old spaces new faces

We are in the midst of doing some painting/re-arranging in our little home to provide our sweet KGO and OJO rooms of their own. To accomplish this, we are relocating our living room to the dining room and KGO will go into the area where the living room downstairs once occupied. For sale are our dining room table, hutch and buffet.

The 29th was the day where all the displaced contents found a new home, photos were taken of objects for sale on Craigslist and furniture moved outside.

The 30th was a day of washing walls, preparing them for painting, buying paint and soon will be taping to protect woodwork. I'm excited to see when all complete.

Here are a couple of photos:

opening gifts on the 22nd

dining room table, chairs and hutch for sale

after the table, chairs and hutch removed

snow queen

Little K got a snowboard and all the fixings for Christmas this year. Here are some photos of her trying them out. Santa, Mom and Dad and Evan were helpful in outfitting her...

just outside our house after getting her board, and clothes

going the wrong way

A and O climbing the hill at Lawcon Park in Mountain Lake

speeding down the hill at 5 degree temps

looking strong

and finishing her ride

kickin it with the Blomgren clan

On December 26, we drove from Grantsburg to Mountain Lake to celebrate with the Blomgren family!

Here are some highlights:

Kent, me and Kyle

Vance surrounded by his Katie and Kaitie

reading Twas the Night before Christmas

cousins visiting and playing games

O being hoisted by Cody and Adam

Kyeanna got the MASK! Welcome to the family

O helping everyone open their white elephant gifts

and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care

fawning over baby Ike

exercise club in Grandma and Grandpas basement

look what Santa brought!

Sorrel (from Jamaica and USVI)

squash

Swedish meatballs

lefse

feeding the children first

Molly's surprise

Isaiah arrived after 17 hours in the car from Virginia

the magic of Christmas

at candle light service at Faith Lutheran Church in Grantsburg

all the Grandkids in their new Star Wars PJs

All he wants for Christmas is his 2 front teeth 

class fun

last day of school before the holidays was action packed...we made ornaments, ice cream and banana bread. We also had an assembly where we did a conga line and wore pajamas.

happy birthday love

Happy happy happy happy happy birthday to the love of my life and the best husband and Dad in the world.
You complete our family.

grad party

Last night, we were invited to the lovely Kimberly Weaver-Olsons graduation party for her masters in Nursing. She is very detail oriented and this was one of her guest beverage choices...

a little cloudy, but it was tart and yummy

the spirit of Christmas

This morning our two youngest performed in a nice play about the spirit of Christmas and how we should enjoy the gift of giving.

Here are some photos. Both children participated nicely. Thank you!

singing Go Tell it on the Mountain

near the tree, next to boy with rainbow sweater

first through fifth grade

one of my students as one of the three kings

preK through grade five

the Force Awoke

Last night, Brad and I had the  pleasure of walking downtown with our family of five and seeing Star Wars, the Force Awakens on the big screen at the Falls Theater. What a thrilling experience for us! My heart was racing as the opening credits rolled.

cards have arrived!

On Saturday, the day was spent writing Christmas cards, going to Sunday School program practice and writing more Christmas cards. Many of the cards are on their way!!!

warm friendship

5 years ago, O was just a baby and John and Gretchen Stoeffl opened their home to friends to make Bailey's Irish Cream. We have attended 5 of the 6 gatherings with the second party happening when we were in St. Croix. The kids play and eat, the parents eat and sample some Bailey's and we all take home as much as we ordered from John and Gretchen. This year we made two batches. We will share them with neighbors and family.

The kids look forward to this annual event every year and it restores my soul with friendship and laughter.

Thank you John and Gretchen for hosting and keeping the tradition going. Thanks Noreens, Samargias, Bonds, Harers, Johnsons, Lindsays, Jacksons and usually Madsens for being a part of the fun too.

makings for 16 batches of Baileys

Gretchen, Kim, Karen, Sarah, Sharyl and Angie

Karen, Gretchen, Kim, Angie, Michelle, Sharyl and Sarah

Sarah, Gretchen, Sharyl, Kim and Karen

John and O having a wrestling match!

5 seconds

bad Mom confession #953, I had my very last class tonight for Preschool curriculum. My professor is extremely engaging and I didn't feel I could just walk out of class even if she said I would have plenty of time to attend my son's 7pm concert. At 7:07, I ran home, jumped into the truck and drove to MMS to hear the last 5 seconds of the 8th grade band concert...it sounded good, but I feel badly that I came in late.

Thinking A had no idea I was late, he told me he saw me enter in the last 5 seconds...bad Mom.

mud boy

O and his buddies Vivian and Gracie--yes, Mom, his playground buddies have your first and middle name--went into a mud puddle yesterday and proceeded to have a blast! They were covered liberally with muddy water. Thanks to Becki and Megan for helping him get his spare clothing on and giving him a good lesson on where to play on a muddy day.

waiting for Christmas cards

So I waited to order Christmas cards until I had the time to put them together. I'm waiting very impatiently. The letter is written and printed, but the cards still need to arrive, get addressed and in the mail.

It will all work out in the end...those who will receive will get them just at the right time.

Here are a few photos that were used:

swim season resumes

A & K are starting swimming season tonight. As I pulled into the driveway after school, K was waiting outside for Brad to drive her to her session. I got the opportunity to drive her for her 6-7 practice (she was 30 minutes early) and will be getting the opportunity to drive A in about 20 minutes to his 7-9 practice and to pick up K. I love swimming season and seeing them stay in great shape.

new truck

Today our family replaced our 1994 Chevy Silverado whose reverse stopped working with a 2005 Dodge. We feel very fancy indeed.

one year

it's been a year. since. we. lost. Ross.

I have no idea how he does it, but here is Kurt's post from this morning:

Today marks the day that one year ago we tragically lost Ross. It has been a very difficult year of "first time without's." This photo was taken two years ago with Ross and my father. These two have taught me a great deal in my life. Ross didn't leave us with a just lifetime of memories, he left us with a lifetime of lessons about a positive attitude and a joy for life always shared with a smile. He made us all better.

Here's Jenna's:

I think my Dad said it best. One year it hurts just as much, and we will never forget. Love you sweet baby brother.

Here's Vance's:
One year. One year since I've had the opportunity to see your face. I took the time I had with you for granted. I always believed in seeing you tomorrow. One year ago we ran out of tomorrows. You've taught me many things. A love that won't quit is one of them. I would do anything to see your beautiful smile one last time. I love you forever Ross.

Here's Liana's:
It's been a year, and I still can’t completely wrap my head around how someone who was so full of life could be taken from us so suddenly. I was lucky to be able to call Ross my cousin and to have so many great memories with him—from playing in Grandma and Grandpa’s basement when we were little, to watching him completely transform himself into a character on stage, to having him come watch me play basketball a year ago today. I can honestly say that I am a better person because this young man was a part of my life, even for such a short time. He brought out the best in all of us.

His Mom, Kelly has been doing postings of little memorials she is making on her trip to a warm and sandy place. 

We all miss him. We all love him. We all know he left a HUGE impression on the world. Keep the memory alive.