Christmas 2013 Part 1

As usual, Christmas was busy again for us in 2013.  I started with the Frank extended family Christmas on Saturday, December 21.  We headed to Nick's aunt and uncle's in Marshall for the day.  It' always a fun day with the Franks get together - lots of FOOD, kids and good times!  We don't get to see each other too often so it's great we get to re-connect at Christmas time.

The 2nd generation cousins 

Christmas Letter 2013

Since I didn't do an official Christmas Letter this year, I thought I'd write an update on all of us...

Merry Christmas to all our family and friends! 2013 has been a great year - the kids have grown and changed so much!

William is now 16 months.  It's amazing to think he was just 4 months old at this time last year.  Last winter was rough on him; he ended up being sick quite often and having to spend a night in the hospital with bronchiolitis in January.  He needed medication through a nebulizer for a few months after that.  Ear infections were also a problem for him.  He was averaging about one every 6-8 weeks and they were-not-fun.   But once he turned a year, his immune system seemed to catch up with him.  He is now really healthy and hasn't had an ear infection since July.

He is walking/running all over and loves to try to keep up with the "big-kids" at daycare.  He is independent, strong-willed and likes to do things by himself.  His favorite tricks right now are carrying the step stool from the kitchen to the living room and using it to climb on top of the coffee table, or carrying it into the bathroom so he can reach his tooth brush to the water faucet, taking Jules' toys and running while she is shrieking "WILL-WE-UM!!!!" after him, and hiding behind the curtains in his room.  And, we are having to start spelling words already... we don't dare say the word M-I-L-K or he will run to the fridge and whine at the door until we get him some milk or B-A-T-H and he'll whine and pound on the bathroom door!  And speaking of whining ~ he isn't talking yet, so we get a lot of grunts, whines and finger pointing from him!  He's shy around people he firsts meets, but soon warms up.  He's got a goofy side to him also and always has a smile for you!  

Julianne is 4 1/2 going on 15.  She is a sweet girl and is always looking out for her little brother. She is a little mommy, but she also doesn't like it when Will gets into her stuff.  She's still quite stubborn at times and hates nap time and bed time.  It's a struggle most nights!  I personally think it's a control thing - she doesn't like to be told she has to do anything!  But she is a smart, independent girl who will go far in this world.  She amazes me daily with the things she remembers or says.  She's still extremely shy around people she doesn't know, but once she's comfortable with you, she'll talk your ear off!

She is in her 2nd year at preschool at King's Kids in Hutchinson.  She attends three days per week in the mornings.  She has the same teacher and a lot of the same kids are in her class.  School has been a great experience for her!  She is also in Sunday School this year.  We joined Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson this spring and Julianne is in their program this year.  She enjoys her "shorter" school just as much as preschool!  She also took Swimming lessons in the summer and participated in some of King's Kids Summer School sessions.

Like our card said, nothing has really changed with Nick and I.  I still run the kids everywhere and still manage to work full-time.  Most days I'm in bed by 9:30 pm and up at 5 am.  But I am thankful I have an amazing place to work for and that I love with my job.  Nick continues to farm soybeans, corn and sugar beets with his dad.  He also raises cattle.  He again went to Montana this fall and picked up 220 head of cattle to raise.  I feel like I say this every year, but this is his biggest group yet.  He also enjoys fishing when he can... he just got back from a weekend ice-fishing trip to Lake of the Woods.  He works so hard most days, it was good to see him be able to get away with his friend for a weekend.

During the summer, we spend just about every spare weekend at Big Kandioyohi Lake at Nick's parent's lake home.  We enjoy the area and company so much!  Plus, now that we have enough room for everyone to sleep, we enjoy it that much more!  

Well, there you have it - an update from the Frank family for 2013.  All I can say, is that we are a very blessed family! We wish you the same for 2014!

Seeing Santa isn't "picture perfect" with my shy kids!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My Loves!

L O V E these kiddos!!!!  Seriously, could they get any cuter??!?!?

All about Jules!

Julianne's School Project - that's right - she want's to be a Doctor and Horse Rider when she grows up!  :-)

HALLOWEEN

Halloween flew by this year!  When it's during the week, it makes for some busy days!

Black and Orange day at daycare on Oct 31

Julianne and Luke wore their costumes Wednesday for their preschool party 

And the best one I could get of both kids at the same time - Superman Will and Rapunzel Jules.   (The hat wasn't part of the original costume!)  We went to the party in Brownton again this year.  There is lots of games for the kids and they can win prizes with their "tickets."  Lots of fun!  We don't do the usual "trick-or-treating" - which is okay by me!

Jules playing Plinko with Grandma at the party 

And Will tasting the candy!

Halloween Spirit

We got in the Halloween spirit yesterday!!

First we painted pumpkins...

Even Will had a turn with the paint.  His turn didn't last long - as you can see by the blue paint on his lips, he tried to eat the paintbrush!

Then we carved a pumpkin -

Julianne getting the yucky stuff out! 

Will's turn to scrape out the yucky stuff! 

The finished product!

Then it was time for supper - we had...  

Mummy Dogs!

 Julianne and Mom with the Mummy Dog

Will and his 'Dog 

 Our Happy Jack-o-latern - I have to say, I'm very impressed with myself - it turned out better than I thought!

The Masterpieces!

Happy Harvesting!

It's that time of year again!!!  

First combine ride of the season!  

Notice the sunshine and the bright blue skies - this was taken a few weeks ago...

Julianne's "wish" at supper the other night was "I wish Daddy can get all of his corn out of the field before it snows."  I didn't even prompt her, I swear!  I guess she just picks up on EvErYtHiNg!!!

Harvest update for those of you wondering:  Nick and Steve have all of their soybeans out.  They have started on corn, but just a day or two so probably only have 200 acres combined.  They have also started on beets, but it's been a slow road.  They haven't been in the beet field for a week and a half because of the rain.  They had a couple good days, but had to shut down because it was too hot - go figure!  Hopefully it dries up soon they can hit the beets hard this week and get the rest of the corn out.  Looks like harvest is going to drag out for a while yet.  Always a stressful time of year......