You Wouldn't Believe Me, Unless I Showed You

I have been through this twice before with Emma, but I NEVER would have thought I would have to go through it with my Micah!

While he was in the shower he thought he would razor his head, I bet he thought nothing had happened. When he came into Creed's room after his shower I noticed immediately and at first thought that he was losing his hair. I was a little panicked until I realized what was really going on....



He later told Rob he was trying to "put hair on his chest"!

Well, needless to say, we have Christmas pictures scheduled for next Thursday.
He will have his Summer cut for his Winter pictures...GRRRrrrr...

I have to admit, I chuckled. Third times a charm :)

Christmas shopping...Check!

I am so pleased to announce that I am finished! I did most of my shopping online this year and only paid about $4 in shipping. I did make one trip to Target while I was in Alex to pick out something for Creed and stocking stuffers and I came out under budget :)
The next challenge will be the awful wrapping...I hate wrapping any presents, I am usually, for other occasions, a bag lady, but for Christmas I wrap. We will be getting our tree on December 5th for Emma's birthday. That has been tradition since she was 1, I think it was last year we asked her if she liked doing that on her birthday and she said "yes" so I think that is fun and special. I will be putting up the Advent calender and getting our Scripture readings prepared. Tonight we have the Advent Celebration at the Church that prepares us for the next 25 days. I can't believe it is this time of year. I can't believe Emma is going to be 6 and Creed will be 1! I know I am getting old, when I still feel like it should be March 2008!
Well, in the spirit of preparation I leave you with:

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high, Who ordered all things mightily; To us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might, Who to your tribes on Sinai's height In ancient times gave holy law, In cloud and majesty and awe.Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem, From ev'ry foe deliver them That trust your mighty pow'r to save; Bring them in vict'ry through the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, O Key of David, come, And open wide our heav'nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high, And cheer us by your drawing nigh, Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind In one the hearts of all mankind; Oh, bid our sad divisions cease, And be yourself our King of Peace. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to you, O Israel!

A Day Away

Yesterday I mounted up and set out for a day away with Amanda in Alexandria. Ahhhh, I had such a wonderful time. I even got a book on CD from the Library that I could listen to on my 2 .5 hour drive. Upon my arrive at the Luedtke's residence, I was greeted by on of the most handsomest 10 year olds ever, Issac. He, I am sure, was really only greeting me to make certain his mom wasn't pulling his leg when she told him it was only I coming and not M and E :( I stole a hug anyway! Such a warm house Les and Sue (Amanda's In Laws) have and every time I come they treat me like a daughter, thanks you two, you really are the best!
At once Amanda and I pick up right were we left off and didn't quit til I pulled myself away around 8 to head back home to my family.
While in Alex, Amanda and I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Bennigan's and then it was off to view Australia! Oh, I so recommend this lengthy film. I was moved more than once to tears by Nicole Kidman (I feel this is the best movie she has ever done). What kind of a day away would it be without some sort of shopping?! I finally found something for Creed for Christmas and I can't wait to give it to him! We headed back to the Luedtke's for some appetizers and games with neighbors of Les and Sue's that are the cutest and sweetest couple I have met to date. We had such a wonderful time visiting, laughing and joking around as if everyone had known each other everyday for all of our lives. I was so rejuvenated, what kindred spirits!
I arrived home at 11 pm. The roads were fine (it had rained and snowed in Alex and we were all wondering the condition for the rest of my journey) my book on CD is interesting and the Latte from Caribou Coffee worked it's magic for me and there was NO sleepy moments for me.
My kids were all tucked away for the night when I got home and now I can not wait for them to wake so that I can get my loves in on them :)

Bring on the Winter

Rob is DONE!!! He finally got the flowers off last night! Now, maybe, we can start the winter schedule :)

Photo Snappin' Fun

Last night E and I were just hanging out before KFC and so we started clickin the camera, here is what we ended up with.

I got to pose her and she posed me.

she must have taken this one herself

we were having so much fun

making faces

Creed Talking

Their little voices at this age is just so precious.

This morning, it was getting to be about nap time, but I wanted to go down and throw a load of laundry in before laying him down. I put him in the walker and he started to fuss, but then was fine until he got stuck and I had to come over and help him out, he started to fuss again. I asked him "is it time for your nap" he simply replied "yes". I am not kidding. I then went and laid him down without a peep, he is out.

The Party

Micah really wanted a Globe, he was thrilled and couldn't wait to read the "facts book." He and Rob have had a great time learning about all kinds of world facts that I don't even know to blog about.

Saturday was the real party. The boys started showing up around 10:30 and it was none stop from there. The boys played until the pizza showed up...


Then of course, the presents...I didn't mind him opening them up right away so then the rest of the day could progress without "mom, can I open my presents now?"
After the presents they headed out for the "Main Event" Football. Funny story that Mrs. Bohler, Micah's teacher, told me one day last week. One of the boys wasn't too excited that it was going to be tackle football so he suggested to Mike that it be flag, M told him "No, my mom said I can't change anything more about the party!" Stinker!

The highlight of the game was Isaac (Senior in HS) and Josh (8th grader, captain of the JV), M's cousins, came to be coach and ref for the boys game. They really made it feel legit. One huge "Thank You, Boys" you really made the day special for Micah!

After the game that ended in a tie (4-4) they came in to warm up with hot chocolate, birthday cake and ice cream.
Rob bought them all these huge balloons and it was fun watching them try to blow them up. In the end Rob was pretty exhausted, he ended up blowing them all up :)

This is how they thanked him:)


The Pinata that wouldn't brake!
We had to improvise!

A group photo

It was a great time. I would do it again :)

Micah turns 7

Micah has been waiting for this day all year :) Finally, the big day!

He asked for crepes for his birthday breakfast. I was thrilled because I don't make them, Rob does so I was off the hook, ha!

He asked me to come to sing along at school because they do something fun to the birthday kid, and he wanted me to see. So, Creed and I went and it was fun. I have a video of the special song they sang to him. After sing along they headed to the gym for P.E. and I had the chance to play "battle ball" with the K-4th graders. I still suck at that game :)

Micah wanted me to bring "Gushers" in for the birthday snack. How does he even know what they are, we have never bought them before?! I finally, found some and they were a hit!

It is just so hard to believe, my son, my baby boy is seven! How does that even happen! He is just grown up so nice, he is kind and gentle, smart and decisive, athletic yet still pensive. Oh, such joy he has brought to this world, my world. I never thought to begin with that I would be a mother, and to get him first...no wonder there is a second and a third.

Ok, enough of the ball bag!

Tomorrow, we are having his party here at the farm. He planned the whole thing out himself; he even made his own invites...he just forgot the little details like where, date and time. He got all the import things like that it was his birthday party and they were invited!

It is a football themed party because that is the main event, a big football game. He invited two of his older cousins to come and be coaches and refs, they are thrilled to be a part of it all!

Domino's pizza is on the menu and of course, the chocolate cake with chocolate frosting!

Such be a grand time. I will blog about it tomorrow!

Creed at 11 Months...

This little ham wont sit still for a picture anymore. He instantly starts to go for the camera and I get so many pictures like #2. He is doing well, walking more and more steady everyday. He hates wearing his winter coat, it is so bulky that he can't walk around with it on. He is so in love with his bro and sis, he can even say "sis". He really is exploring his sounds, I can understand when he says "all done" he doesn't sign it ever, he just says it, it is cute. "Dog" is his favorite and, of course, "Dad" and I think he calls me "baba." He is a singer, he loves to make sweet songs in his crib, bath or just when he is sitting and playing with something. We have named is "lovey" "Oley" we were pretty surprise at how quick he picked up on it and now when we say go find "Oley" he heads right for it and brings it to his little cheek and starts sucking his thumb, it is so precious. I will be introducing whole milk to him next week, I am so excited about that, formula is so expensive! Then next month he will be 1 year old! I can't believe it!!!

girls and their shoes

On November 11th we laid to rest the beloved shoes of Emma.

She literally loved these shoes to pieces. From the picture you can't really tell that they were in tough shape, but they were. The tops were just frayed and she had played so hard in them they were just dirt colored. They were darling shoes and looked so cute on, but there is a time when we must let our precious go. She asked me if we could take a picture of them before we put them out of their misery and I said, "Of course." ( I totally know how hard it is to give up shoes I love.)

I actually was going to suggest the picture, but she asked first :) That's my girl!

Beet Party

I feel bad, but I was too busy to snap pictures last night. Everything went really well, we had enough food-which is always my biggest concern-and the fellowship was wonderful. Rob read a verse from 1Thessalonians and had a nice time sharing highs and lows of the very stressful harvest this year. I was so blessed hearing the crew thank Rob for being so calm and not crabby or mean during a time when everyone is usually crabby or mean. We had 2 guys that came in to work only for about 6 hours on the Saturday that was probably the hardest day of the whole harvest and Rob and Ethan had told them how "spent" they were, they were tired and crabby and those 2 guys said that they would never had known that R and E were running on empty. They worked hard and still had a spirit of love and it was felt by all. I couldn't help but be so proud of my husband as he was receiving such positive feed back.

We usually give a gift to the crew along with their pay and this year both Rob and I were so excited to give this years gift. I stumbled upon these very nice sweater jackets and brought them home to show Rob and he loved them. So, Dawn, Rob's sister did some embroidery work on them and they turned out wonderfully.

A Couple I Would Share

I know I am late getting these posted, but I wasn't sure if I should at all, I am just a bit self conscience ;)

My friend Lisa on the right of me was Garth from Wayne's World, her husband was Wayne, they really pulled it off! Alyssa was the "the cutest pumpkin" in her farmer husband's garden, that was pretty cute. I, of course, went solo so I didn't have to worry about the couple theme. I went as an 80's dancer (flashdance inspired). We had a load of fun!

I haven't had so much product in my hair since I was in the 10th grade. I couldn't wait to get home and wash it all out!

Happy End to October...

Beet Crew (Minus Chuck) 2008

October 25

10 PM

Tollefson Farms Shop

Chili Feed

Bring your appetites :)

I told Rob that having it out in the shop was going to be a great new tradition :)

I normally bring all of this out to the field they are on, but this year it was 10 pm and windy along with mud, yeah, not a good time for all.

Plus, the kids were all tucked away in bed and I figured 100 yards wasn't too far.

This is the only pic I took of Micah in his Indiana Jones costume.

Emma was a traffic light this year.

Here she is going thru the costume parade.

This year I hosted the fall party for the 1st and 2nd graders. It was a great time. I brought in one of our big pumpkins from our garden for the boys to weigh and measure. We played a game "Boo am I" it is basically charades with a halloween twist and the for a snack we made

"boo cups" I highly recommend this recipe for you to try with your kids.

3 1/4 cup milk

2 pkgs of chocolate instant pudding

8 oz of thawed whipped topping

20 crumbled oreo cookies

30 mini chocolate chips

Mix up milk and pudding; stir 1/2 of the whipped topping into the pudding.

Placed the crumbled oreos down in the cup first, layer the pudding mix on top, then another layer of oreo, sprinkle with chocolate chips and dab with a spoonful of whipped topping. Enjoy!

It is a good thing Halloween isn't in November or Creed wouldn't have fit in his costume, it was a struggle to put on .

He sure looked cute tho.

Goodbye October *waving*

Creed's a Walker

Can you even believe it! He has been doing this more consistanly the last day or so.

Creed walking at 10 1/2 months old.

Emma's a PRO

People Respecting Others, that is.

This highly coveted reward is given once a month to students that show "exceptional Christian character and a positive attitude toward others at school both in and out of the class room."

The teachers nominate the child and so E had no idea she had won this reward until we told her. We had no idea until we got a letter in the mail with the certificate and an invite for Emma to dine with Miss Trittin the school Principal on Wednesday to a resturant of her choice, within Crookston.

We are so proud of our girl!

Practice makes Perfect

Our Night Time Routine

Playing with dad before bed
Cuddles before bed

Getting ready to lay Creed down. Here the three of us are praying together, Awww

Never ThinkYou Are Done

I created a new blogspot for my 12 week Eating For Life Challenge. This way I can keep this as a family update blog. The link is www.neverthinkyouaredone.blogspot.com I plan on logging in everyday's menu and workout schedule, my ups and downs and my weigh in's plus the hard to post before, mid way thru and after pictures.

Eating For Life 12 Week Challenge

Ok, so, I am not going to use my blog to get on a weight loss ego frenzy or anything like that, but I have come across something very interesting and I want to share with you from beginning to end so that if you feel like you are looking for a change you can have a reference.

For the past 14 weeks I have worked very hard to get my baby weight off, and with much success. Today I am down 24 lbs and have released 16 total inches off of my body! However, I am sitting with about 26% total body fat; the healthy total for a woman is 17-20%. This is something I would like to change for my over all health and well being.


I came across the book Eating for life by Bill Phillips and his non-dieting philosophy has me hook line and sinker, because it is practical, it is family friendly (baby friendly), so I will not be making 4 different meals every day ( that is important to me!). The "right recipe" for this challenge is 4 basic steps: 1. Right Foods 2. Right Amounts 3. Right Combos 4. Right Times.

Up to this point I have been following the "balanced" meal plan so the "right combos" is not a new concept for me, I am also used to eating smaller meals 5 times a day so eating 6 times a day isn't going to be inconvenient either. That is it! Easy! Oh, and did I mention the "cheat day"?


I encourage you to check this book out or go to his website at www.eatingforlife.com and let me know if you are with me. I will give monthly updates to let you know how it goes. My end date is the 17th of January a day after my 10th anniversary and I think health and wellness is the greatest gift to give to my husband and my family.

March 2008

October 2008

Update

I have been so bad about keeping this blog updated. I don't have any pictures, so this might be a bit boring for some; anyhow...
Last weekend Lisa and I took the kids to Bemidiji. She had a Cookie Lee Jewelry show on Friday night, so I tended the kids. Looking back on that, we concluded that our kids have no idea how spoiled they are, they got their own room...at 3, 5, and 6! For spacious sake we reserved adjoining rooms, Creed stayed in our room while the 2 boys and 2 girls had the other. It was a great time, swimming, pizza, staying up late & listening to Ella talk to herself while the others were sawing logs-fun times. Creed did pretty well, he was catching a bit of a cold and was awake from about 2-4 in the a.m. only to wake up for the day at 6, but he fell asleep for the whole ride home.
Friday night around 11:30 Rob called to tell me that they were shut down for rain. We were already saturated so the total rain for the weekend sent us over the edge, there were flood warnings and the whole bit, it was pretty apparent that beets were not going to be hauled for the next whole week.
So, watching Rob wait for the fields to dry out was torture for me, I mean he is a pretty patient guy, but it is tough especially when Wednesday came along and neighbors were starting up again. Our field was just too wet. We lost most of our crew due to the fact that harvest usually last 2 weeks that is what most take off from their regular jobs. We started up again today the 20th and we are going only about 15-16 hour shifts rather than 24, just for lack of help.
Now, you are up to date on the farming bit...is that clear as mud? Good :)

2008 Beet Campaign

It is very hard for me to believe that we are in October, let alone Beet harvest! But, with the 1st of October comes the 1st day of campaign. They started at 8 a.m. yesterday and will run now for 24 hours until there is either a heat shut down or rain (like hard continuous rain) they work through sprinkles and, believe it or not, snow. If they get "sticky" with rain they pull the trucks through the field with a tractor. We pray against that :)

This is the beet lifter.
The beet lifter dumps the beets into a truck that takes it to the beet piler where they store all the beets till Spring.
It is quite the production. Alot of long hours riding in a truck or a tractor, but we so appreciate everyone that comes back to help us out year after year. This year Rob is actually behind the equipment, he is driving the Semi from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. He usually is the maintenance/supervisor/fill in guy. I think he likes the change this year. Of course, if something breaks down he has to stop driving and fix whatever needs fixing, so that is the risk. I am praying for an uneventful campaign, please join me!