Thursday, January 3, 2013

Christmas Vacation 2012


Christmas vacation 2012 started a little early this year. I was lucky enough to have two extra days home to make it a full 2-week holiday break, due to a snowstorm! We received a ton of snow with lots of wind, which may it very hazardous out here on these country roads. The snow storm hit late Wednesday night on December 19th, which canceled my school Thursday and Friday. The kids were only lucky enough to get one day off, so they were all off to school (though with a 2-hour late start) on Friday morning. Tinsae, Brad and I were off to Appleton to do some last minute Christmas shopping, with Tinsae being a backseat driver, telling Brad that his van was too slow and too bumpy (Mom’s truck is the best!).

Christmas break was rather relaxing and all centered on the family! We spent a lot of time laughing, watching tv, playing games, eating (with our new waffle maker & donut maker), bowling, swimming, shopping, lazy mornings, hunting (Brad & Noah), a wedding, church, hanging with dear friends and extended family, surfing the computer, reading some great books, cleaning closets, sledding, shoveling & plowing lots of snow, staying up late, watching basketball, going to doctor & dentist appointments, and playing with our pets! LOTS OF FUN packed into two short weeks! Tomorrow reality hits and we ALL go back to school and work. BUMMER!

Here are some pictures to see our fun…

Muluken's debut as "Joseph" in the Christmas Church Program







Our new PUPPY, Samantha, who is 5 months old and weighs 70lbs.






My beautiful children:
Cassie (17), Jordan (14), Noah (12), Muluken (8) & Tinsae (5)


The family with Grandma Lenz

Aunt Kris & family

Uncle Steve & family

Uncle Jim & Family

Grandma Lenz & ALL the Grandkids

Swimming at the Iola Pool





Bowling...













Noah & Tinsae sledding at home


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Noah's Gun Hunting Success

Noah went out hunting at 4:15am on opening day, Saturday, November 17th, all by himself. He hunted in our woods behind our pond and text his Dad all day with updates. Later in the afternoon, he took a shot and laid down a beautiful 8-point buck! 






WAY TO GO NOAH!!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Happy 5th Birthday Tinsae!

Yesterday, November 11th, Tinsae celebrated his 5th birthday with a party at Grandma Lenz' house with all of his favorite people (Grandma Lenz, Aunt Kris & Uncle Steve, Uncle Steve & Magie, Casey, Erin, Maddy, Justin, Cassie, Jordan, Noah, Muluken, Mom and Dad). Of course, we were missing a few faces (Cody, Ally, MaKayla, Kendra, Dorinda, Grandma Rucks, Great-Grandma Beck and Aunt Kim), but he was taking what he could get! LOL!

We had a lasagna lunch, Spiderman ice cream cake, followed by opening of the presents! He was a VERY HAPPY boy!

I do have to say that it was a LOT more fun to watch him at his birthday party this year, compared to last year when he looked like he was scared-silly. He laughed and smiled this year, without any reassurance from mom and dad. We are SO THANKFUL that Tinsae is a part of our family!