Holiday Wrap Up

Whew, what a busy Holiday!!  I love Christmas, but there is a part of me that is glad when it's all over.  But I'm not so glad when I have to find a new home for all the toys - that's a challenge!  

Most of our "partying" was done the weekend before Christmas.  On Saturday the 19th we headed to Nick's Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Steve's home on Lake Florida in Spicer for the extended Frank Christmas for a soup lunch.  We participated in the annual adult ornament exchange (that was over 2 1/2 hours long!!!!), the kid's book exchange, and the Mogen David wine toast (call me crazy, but I actually kinda like the way it tastes!).  It's always fun to get the Frank clan together since it doesn't happen too often because we're spread all over the state.  This year, Aunt Bernie and Uncle Rick from Arizona even came home for the festivities so that was a nice surprise!

After we just couldn't stay any longer and had to leave the ornament exchange early from Bonnie's (or in other words we got the ornaments we liked so we made a run for it!) we headed back to Brownton for the extended Loncorich Christmas party at my mom and dad's.  It's always so fun to see all the Loncoriches; especially the brand new arrival - baby Natalie!  We had our annual Gift Card exchange and the kids exchanged presents.  And then Santa made his way over to Brownton!!  That was the highlight of the whole night - two 2 1/2 year olds and an 8 year old jumping around and acting all crazy because they were so excited to see Santa!  The girls must have been very good this year because they all got three presents from Santa!

So that was Saturday... then Sunday we had Christmas again at my mom and dad's with my sisters and brothers-in-law.  Once again, like every year, we got completely spoiled!!!  It was a nice relaxing day with good food and good company!  Unfortunately, the Kinzler extended family Christmas was also on Sunday in Willmar but we couldn't make it to that party.  Next year, we promise!

And... for the main event..... Christmas Day!  Well actually Christmas Eve Day.  We did the Santa-thing on the morning of the 24th - we had too many other things going on Sunday and I didn't want to be rushed for opening Julianne's presents so Santa came a day early to our house.  This was the first year that Julianne actually had any clue what Santa Claus was.  We left cookies and milk for Santa and corn for Rudolph by the fire place before she went to bed and showed her they were gone in the morning.   I would have to say she was more upset than anything that Santa ate her cookie!  And she really had no interest in opening her presents when she woke up, straaaaange kid... but she eventually came around and dug in and opened them all in 10 minutes!  This is also the first year she could really open the presents herself and she's now got that skill mastered.  

Christmas Eve we spent with Nick's sisters and brothers-in-law at his parents house and we were all spoiled once again!  We have tons of fun with the Frank's - mostly because we watch Julianne and Shay play together and smile from ear-to-ear at how darn cute they are and how they are "best buddies."  It's so nice to see that get along so well and play so nice together (well, most of the time!).  I really hope their relationship stays that way through those troublesome teenage years!

Christmas Day we went to church and then headed back out to my mom and dad's for dinner.  Just my grandmas and Alissa were there so it was a relaxing Sunday.  We played a few rounds of Uno and again ate waaaaay to much!

So, in a nutshell, that was our Holiday Wrap-Up!  We are blessed with such wonderful family and are so glad that we get to spend the Holidays with them. 

 Nick and I at my mom and dad's

"Santa's here, Santa's here!"  Julianne, Rachel and Lucy excited for Santa at the Loncorich Christmas party.

Julianne whipping up some breakfast in her new kitchen from Santa 

Santa presents 

"Enough pictures mom... I have more presents to open!" 

Shay, Bree and Jules 

Julianne in her standard "cheese" pose

Santa Clause - take three!

It took three tries this year, but Julianne finally sat on Santa's lap!

Take One - the Hutch Mall

 Take Two - The Hospital Kids' Christmas Party

And finally, Take Three - At Papa and Mama L's!  Maybe it helped that this Santa gave presents instead of candy canes or stickers! 

Happy Birthday to Shay!

Last Sunday we celebrated Shay's 3rd birthday - it's hard to believe those kids are going to be three this year!!  Shay's the oldest of 7 kids that were born between 12-2008 and 10-2009 on Nick's side of the family.  This was an extra special birthday party because Shay's party was cancelled last year because of a huge snow storm.  Here's a few pics of the kiddo's from the party.

Look at this awesome cupcake cake!! It was yummmmmmy!

The birthday girl with her cake 

Julianne with her cupcake.... Notice the cupcake - all the frosting is gone and most of the cake is left - my kind of girl!

Look out world, here come two cuties with their high heels!!!  There was no doubt what Shay was into this year - she got TONS of dress-up clothes and princess things for her birthday.  Of course, Julianne had to help Shay model the dress-up clothes for us!

And we can't forget sweet, baby Bree!!  She joined in the dress-up fun too!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Last Thursday, December 1, Nick and I celebrated our 4th anniversary.  I absolutely love looking through all the pictures from that day and could do it all day long!  I have so many wonderful memories from 4 years ago so thought I'd share some of my favorite pictures with you... 

First of all, when I think of 12/1/07, I think of that dirty, four letter word...... SNOW!  I can remember being very calm about it all the week prior to the wedding, thinking there was a chance the weather forecasters could be wrong.  But, no such luck... we got hammered with 10 plus inches of the white stuff that morning!  So I pretty much was quite frustrated (and crabby!) the morning of the wedding.  I remember thinking that our grandparents (and other guests who wouldn't normally go out in this type of blizzard!) were going to slip on the snow and ice and fall and break their hips or worse yet, that no one would come and our wedding would be ruined!  Everyone tried to call me down saying the pictures would be "so pretty" but I wasn't having any of it! But the show went on and our wedding turned out to be fabulous!  There were a few guests that didn't make it, but no one fell and broke anything and those that were there had a great time; plus we even got a few  "pretty" pictures with the snow.

Get me to the church on time! (Notice the "white stuff" outside... )

Yikes, more snow!!!

Barb and Megan trying to help calm me before the ceremony. 

 This is one of my favorites; I love the stained-glass window in the front of our church.

The 'maids

 And this is my most favorite!!  I guess they were right - the snow was nice for some pictures.

Alissa and I doing the air guitar.  My dress was too big so she had to hold up my leg for me -  now that's what sisters are for!

I love, love, love this picture.  We had a fabulous time at the dance and I can still remember it like it was yesterday!  Good times with good friends!

Happy Thanksgiving

Twas the night of Thanksgiving,

But I just couldn't sleep.

I tried counting backwards,

I tried counting sheep.

The leftovers beckoned - 

the dark meat and white,

But I fought the temptation 

with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation,

the thought of a snack became infatuation.

So, I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door,

and gazed at the fridge, full of goodies galore.

Gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,

pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.

I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,

'til all of a sudden, I rose from the ground.

I crashed through the ceiling, floating into the sky,

with a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie.

But, I managed to yell as I soared past the trees...

Happy eating to all - pass the cranberries, please.

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all - bring on the turkey!

 

1st Snow

We got our first snow fall yesterday so we had to get outside and play!  Last year was a rough one - I hope this winter is better.  A couple inches every other week would be enough for me!

Go Vikes!

Go Vikings! Go Vikings!

We're in trouble... even this cute little cheerleader can't make the Vikings win!

In Training

This week we have officially entered the Potty Training phase of toddlerhood!!!  It’s been a long time coming, but Julianne is finally getting the hang of going potty like a big girl!  Thank goodness Halloween came and we have plenty of treats!  I am not above giving treats as rewards – I figure she’s gonna eat her Halloween candy anyway so she may as well earn it!

 

We are taking it slow though – my goal is to have her trained by Christmas!  It’s very hard to train her when she’s at daycare 9 hours a day and we only have a few hours at home and weekends.  But our daycare mom is helping somewhat and she is going potty there as well- however still wearing diapers.  At home it’s big-girl panties only (except for nap and bedtime)!  So far, she’s been pretty good and only had a few accidents, probably because I bring her to the bathroom every hour!

 

I never in a million years thought my life would revolve around poop and potty so much!  If you would have told me I would have no problems washing out poopy underwear in the sink by hand 10 years ago – I would have thought you were crazy! 

Happy Halloween

 

 

Happy Halloween!

Jack-o-lantern

It’s that time of year!  Last weekend Julianne and I carved a pumpkin - 

Well, actually I carved the pumpkin while Julianne played in the pumpkin insides that we took out!

 

 

 

 

 

And there it is – my jack-o-lantern!

Fun at the Nelson Farm

Last weekend Ashley and I took Shay and Julianne to the Nelson Farm just outside of Litchfield.  There was a TON of fun things for the girls to do and we had a great day!  They got to see lots of animals include chicks, a baby calf, goats, sheep, horses, pigs and rooster.  Plus they got to ride on a horse-drawn trolley, they each rode a horse and we all rode in a go-cart down a big hill (we only went once - it was too much work dragging the cart up the hill!).  But the girls had the most fun on the good old playground and on the slides.  They were pretty fun; Ash and I took a turn on the slide too!

Below are some pictures from our day:

Shay holding the baby chicks

The girls on the Clip-Clop Trolley ride 

Jules on her horsey ride 

And Shay on her horsey ride! 

They had the most fun just running around and acting silly! 

Getting pulled in a wagon by a tractor

And the day was complete when the girls got their faces painted.  Of course they had to get the same thing - a rainbow with a heart - what else for our girly girls! 

BFF's

Harvest Time

Happy Harvesting to all those hardworking farmers out there!  I wish you dry weather (no rain or snow please!), good-yielding crops, employee’s that show up on time (some of you know what I’m talking about here!!!), machinery that doesn’t break down, and the patience and strength to make it through yet another fall!  You have a thank-less job and I’m so proud of all the farmers in my life who have shown me what it means to be “hard-working!”

 

 

So God Made a Farmer…

 

And on the 8th day God looked down on his planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker!". So, God made a farmer!

God said, "I need somebody to get up before dawn and milk cows and work all day in the fields, milk cows again, eat supper and then go to town and stay past midnight at a meeting of the school board." So, God made a farmer!

"I need somebody with strong arms. Strong enough to rustle a calf, yet gentle enough to deliver his own grandchild. Somebody to call hogs, tame cantankerous machinery, come home hungry and have to wait for lunch until his wife is done feeding and visiting with the ladies and telling them to be sure to come back real soon...and mean it." So, God made a farmer!"

God said "I need somebody that can shape an ax handle, shoe a horse with a hunk of car tire make a harness out of hay wire, feed sacks and shoe scraps. And...who, at planting time and harvest season, will finish his forty hour week by Tuesday noon. Then, in pain from 'tractor back', put in another seventy two hours." So, God made a farmer!

God had to have somebody willing to ride the ruts at double speed to get the hay in ahead of the rain clouds and yet stop on mid-field and race to help when he sees the first smoke from a neighbor's place. So, God made a farmer!

God said, "I need somebody strong enough to clear trees, heave bails and yet gentle enough to tame lambs and wean pigs and tend the pink combed pullets...and who will stop his mower for an hour to mend the broken leg of a meadow lark." So, God made a farmer!

It had to be somebody who'd plow deep and straight...and not cut corners. Somebody to seed and weed, feed and breed...and rake and disc and plow and plant and tie the fleece and strain the milk. Somebody to replenish the self feeder and then finish a hard days work with a five mile drive to church. Somebody who'd bale a family together with the soft strong bonds of sharing, who'd laugh and then sigh...and then respond with smiling eyes, when his son says he wants to spend his life "doing what dad does". So, God made a farmer!

(Author Unknown. Article reproduced from Paul Harvey radio show)

 

 

SD Trip

Last week Nick decided he wanted to go to a cattle sale in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, so we decided to make it a quick "2nd Honeymoon" trip.  Last Tuesday after work I sent Julianne to Grandma L's, we packed our bags, loaded up the car and were off to the great land of South Dakota.  We didn't have any hotels rooms booked and or plans made and were just going to "wing-it."  I don't usually do well with non-organized events (okay - that may be a slight understatement), but luckily Nick's mom borrowed us their AAA travel book so at least we had a map! 

Well, the trip didn't start out to well... I was late getting home from work, we drove all the way on Tuesday night in the rain and wind and the first hotel we got too was booked.  So we just decided to drive another 1 1/2 hours to the next town and got a room there.  Then we got a wake-up call at 7am Wednesday morning from the hotel front desk - some had backed into our car in the parking lot!!  Talk about not a good way to start a vacation, but it turned out our car was just a little scratched and was still drivable.

Wednesday we set out for the Black Hills and took our time driving through South Dakota.  I swear Nick is like a 5-year-old on Christmas morning out there - he LOVES seeing all the cattle grazing on the hills and the countryside. 

This is one of the lakes created by the Oahe Dam along the Missouri River.

We stopped at the Oahe Dam just north of Pierre

After lunch in Pierre we drove to Rapid City and of course had to stop at Wall Drug.  We didn't end up buying anything but we had to stop!  From Rapid City we took some back roads through the Black Hills to Deadwood.

Would you believe this is in South Dakota?  I had been to the Black Hills a long time ago, but I didn't remember that it was so pretty!

More of the Black Hills 

And still more of the Black Hills... 

This was an old gold mine from the 1800's.  After 20 years of mining, they hit water, which then flowed out of the tunnel.  The rushing water then created the above waterfall right outside the tunnel. 

Okay... so Wednesday night we had a little fun!  Would you believe they had Tequila on tap!  Nick has his Christmas list started... When we got to Deadwood we checked into our hotel went to eat and had a few lots of drinks.  We ate at a good Steakhouse in downtown Deadwood and then came back to our hotel where we each doubled our money playing slots!  (Don't get to excited - double of $10 isn't really that much... )

And then on Thursday we had the main event... the sale at the Belle Fourche Livestock Exchange!  I actually thought it was pretty neat.  I felt like I was in a Western Movie (with the exception of the fancy trucks and trailers hauling the cattle... ).  Everyone was wearing Wranglers with western shirts and cowboy hats.  There were even people on horses rounding up the cattle.   This is Nick on the "catwalk" taking a look at the cattle before the sale.

More pens of cattle at the sale.  Aren't they cute?!?!

After the sale we drove into Wyoming and went to Devil's Tower. 

And since were in the Black Hills, we had to stop at Mount Rushmore!  We make a pit stop there on Friday morning before making the LONG drive back home.