Christmas with the Tollefson's

Creed enjoying his first Christmas present

The ultimate boy gift

The annual Christmas football game

The surprised looks on Nancy and Dwain's faces when they realized we had planned a huge celebration for their 50th wedding anniversary

Buffet line

Most all the grand kids played an instrument or sang a song or re sited Scripture verses for the talent show. Micah played Away in a Manger on the piano

Stephen playing the guitar

The best surprise was this sketch drawn by Susan the eldest daughter of all the siblings and their spouses and families with N and D in the center.

A four generation picture.

Top back: Nick, Val, Rachel

Bottom: Nancy, great grand baby Josiah and Dwain

The Whole Tollefson Family.

It was a special time and the weekend was a blast with all the family home, 43 total! 50 Years, Wow! What an accomplishment!!!

My Christmas Present

I couldn't find my camera anywhere on Christmas Morning. I was a bit frustrated, to say the least, but we couldn't spend too much time looking for it because we needed to be at the church by 9:30 for Rob to warm up with Wendie (they sang special music together). We let the kids open theirs up first and then they watch as mom and dad open theirs. I went first and Rob had a look about him, I should have known :) I opened the one marked #1 and was in shock as I unwrapped a Nikon box...Oh no he didn't...oh, YES he did! I got a beautiful Nikon D60 Digital camera. Yeah, I love it, just a little bit :)! With it I got in box marked #2 a lens and apparently there is a 2nd lens coming, not exactly sure what the differance will be but, it will be good I am sure!

The Shack

A girlfriend of mine recommended this book to me, I hadn't had a chance to pick it up but saw that it was only a $5.95 purchase on itunes so I uploaded it to my ipod. I baked all day listening to this fabulously written book that pushes some religious envelopes, but not breaking unity with Scripture at all. It was exactly what I need to hear in this point of my life and I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone. It is sort of like a contemporary Pilgrim's Progress...Go out and get it NOW, you wont be sorry!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

After the Candlelight Service at the Church everyone of the family including Heidi, Jamie and their 3 boys came over for the annual Baby Jesus Birthday Party with the symbolic cake and fireworks. It was especially cold this night, but we were all warm with Apple cider and Chocolate cake (representing our sin) White frosting(representing Jesus' purity covers our sins) the 12 candles(representing Christ our light though the year) Topped with a golden star and and angel (bearer of the fist glad tidings.) The evergreens encircle the cake symbolizing everlasting life. We gathered in our living room for Christmas carols...

Grandma and Grandpa looking out the bow window at the fireworks production put together by Rob. It was a quick show this year, Rob was cold, so he figured everyone else would appreciate a shorter version this year.

The Christmas Recial

Backstage getting ready for the big show...
All the dance team

After it was all done...

The Not so Nutcracker progressed at the Crookston High School auditorium on Sunday December 21 at 2 pm after another bluster day that produced cancellations of church and plays around the area. We were glued to the TV, radio and computer to find out whether the play was still in fact on or not.

Emma's hair was finally long enough to pull back into a beautiful bun. We were both so excited about that and for the whole week prior to the program she wanted to wear a bun in her hair. She loves recital day because she gets to wear makeup at the request of the dance teacher. She was all dolled up and ready to go, we picked up her costume at the school and were admiring how beautiful she looked when she looked up at me and asked "where are my shoes, mom?" I gasped as I remembered so clearly bringing the dance bag up to her room to place the tap shoes in them and leaving her bag on her bed! She instantly began to cry, I was on the verge, but I found Meleah and asked if she had extras she had a solid plan and set out to console our little candy girl.

The program was fun and adorable, there was only one performance I would have left out, but what do you do...

Emma is the 3rd one out. Her partner didn't show up and so the other 2 girls improvised and included her in their little group dance.

Our Precious Creedy Is 1

Where's Creed?
There he is!

It is hardly believable that a whole year has gone by and I feel like I have hardly blinked! But when I see my baby running around...yes running around, I am brought back to reality that I am OLD! Creed turned 1 yesterday and the poor child didn't even know what on earth was going on. It was so funny! Both M and E sang to him first thing that morning and he just looked at them like they had lost it, then again that night when he was tucked in bed, although, I think by that night he really liked it and realized that this was his special day, because he REALLY felt loved and special.

Wednesdays are so busy that we didn't get to Creed's present, but I don't think he minds. We spent most of our day at Lisa's because the kid's had their Christmas program at the school (We couldn't find the batteries for the camera, so there weren't any pic taken). Emma still had dance before that and M still had piano lessons. Finally at 7 that night we were together at the school watching a wonderful production of Christmas in the Country. The staff and students take such pride in their work and it show, they do such a great job!

I don't know when we will have Creed's party, it is such a busy time of year and to get everyone together on the same evening is proving to be a challenge. We may just do a small family party this year and hope for a better mix next year. Until then here are some pics of Creed on his 1st birthday. We love you so much little buddy, you have brought so much joy and adventure to this family. We look forward to many more years of Creed!

The Fun Filled, Girl Energized, Big Party Day!

Our day started out around 10:30 when Reise was dropped off at our house, I did manage to get one picture of Emma holding still and by herself. As you can imagine she was pretty excited.

Emma and Reise are 6 days apart and if E wouldn't have come to us by C-section they would have been born on the same day, at least our due dates were the same, it is no wonder they are joined at the hip :)
Our first stop was Happy Joes' Pizza Parlor. Left to right-Reise, Emma, Shelby, Maddie and Zoe (Esther came late).

The birthday cake...

We love Happy Joe's birthdays because they get the whole restaurant to sing and then there is this red light that goes round and round while a siren sounds. It sure made E feel special.

Second stop was the bowling alley. Alot of the girls had never been bowling, it was super fun to see the newness and excitement on their faces as they learned.

Left to right-Esther, Maddie, Reise Emma, Shelby and Zoe

Creed was having a blast driving this arcade racing game.

Shelby, Emma and Reise

The girls all, but Zoe, went with us to pick out our tree. That was our third and final stop. We had such a fun time. This was the perfect age for an outing like this, the girls were so helpful and polite. I would do it again.

After dropping the girls off, we, E and I, headed home to decorate our Christmas tree and then I was off to see Hairspray at the Chester-Fritz!

Lisa called me up that morning and asked if I wanted to go see Hairspray, I was like "Yeah!" She had tickets given to her by a friend that wasn't able to go, and her husband wasn't interested in going to watch that so she thought of me! I am so glad she did. We were in Row 6 seats 17 and 18. It doesn't get any better than that! All I can say is..."Phenomenal!"

Our Emma Is 6!

Emma was a little confused all day. She knew that December 5th was the day she was born, but couldn't understand why she was having her birthday party the next day. She kept telling people that her birthday wasn't until her party.

We always have a small party the day of their birthdays with just our family. That is when we give them our presents.
Emma was very surprised when she open up the big box and found Felicity there. She now has a new best friend, it has been so fun watching her take care of her new American Girl doll. She even tucked her in her own little bed that night.

{Note* Some of you might get a bit offended at my selfishness here, but...it is just the way it is here in our house :)}

We weren't able to get our tree today because Thomford's was closed when we went, which we thought was just DUMB! But the kids had the chance to still put up a tree and decorate! They have their very own tree that goes up in the library. This tree gets decorated with all the ornaments given to them and ones that they have made, this is their tree to decorate the way they want, and I don't say a thing about it.

MY tree however, is NOT decorated with any ornaments of my kids hands or feet or any other ornaments given to us. It is simply lights and balls with a few flowers here and there. Very organized and boring for some. But it is the way I like to have MY tree ;)

They had a great time and the tree turned out very nice.

Addisyn Lynn

Adam and Amber welcomed Addisyn Lynn to their family on October 10th.

I was thrilled to meet her and I have to admit, she seemed to like me the best;)
I can hardly believe that Adam is a dad, but Amber was definitely made for motherhood.

I have 4 of these tag blankets that I made for Creed when he was born. Now I love to pass them on to other newborns, because Creed loves his Ollie so much. My SIL Dawn embroidered Addisyn's name on the front to make it more personal. I loved the added touch. The highest compliment was when they asked where I had bought it, and I was proud to say that I had made it. Thank you, Suzanne for the wonderful idea, it seriously was the best thing I could have ever done for my Creed, he loves it.

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