Sigh...

We are halfway through week 2 of Christmas--not winter--break! I cannot believe how fast it is going! The boys and I have had a fantastic break, we have not had to travel nor have I had to to work, so we have spent many hours playing with our gifts from Santa and each other. We have been able to spend time with friends and family over the break and have been able to catch up on the seasons of the Office! I have been looking at my January calendar and it is hard to believe that when this break is over...so is my free time!
This year for Christmas we had a house guest...Daisy Robelia spent a few days with us, and it was kind of fun to have a dog around during the holidays! Christmas Eve--opening one gift.
Christmas morning--What did Santa bring?
Brian's nephews and nieces at his parents
We had a wonderful Christmas with Brian's family, Santa was good to us, and we attended a wedding in Wabasha with Tahnee and Jesse--who we rarely see now that we are out of the old "hood". All in all our Christmas was wonderful...our first as husband and wife!!
Today is New Years Eve, and after having been invited to a few different parties and celebrations, we have opted to stay home this year. I am looking forward to the new year--while I have not always held to my resolutions all year, I am finding myself getting better and better at setting realistic goals. This year I am excited to see how well I do.
1. Send birthday cards to everyone on my list--I have set this 3 years in a row, last year wasn't the most successful after summer started. So my resolution this year, is to make it through the summer and fall.
2. Try a new recipe twice a month...so send them in folks, I'm open to suggestions! It can be a dinner meal, cookies, drinks...anything as long as it is new to me.
3. Spend more time in the yard (when spring/summer hits) No more over grown weeds-- spiders (gulp) will be no match for me!
4. Save and get ahead! This year Brian and I are really going to make changes for the future. We have been in this house for a year and have been able to make some headway...but we aren't there yet! So we are really going to cut back on some of the extras that way when we are ready to move on--we will be prepared to. Having paid off some things has been pretty helpful this year, we no longer have any car payments, and we have paid off and down some of our debt which feels really good, but there is more that we want to do. This will probably mean that I will have to work somewhere that is more consistent than subbing...but in the long run, when we are old and in our rockers, I will be glad that I made this effort now.
To those of you I have not seen, or been able to spend time with, I miss you and love you! I wish everyone a magical new year! I have high hopes for my family this year and I am excited to see what is in store for us! Be safe and have fun!! See you next year----so cliche!

Merry Christmas!!

Today is Christmas Eve and I am a little sad about that. The season has flown by, and I will miss it. However, Brian and I are trying to come up with some fun activities to help get through winter...so I will look forward to those. Brian is at work right now, and the boys are spending their Christmas with their dad today so I have been cleaning and wrapping presents all day. It seems endless! So many people = so many gifts! As you can see I need a break--so here I am!
Our Christmas Eve tradition every year is to watch and read Twas the Night Before Christmas before the boys go to bed tonight, and then open 1 gift. Tomorrow morning we will sing Happy Birthday to Jesus, and open our gifts, eat breakfast, go to church and head to Brian's parents for our first Christmas as husband and wife!
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I'll close out with a less tradtional version of Twas the Night Before Christmas...this is one I don't think the boys would appreciate if we read each year.


'Twas the Night Before a Lawyer's Christmas

Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to a mouse. A variety of foot apparel, e.g. stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a/k/a/ St. Nicholas a/k/a/ Santa Claus (hereinafter "Claus") would arrive at sometime thereafter.

The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House, were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein vision of confectionery treats, including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams.

Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to as "I"), being the joint-owner in fee simple of the House with the parts of the second part (hereinafter "Mamma"), and said Mamma had retired for a sustained period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in various forms of headgear, e.g. kerchief and cap.)

Suddenly, and without prior notice or warning, there did occur upon the unimproved real property adjacent and appurtent to said House, i.e. the lawn, a certain disruption of unknown nature, cause and/or circumstance. The party of the first part did immediately rush to a window in the House to investigate the cause of such disturbance.

At that time, the party of the first part did observe, with some degree of wonder and/or disbelief, a miniature sleigh (hereinafter the "Vehicle") being pulled and/or drawn very rapidly through the air by approximately eight (8) reindeer. The driver of the Vehicle appeared to be and in fact was, the previously referenced Claus.

Said Claus was providing specific direction, instruction and guidance to the approximately eight (8) reindeer and specifically identified the animal co-conspirators by name: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen (hereinafter the "Deer"). (Upon information and belief, it is further asserted that an additional co-conspirator named Rudolph may have been involved.)

The party of the first part witnessed Claus, the Vehicle and the Deer intentionally and willfully trespass upon the roofs of several residences located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the House, and noted that the Vehicle was heavily laden with packages, toys and other items of unknown origin or nature. Suddenly, without prior invitation or permission, either express or implied, the Vehicle arrived at the House, and Claus entered said House via the chimney.

Said Claus was clad in a red fur suit, which was partially covered with residue from the chimney, and he carried a large sack containing a portion of the aforementioned packages, toys, and other unknown items. He was smoking what appeared to be tobacco in a small pipe in blatant violation of local ordinances and health regulations.

Claus did not speak, but immediately began to fill the stocking of the minor children, which hung adjacent to the chimney, with toys and other small gifts. (Said items did not, however, constitute "gifts" to said minor pursuant to the applicable provisions of the U.S. Tax Code.) Upon completion of such task, Claus touched the side of his nose and flew, rose and/or ascended up the chimney of the House to the roof where the Vehicle and Deer waited and/or served as "lookouts." Claus immediately departed for an unknown destination.

However, prior to the departure of the Vehicle, Deer and Claus from said House, the party of the first part did hear Claus state and/or exclaim: "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!" Or words to that effect.

SNOW DAY 2008!!!

What are the odds that the ONE day I didn't wish for the snow day...it came! The boys had some fun activities planned at school Friday, and its a bummer that they are missing out on them...flip side WE HAD A SNOW DAY!!! The boys spent some time in the glorious snow and I snowblowed the driveway...my first time using the snowblower!! I love the extra time with them, and now they have 17 days off for winter break! Crazy!

Thursday night was book club. Again, we had some fantastic foods! This month we did actually discuss the book a little. It was very funny and I highly recommend Lamb-The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. I want to stress that it is meant to entertain, not educate! Brian and I have not entertained much in this house, and to be honest I was a little nervous about how it would go...and it turned out beautifully, so maybe next time I won't be as nervous to have guests over.
We had parents night out on Friday night. Brian and I had a gift certificate to the Redwood Room, so we joined 2 couples from church and had a wonderful dinner! So delish! The 6 of us ended our night with a little B&E (legal of course!!) before the kids were picked up from church!



Today was cookie making day. Each year I make an assortment of holiday cookies, and as the boys get older, the more help they provide. This year my family was not able to join us because of the weather, so it was just Brian the boys and I, but we still had a great time, and we got almost all of them made.


The boys decided they wanted to hang out in the snow in their swim trunks, so we heated some towels in the dryer, and away they went!



After cookie making, Benjamin took out a puzzle and we got started on that while Christian and Brian hung out...It was wonderful!

Tomorrow we have tickets to see A Christmas Carol at the Rochester Civic Theatre. I am excited to see it! It is a one man show, so I am curious to see how it all works out.

Relaxing!

For the first time in ????? we were able to just hang out at home as a family this afternoon and evening! No distractions, no phone calls, no meetings or homework! It was wonderful! But let me back up...
Our week was full of all of the above! Each night was scheduled with SOMEthing to do. On top of having something every night, I was at Lincoln everyday this week either subbing or volunteering...which I love! I'll skip the evening hub-bub and go straight to Thursday which was Benjamin's school program.
(he is in the middle playing the air trumpet!)
He didn't have an active role, but he did sing and dance a little, very entertaining. On Friday I went to see the Nutcracker with Christian's class...again, very entertaining. Friday night was a ladies night out with some of the moms at school. I really enjoyed spending time with these ladies. It amazes me that I see some of these ladies more often than I see my own family, and I learned SO much about them on Friday night! How did I not know some of this stuff? I really enjoyed it and look forward to another night with them!
Saturday Brian had a scout meeting, and the boys had rehearsal for their Christmas program, so I stayed home and read my book! It felt very normal, and nice to just sit! And I got quite far in my book club read. I just got it on Monday, and I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to finish it before our next meeting, but I am almost done. Lamb is just as funny as I was told! So good! Last night we packed the boys some snacks in the car and drove around looking at Christmas lights. It doesn't seem as though people go as crazy with the lights as they did when I was little...but there were still a few that did not disappoint! We had fun looking and even took a drive through our --hopefully-- future neighborhood.
Today was an early start for us all. Typically we go to GIFT and Sunday School at 9:45 and attend the 11am service afterward.

However, today Benjamin played bells at the 8:30 service, with practice at 8am.

Not exactly how I like to start a Sunday, but it worked out in our favor because Brian and Christian were able to do some Christmas shopping before our next activity. The boys had their Christmas program this afternoon, which was again...very entertaining!

I loved watching Christian belt out those Christmas carols with his mouth open wide! Too cute! (he is the glowing eyes on the top left row)

Benjamin served as an usher...nice work!

After the program, we came home and cleaned up a little, Brian looked at snowblowers (its time!) ate dinner, and watched a movie! HOW GREAT! Now while the kids read, I blog!
It has been a wonderful weekend, sprinkled with such a variety of people, and I am grateful for each one of you!

OF COURSE...just as I finish up, the phone rings with a subbing job for tomorrow! Go figure! The week has started just a little early!

Wonderful weekend!

This past weekend was such a nice way to kick off a crazy week!
Friday night we went to dinner and drinks with Paul and Allison. While we were at Whistle Binkies, Paul's sister Beth had a BIG bull delivered to the front of his house for his birthday. Of course Brian and I always enjoy our time with them, but this time I was almost giddy to have the night end because I knew it would mean that they would go home and see the bull!

Saturday was a full day of Lincoln-ites. First was the fundraising at Shoppes of University Square. Benjamin had the opportunity to sing with the choir inside the S of U, along with the band and orchestra from Lincoln. It was his first concert-so to speak- and it was neat to watch him! We did some shopping and had lunch, and each of the stores donated part of their days proceeds to Lincoln for our laptop initiative. As you can tell by the picture, if you tell Lincoln to be somewhere, we will go! The halls were PACKED with Lincoln families...this is just one side!

After Benjamin was done singing Brian stayed with the boys to do the holiday activities that they had going on. Like saving Santa from a rooftop downtown, petting the reindeer and enjoying some fun snacks. I went with the Naptons to flamingo Paul's yard for his upcoming birthday. We rushed out to the party store to pick up the 40 black balloons to tie to the flamingo's necks (one balloon for every year)

We managed to get all 40 balloons and all 5 of us into the Napton car, and off we rushed to the Robelias' to plant the flamingos in their yard while they were at brass rehearsal! It was quite an adventure tying balloons, sticking them into the frozen yard...the get-away wasn't as flawless and we thought it would be since I got stuck inside the garage..but it was FUN, and we did manage to get away before they came home!

Then was the holiday party...held by none other than Paul and Allison. We thought for sure they would have removed the flamingos before all the guests arrived, but Paul was a wonderful sport and left them for everyone to see! We had a great time during their party. Brian was able to put more faces to names, and I was able to mingle with people that I don't get to see that often outside of the school walls. All in all it was a terrific time and a great way to wrap up the day. Allison made some delicious appetizers that everyone just devoured! It was a very late night getting home with both boys, and then there was church the next day!
Now we are in the midst of craziness, we have something every night of the week, and this week I will be at Lincoln everyday either working or volunteering, which is A-Ok with me!
I am sooo engrossed in this season! I love the smells, and the sounds and the sights of everything Christmas! In fact I think it is going WAY too fast! Only 2 weeks left and it will all be just a memory. If only I could finish my holiday shopping list....
We have our wedding pictures...they will be posted soon!

Holiday season!

Sunday was the first shovel of the season, and the boys did it themselves! It was pretty cool to see them out there working together. Now we need to work it into their allowance. How much should 2 kids get paid for shoveling? We are open to suggestions!
We put up our tree this weekend, and it is absolutely beautiful! Once again, we went to Jim Whiting to get our tree, and once again, we are not disappointed. It isn't the same as going to a tree farm to cut one down, but we still have fun picking it out. This year we picked a much smaller tree than we have in the past, it isn't quite as tall since the ceilings in this house are 8 ft rather than 10 ft BUT, I didn't need to buy more ornaments this year either, so I am content--for now!


The boys found some boughs and played swords with them!

Both Benjamin and Christian helped put the tree up, and they did most of the decorating themselves! Each year the ornaments get higher and I am proud to say that the ornaments are higher than 3 feet from the ground! And they are not clumped together in one spot...they did great! They definitely aren't toddlers anymore!



My cute little reindeer of a husband!

We even had an audience...all dressed up for tree decorating!

This weekend has been busy with family, on both sides, and friends. We spent Thanksgiving day with Brian's family, Friday and Saturday were spent mostly with my family, and Sunday Benjamin and I were able to spend time shopping for the holidays! I am EXHAUSTED!!! Monday I was been in bed all day, sick, tired, pounding headache... Brian took care of the boys and dinner, and carpooling everywhere. They even brought me something to eat in bed when they got home from work and school. I'm lucky to have them, but I would trade the pampering for feeling better any day!

Thanksgiving is for giving Thanks!

Thanksgiving is for giving Thanks! is one of my favorite Thanksgiving books. I have read it to the boys for years, they are probably too old for me to keep reading it...but I do anyway!

Yesterday I made lefse for the first time in my life. And when I say "made" lefse I mean, helped roll it into balls, and then turn, and cozy, turn and cozy...that was my job! Allison did all the rolling, and from what I hear, its probably best, or we would have ended up with letters for lefse instead of round!! But it was fun to spend the day with her doing something that has been a tradition of hers for as long as she has had kids.

Brian and Benjamin along with Paul and Bennett had a cub scout outing in LaCrosse to attend, (in the FREEZING COLD!!) so Christian and I spent the day with Allison and Jackson. We didn't plan on staying as long as we did, but when we were ready to go, we found that Brian had the keys...so we were stranded! It was super to just enjoy the day, and not worry about running around, or cleaning, or laundry...better yet, we came home to a Christmas decorated house!

I can't wait to spend Thanksgiving Day with ALL of the Meurers on Thursday! Each year we go to Brian's Aunt Helen's house for the day. The house is always full of people, and food, and fun! It really is a wonderful Thanksgiving and I look forward to it every year! Then Saturday we will spend the day with my family at my mom's house! 2 Thanksgivings this year, means I should fast for the next couple of days!

I have so much to be thankful for this year! The blessings are many for me in 2008. I have found long lost friends, I have strengthened existing friendships, and made new friends too! I have found work that I truly enjoy, and I look forward to going each day! I am thankful for our church and the wonderful things that are happening there, and I am excited to see them come to life! I am thankful for my family, near and far, they are wonderful in ways that I learn about each day. My two wonderful boys amaze me and humble me, and I am everyday grateful to be a part of their lives! And most of all I am grateful for my husband. I am thankful that he loves me and the boys, and I am thankful that God brought us together in marriage this year!
It has also been a bittersweet year, having lost my grampa, but I know he is where we all want to be, and for that I am thankful too!
Ok ok ok...enough giving thanks!! Have a wonderful week! Eat til you can't eat anymore!

Another beauty

This has been another full, and fulfilling week!
Wednesday I had a PPT meeting. This particular PPT meeting involved quite a bit of info regarding our status as a PTSA, Family Association, dues, members, etc. Admittedly, some of this information was a little over my head, but I learned alot too. I am grateful that we had this meeting during my elect year, so next year I will be better prepared for being co-president!
Thursday was conferences for both boys, ski registration, book club for me, and a scout meeting for Brian. It was quite a whirlwind! Both boys had wonderful conferences, their report cards were great starts to the year, and overall I am a proud mama! Book club was of course superb! Cathy hosted this one, and we sat in her uber-comfy couches, ate some delicious Afghani food (We read the Kite Runner) and drank pomegranate martinis! My book club consists of Elizabeth Glowac, Cathy Nathan, Cherie Falk-Philpott, April Ekblad, Allison Robelia and I. We have a perfect blend of women in this group and I am so so excited to meet each month. The December meeting is going to be held at our house, and this months read is Lamb, The Gospel According to Biff, Jesus Christ's Childhood Pal. I'm told it is hilarious! I can't wait to get started!

Friday night was dinner club with the Kerrs and Robelias. We had a great time eating, drinking, singing and playing guitar. XBox style of course!
The kids played downstairs while the adults took over the upstairs. We look forward to future get togethers with these families, and hopefully the Goblirsches will be able to join us next time!
Saturday morning Brian and I woke up and hung out in bed. It was sooo nice to be able to snuggle together and talk. We had some great debates about religion, politics, the kids, budgeting, and each other. At 11 we finally decided we should get up and do something. So after getting ready, we went to the MOA to do some Christmas shopping.
No purchases were made, except one from Brian to me, but I don't know what it was. I was in the LEGO store at the time. We thought we would get some things at the LEGO store, but their prices were the same as Target...so I saw no advantage to buying them there since Target has sales! (I love a good sale!) We walked the entire mall and went in all the stores we wanted, drank some coffee and gawked at the crazy girls FLOCKING to the new American Girl store! After a stop at IKEA and some inspiration for organizing toys and closets we came home.
Today was GIFT and church. In GIFT we had a great discussion about traditions. It made me reflect on the traditions that Brian and I have started for our family. With the holidays coming I am thinking about our family traditions and it just gives me the warm fuzzies! It also makes me look back on my childhood and think of the wonderful tradtions we had growing up, not only during the holidays, but year round. Indeed I have been blessed over the years!
After church we went to Brian's parents for the game. As soon as we walked in and Benjamin hugged Gloria hello, we discovered that he is officially the same height as her! Oh boy, my little boy is not so little anymore! During the game the boys and I walked to downtown Wabasha to do a little chocolating and shopping. There is a chocolate shop downtown that is fantastic! The huge array they have of confections is overwhelming. After a cinnabon and hot chocolate we went down to the only other shop (other than ace hardware) that is open on a Sunday. It is called the Shepards Nook, and it is a Christian book shop. It is brand new this week, and its very cute inside. I was actually able to do a little Christmas shopping in there. I got gifts for their Sunday School teachers and Brian. A wonderful dinner that was a recipe of Gloria's mom, a game of scrabble and dogplaying rounded out the day.
This week promises to be a little slower. But it seems the less I have going on...the less I get done!

Calm, peaceful, relaxed

This is how I feel today. After buzz, buzz, buzzing around for so many weeks, I have finally had a day where I actually had energy to do "stuff". "Stuff" that hasn't been getting done (not by me anyway... I love my husband!) In addition to "stuff" I have done laundry, made potato soup, and washed the many dishes that is involved in making that soup--I cannot wait to have my dishwasher back!!
I do have this to say though, I'm going to ENJOY this winter! This year I am not going to complain about the snow, I'm not going to grumble about the cold, I am not going to fuss about the wet floors from boots. Nope, not me, not this year! I am actually looking forward to playing in the snow, building snowmen, drinking ho-ho mochas (thanks Sara!) and snuggling together as a family to play games and build puzzles. This year is going to be different.
Now I would like to point out, that this is how I ALWAYS feel leading up to the holidays. I love to capture the spirit in our home for the boys. However, every year right around January 1st...that all goes away and I join everyone in the traditional grouchiness that the long winter always brings. And that is where I am going to be different. Christian's birthday is in January, followed by Benjamin's in February, so we will plan a fun activity for their days. Benjamin is on ski club this year, so he needs snow, and quite frankly, I live in MN. If I don't like the snow, I should move...so this year, its a new leaf!

I fully intend to maintain this attitude, so if you need someone to join you in your grumbles, you'll have to find someone else...however, if you need a pick me up, and someone to remind you how beautiful and fun the snow can be, give me a call!
Ok...off to make their beds with their comfy flannel sheets, my estate sale quilt find, and cozy velour blankets! Snuggle in, its going to be a cold winter!!

Here is Brian enjoying the fruits of his labor from fixing the nintendo...he was actually able to make it to Mike Tyson! Now passing Mike is taking a little more time, but at least the nintendo works! Paddington was helping, she got right in his lap and purred away!

Life is good...

Tonight was the Fall fun dance at school, and the boys had a terrific time! I got to see a side of Benjamin that we don't get to see often, as he danced, and jumped, and danced...wow did he dance! He was with boys that he doesn't see much outside of school and he really was a different kid! Very fun! Of course Christian and his buddies didn't really care much for dancing, they were more interested in running and playing. But the music was geared toward their age range so they enjoyed that! The moms and I actually danced a few times too, gratefully we aren't at the age yet where that is unacceptable. First was the cha-cha song, and then the Macarena closed out the night. Boy, I don't think I've done the macarena since I was about their age, so it took a few rounds for it to come back to me.
Brian was at the football coach banquet. Unfortunately, with the exception of our head coach (who is also the president of RYFA, so very busy tonight) none of the other coaches for our team were there. Brian didn't know very many people, so he mingled for awhile, but didn't really get as much out of it as he did last year.
This weekend promises snow according to the weather man. I am not as disappointed as I thought I would be. I actually purchased myself a new columbia coat and some snowpants so I can actually play in the snow with the boys this year...I'm looking forward to it...kinda!
We have an audiology appointment tomorrow morning for Christian, he has not been passing the hearing tests that are done at school so we are taking him in to see whats going on. Then we have the whole afternoon!

Brian fixed our NES--you know the old fashioned nintendo, so our games work really well...I have a feeling it may be a nintendo day. I've been a bit of an electronic nazi lately, so the boys have probably earned a little electronic time.
Tomorrow night it is Sushi Nashiki with some friends from the pharmacy. I CAN'T WAIT! Brian and I are really excited! Saturday is a long awaited day with the Hoekstras. We haven't seen them since our wedding so we are really looking forward to spending time with them. Sunday morning the boys get to do a reading for the congregation during worship. I'm looking forward to that. When they were asked at our Bible study last night if they wanted to do it, I was very proud of them for saying yes! So thank you Lisa for thinking of them. It should be wonderful!
Sunday afternoon is the Packers/Vikings game...no plans for it yet, but we can't miss it so I'm sure we'll find some way to squeeze it in. I wanted to go to the cities to visit the jewelry store that my wedding set is from. I'm not happy with my wedding band, so we need to exchange it, and I was hoping to get to to Trader Joes...not sure if it will happen this weekend though...we'll see!

We got some very sad news today. Joe Stanich who was a fantastic teacher at Lincoln back when Jadee and I went there, passed away from cancer over the weekend. Here is part of the email I received with the news...I couldn't have put it better, so I will post what Beth wrote:

He was the well-loved teacher who helped start Lincoln K-8, and he is the man responsible for the saying,” Welcome to the greatest school in the universe.” When Joe was teaching in the building, he began every morning with a friendly visit to every teacher. Whenever he noticed a visitor in the building, he greeted the person with a happy smile, a handshake, and his famous quote,” Welcome to the greatest school in the universe.” Joe was a revolutionary who taught kids NOT a subject. He is the reason we have circle discussion and Uppers electives at Lincoln. I never met anyone who didn’t love and respect him as a great teacher and a greater man.

Joe is the reason I made it through my first year at Lincoln. He was an incredible mentor and friend.

I am a better teacher and person for having known Joe.

He touched many lives and he will be greatly missed. Please keep his wife Gwen and their family in your prayers.

Lord, God, you are attentive to the voice of our pleading. Let us find in your Son comfort in our sadness, certainty in our doubt, and courage to live through this hour. Make our faith strong through Christ our Lord.

Full weekend!!

My sweet husband left this on the mirror for me to wake up to this week. I do I do is a Mojo-ism for I love you. When we first said I love you to one another years and years ago, it felt so good to say it out loud that we would say "I do" over and over. Now I do I do simply means I love you, to the 100th degree!

This weekend started with the boys and I making chocolate candies for the halloween party we went to on Friday. Benjamin did not want to have a costume this year. He (like me) is not really interested in halloween, he doesn't care for the dressing up and trick or treating, so I don't force it. However, for the 3rd year in a row, he decided at the 9th hour (20 minutes before we walk out the door) that he does indeed want a costume! So we pulled together a Hobo costume for him, and it turned out really great! He wore one of Brian's flannel jackets and I used eyeshadow to make him dirty, rumpled his hair and he wore one slipper and an old ducktaped shoe of Brian's. Not bad for last minute for sure! Christian went as a spook, he really wanted the glow in the dark scream mask to wear with a black cape. So thats what we did! He was a scary spook!
Here they are with the spook getting the hobo.
Here is where Benjamin wanted to get into character...and did a SUPER job of giving a vacant look! He was totally into character there!

Brian and I were not going to dress up for the party, but we too decided at the last minute that we shouldn't go w/o costumes...but what would we wear? We don't have anything to pull together...hmmm??? Bride and Groom! So I put on my wedding dress and he put back on his white linen and off we went! I started to get a picture of the 2 of us before we left, but Brian pointed out that we have over 700 pictures of us on our wedding day in our duds! Point taken, so no pix of us! We had a great time at the Kerr's. More Lincoln families that Brian and I have not had a chance to get to know were there. Its nice to be able to see these people outside of Lincoln and get to know their spouses too. The boys got to play with kids that they don't usually play with, all in all it was a fun night!

Saturday was a surprise 40th birthday for one of Brian's coworkers in the Pharmacy. We went to the Best Western Soldiers Field and ate some dinner had some drinks, watched him get "roasted" and hung out the Naptons. We see Darin and Beth frequently through out the week, Beth of course is Benjamin's teacher, and they go to our church as well, but we have never had an opportunity for it to just be the 4 of us. Brian and I had a good time. We are very spoiled to have had 2 parties back to back with 2 very different guest lists!
Today we have an event for Christian at the church, maybe we'll carve our "Thanksgiving Pumpkins" (we missed out getting them done before halloween) and then I have an emergency PPT meeting tonight. Sigh...then we are back to the work/school week! Its been a great weekend, I give my thanks!

Auction 2008--Wonderful success!!

Oh boy, another Lincoln Auction has come and gone, and as far as I can see everyone had a terrific time!!

Ginger Kerr and Randy Hellickson did a fantastic job organizing Lincoln's first carnival in years.


The kids had a blast not only playing the games and winning prizes, but Benjamin worked the cake/book walk and did a great job keeping the little ones in line and taking tickets. Very responsible students we have at this school!

Christian participated in the pie eating contest...I think he came in pretty close to first, but the judges didn't agree.

Oh well, he looked like he had fun and he had a messy face to show his efforts! Then we coerced Beth into doing the pie eating along with Jim (our principal) and others. It was fun to watch!


We bid on a few of the baskets for the silent auction but with no results. However, when the live auction began we were ready to spend a little money! And sure enough, we won a basket (that I was not really trying to win, I was trying to be the underbidder. I need to work on that a little!) BUT, we are both excited about the purchase we made. We have a night at the Radisson Hotel, $25 gift certificate to Flowers by Jerry, $25 gift certificate to Newts, City Cafe, 300 First(one of these) a bottle of wine, 2 wine glasses, tickets to The Christmas Carol at the Civic Center, 2 cds and a crystal lead vase! Not exactly what I would have wanted but I am excited for our family to have a downtown night out just before the holidays!
As PPT President elect, I along with Jeff and Chris (this year's co-presidents)auctioned off a dinner party for 10 families...and that went for a fair amount of money. All in a ll the Auction/Carnival was a wild success and I am so glad to have been a part of it. My role certainly is not a large one, so many other parents worked endlessly to make it all just perfect...and they did!
Afterward Brian and I joined several of the families and teachers at ONeills to unwind after the big day. We shared some pitchers of beer, pizza and stories. Brian and I have not spent much time with any of the people at ONeills last night so it was nice to get to know them all a little better. It was a super fun evening with some super fun people!

And now...its 9:55pm, neither of the boys can sleep and I am not sure when I will finally rest my head. Brian is at the hospital, over night, doing a study. Why you ask? Because I did NOT give thought to the fact that he would be gone over night when he talked about doing this particular study. I have not been in this house alone, I am not used to the creaks and moans yet, and I think we are all a little restless. I am playing "the big strong mom who is not afraid of anything" for the boys....BUT...is that the wind? Does it HAVE to be windy tonight? Argh!