Video of Jordan's solo

My dad was so kind and made a video of Jordan's solo so everyone could enjoy! Thanks DAD!

Tae Kwon Do Test

Sydney and Arlie both tested for their next belt or stripe (Arlie is now a purple stripe belt and Sydney is white with THREE orange stripes). They both passed and did great. Sydney was really nervous. Instead of her normal 1 instructor there were 3 extra black belts watching and helping. She didn't like that much. She typically does everything right and is one of the best in her class, but forgot some of the stuff she always knows and does right. Luckily they are nice at that age and help her out. She had a tough time breaking the board this time and gave up doing it in front of the class. She did break it after class which earned her the 3rd orange strip. Next for her is her orange belt and for Arlie his brown belt! Way to go guys! :)

Beautiful Voice

We had our church Christmas Program on Sunday titled The First Leon. Jordan and Sydney were both in the choir and Jordan had a solo during one of the songs. He was pretty nervous, but performed beautifully! There was another gal that had a solo in part of the song as well and aparently she didn't get far enough back from the microphone after her solo because instead of singing the rest of the song, Jordan spent it motioning her to move back in his "slightly ;) " bossy sort of way! It was very true to form. We were very proud of him for getting up there and singing even if he was really nervous. He sounded great and both Sydney and he did really a fabulous job!

Christmas carol sing

One of my favorite annual traditions is our family Christmas carol sing. We get together, eat, talk, and sing some Christmas carols. We always have a great time. This year the kids knew more songs so enjoyed the singing part (and of course they helped with playing instruments). It's such a blessing that we can have the opportunity to hang out together! I have a great family!

The OWL

When my Grandma Mahle moved down to Florida she was getting rid of some of her things. One of the things that she was getting rid of was a glass owl. A very nice owl, but neither I nor my cousin Allison had any place to put this beautiful glass owl. My cousin finally decided to take it and give it to me for Christmas. Almost every year (except the year i forgot :) ) we've passed it back and forth in different forms. Here was what i did this year.... with a sign that said, "Never trust an Owl in sheeps clothing."

Christmas Baking Night

I love making Christmas cookies (and probably too many of them). Since the kids have gotten older, I've had them help me...which they love (especially Sydney). Now we have Family Christmas Cookie Night. We made about 12 different kinds of cookies. Sydney helped me for about 4 hours...Jordan about 2 ;) It was a ton of fun and quite delicious!

Stylin' girl

Gotta love older girl cousins

Of course there is payback...

Steps to decoracting a tree

Step 1: Get the tree in from outside, put in tree stand, let sit for 24-48 hours while kids ask about once an hour if the tree is ready to decorate!

Step 2: When the tree branches are finally all down and set, put on lights, while the kids ask if you're done yet and if they can add the decorations. (oh and don't forget to tie the tree to the wall and weight it down for when the cat decides to climb it :) )


Step3: Put the star on the tree. (Allison doesn't this remind you of when we went to the Boundary Waters and had to hang the rope in the tree for the food...my dad pushing us up the tree?)


Step 4: Pose in front of tree with lights and star.

Step 5: THE BEST STEP! Put all the decorations on the tree and remember all the years and the decorations you received and made!

Step 6: Enjoy the tree....

The HUNT.....

Growing up, we went out in the woods and would look at all the trees (typically the tops of them because they were large) and searched until we found the perfect "Charlie Brown" tree. I love live trees. I love the smell of them the feeling of them and the feeling of growing up. When we first got married, we went to "Home Depot" and got a tree there. Well the last several years we found a tree farm (in a parking lot by the Sports complex ;) So...we went on a hunt...the perfect tree hunt...and what do you know....WE FOUND IT!