CHRISTMAS

Josh and I had a wonderful Christmas together. This is our second Christmas where it is just us and it was lovely. Not that we don't enjoy being with our families because we do and miss them so very much. But having a quiet couple days to ourselves is just what we needed. 

Christmas Eve

We attended Christmas Eve service at church and then went to look at Christmas lights. We also opened up the rest of our Christmas gifts from Josh's parents.

Penelope LOVES her new toys! 

Josh's mom sent a big box of yummy treats!

I love my new pampered chef pan!

.....and Penelope loves her new box!


Christmas Day

Josh woke up before me and decided to surprise me with waffles, bacon, whipped cream and strawberries for breakfast. It was delicious! After breakfast we started the fireplace and opened our stockings and the rest of our gifts. It was such a relaxing day.

 Yummy Breakfast

 Couple stocking stuffers from mom and dad

 Sweet girl loves her some paper and bags!

Josh has been telling me for months about this remote control helicopter for inside the house. He has no idea I got it for him. I must admit it is pretty fun to use!

I LOVE all the gifts Josh got me. He is always so thoughtful in what he chooses. One of his gifts was this cork board and map. I have talked for years about how my grandparents had a huge world map in their basement and would put a pin in to mark all the places they had traveled. He got one of the U.S. for us to start with. I am excited to put it all together and hang it up in the office. 

Ummmm...remember how I said Josh is thoughtful?!?! He made this necklace for me! I absolutely love it! He waited to stain the necklace so I can help choose the color. 

Wearing our pj's all day is the best!

*SNOW*

Well Christmas day and into the next is snowed, we got 10 inches total at our house. That is crazy for Arkansas! Josh had 2 work days canceled because of it. We decided to take advantage of the snow and made a snowman. I must say it is a kind of difficult playing in the snow with rain boots on, but you have to use what you have.  There are lots of tree branches and trees down behind our house and around the state. Lots of people without power too. Fortunately haven't lost power at our house.

Day 1

Day 2 
  I love how peaceful and pretty everything looks after a snow storm.

10 inches

Love

Our backyard

Lots of trees weighed down and broken

Back of our house

Hope everyone else had a lovely Christmas with the ones you love....

WEEKEND UPDATE + MONDAY

We started the weekend out with getting the yard raked and cutting back the evil privet on the backyard fence. As you can see in the backyard after picture MORE leaves fell the next day....really? I am still glad we got it mostly done because there were a ton of leaves!

  

                                  Backyard Before                                           Backyard After 

Saturday afternoon Josh finished up some outside stuff while I took a nap. For dinner we decided on a at home date. We watched a movie and had popcorn for dinner. Once the movie was done (at 9pm) I had a burst of energy and decided to get the Christmas decorating done. The time sure flew and before I knew it, it was 12:30! I'm glad I got it done though.

 Penelope taking a nap in her favorite spot...

 
Do you see the little monster IN my tree?!?!

 I had to work 1/2 day on Sunday but after work we headed to the One Silent Night with FFH & Lifesong for Orphans Concert. We met up with our Sunday night bible study group and had a great time. I thought I should take some of the kids home with me...don't worry I restrained myself!

Today I got the Christmas lights up outside, in shorts and  the tank top!! Something is wrong with that picture! When I went to get the mail I saw our tickets for the championship game in
January. Only 1 more game to go....lets go BISON!

Have a Wonderful Week!

Shrimp

Some of our friends here have family from south TX and when we knew they were going to be in town we asked if they can bring up some shrimp for us. They get it right off the boat and it is AMAZING! There was some waiting for us in the freezer when we got home from Thanksgiving so we of course made it the first meal we had after getting home! Yummmm....

MN Thanksgiving 2012

We started our week off in Fargo/Moorhead at Josh's parents house. After driving for 15 hours we walked into the house and my sister and her fiance Brandon were standing there. Talk about making a girls day! I was so excited to see them, look at her beautiful ring (good job Brandon), and catch up. It was a wonderful surprise thanks to my thoughtful mother-in-law.

We spent Saturday night - Wednesday morning in Fargo with Josh's parents. I could write on and on about each day but I'll try to just give the highlights.

Sunday:

• Brunch with Grandma, Duane and Cindee at Granite City. Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE Josh's Grandma? She always makes me smile!
• Wedding dress shopping with Andrea and my mom
• Opened some early Christmas Presents with Josh's family
• Church at DCFM - Erin you did wonderful job preaching!

This is the only picture we took at Josh's parents house and it is of us! Really?? I need to get better at this!

Monday:

• Josh and I went to NDSU (where we graduated). We walked around campus and bought some new Bison apparel. :-)
• Ran a couple errands and stopped at the 'must go to' stores when we get to Fargo - Sheels, Hornbachers, etc. 
• Ate dinner at Hu Hot. 

Tuesday:

• Tuesday we bummed around the house most of the day and watched movies and played games.
• That night we had some family friends over and enjoyed catching up and had lots of laughs! 

Wednesday:

• Packed up and headed to my parents house (stayed with them through Saturday)
• First stop was in Alexandria to see Lisa and Michael's new place (love it) and have lunch. Lisa the pizza you made was amazing! ;) Love you sister!
• Next we headed out to the farm where rest of the family was already (13 of us at mom and dads all weekend)

Thursday:

• THANKSGIVING DAY
• Grandma and Grandpa Hulzebos came over for afternoon
• We ate lots of yummy food
• Opened early Christmas presents (since we will all be with in-laws this year)
• It snowed! I was hoping to see some before we left
• We all headed over to the Mehls for some fun and games. We are all one big huge family and it was perfect being able to see everyone. Even though the games get a little competitive scary at times. 

Present Tim

 *Is Snowed For us so it Felt More Like Christmas*

SNOW!!

Mom and Dad's house

Love being at the farm! This is looking from my parents house to the neighbors.

Sweet Kaja Lynn and I went outside to check out the snow

Josh wasn't feeling the best but we got a halfway decent picture of us

They best sisters a girl could ask for (and Ana too)!!

Friday:

• All of us girls did a little bit of black Friday shopping. When I say a little I mean it we shopped for about 45 min...ha!
• Wedding dress shopping for Andrea. She found the perfect one and said YES TO THE DRESS! ;-)
• We had a birthday party for our December girls; Ana (2nd), Lisa (11th), and Andrea (19th). 

 Liara is such a compliant little girl she got right in the backpack like her Aunties told her to. She actually had fun and didn't want to get out!

Good morning sweet girl!

Kaja wanted to be "like grandma" and wear her glasses

*Best Buds*

Happy Birthday 

Shadow go in the party spirit too!

I think Andrea liked her birthday/engagement gift from Josh and I!

BTW this was my secret project I had been working on. 

Saturday:

• Spent the morning/early afternoon at the farm with everyone then had to pack up and head back to Fargo. 
• Mom and dad loaded us up with meat. I don't think we need to buy any for a year!
• Party with the Krieger family at Josh's parents. It was wonderful to see everyone! Including the amazing Elton's!

Sunday:

• 15 hour drive home. 
• I got long naps in!

We loved every second of our trip. Seeing all our family and friends was just what this girl needed! We love you all and can't wait until our next trip up north!

Week Update

I figured today I would give some of the highlights from this last week. Be prepared people it is crazy!!! ;)

Last Saturday

I went to a baby shower for little Gracie Mae (due in December). Let me tell you she is one blessed little girl with all the lovely gifts she got and of course she will has the sweetest parents! Can't wait to meet her!

The week seemed to fly by with busy work schedules, bible studies and life in general. 

At bible study Monday night, Miss Aileen gave each of us girls a bundle of flowers. I put them up on the mantle and have been enjoying them all week. I love having flowers in the house!

Speaking of flowers our Christmas Cactus is starting to bloom! About 4 years ago Josh's grandma (who I just love) gave is a clipping of hers. I wish I had a picture of how much it has grown! 

I took this picture earlier this week. There are even more buds on it now and lots flowers.

Thursday afternoon Penelope and I cuddled up and relaxed. 

I caught her yawning

Saturday and today Josh worked all day on both of our cars to get them tuned up, especially mine for our drive to MN. Even though he hates working on cars, I am thankful he has the willingness and knowledge to do so. It saves us tons of money in the long run. The work took a lot longer than we thought it would due to some unexpected finds. Glad Josh caught them and now everything is good to go!

I made cream cheese stuffed jalapeno and bacon wrapped chicken for lunch. 

This next week will be full of shopping for last minute gifts, wrapping presents, packing and cleaning (have to come home to a clean house)!

~Love Is In The Air~

I am so very excited to say that my baby sister is engaged! This last weekend Brandon proposed and of course she said, YES!

Although I have not gotten to meet Brandon in person yet (I will in a week) he has made such a great impression on me in the small amount of conversations we have had. 

Congratulations to you two!! 

I Love you Angie and Brandon I can't wait to have another brother!!