Happy Birthdays, Will and Dad!!

To two very specials guys in my life......LOVE YOU! Hope your days are GREAT!!

Here we are....

As usual, sort of a mish-mash of things to report on....

It was Anna's and my turn for one-on-one this month. We got dressed up, did each others nails, hair and make up, and had a tea party! Please note our guests (dogger, monkers and beary-beary). I love having a girl!

Bowling with some friends from Life Group. Yes, one of the pleasures of living in a winter climate!

Ok, these next shots will be continued, but, for band, Will has to teach one of us (Ted) to play his instrument (trombone). One word: Hilarious. Apparently, Ted (and the rest of the "students") will be featured in the upcoming concert!

Learning the basics: sitting properly (not being done) and blowing.

Lesson #2. Ted advanced to playing "Hot Cross Buns". Sort of.

Today in downtown Mad-City, there was a winter fest.....

The cool, free sunglassees that were given away, along with the free starbucks hot chocolate for kids. I love free stuff!

The Mad-City MACS

Here's one for you biking fans. This is our friend, Neil (from bowling), doing the cycloFROST (get it? Frost instead of cross?) race around the capital. He WON last year. This year, the snow was so soft, he spent more time running with his bike on his shoulder, or pushing it, than riding. But he still took second. Great day!

Oh Goodness

The blog seems to be getting away from me. But I think my Mom, Dad, and Ted's cousin Cheri are the only ones reading...

One topic I'm happy to write about: William Robert. Our eldest. He's in 6th grade, and has had a lot going on. He has done so well in middle school and we are so proud! Here's a picture of him at his first band concert. Who knew a mix from Ted and I could be musical??


He also has been playing "competitive" basketball, so that means he's had two games every weekend since the beginning of January. His team hasn't done so well, but he's been high scorer in several of their games, and has such a good attitude. He also was in the district spelling bee, where he came in 9th out of 30. He made high honor roll first quarter, and now principal's high honor roll second quarter. WILL ROCKS!!



In other family news, Kaleb and Anna ROCK too! We often get comments about Kaleb's kind, helpful attitude. He's a smartie too. Then there's Miss Ann....a smartie like her brothers, and her comments crack us up. One morning, Ted was wearing Running pants, and she said, "Dad, why are you wearing leggings?" She had an ear ache the day after a Packer playoff game, and she said, "Mom, I got my earache from your yelling at the Packer game."




This week we had our FOURTH snow day of the year! Yup, we will now be making days up in June. Ughhhh. Here's Kaleb and Anna still enjoying the white stuff:
And me and the abominable snowdog. He loves it too. Me, I'm done with it for the year!

We took a trip to Elkhorn to visit friends and fam. Here are the boys....

Here are the girls.....

Here's me, trying my first-ever Chocolate martini. It was good. So, please, share those comments so I know you're reading. The comment button is just below..... Or I might have to resort to making these at home!

Christmas et al ROCKED

OMGoodness did we have a WONDERFUL Christmas!

Christmas Day at our house

My Dad and his annual tradition of reading through our cards. "Who's this?"

After Christmas, our trip to the Wilderness with the Mauermans, McMillans, Sabols and Mahones.

Everywhere he goes, peeps, everywhere he goes.....

Wave pool!

We spent a few days in Elkhorn, visiting family and friends. Here's Ya with the McMillan and Klug great-grands.

Ringing in the New Year at the Glogovskys.

We had a great ending to 2009! Thanks, y'all!

LOTS

December has been CA-RAZY! With what you ask? Well, here's a sampling...

We've already had TWO snow days. That's our allotment for the year. Good luck with that.

Ringing the Salvation Army Bell. Again, la familia is a BIG draw.

Ted has the next two weeks off! So we went on a DATE today! In the middle of the day!! But this was before that....chillin' with the Baxtie Boy.

I've been doing some baking. That's right. Suzy homemaker and all. No turds this year....

Tonight our Life Group from church went caroling at an assisted living facility. We are not good, but they still loved us. Sweeties.

We've also had quite a few holiday parties and concerts. LOVE this time of year. But also have to keep it in check and perspective. This is the second year our church has done Advent Conspiracy. Check it out: http://adventconspiracy.wordpress.com/

I had Kaleb this month for one-on-one time and we helped serve a holiday meal at Madison's largest food pantry. That really helped us refocus this season. Advent Conspiracy: "What would it look like to reclaim the Christmas story from our culture of consumption, and celebrate what it's really about, the arrival of God's redemption project in our world?" I strongly recommend at least checking out this website. Merry Christmas!

'tis the season!

Wowee! It's already "the most wonderful time of the year"......

Isn't this little pilgrim girl sweet?

We spent Thanksgiving at my Dad and Judy's. Always a good time!

Tree hunting! This is the first time that we've cut one down with the kids. Ted and I did this several years ago, at this exact tree farm, when we were newlyweds living in Madison. This time was sooooo much fun! Ted, the outdoorsman that he is, especially loved it. (Well, I guess he's an outdoorsman when he is riding his bike. Anyhow.....). We found the perfect tree, at the very BACK of the farm. Good thing we had good helpers, and it was in the 50's!

And the help continued.....we got this baby decorated in no time flat! Bring on the season!

Elkhorn and Lambeau

What a great weekend we had....a visit to Elkhorn and Lambeau!!!

Our besties, the Websters and Glogovskys. (sorry Kev!)

A little play time with Yaya Jen

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I was sooooo excited to be watching my Packers!

This is the RIDICULOUS dessert cart that comes around. Serious desserts.

Ted enjoying his small slice.

Thanks, Welton Enterprises!