Christmas Eve

Tonight is Christmas Eve. We spent our day by going out for lunch and to the movies at the mall. Surprisingly the mall wasn't all that busy... although we really weren't shopping. I took Quinn, Mikayla and Haley to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. Tony, Jeff, Amy, Madison, Jenna and Grandma went to see National Treasure: Book of Secrets. I have to say I wasn't very excited to see the Chipmunks but it turned out to be a super cute movie. It was so good that Quinn and I decided we would like to own the DVD some day. : )

Madison and Jenna made a strawberry pretzel salad for supper tomorrow night. They did a really good job following a recipe. The hat Madison is wearing is what she bought with some of her Christmas money that she got from B & P. It's a traditional looking stocking cap except that it's Iowa material instead of the traditional red. It even has a pom-pom! She loves it and even wore it to bed!

This late afternoon we enjoyed an early supper at Texas Roadhouse and then went to see the "Santa House" which is a house in Coralville. They have over 100 santas outside... complete with moving scenes and even a TV that was playing Wonderful Life. I have to say it was pretty awesome. They had a nativity scene on the side of their yard with a sign that said something to the effect that "this is what it's all about". It was freezing but worth it.

Tonight the kids put out cookies for Santa and Mikayla wrote a note to him. The older kids have been really good about not "blowing it" for Mikayla and Haley yet. My kids usually have a new pair of PJ's to wear on Christmas eve. Madison informed me that this is the last year that she will be wearing matching PJ's with Quinn. OK, I agree... I probably got one more year out of her than I even expected... but I got them CHEAP after Christmas last year... and she really wore them just for me. ahhhhh. (Haley was in bed... at 6:15pm tonight so missed out on the pictures!).

Tomorrow's the big day. We'll be spending the day at Mom and Dad's and going to visit my grandma in Wellman.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Love, Leah

Happy 7th Birthday Mikayla!

Greetings from Iowa! Today is Mikayla's 7th birthday and because it's so close to Christmas we have always gotten to be here to help her celebrate and that has been great. Today we went out for lunch at Godfather's Pizza and then putt-putt golfing. She had 3 friends come along with her. We originally were going to have the party in the evening but just as predicted we are in the middle of a snow storm and so moved the party up to noon... a great idea!

Here are SEVEN things to tell you about my niece, Mikayla Jo...
1. Her favorite food is "watermelon icecream" (sherbet).
2. She is in the first grade and her favorite subjects are math and science.
3. She enjoys, ballet, tap and jazz.
4. She asked Santa for a guitar for Christmas.
5. When she grows up she wants to be a teacher like her mom.
6. Hannah Montanna is her favorite character.
7. Her favorite Bible story is about "Jesus dying on the cross because he took the sins away."

Enjoy the pictures!
Love, Leah

Front row, L to R: Nathan, Nate, Quinn, Peyton, Heather
Back row, L to R: Alexa, Katie, Maddi, Madison, Holyn, Kiley

Madison gives a sly look to her friends while they sing happy birthday to her. Jade is happy to help blow out the candles.

Splash Universe

In less than 2 hours we are headed to Splash Universe for Madison's 11th birthday party.... and taking 11 kids!! They get out of school early today (1:05) so we are hoping it won't be too busy. Here is a picture of the newly completed cake... a triple layered Fun-Fetti Cake.

Happy Halloween!

Well, tonight was trick or treating for Madison our rock star, Nate the cheerleader, Quinn the football player, and Jade the bunny.
Madison wanted to color her hair... and came up with her idea after thinking about "who in the world would color their hair blue?" Several people asked her if she was KISS. She finally asked me, "Who is KISS?!" Really that wasn't the orginal thought and the star was a last minute add-on... : )

It was a nice night for trick-or-treating... probably the nicest in a couple of years. Last year it was freezing and the year before it poured the whole time. Tonight it was cool and crisp but not bad at all. They both still had candy left over from last year but now they are all loaded up again. Basically most of the kids on our street and parents walked around together. Katie and Nathan (& Terry & Karla) came along too. Katie was a surgeon and Nathan was Harry Potter. The only picture I have of Katie is of her back! : ( I think I counted 12 kids. They were on the move most of the time so I really didn't get too many pictures this year. I loved trick or treating as a kid!


Madison took Jade from house to house. Jade seemed to really enjoy it (Madison did too).

Heather went as the Corpse Bride.


Nathan as Harry Potter

Trick or treating was from 5:30-7:30 and then we went over to B&P's for supper, to celebrate Pakka's birthday. Uncle Archie started a "tradition" (as it has become) with any cake. Once he asked Madison to smell her cake and so when she bent over to smell it, he pushed her face into the cake. So, Tony had to keep up the tradition with Jade tonight. He just tapped her head gently so her nose got frosting on it. She didn't know quite what to think of that! It was really cute though. Scroll down for a few more pictures from evening. Happy Birthday Pakka!

Happy Birthday Pakka!

Today is my niece Jenna's 11th birthday. Amy and I were due on the same day, 11 years ago. The girls were born 13 hours apart and have their own calendar birthdays.

Here are just a few things for you to learn about Jenna.

Jenna Nicole...
...plays the guitar and has a beautiful voice. She already has led her church in a few worship songs.
...wants to be a Worship Leader when she grows up. (At least that's what it was a while ago).
...plays volleyball and is a very consistent server (so important!).
...loves penguins! She has stuffed penguins, penguin clothes, penguin jewelry, penguin pictures on her bedroom door... you get the idea!
...travelled from Iowa to Indiana to Michigan to go to Camp Friedenswald with Madison this last summer. Not bad for a girl who has gotten horribly homesick in the past.
...had her mom as her 4th grade teacher... and even attempted to call her Mrs. (last name) for a time, before giving up and settling for "Mom."
...likes to play Club Penguin and Webkinz.
...apparently sat on her own birthday cake this year!!! (I have yet to hear that story)!

Happy 11th Birthday Jenna! We love you!

Happy Birthday Madison!

Today was Madison's 11th birthday. It's been quite an interesting evening for sure. Abby dropped by for about an hour after school and surprised her with a really nice card. That was sweet. She had her last Flames soccer practice prior to their tournament this weekend. I made cupcakes to give to her team after practice. We have had storms rolling through this area tonight so half of her team had left by the time we got there (early) to pick her up. Oh well... that means we have leftover cupcakes at home. : ) After practice we went to Hacienda for supper. Madison invited Heather to go with us this year and we met Aunt Michelle & Jade, and B & P. Madison was quite surprised to find a huge bouquet of balloons from her Uncle Archie sitting on our table. He's in Arizona now. Aunt Michelle arrived with a HUGE poster of Uncle Archie (http://flatdaddies.com/). He didn't get to join us in real life but his poster sat in a chair the whole evening and he even called Madison during supper. We attracted quite the attention! She was quite delighted with a couple of gift cards... as far away as Arizona (Thanks Stutzmans!), Heather gave her a Webkinz (all the rage), a pedicure from Aunt Michelle & Jade, a set of her collectible dishes and gift card from B&P, a black & gold basketball and knapsack from Quinn and an iPOD from Tony and I. She made a haul! We are going to have a birthday party with her friends but not until mid-November (long story).

So... there are really bad storms tonight and we've already had our kids out of bed and down to the basement once. Quinn is such a deep sleeper, he's really hard for me to wake up at this time of night. I basically had to drag him out of bed and carry him all the way to the basement. Nappanee got hit. : ( Tigger is outside and Madison is tearful about her kitty. I'm sure she's hunkered down somewhere and ignoring our calls to come in... not wanting to dash through the rain.

Well, enjoy the pictures.
Love, Leah

PS... I asked Madison what the best part of her day was... it was going to Hacienda and having Uncle Archie "sit" with us at the table and then getting to talk to him on the phone. The best part of my day?... was when my 11 year old birthday girl came downstairs this morning and climbed onto my lap to be held. Her head towers above me when she's on my lap and I can't see a thing but I'm delighted she still wants to sit on my lap and let me hug her and that I'm home in the mornings for her to do that. For now, I'm going to relish in these moments because I'm acutely aware that these moments won't be around forever.

Happy Anniversary to us!

Today is our 17th wedding anniversary! I say that number and think I must be talking about someone else. Surely it was just a few years ago... But when I think of the changes in our lives; jobs, cars, kids, vacations, looks... yep, I guess it's been 17 years. I thought I would jot down 17 reasons why I love my husband. Actually this was pretty darn easy. These are in no particular order.

The reasons I love Tony...

1. He makes the bed in the morning.

2. His dirty clothes make it into the clothes hamper AND he never turns his socks inside out when taking them off.

3. He will do a household chore without asking if he sees that it needs to be done (vacuum, laundry, dishes...dusting is not included!)

4. We both love the state of Iowa and the sports too.

5. He likes to surprise me ... a trip to Jamaica, an overnight dinner train trip...

6. He fixes things quickly when things break at home.

7. He is a great dad and likes to tease all the kid's friends.

8. He has been the kid's soccer/basketball/softball/baseball coach and does a really good job with realistic expectations.

9. He kisses me good-bye every morning and tells me he loves me.

10. He doesn't ask how much money I've spent after I go shopping.

11. He tells me I look nice.

12. He loves the Lord.

13. We share long-term goals.

14. He works way too many hours at his job without complaining so I don't have to work as many at mine.

15. He can glance at any map and easily get us to where we need to go.

16. He brings me flowers without needing a reason.

17. He knows me so well he can practically read my thoughts. (not all of them...ha!)


Happy Anniversary Tony! I love you!

Now on other notes... we are going to go out to eat and celebrate a different time. This cold has really gotten me down so I didn't feel like doing much. Quinn's CYS team won this morning 2-0, their 2nd win. His Flames team tied this afternoon 2-2 and he scored one goal. Madison had practice but no games. Iowa stunk the first half of their football game and lost to ISU 15-13 with a field goal with 5 seconds left. They should know by now that ISU considers this their BIG game of the year, even though the U of I doesn't. They are always really "up" for this game when we aren't : )

That's all folks.
Love ya, Leah

Birthday Blessings

Yup, today was my birthday. I've decided this is the last one I'm going to count. I'm 39 and holding now.... I had a very nice day. After church we went out to eat at Carrabbas with Beppe & Pakka. My family loaded me down with gifts. Tony took the kids shopping so that always make the gifts that the kids pick out extra special. I love the handmade cards too. Quinn couldn't wait for me to open up his "Massaging Toggle Slippers" complete with a hand held little vibrating back-rub thingy which he then proceeded to use on my arms and back... right in the restaurant. I'll let you know how the slippers work out. He told me he was especially glad to have found pink ones for me. Madison picked out a pretty silver locket that says "Mom" on it. It's really nice and something that definitely represents her tastes too. Tony got me a gift card to the Family Christian Bookstore and B & P gave me a gift card to Kohl's. Really I felt like I had a "birthday week"...my friends brought me gifts and just spoiled me throughout the week. My friends at work gave me gifts; Addi made this really special cake just for me (see picture below). I got birthday cards, phone calls and emails.... On second thought, I'll think about celebrating next year after all! Thanks everyone. I felt very loved this week.


We browsed around after lunch. We need a new video camera. Ours is totally broken. We used it a ton and have had it for like 10 years or something. It was time for a new one I guess. We didn't buy one yet. It takes us forever to do the research etc... because it will be another 10 year commitment. : )

Today I can't help to be reminded of my dear college friend, Michelle. Two years ago today she tragically passed away from complications of childbirth. That means her second daughter is now 2. I've thought of her husband Brian, daughters, sister Tracy, Dan and the rest of her family today. Pause for a moment, will you, to say a prayer for them. A day that has been happy for me has been hard for them I'm sure. Michelle wouldn't want me to be sad and missing her on my birthday... I sure would love to talk to her again.

OK, well... Tony ran to the video store to rent "Wild Hogs" for us to watch after the kids go to bed. After all he told me that today, "my life is all for you" so he promptly ran to the video store after my suggestion. Ha!

Yep, I've decided. I'm having another birthday next year!

Love, Leah

Happy Birthday Beppe!

A very special "Happy Birthday" to Beppe today. Now it's not very polite to broadcast a lady's age so I won't tell you but I will just say that she is now at a usual retirement age. B & P came over late this afternoon to play dominoes. It was a chilly, rainy day today so I made apple crisp for her birthday instead of cake. That's a good fall dessert and that's what it felt like today. Their small group from church had a picnic after church today and they had a cake for her there.

Unfortunately our kids were on the grumpy and not listening side of things tonight. Madison's tears later on told the story that I was expecting... she doesn't want to go to school tomorrow. Change isn't easy and she's having a hard time with the big changes in structure they made this year. All the 5th graders are switching back and forth between 2 classrooms and 2 teachers this year. In the am she has math/science in one classroom and in the pm she has social studies/reading with another. They can't leave supplies in a desk... just in their lockers. It has a little bit of the junior high flavor to it but I personally think it's a bit young. This is the first year for the school to try this so we'll see how it goes. The school also has a new late homework policy that she is worried about. If you have ANY late homework days you have to stay after school (no warnings etc...). So, she's all worried about that. Even though she doesn't hand homework in late, she's worried about it. Change is usually not easy but it's pretty much a guaranteed part of life isn't it?

Well I hope you all have a good week this week. Today in Sunday School we talked about how we spend our time... so I'm going to try and make a conscious effort to analyze my time this week. May be I'll write more about that later.

Love, Leah

Happy 4th of July

Most of our 4th was spent working... Tony did yard work, the kids picked up sticks/branches. I cleaned, defrosted our freezer, laundry, made food etc... It was a hot and humid day but at least it didn't rain as was predicted. Nate spent the whole day and evening with us. He even was a happy worker! His mom joined us for the fireworks later on.

The fun part of the day started in the late afternoon when Beppe, Pakka, Michelle and Jade came over. We went swimming at our neighbor's house. We grilled chicken and the kids enjoyed sparklers and Tony's personal fire work display. I was thinking about traditions... and if we had any. I guess it would be Tony's fireworks in the front yard. He started doing them probably 5 years ago... mostly because the fire works around here are usually not on the 4th....(?). Each year gets a little bigger. This year we enjoyed our neighbor's fireworks too but nothing beat Tony's "Texas Rattlesnake" grand finale! Ha! ...That's what the name was of the firework. Of course I'm like, "how much did that cost?!"... only $11.99... all up in smoke. OK, it was worth it.

I feel so blessed to be living in the USA. I'm very aware of those serving on the other side of the world and the sacrifice they make each day.... and in other parts of our nation... including one of our own; Archie.

Here are a few pictures of you...

Quinn & Nate ran through the sprinklers before swimming... and then popped into his house for icecream cones... after popsicles at our house. They know how to work the system!

Jade LOVES the water!

Michelle had Madison "lassoed."

Madison doesn't always like her picture taken now so it's harder to get them of her!

Quinn on one of his many "stunts" for me. Double click on this picture...it's hilarious. He LOVES to have his picture taken!

Madison helped Jade drive the gator. Look at how big Madison is now!! She no longer fits!! (sniff-sniff)

Quinn pretending to be an airplane with his sparklers.


Part of Tony's "Texas Rattlesnake" grand finale!

Our last guest left about 10:45pm. It was a late but fun night!

Happy Birthday Jade!

Today was Jade's 2nd birthday. What a joy to be able to celebrate with her again this year. Her daddy is in Alabama at warrent officer training so Michelle came up for about a month.

Her birthday theme was the "Backyardigans"... a hit show with toddlers I guess! She wasn't too thrilled with wearing a party hat or blowing out her candles but she perked right up when it was time to open her presents. : )

She is just a sweetie... and talking more and more. She is really good at giving hugs and kisses and blowing kisses. It makes me miss the toddler days but it's fun to be able to enjoy them again in little bits and pieces by watching Jade grow.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the very special fathers in our lives... Tony, Grandpa and Pakka! This picture was taken after the kids gave Tony his gifts that they personally picked out. Quinn picked out a neck pillow because he often "feels" Tony's neck pain... literally. Quinn "catches" whatever ales other people. Madison picked a t-shirt for him that says, "I failed driver's ed"... which she thought was just hilarious. They also made him handmade cards and Madison gave him handmade coupons for things like... a free drink... free paper shredding service... and $5 off cleaning out his truck. She knew better than to do that one for free! Ha!

After church we spent the day at Beppe & Pakka's house and then went boating in the late afternoon. It was still around 90 degrees. Jenna is here with us for the weekend... going to camp tomorrow. The kids went tubing for the first time. They all loved it and begged for more. They also begged to go swimming so we shut the boat off and let them swim off the side of the boat. Guess what...? The boat wouldn't start again. Yep, happened on Mother's Day and now Father's Day too. We tried off and on for about 45min before I asked Tony if he thought this was God's way of telling us that we really aren't (and shouldn't be) boat people? So yes, it was humiliating again to be towed by a pontoon boat. After a short tow the boat did start again... who knows what was wrong. This was our fist voyage after getting the boat out of the marina shop... who put the boat through all the tests and $225 later told us nothing really was wrong and the mechanic even offered to buy the boat from us!

Hmmmm.... SO, we made another boat memory... getting to be too many if you ask me!!

Once again... being towed to shore!

Congratulations Brian & Addi !

The happy couple...

Tonight I thought I would say a special congratulations to Brian & Addi who were married in Cocoa Beach, FL in February and celebrated with a beautiful wedding reception this past Saturday evening, June 16, in Norton Shores, Michigan. Cheryl and Addi are the two ladies in our office that make our office run smoothly. These are two of the very best office coordinators ever! When you work so closely with people they become very sweet friends too! Cheryl and I were able to attend the reception which was 2 1/2 hours away and we were so happy that it worked out for us to go!

The reception was held in an outdoor "tent"... a better word is needed here to describe a large white outdoors portable room with hanging chandeliers and lanterns.... on a beautiful golf course. The weather was absolutely perfect... it could not have been nicer. It just wouldn't have been possible. Her colors are pink and brown...or pink and chocolate really! She decorated with beautiful pink Gerber daises and roses. Their wedding cake(s) were cupcakes with their names on them and some with flowers. It was fun to hear all of the wedding plans as they were taking place and giving her our "expert(?)" opinions about things. When Madison and I see pink and brown colors together, even Madison thinks of Addi now.

Today at work we wondered aloud... "Well, I wonder what beach Addi's laying on right now?" They went to St. Thomas. ...The same island that Tony and I went to....(sigh).

She's a faithful reader of my blog...why, I don't know... I work with her and she hears everything in person anyway!

Addi (and Brian)~I hope you are having a wonderful honeymoon! Many congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life together!

Love, Leah

Quinn's Birthday Party

Happy 8th Birthday Quinn!

The football team!

(Double click for a close up shot!)

All week we've been careful watching the weather for today... we've had a sunny outlook most of the week... until today, when the weatherman got the weather wrong again. Quinn's outside football party was at Ox Bow Park from 3-5pm. It poured for the first 10 minutes and then cleared off to just sprinkle a few times. Thank the Lord! All of the shelters were reserved but we set our party up at the concession stand area which has one covered picnic table. It worked perfectly because we could get out of the rain.

Madison & Jenna held up at sign at the entrance to direct people how to get to the party... they walked the bike path to get to the shelter area.

Quinn had a great time with 10 boys, 3 girl cousins, Aunt Amy, Grandma, Grandpa, Eileen, Jeremiah and Jacob. The time went so fast! Jeremiah and Jacob wore Concord jerseys and signed some autographs for them. That was so nice! We actually were expecting 2 high school players to come sign autographs while on their break at Lowe's but I guess Lowe's was swamped and they couldn't get away. That's OK. They are going to sign some trading cards (that Tony made) at school for Jeremiah and then we'll hand those out to the kids. They felt honored to even be asked! Probably a first! : )


Jacob, Quinn and Jeremiah

Tony planned all the games and had a field goal set up for them to kick through,and a tarp that had openings cut into it for them to throw through. He had them punt the ball and then measured their distances for them. They ran from one side of the field in races. We painted the black sun stripes under their eyes and they decided it was OK if they got wet because football players play in any and all types of weather.


Madison and Jenna did the face painting.




Action packed games coordinated by Dad.

I made the cake last night... took forever but Quinn's reaction was worth it. He closed his eyes and then shouted about how awesome and great it was when he opened them. He was delighted with the cupcakes too. We gave out goody bags with Gatorade, football candy, notepad, pencil, and football trading cards....and a "CRUNCH" bar... get it?


He got lots of nice gifts... mostly outdoor stuff which is so nice. He got a batting helmet from G & G and the DVD "Night at the Museum" from the Iowa cousins. There were balls, rockets, water guns, trading cards, a helicopter, a remote controlled car ETC.... Earlier in the week he got 2 Target gifts cards from our AZ and TN families which he was elated with. Way too many presents!! I was so surprised by how many boys were actually able to come. I thought many wouldn't because of the holiday weekend but everyone but 3 came. I was thinking more like having 6. I'm glad it was at the park and not inside at my house!

Quinn, Nate and too many gifts!

Mikayla, Quinn, Jenna & Hailey...all the way from Iowa.

The day was perfect for Quinn so that makes this tired mom smile.