After breakfast dance party

Christmas con't

Then the excitement of the presents! This year Wil went first, then Kristen, then Kate! Lots of excitement and big tears from Kate, twice! Her excitement over her North face jacket, AirMax shoes, and step up 3 movie. Kristen's excitement over her designer purse, new coat and phone cover. Wil's new goalie jersey, Italy jersey and soccer goal. It was a great morning. Chris made breakfast, with mamosas! We settled into a game of scattergories and now...

Merry Christmas

The best thing about waking up is the kids stockings on the landing. Chris and I lay in bed and listen to the kids looking over the edge wondering what is in each box and who has the biggest present. Then the excitement of them opening their stocking and the joy the get out of little light up toys, madlibs, markers, and a book. Then more excitement over the presents. They finally settle into eating chocolate and doing their puzzle books and this morning reading aloud the amazing book of facts to each other. Although we said don't wake us up until 8:30, daddy couldnt stand the excitement anymore and we were up a bit before 8:00...

Snow was so pretty today

Gingerbread house

The annual gingerbread house is complete!

Family sleigh ride

2nd annual family sleigh ride through Tillies park to see the lights! So much fun!

One more wake up

The mouse says it, so it must be true! One more day until Christmas!

Snow on Christmas Eve

Noah (kids' cousin from Phoenix) spent the night! Can you imagine the yelling and excitement that happened at my house this morning! Kids still outside but cookies and hot chocolate waiting!

Rough Christmas break

Ha!

Birthday brunch

So fun to have all his cousins to play with!

Coach Santa

Santa coached Kristen's team yesterday! She had two goals!

Soccer

Wil won 5-1! Kate lost 6-3! Busy day!

Holiday concert

Kristen had her holiday concert at school on Friday! It was amazing! She is standing on the risers in the teal jacket next to the girl in white! Lol... Ok so you can't really pick her out! BUT I have to brag on how musically TALENTED her school is! To the far right in the picture is the middle school strings orchestra. In the middle is the honors choir and to the left is the middle school band! I am going to try to send videos so you can hear how amazing these kids are and they are only 13!!! The concert was just for the students but I ( and most of the teachers) cried!! Don't believe the negative crap the media puts out, these are all GREAT kids doing good things in the world! I couldn't be prouder!!

Little pizza man

Wil made his own bacon pizza, double cheese! Yum!

Pizza man

Chris has spent the past 2 nights making pizza for others! Last night he cooked for Adam's birthday party! 15 pizzas and lots of happy families!

Wil's castle

Here is Wil's castle he made for LEAP the picture really does not do it justice as it is pretty amazing! He made it all out of recycled materials and did every inch if it by himself. He researched all the parts of the castle and knows what every part is. It does weigh about FIFTY pounds as he took rocks from the back yard to school to put under his "grass" as he wanted his castle to be up on a hill for better protection!! He is super proud of his castle and so are we!

Ice day

Everyone stayed home today! Kids went speed sledding down our driveway. Kate chipped a tiny part of her front tooth :(. We have had cookies for breakfast, watched two bad movies, played on Facebook and wii and had the whole neighborhood in and out a few times! We did a marathon cleaning on the first floor. The kids are breaking the ice on the trampoline as I speak, who'll be crying first! Still what a fun fun day!

Great job ELF Wil

William's concert

William is in the front row second from the left in the red and white striped elf hat. He is singing "Santa Rap"

Bball gift

Here is the towel and ornament I gave my team.

My JV Flyers basketball team

At our Christmas party tonight! I gave them bench towels with their names on them and they gave me a very nice gift card to Sports Authority. Fun afternoon!

Our little ELF

William is an elf in his Christmas concert tonight!

Cross country banquet

The CC banquet was today! Kj and Kate both got medals and tshirts! They had a ton of food! Even though Kate only ran one race before she broke her toe, she finished 21st overall! Super proud of both girls!

Cross country champs

Kristen's 8th grade team took the championship for her middle school division! Kristen finished 9th overall. She took a full minute off her time! Wow!

Puzzle happiness

Oops! Shook have sent this picture that KJ text me at 8pm tonight!

Finished!

Wow! The kids completed their St Nick puzzle in record time this year. AND it was their first 750 piece puzzle! Awesome!

Birthday dinner

Went to GC's for our (Wil & my) birthday dinner. The kids had the chocolate fondue for desert, so fun!! Food was yummy too! Thanks Bushia!!!

Neighbor's wedding

Yes, the weekend was packed! Didn't even write about the kids soccer games! Wil won all his, Kristen tied and Kate lost! Besides 3 parties and a birthday, we also went to a wedding!!! BUSY!!! And blogger not working from my phone has been a pain!!!

Kate's highlights

 

Decided to save so $ and touch up my own highlight (ewww not so good), but Kate came out on top! She got some great very subtle highlights and was super happy! 

Office party

Had a fabulous weekend, started off with my work party!

Kate's St. Paul team

Kate's team was in the paper on Friday!!

Snow

Ok, having tons of trouble posting to my account with my phone now that google took over blogger! THIS IS NOT MAKING MY LIFE EASIER!! Anyway Sunday morning the kids woke up to snow, here is the drive to get Wil from his sleepover at 10 am.

Updated look

Ok, so no one can say I like change.  I figured after 3 years of the same background, I would update the look! I like it! Now if I can fix the problems I am having this morning of uploading from my new phone, I will be a happy girl!

Birthday girl

Happy birthday to me!

Wow! The kids and I worked on the puzzle today after I had breakfast in bed! Going out with friends tonight. Feeling very blessed on this 43rd birthday! Funny thing is I barely feel 21!

Chris and I had lunch with Wil at school (subway of course). He looked adorable in his Stanford hat and shirt!

Birthday morning

Wil was very happy this morning! Today he reached double digits! For our family that means the last year that you get a present for every year! Ten presents is a LOT! He got clothes, night vision binoculars, a cuponk game, axe, and Stanford gear!! His sisters pooled their money, got off the bus at an earlier stop and went shopping after school yesterday! They surprised him with a silly tie and a bank that is a maze! He loved it! It was very sweet to see them so excited for each other! Tonight I will tell him the story of his Birth (and I'm sure he will remind me of all the things I leave out). I have the impending feeling that our lives are shifting into a whole new era! Happy 10th birthday, Wil! I'm sure the next ten will be just as exciting! I love you.

Happy Birthday song

St Nick puzzle

Love the St Nick puzzle! Last year the kids gave up on the 750 piece puzzle (and finished the 500), but this year I think they just might be ready for 750!

St Nicholas Day

Yes, he came! The kids could hardly sleep and they were up at 6 am! Everyone had candy for breakfast and now have settled into reading their new magazines! Kristen got a new white tree for her room, Kate new boots, and Wil a new puzzle and shirt! Plus the usual socks, underwear, toiletries, gloves, and way too much candy! Nice morning, even if we only believe in the Spirit of St Nick around here!

Happy 10th Birthday, William Cleo!

Happy 10th birthday Wil!! Tonight we celebrated with friends at Chevy's! I'm really upset about the fact that my baby is Goin to be double digits!! TEN, 10, 10?!?! Wow! Happy Birthday, Stud (yeah I hate it when your dad calls you that, but we do think you are amazing! Love u, Wil!!!

Kristen & Kate semi-final championship! BRRRRR

Kristen and Kate played in the semi finals championship game tonight! Sadly they lost 3-0! For Kristen it was a sad loss as it will be her last outdoor soccer game for St Paul.it was freezing! The car temp said 20 degrees! So proud of both our girls!!

Kristen cheerleading jacket

Kristen's new cheerleading jacket came in today! Yeah!

Lady Flyers

Just finished our first basketball tournament. We finished third (out of 4 teams ;). I love my girls, but we have a long way to go! Here they are getting ready for the bus before our very first game. We are 1-2 so far!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Kristen's Santa's

Kate's snowmen

Wil's nutcrackers

Gobble Notes, 11/25/2010

Thankful holiday was awesome once again! Paula, Joey and Kristen single handedly inhaled the smashed potatoes at our table! Greg brought the monster chocolate chip cookies! Pies and kruschikies were delicious (although we missed the SW boys eating the cupcakes!) The "WE" team (Ed & Wil) cleaned up at tripoly, even though Keri and I BOTH had the queen/king of hearts TWICE and couldn't play them!! Hunter and Paul both got tripoly training. Football was watched and since Jacquie was there we didn't root against the Cowboys (but we didn't exactly root for them ;)! Hunter, Chris and John tried hard to finish the handle of jack (ouch)! Mark led the annual walk (neither snow, nor sleet nor rain rain)....Aunt Vic filed for elder abuse for being forced to go on the walk. The teens and tweens were loud and ate any extras! Nathaniel and Wil added noise and Selah entertained all with her non-stop talking (Kristen may have a new rival!). Aunt Irene made us all introduce ourselves to the new folk (even if Ed kept calling them "rent a relatives!"). Some folks napped on the chairs an couches (no names needed Sheri & Ed). Keri's Fontbonne commercial was reviewed (5 out of 5 stars;). Second round of food was served before anyone could possibly be hungry, but we all ate again anyway!! Thanksgiving ads were poured over and early a.m. plans hatched (and executed this morning at 3a.m. with texts to the Phoenix clan representing black Friday in the SW)! And of course John & Jan & girls put on an amazing spread where everyone ate too too much! Fat and happy, with family and friends that's what the holiday is all about!! Thanks J & J!!

REPEAT! City-County Champions!

The warm up...The excitement....
The fans....
The great kick up...
Shot on goal (Kate with pony in goal #25)...
Great effort...
Awesome steal...
Another steal...
Final whistle blows...
Running to congratulate other team...
The proud coaches....
Awarding of the plaques...
The first place team....
Our awesome soccer star....

Yeah...it's a big deal! And we are super proud! Watching two very competitive teams battle it out was so exciting (and nerve racking!). The other team scored first and it was so painful, at half it was still 0-1 them! The girls came out ready for a battle and scored! 1-1 tie! Just thought we would burst...then we have a goal called off...ugh! The next 20 minutes were the hardest, both teams playing so hard. The competition and talent at this level is so exciting. Lots of chances on both sides, then finally we score!! About 5 minutes left to go, the other team is soooo good, the last 60 seconds of the game our goalie was out of position and they shot, the ball trickled to our goal and one of our defenders just barely beat the other team to the ball to tap it out. Really thought it was a goal (as did the entire crowd), FINALLY the ref blew the whistle and pure joy and happiness on the girls' faces and tears and screaming from the parents! Only another parent who has been there can know how bad you want this for your kid! Kate (sick and all) did awesome, she was tough and fought hard and had 2 stellar games back to back! WTG kid, you are amazing!! Once again, another moment where you want to freeze time....