o christmas tree

we usually get our tree the saturday after thanksgiving.

however, this year, we had a family christmas that day.

so...we went the day before thanksgiving.

it was kinda weird having our tree up before thanksgiving.

i hope this was a first and a last. 

either way, our hunt for the "perfect" tree was memorable.

i wanted a small, thin tree.

lia wanted a tall, full tree.

and the other 3 were indifferent. 

after a lot of searching and a few tears almost all of us agreed on a beautiful white pine.

it's a tradition of ours to have all 3 kids each take a turn cutting the tree down.

they love this part! 

and off they go!

thankfully, we got the tree turned around before all the needles were gone! 

it's a little, i mean a lot shorter than i thought it would be.

but, it's still beautiful!

 now if only the kitten would leave the ornaments on the tree, quit chewing on mr snowman's hat, and stop drinking all the water.

thankful for...

1...11 1/2 years of marriage to my soul mate.

the first 2--awful, the next 7--pretty good, the last 2--awesome!

2...my sofie!

today she informed me her new motto is: "to learn more so she can tell more!"

she's talking about learning more about the bible and God!

LOVE HER!!

3...precious lia!

she is the most thoughtful and compassionate little girl i know!

4...kye william!

my all-boy, super rough, almost 4 year old that loves to cuddle with me rubbing my face and ears!!!  boy oh boy do i LOVE LOVE LOVE that he still does that!!!

5...the gift of yet another year with my grandpa!

6...the awakening that God has stirred in my heart these last 6 months!

7...really learning what it means to be completely reliant on God for our finances!

and--celebrating when He provides!

8...simplicity!

and the choices we've made to make our life that way!

9...the desire God has placed in my heart for missions!

His great commission is something that is now being taught in this household as well as making plans to actually carry it out!

10...my relationship with Jesus Christ!

stuff

it's been awhile since i've posted.

here's why--

 

*i started this project 3 weeks ago.

this is a "before' photo.

i am almost done!!

*sofie had a head cold after a swimming birthday party 2 weeks ago.

then kye got it.

then sam.

and now me!

*we opened the reighard restaurant last week for 1 night

to celebrate my grandparents 56th wedding annv.

the girls and i came up with 2 menu options--sent a formal invite to them complete with a menu option rsvp.  it was a special candle-lit meal that i took zero pictures of.

i just completely forgot!

*sofie was hard-at-work on this masterpiece.

it hangs proudly in her bedroom! 

*we are still loving smokey!

he finds the most cuddly spots to sleep-- 

*we are on thanksgiving break all week.

thankgoodness for that!!

the girls and i need a break!

*we celebrated our first thanksgiving/christmas last weekend.

and our 2nd christmas gathering is this weekend.

*sam and i went to the movie courageous!

we can't remember the last time we went to a theatre.

possibly before sofie was born??

the movie was outstanding!!

***excited to celebrate thanksgiving with my grandparents

and great aunt pam in a few days.

 

kamp krieger 2011

...was a few weeks ago.

our weekend started on thursday when sam's brother, eric,

his wife vivian and little rubi arrived from arizona.

we had never met rubi, who turned 2 during her weekend in iowa.

ahh, the beloved craft table.

 

it's always so fun to see the older cousins that are away at college.

here's cousin levi with little charlie. 

sam'a older brother eric with rubi.

there were about 18 family members missing this year from

the reunion.  and there are 4 new babies due in the next few months. 

my stud sporting his wiffle-ball uniform!!

most of the family that was present this year--around 75-80

opening ceremonies to the wiffle-ball tourney

kye and grandpa getting in some swings

cousin warren teaching the little boys some football plays

 some cousins and a game of duck-duck-goose!!

sweet rubi--

everyone tried all weekend to hold her--

she would only go to sofie! 

reighard family picture

cousin esther leaving for kansas

 weird boys--

sam's dad chuck, sam, brother eric and brother-in-law noah

eric's family leaving for the arizona

cousins getting a last chance at playing together

5 minutes into our 25 minute drive home--

tired, tired kids after a super-fun

3-day weekend!!!

 

snow break

we had just finished our bible lesson this 

morning when it started snowing.

they could hardly control their excitement as

they stood in the window watching it fall .

how could i say no when they asked if they could go out to play?

and out they went!

i thought i was all ready for winter with snow pants, boots, and new coats.

i discovered today that i have forgotten waterproof gloves .

kye really didn't care that he stayed in--

he was content to watch from the window and play cars with his mom who now had some free time since school was postponed 

i had considered having them wait til after school but i'm

so thankful i didn't.

because it was done snowing in about an hour and completely melted about 30 minutes after that.

and then the sun came out.

gotta love iowa!