when we get it!

All I want is a "Sun and a Hand"

Last night we told the kids to sit down and write their Christmas lists so we could get started on our shopping. It reminded me of a cute story that Nick did last November.. I know it is a year late in relaying the story, but too cute none-the-less. So last year he was struggling with letters and fine motor skills (he was only 4 at the time). We told the kids to write their top five things they wanted for Christmas. Matthew and Shelley speedily start making a list, when I told Nick "just draw what you would like since you don't know how to write yet" He seemed satisfied with this idea and began drawing on his paper. Richard and I left the room for a minute and came back to find what each list had in store. Matthew states several different things he wanted from psp games to a ripstick, Shelley said she wanted a NIntendo D.S. and clothes, and when it was Nick's turn he looks at his paper and says "I would like a Sun and a Hand." Richard and I looked at eachother thinking is this some kind of new toy... he than replies "I guess that is what I get to ask for because that is all I know how to draw" We died laughing. He is so hilarious sometimes.
So last night he let us know that since he is in Kindergarten now he can write what he would like this year. It was so darling... he tried so hard to sound out different words and things he saw in his toy magazine. Than stood with pride when he announced that he a "TAR HERO" Spelled completely wrong, and mainly because he thinks that guitar is pronounced "tar" But, it was fun to see him progress from his "Sun and his Hand" to attempting to spell.
The children decided Holly must want a tornado for christmas, because that is what her picture looked like :)
Kids make the Holidays So magical. What would we do without them?

 

For the love of Sports

We had a busy autumn with Matthew in football and Nicholas in Soccer. Both really enjoyed it a lot. Nick scored a couple of goals every game. He was pretty hilarious when he celbrated. He made a "rock on" with his hand and would cheer so loud. Matthew really fell in love with Football. He really learned a lot this year and can't wait for next fall for the next season. It was a little tough because his last game the "friendship bowl" was on a Sunday. He felt good about his decision to not play. He said it felt good to stand for what he knew was right. We are pretty lucky to have these boys.

BRRRR.....

It is a cold November day, a good morning to catch up on blogging. The kids are looking forward to all the holidays ahead, and I will stay on track with blogging once I get caught up :)

Wendy's Wedding

It was wonderful to be in the temple with Wendy and Adrian. It was fabulous. Just click on the photo collage to see them bigger.

 

More Family Reunion

Family Reunion July 08

In an effort to Catch up!

Please excuse the out of order posting of pictures! I haven't had any posted for so long, that I am making a massive effort to catch up and get all of our fun memories posted for the summer. So the next posts will be a recap of our last few months.

At the Zoo with Cindy and Tracy, August 08

DeJay and Melissa's Sept. 08

We had a fun time at DeJay and Melissa's! I didn't mean to put two pictures of myself in the collage.. Like I said still learning.

The Garden of the Gods

We were able to go to the Garden of the Gods when we were in Colorado visiting Jeff and Jennifer in September. It was great!

First Day of School in August

Trying to catch up.... my first attempt at a photo collage. I am working on it :)

I am no good at this :)

I am probably the worst blogger out there... but I am hoping to do better! The kids had a wonderful halloween and loved being able to trick or treat in beautiful weather. It was unseasonably warm for this time of year. Our children were so cute in their Halloween get-up. Matthew was a vampire, Shelley was a Witch (but a pretty one), Nick was Mr. Incredible (for the 2nd year in a row.. he loves that costume :) and Holly was going to be a ladybug, and at the last moment informed me that she wasn't a bug she was a princess. So we dug through the dress up and found a little dress her Grandpa Roger had got for Shelley years before in Mexico. So, we put that on her and a crown.. and she was basically a Mexican Princess, and since she kept losing her shoe the entire night trick or treating, I called her the mexican Cinderella. It was pretty funny. However, she got a lot of complements on her little dress. I have had a heck of a time staying out of their Halloween Candy.. don't know what my deal is.
Winter feels like it has arrived officially today though, it is cold, cold! And will probably snow just a little tonight. Welcome Winter.... ugh :) I am excited for the Holidays though. Oh the joy that will be found!!!
I will post pictures as soon as I get them uploaded.

Fourth of July

Shelley helping with the little ones.

Cory, Sarah, and Krysten

watching the fireworks from the front yard, yes I am the geek posing:)

snug as a bug in a rug!

water ballon toss game





Holly in all her patriotic glory!

The kids had such a great time during the fourth of July! We had Cory and Sarah's family down from S.Dakota, and had our friends over for a BBQ. A lot of our neighbors were involved and we had yummy food, fun games, and had a great fireworks display. All the kids agreed it was the greatest fourth of July to date!

Nick fell asleep on a blanket on the ground during the fireworks, he was pretty wore out at the end of the day. Holly had a great time playing with all of her cousins and being outside. The older kids played with the Cornhole Game (a.k.a. beanbag game) that Richard built the day before. All in all it was a fabulous holiday, a real memory maker :)!

192000 firecrackers

We had a great 4th Cory and his family came down from S.D. and spent it with us. This video is of 192000 fire crackers going of and last about 45-55 secs. I am shocked that the fire dept. didn't get called because of the smoke. We filled 3, 30 gal. garbage cans.

Scary Clouds

This is the Wall Cloud right behind our house on Wednesday, June 11th. We were talking to our neighbor who was also on his back deck. This is the same line of stoms that went through the Little Sioux Scout Ranch 45 minutes north of here in Iowa. You can't see completely how the clouds were just turning above us. It looked like someone had a spoon and was just stirring the clouds. It was a little creepy to see this in the back of your home. That night 7 tornadoes were confirmed in the area.

Holly's Birthday in April

Life is a zoo

I told Nick to take a picture with the goat, I laughed when this is the part of the goat he wanted to pose with! :)

Nick has no fear of anything in the petting zoo.

Taking Time to rest and have a drink. The kids love the zoo.

track and field day

Staying Cool can be messy!

Matthew and his friend Brandon

Shelley takes time for a hug!

Dancing Queen

Shelley had her Dance recital in May. She did a great job. Her favorite is Clogging.

Our most recent family picture

Here is the most recent picture of us all together. Sad that it is from December, but you get the idea...

Not so consistent I guess

I am not as good at getting my blog done as I had originally hoped. I am going to try to do better though. I am not near as creative as my sis-in-law Joni. Her blog is awesome. I mean totally don't look at mine after looking at her blog, I am put to shame. She is a pro!

We are getting ready for summer vacation, the kids last day of school is tommorow. So, I am up late making brownies for teachers and getting all the last minute things done for their last day. Shelley will actually go to some summer school this year, her grades are fine, we just feel that fourth grade is going to be a challenge and she could use a little extra help before tackling next year. She has a great attitude about it though, it will be good for her.

Last week the kids had track and field day and they both did good. Matthew sang in a small group at the opening ceremonies and it sounded so cool. My piano recital is this Saturday and we are having it at a concert room at Schmitt Music. It should be pretty cool. The kids get to perform on a 100,000 dollar Steinway Grand piano. Pretty cool!!!

We are missing our family and friends that we are not close to. It is hard to be away from the ones you love. I will try to upload some recent pictures so we will see how it goes!

I will write again sooner this next time...

Birthday Time!

It is been a while since my last post. We have been busy with Birthdays as of late. Richard had one on March 26th and Matthew had one April 5th and Holly's birthday is in 2 days. Yikes! It is a busy month because we are also making a weekend trip to Cheyenne in a couple weeks. Just a quick update on the kids. Matthew was certified by the Red Cross to babysit (he is 11 now). It is very exciting to have a built in helper now if I need to run a quick errand or run to the store. He was certified also in Child CPR. He had a party on Saturday and had 7 friends come. It was a lot of fun for him. Shelley is still quite the young lady. She never stops growing, and is a lot of help to all of us. Holly Anne loves her to pieces. She has a Dance Recital coming up, so she is excited about that. Nick is fun as ever. He whistles all the time, sometimes it is embarassing. We were in Wal Mart and he kept doing his favorite kind of whistle (the kind you do at a very attractive person), and he had a lot of heads turning to say the very least. He found a bracelet on the back porch, and when he came to tell me of his discovery, he said " I was sticking my head out the back screendoor, you know when I stick my head out to whistle, and I found this...." I cracked up, honestly I didn't know he stuck his head out the door for the pure enjoyment and amusement of whistling. What a funny little boy. Holly Anne will be 2 this week as I said earlier. She is talking like a 3 year old. She says anything, and has complete conversations with us. We have to admit, as difficult as she was a newborn, she is so easy and calm as a toddler. She loves all things about dollies and strollers. She is getting a shopping cart to push around for her birthday. Her newest thing is calling mommy and daddy by their first names. It is a little strange to hear her call "Katy, where are you?"
All in all we are very well. We are looking forward to warmer weather. We really can't wait to take the boat out!! We are excited to live close to much of my family. Cory and Sarah are moving to S. Dakota!! How fun to have them close again. We are sure grateful for all of the family we have and our wonderful friends as well.
Conference was this weekend. I am always so grateful for the gospel, and what a wonderful force it is in my life. How wonderful to have a living prophet on the earth today, and how blessed we are to receive instruction from him every 6 months. Another cute anecdote about Nick... I know he is just pretty witty. We have the kids play a Bingo game during conference. They have a card with spaces for prayer, Joseph Smith, tithing, Atonement, Jesus etc. They have pictures underneath too, so he can do it by himself. As you hear a word on the card in a talk, you cover it up with a penny. So during one of the talks he heard someone say "Remarkable" He jumps up and says "Remarkable, I'll find it, it's here somewhere." I told him there was no square for remarkable, he looked at me and replied... "Well their should be, it's a pretty big word." All the kids love the bingo game, and I think it is fun for us adults too. Time flies, and you hear everyword that is said. Well, that is all for now. Until next time!

Good "Will"

I love Sunday because it really is the only day of rest we have anymore. Even though we have our Church responsibilities I look forward to the quietness of Sunday all week. I have Beef Stroganoff in the crock pot and rolls rising, and Nicholas outside screaming and playing in the backyard. Nothing like a child to bring you back to reality :).

Yesterday we went to Blair in the morning and had donuts with Henry and Joni. I got to hold little Henry Max who is too cute. We had a nice time and came home and did some shopping and hung out. We went to the GoodWill store to wander around.... which reminds me of a cute story I would like to share with you.

In January Nick said the cutest thing ever. We were cleaning out the storage room, and had been working on it for a while. We had a running pile of things to go to good will. During our work Nick approached Richard with an old tool and said "Dad, do you think we should give this one to good Will's dad?" Of course, Richard was puzzled and looked at Nick until he realized what he was implying. Richard than asked "Nicholas, what is good will?" Nick responded that it was a really nice kid who probably lived somewhere close who needed a bunch of our stuff. We about died laughing, so yesterday it was fun to take him into the actual Goodwill store so he could see what we were talking about. I thought it was so innnocent and darling. How funny to think of putting all your old things in a pile for the kid down the street... "Good Will." Happy days ahead for all of you.
Until next time.

Blessed

I can't believe that Richard and I have been together for almost 12 years. It just boggles my mind that we have done so much and been to many places together, and it just feels like it has flown by. I feel so completely blessed to be in the place that we are in our life. I am glad that I know that no matter where we are in our life that we are in it together. Our children are darling, we love eachother, and we are blessed with the gospel, a wonderful job, and a lovely home. I just felt overwhelmed this evening by all my blessings. Sometimes it is good to think only of what is great in our lives, rather than what is wrong. Just my two-cents for the day:)!

I am excited to be doing this, and I hope that my good friends will keep in contact with us and leave comments. Today we are so excited, we are going to hit 60 degrees! The kids wore shorts to school today, even though the start temp was still below freezing!! Last weekend we saw lots of family in Wakonda. Cory was in town, and so we saw him, Henry, Joni and their group and of course all the Wakonda crew... Mom, Dad, Joel,Kira and boys. It was a lot of fun. Shelley had this weird rash while we were there. Come to find out she had fifth disease... sounds scary, but it is a common childhood virus that when it is all done you get this weird rash on your cheeks and on your body. Thankfully when the rash appears they are no longer contagious.... phew, we were around all that family, I was glad to find out that she could no longer share the love :).

DeJay and Melissa and their cute kids are coming this weekend! We are so excited to see them again! I will write more soon!

First Post

I am starting to join the high tech world of blogging. Hopefully I am smart enough to figure out how to make it look cute and actually get pictures on here, and to be able to navigate my way back to this when Joni isn't helping me :)

This week we are still freezing our tooshies off here in the arctic tundra, aka, Nebraska. We are hoping that Spring is coming sooner than later. Here is a quick update on our family. I am the proud new owner of a beautiful black baby grand piano. It was such a thrill to invest in myself.....er my business, and now I have the pleasure of teaching piano on an amazing instrument. Richard is working on many projects at work and staying busy on his Body for Life program. 21 pounds and counting! Go Richard!!!

Matthew performed in a honors choir 2 weeks ago with about 200 other fifth and sixth graders. He was in a group called "Singing around Nebraska." He had a lot of fun, but at the actual performance we worried he was going to fall over from heat stroke. What a thrill to see him sing and sound so amazing with the other children. We will post the audio when we get the C.D. in the mail. He is doing well in piano and is looking forward to baseball this spring.

Shelley is enjoying taking clogging. She is quite the clogger, I hear little tappity taps from the storage room in the Basement constantly. She also is quite the piano player, I can't keep her off the new piano.

Nick, oh Nick, oh to talk about Nick. He is the entertainment daily for our family, he is the most precocious 5 year old, you will hear many things about him in posts to come. Summer is coming, which means he will probably be peeing in the neighbors sandbox, or just on random neighbors trees. You think I am joking......

Holly is talking up a storm and yesterday took a baby doll and grabbed a wipe and diaper. I watched her out of the corner of my eye as she said "EWWWE, Gross, poopy butt." She wiped and wiped her baby's bottom with her wipe with much disgust. Too cute!

I hope that I continue to keep you posted on the events and adventures we have in our life. Right now we are in good old Wakonda, Sd with my parents and lots of family. I feel so blessed to have them so close.
Until next time!