First snow!

Our first snow fell this Saturday. We did not get as much as the Milwaukee area south of us, but we had a couple of inches and enough for fun! On Friday night, Stephan had friends sleep over and they had a blast in the snow the following morning. They played army, built trenches, and even made a barricade across our street. They looked very surprised--and disappointed--when I told them they had to take it down, but it blocked the road. We (mostly Casey) worked hard this weekend to get the outside Christmas lights up and install new lights on the outside of the garage and in the front of the house. He found by word of mouth a local tree farm that delivers Christmas trees. We're waiting for our 8 footer to be delivered tonight. And then St. Nick will come during the night...not that I know what St. Nick has planned, but I predict that he will bring pj's and a sweet treat to the kids. We are all so excited about the Christmas season and the festive things planned this month in Cedarburg, at church and in school.

More from Thanksgiving

Big girl time with cousin Hannah

They built tents in Hannah's room & Norah made a little bed with all the pillows and blankets she could find. One of her favorite things at home and school is to make beds and sleeping bags.

(And thanks to Liza for snapping all of these cute photos!)

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Casey's Aunt Elise's house. Pops, Liza, Elliot, and Grammy came too. Elise cooked a fantastic meal and Liza's pumpkin pie was gone in record time.

Casey, Uncle Elliot & Pops

Hannah was kind enough to let Norah raid her jewelry boxes

The kids table with Josh & Stephan

And although many have heard my story a million times, I can't make a record of our holiday without talking about my finger! I woke up Thanksgiving morning and ran in the local Turkey Trot 5k. (I bumped into a friend from DC there too!) Later that morning while Casey was out, I dropped a big stoneware mixing bowl in the sink. I reached down to catch it, but it broke in half and the thick side of the glass went into my finger. And the lights pretty much went out from there! My knees buckled and everything went hazy, but as I lay on the floor, I told myself not to pass out since I was home alone with the kids. Norah was my little nurse. She sprang into action and brought me water in a small metal mixing bowl (it was the closest cup-like item she could find). Then she dabbed my forehead with baby wipes and told me it would be ok. How incredible is that?! Stephan did his part too and started to make calls to Casey and Gramps for help. (He wanted to call 911, but I said no... wasn't that sick!)

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! We have so much for which we are thankful!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

family weekend

Last weekend we missed Casey when he traveled for work. We made the rounds around town to visit family. We had a nice dinner with Gramps at the lake house (we missed you, Jude!), had a blast with Liza and the Warshauer kids (thanks for the invite, Liza, and for allowing me a little quiet errand time!), had lunch with Grammy (thanks for cooking!) , and dinner (yum, thanks for that too!) & park time with Grandma.

The weather was gorgeous! (Check out that static in Steve's hair!)

Stephan snapped this picture of Norah and the sunday school kids practicing for the family service day. Several services out of the year include singing and readings by the kids. On this day, they sang to the 3rd graders who were presented with their hard cover bibles and to a baby who was baptised. Norah's friend Larissa is to the left in the pink. She also enjoys playing with Audrey, Tessa and Kenzie who are not in the picture. She loves these friends and her sweet teachers, Miss Deb and Miss Mary. She regularly asks to go to sunday school on other days of the week.

Lily, Cassie, Noah, Skyler, Ben, Rachel

(We were missing Gavin, Sam and Sophia)

I have been teaching the 3rd graders. At St. Christopher's the parents would volunteer in the sunday school, but it was always a different group and there was not as organized of a curriculum. When I volunteered at Advent, I was happy to have one class that I will get to know all year and great materials for planning lessons. On this day, my co-teacher, Mandi, was gone, and I asked the kids if I could take their picture on their bible presentation day to show Mandi. I told them I would take a silly shot first to get it out of their system before the nice one.

Not too much to report....

....just a whole lotta this happening at our house. Be gone, germs!

Our new church

Some of you know that we recently switched churches. It was a hard choice. I miss some of the people at St. Christopher's and really missed the St. Francis service, but it was the right decision. We are now attending a "Reconciling in Christ" ELCA Lutheran Church, which means the congregation very openly wells everyone to our church. I had been going to MOPS there and heard great things about the pastor who also happened to join me on a winter run one day last year. It was a cold Sunday morning, and I was having a terrible run. Literally when I felt like giving up, I ran past the church, and Pastor Kinens, who was dressed in his full robe, ran for a block with me! He motivated me & encouraged me to run a marathon someday. Since that day, there were a number of things that led us to this church. During the first service Casey realized the pastor worked at the church he attended as a kid! While I loved the beautiful River Hills setting of St. Christopher's, I really like attending a church that is on the main street in the town where we live. (It's right next to my favrorite bridge.) The pastor is also very involved in Cedarburg issues. It feels more like a community. Stephan has been enjoying confirmation class on Wednesday nights. They have some fun service projects coming up. And Miss Norah LOVES Sunday school! All summer she reminded us that when she turned three, she would be able to go to Sunday school. She adores her teacher & all the singing they do. I also signed up to help with the 3rd grade class. Stephan offered to come sometimes...apparently a few boys "rule the class." I am looking forward to it anyway!

At home on a fall day....

No pictures here. I am home with Stephan who has a fever. Poor bud, he feels pretty miserable. He is watching Band of Brothers though so life is not too terrible. He just popped his head up and said "I like history, Mom." What a revelation! :)

Stephan just finished his fall soccer season. He moved up to the next age level (U-14), but had the same coach. They had one tie, one loss, and the rest were wins. We were really proud of his dedication and good sportsmanship. He is interested in joining lacrosse next spring.

Stephan has been doing very well in 7th grade and continues to make new friends. The quarter ends this week. He has a few more assignments to be graded, but if the gradebooks closed today, he would have 5 A's and 3 B's, which includes a A in math!

This week is Teacher's Convention in the state & all public schools are closed on Thursday and Friday so he will be off to Halloween Camp at Camp Matawa during the time. He is excited about archery time in cool fall weather surrounded by the remaining colorful leaves.

And if you didn't believe me that Norah is obsessed with twins, this is the conversation she had with Casey at Home Depot this weekend. Norah: "I want twin babies." Casey: "What?" Norah: "I want a twin brother and sister. Can you and Mommy borns them. Please borns them. Can you do that? Grow two in Mommy's tummy. Ok? Thanks." Casey was speechless :)