Wednesday, December 31, 2025

After Christmas!

 Well, Christmas is over.  All that gift buying and gift wrapping is over.  All the menu planning is finished.  All the gatherings are now cleaned up.  We are left with many new gifts, new memories and a bare Christmas tree that needs to be hauled back outside.

We scooted to the cabin for the weekend and it was an ice storm there.  Freezing weather and all ice!



We got there Friday evening and threw in pizza and wings into the oven.  We played Code Names and relaxed!  I was just so ready to relax and not be pressured to cook to clean or do anything.  This was a nice break from all of that!


We came home Sunday and watched football.  The Petersheim's are under the weather but Matt and Daisy came over for awhile.  

I took one more photo of our Christmas tree before we take it down.  I really liked this free mountain tree and all the twinkling lights and ornaments and bows made it so festive and a favorite!


Ashlyn helped me take off all the ornaments and lights and now Mike needs to haul it back outside.


Monday night football had us snuggling on the couch as a family and we saw an iHop commercial and I jumped up and said let's make pancakes!  So we did and they were good!  Except, during the night, Austin came over to our room and said his belly doesn't feel good and feels like he could throw up.  Right then and there, at 2:30 AM, he threw up.  We got all cleaned up in the middle of the night and Austin laid on the couch and I was on the other couch beside him.  He said, "That pancake just needed to come out."  He woke up feeling fine and had a good day!




The kids are off school and it's time to clean up pine needles and throw out the greens!  The upstairs and basement got a good sweeping today and it feels refreshing!  When Linda texted and asked if I want to meet her at the park and walk, I said YES!  Ashlyn and I went out and it felt so good to get fresh air and clear my head!  It's 30 degrees but the real feel is 7.  So cold!  It's not even January yet and the plants are pushing dirt!


2025 is coming to a close.  The New Year will be here soon!  

Happy New Year!


Friday, December 26, 2025

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas from our family to yours!



We went to a Christmas Eve service and then got sushi afterwards!


The kids opened up their stocking stuffers!


The tree has a lot of gifts to be given on Christmas Day!


The table is set and I can't wait for the family to come!






Then we gave gifts!





Matt and Daisy brought the bean game and we learned how to play it.  The Chiefs lost.  The night was relaxing and fun!  Jere and Gunnar were under the weather though.  Get well!


It was past midnight and the house was quiet again.  All the gifts given.


Jesus was born to save us from our sins!  

Thank you Jesus!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas with family!

 We gathered on Sunday morning with our church family!



The children had a program and it was beautiful!




The Saturday before Christmas, the Riehl's gathered at my parents farm!  We had a brunch and good food all day long!



Everyone got presents!






We walked next door to my brothers house and the guys all sat in the sauna!  Then did a three minute cold plunge.

We had a fun day together!  



Then on Sunday after church, we gathered with the Lapps at Mom's house.  Again we ate great food and more gifts were exchanged!




Christmas is special spending time with family!  Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas week is here!

 It's time to wrap things up with the gifts and food menus!  This is a lot on my mind and taking it day by day is a good focus!  It's because of Jesus that we do all of this!

Mike is slowly working on his paint by number portrait!


Getting some simple gifts together for the teachers is fun!


These winter skies are incredible!  I see you God!


Our Christmas cards arrived and it's crunch time to get my letters printed and cards stuffed!




The walks at the park in the winter are so beautiful!



I got the cards all addressed and ready to ship out! 
 Meanwhile, we are replacing our central vac for a new one.  We are blessed.


I am trying to keep my head from overload and my heart focused on the real meaning of Christmas as we wrap up our preparations!