Season's Greetings

 SEASON'S GREETINGS!


Sona family 2010

  Once again, Christmas time is approaching and the snow is flying!  At some point last night, the snow began to fall, the wind began to howl and 2 small children came to nestle in my bed.  Our plans for Christmas always depend on the weather here and sometimes it's not the outcome we want, but it reminds me that the most important reason for this Christmas season is family, whether it's just the kids, Kevin and I or the entire family gathered somewhere.

This year has blessed us with some exciting new adventures.  We sold our home in 6 days, built a new home in 3 months (we didn't literally build it), went to Maui for our anniversary, Camden started 2nd grade and is doing fantastic, Corynn will start a new daycare/preschool after the holidays, Kevin wrote #1 on the Captain's test and promoted Nov. 29th and I am running a project at work for our school based program. 

With all that going on, we traveled to Arizona for
a
wonderful visit with my sister, Brian, and Kevin's cousin Kelly and her family, and his Aunt Audie as well. We played at a fantastic children's museum, train park and Corynn saw her first movie at the theater.  Aunt Robbi decided we should see a movie and didn't know Corynn had never been to a movie before, so as we drove to the theater we were telling Cory that she couldn't talk during the movie and she replied stearnly," I am going to talk during the whole movie! I am not going to be quiet!"   We were all a little worried that she would not last long during the show, but all worked out and no one had to take her out.  I think it was the LARGE box of candy that daddy bought her that truly entertained her during the movie!  Next time I say get them what they want for a snack, ok wait, I will NEVER say that again because it was all sugar!  Live and learn, right?

Lately we've been making snacks at home for the Christmas season including chex mix, monster cookies and more chex mix!  The kids love to help make, bake and prep all kinds of foods, so it's a lot of fun and very messy.  It usually takes a bit more time because each one has to stir, add ingredients and both beg to taste test. I love the smell of the baking goodies!

God Bless your Christmas season and all your festivities!   Love, J and family

ALS WALK 2010

In Honor of my Grandma Dortie, many of us walked in the 1st Annual SD ALS Walk at the Empire Mall in Sioux Falls.  Many of the faces were familiar gathered around my Grandma, but a few were not. 
Hundreds of people congregated there because she has touched their lives in a significant way and I was truly inspired and a bit emotional as well.  It was a glorious site to see "Dortie's Angels" milling about, talking with her, giving their time, donations and overall support for my Grandmother. 
I know how she has impacted my life, by teaching me lessons and traditions, but mostly by giving me unconditional love and support. The same way she has a special place in my heart, she also has a spot in the hearts of hundreds of others.

It was an honor to walk for my Grandmother because she cannot walk that distance anymore.  She cannot feed herself, comb her hair, brush her teeth, or give me a hug.  It's a devistating disease, ALS, and I don't wish it on anyone.  She has so many gifts and talents and they are gone.  No more piano, organ, singing in the choir, sewing, crossword puzzles, baking, cooking or dancing.  All the committees she dedicated herself to are there, but she is not.  It makes me wonder why something like this would happen to her, but that is not for me to know, not yet.  She has impacted my life and now the tides have turned and it's time for me to support her and show my unconditional love for her as well. 

So, I walked 2 miles, a seemingly easy task really, to show my support and love along with hundreds of others.  It was quite a sight and I hope to continue the tradition again next year.
Thank you Grandma for another wonderful tradition.

Football and Pumpkins 2010

Camden is loving football, but did not enjoy the last game due to a serious pummeling!
Overall, it was a great game to watch and he played well.

After the game, we went out to eat, then attended the Pumpkin Patch Harvest Festival.     
We visit the pumpkin patch every year and closer to Halloween we carve our pumpkins into various patterns.  I think we already have this years patterns chosen and now it's just waiting ....

The pumpkin patch was very busy this year and the day was perfect for such an event!
Corynn played on inflatables, then we walked to the pumpkin patch to choose the perfect pumpkins!  Corynn only cared about the little ones she could pick up and carry around.
Although too small to carve, they are displayed on our front porch.

Camden is a veteran pumpkin picker and he selected a large pumpkin to carve this year!
We always have a good time there.

We also took home a large carmel apple and shared it between us while Kevin enjoyed a fresh apple turnover.





Fall 2010

 Are you ready for some FOOTBALL!?!?

Camden is participating in flag football through the Fellowship for Christian Athletes.  He is really excited about it and plays with friends in the neighborhood daily. He really wants to play tackle FB, but I like this better and hope he sticks with flag style for another year or, say, forever! 

We are happy to see how much excitement he shows about it though!
He plays games every Saturday and has one practice a week.  It is enough for now...

I hope to add video of a game once I can capture some exciting footage of Camden, but I missed his only touchdown of the season!!   Can't take your eyes of them for a second!

So far, the Packers, are 3-0.  The weather has been about perfect, minus one day, for all the games.

Stay tuned for a video.....

 



Team huddle





 








  Corynn LOVES to draw, write, paint or pretty much do anything with her hands and voice! Frequently, she needs to write down something in her "schedule". She is very creative and makes up her own songs and stories every day!  She has her own language for certain things. She learns Spanish from Dora and Chinese from Kai Lan and usually I can't tell if she made it up or it's a foreign language!

  Of course, she loves cupcakes, no wait, loves frosting, more than crafts!  Pretty sure she licked the frosting off of 4 cupcakes before I realized it!!!  Little stinker!







What frosting on my lips?

Summertime 2010

We had a lot of changes this summer with selling our home, living with Kev's parents and then moving into our new home. The kids took it all in stride and we really enjoy our new space.We spent a lot of time playing outside and at the parks this summer.  It's great to live only 3 blocks from Memorial Park and we bike, and trike, down there several times a week. Sometimes it takes a while for Corynn to try something new, but once she realizes how much fun it is she does it over and over and over.  Camden's always been a monkey and can climb about anything.  He doesn't seem to mind heights, unlike me, and dangles from any object causing me near hysteria! 

Hot air balloons lift off from Memorial Park

Sport Days
First ferris wheel ride for kids!

Sertoma Park

Lifelight 2010

So, I've listened to the hype, heard the rumors, love Christian music, therefore attended the LifeLight 2010 festivities.  I must say I really enjoyed the music and could've attended more bands earlier in the day, but a couple things must change for me to consider going again.
First, me and planning.  I have to be better about remembering where I parked and tote the lawn chairs the couple miles to the main stage so I don't have to endure the cold, hard, uneven farm ground with only a blanket.
I did, however, bring my own toilet paper, umbrella and snacks.  I never did use the porta-potty.

Second, parking. So, the van was lost in a sea of vehicles, but luckily my great friend Jen was able to navigate us back to our spot.  As soon as my butt slid into the driver's seat, I was greatly relieved of the shooting pains in my buttocks. I must say I was deeply and truly disappointed in the "Christian" drivers while attempting to leave the grounds.  There we sat, 3 cars from the main line.... for 45 minutes!  Not moving, but watching car after car crawl by, not letting a one of us in.  Wow, so much for graciousness and just plain courtesy.  There was an awesome, brave soul that finally came back into the lot and assisted many of us through, so thank you nameless sir!  After over an hour, and allowing 8 vehicles in, we inched forward and finally merged onto the main road.  15 min later we arrived at home.

I came away with wanting CD's of these very talented, Christian artists so I can listen and worship in the comfort of my own home. Amen!

New Beginning

At the request of my little sister, I'm trying out this blogging thing.  I've never participated much in this side of the technological world, but better late than never, right?
Like the majority of parents blogging, most of my posts will undoubtedly be about my children and their constant antics and entertainment they provide to my hubby and me.
I'll try and keep things short and simple, really because it'll take me a while to figure all this out.

Hope this helps us keep in touch!