Finally

Well the streets are finally cleared.  It's bitter cold here and there's a foot of snow on the ground, it's beautiful.  The kids had three days of school off this week and now it's crunch time so that I get all presents bought so that I can enjoy the rest of the season.  Yesterday Elaina chopped off her hair...she looks absolutely beautiful and i can't wait to post pics tomorrow after I get them uploaded.  My parents are on their way home from Australia as I write this. I am so excited to see them and hear of all of their adventures.  My kids are missing them something terrible. 

Brandon had his first wrestling tournament this past weekend.  He had only practiced twice and he got third place.  He really did well considering little experience at all.  We were so proud of him. His cousin Teagan came out to wrestle as well and he took home a 2nd place trophy.  They both were coached by Brad.  He does such a great job coaching them..which didn't surprise me since he's such a patient daddy.  He's the best daddy in my book.

Brandon James 6yrs. old

Enjoy the true meaning of Christmas and have a blessed day!!!

I'm Thankful for.........

It's been awhile since I last posted.  We have been so busy with the kids sports and getting ready for Thanksgiving.  We had family in from Tuesday to Saturday of the week of Thanksgiving.  On Tuesday the Hoch family arrived and the Nelson clan came over for my Grandpa Hasley's spaghetti and meatballs. My mom knows just how to make them. We laughed and the kids played out in our building.  Then on Wednesday the festivities began.  We ate grandpa's famous mulligan stew and Ann brought grandma's homemade bread...we drank lots of wine and had great conversation.  Thursday's dinner started with a song sung by my aunt Kate and cousin Sarah..Surely the presence of the lord is in this place"...there were a few tears shed in memory of our grandparents and then Elaina said grace...Grandpa and Grandma would have been so proud...her mommy sure was. Every year we build a little on our new tradition...it was hard letting go of the old one but we tweaked it and now it's better than ever. Mom and dad left for New Zealand and Australia for their big adventure of the year...everyone can't wait for the pictures and the stories.  Friday night which was our last night together...ended with going out to Hiro for some sushi and Japanese cuisine.  After dinner we went to Mic's karaoke bar and Sarah's rendition of " I will Survive" had us all dancing.  It was a great end to a wonderful week. Our kids can't wait for next year and neither can we.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful people that blessed our home, even if some could only stay for a short time we felt blessed to have you.