Christmas Snow

Let It Snow; Let It Snow; Let It Snow!!! That's what it's been doing here latelay. Now we're supposed to get a storm tomorrow and last through Christmas Day! Allison is driving separately with Evelyn. I suggested she come today, but we will discuss it this morning. Snow is to start around noon tomorrow. Chris wants to come on Christmas Eve. Maybe too late. It is a 5 hour drive.

We are done shopping. Finished yesterday in the snow. 4-5 inches came. Sunday was the Sunday School Christmas Program. Alair did great this year. She sang, said her part and didn't pull up her dress! What a difference a year makes!! It is so interesting to see her start to really figure things out.

So much has happened since I wrote last!! Evelyn Gweneth Madrinich was born on Oct. 19. She weighed 7lbs. 10 1/2oz. Carly Jean Kratzer was born on Nov.13. She weighed 6lbs. 6oz. We went to visit both and I love holding new borns.

Allison, chris, Evelyn, Erik, Mia, Aubrey, Alec, Claire, Natalie, Louise, Al, Carmen, and Ron were here for Thanksgiving. We had a lot of fun. we celebrated Sunday as that was when everyone could be here. Saturday I made Thai food and it was really good,especially the shrimp fried rice!!

The kids will be home at different times for Christmas,which is alright.I love having everyone here at once, but it does get a little overwhelming at times. Christmas shopping is done. Now I'm just waiting for deliveries. I ordered a lot of things from Amazon. I get frustrated in stores when I can't find what I want. This way I can compare things and if it is over 25.00 I get free shipping. Needless to say most was free shipped.

My shop is too cold to work in, so I'm still in the house. I've got to get a ceiling in there. It will come soon, I hope.

Oh yeah! We also found out Andy and Christine are expecting a baby. I hope it all goes well. Christine has some medical issues that could be an issue. Andy is pretty excited.

Supposed to be a snow storm tonight and tomorrow, with blizzard conditions, Should be interesting.

Allison still hasn't had her baby. Although I am getting many things done that I didn't plan, we are all very impatient! Next week I am to make two kransakakes for a friends wedding. They are the wedding cakes and then there will be pie. Great idea! Most people would rather eat pie than wedding cake I think.We might not get to see the new baby right away depending on when it's born though.Allison understands . She would rather have us stay longer later than just a day now.

I've got the Christmas stockings almost done.Then I will start teddy bears.They are done by hand, so will take a while. I really like making them though.

Kim is cutting wood today and tomorrow we are going to see Where the Wild Things Are. Alair is so excited!! It's only her second movie in a theater.

Well I guess autumn has arrived. Cool and breezy. Alair enjoys dance and Early Childhood classes. She also likes Sunday School. Aubrey and the girls are probably coming down this weekend. We don't really have much planned. I need to go shopping for Alair. She grew a lot over the summer and not much fits. She's also pretty picky, so she has to approve the purchases.

My shop is coming a long. I painted the cupboards last weekend. Kim keeps picking away at it.

Today was the Elders' ham dinner at church. I made two pies. It was good like always. For supper, Kim and Erik went to German Lake Lutheran Church. There was a guys night out with a pork chop supper and then a speaker from the DNR. It was sponsored by Thrivent as an educational event.

My shop is coming. No east wall, no windows, no ceiling, but the air conditioning works. It was hot and very humid yesterday. I'm getting impatient to get out there. I hate not having a convenient place to set up what ever I'm working on.

Alair starts dance class on Tuesday. I kind of thought she would always be little and here, but she's growing and going into the world.

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Summer 2009

 
 
 
 
These are pictures from Andy and Christine's wedding and one picture from our vacation to Indiana. Alair at the beach at Lake Michigan. You see at the wedding she got tired early and was passed around to who ever was sitting at the time. It was fun.

Allison came down last weekend. It was a surprise. She knew I wanted to practice making a Kransekake as I'm making two for Jenny Swedburg's wedding. The first one turned out awful. It was way over baked. The second was much better, but I still will try again. I really want it perfect.
Kim is working on my shop outside, but it's taking much longer than I thought. Today I'm going to call LSS and tell them that we're not going to do crisis nursery. I felt so strongly earlier, but now not so much. I feel that my life is going in a different direction completely. Not sure exactly what that is yet, though.
Christine's grandmother told her to suck it up and get over it. Good advise, but I'm not sure what she's sucking up and getting over. I'ld like to know as it pertains to me and I don't have a clue what I did.

Well, thr ceremony was very nice. The rest is still so fresh, I haven't digested it all yet. I'm still very hurt about a lot of things and will have to work through it.

On a lighter note, the little boy we hosted from CPNI 12 years ago and hadn't heard from in 11 years sent a letter and we got it Friday night. It really brightened up my week.We are also friends on FB now.

Last night Andy and Christine brought over fabric for me to make scarves for the bridesmaids. The wedding is Saturday. They are lucky I got all the cleaning and shopping done already. Also found out Andy hasn't been telling me everything Christine tells him to. Surprise, surprise. I'm still ready to scream. Aubrey, Claire, and Natalie will come this morning, and Allison and Chris come tonight. No word on tuxes yet.

Next week at this time , the wedding will be over and all the kids will be groggily getting out of bed to eat breakfast and then head home. I plan to cook something and I also invited Louise and Al to come over to eat. Andy called last night to let me know that my brother Al is coming to the wedding. I was very surprised!! The response card was received yesterday....a little late. I'm buying a hog for the rehearsal dinner..I was informed by Andy last week. We're going to spit half of it and have the other half processed. Andy and Christine are coming over sometime today to print the bulletins for the wedding. I have to speak to the Purple Goose about the liquot today also. This will be an interesting week. Some of the kida will be here Wednesday and the rest on Thursday. We go to pick up tuxes in Iowa on Thursday..stupid. I like being the mother of the bride much better. It costs more, but at least I know what's going on.
Pastor Mumme had a good sermon about the ELCA's decision on gays. I really don't understand how they can do it. Aubrey and Alec are ELCA. She didn't think the vote would go this way. Wonder what will happen now. If LCMS congregations will get converts.
Well, gotta go shampoo rugs.

Last Friday, Allison, Aubrey, Alair, Claire, Natalie and me went down to Iowa to fit Aubrey's brides maid dress. It just needed taking out a little. I would probably fit in a month, but just in case. I found a jacket to wear at the wedding and bought it. I later found out from Andy that Angel may be wearing the same thing. Oh well!!! We found a really cute bed and breakfast for our lunch. It was very girly and the food was great!! It's too bad Emily wasn't here. Hopefully they move here next year and we can do these things together.
The shower on Saturday was very nice. Christine got some very nice things.

Well, we probably aren't going to get relicensed for foster care after all. I am moving my sewing out to the one stall and pursuing that instead. We'll see what happens. I'm very excited!!!

July is almost over. Natalie Jean was baptized on the 19th. It was nice, except Claire wasn't feeling well. Natalie's dress turned out nice and Evelyn will be wearing it when she is baptized also.

Last Wednesday Kim, Alair and I went to Chicago and Indiana. We stayed one night in Chicago and met Jennifer Swedberg for supper. She suggested the Wilde Restaurant. Named after Oscar Wilde. It was an Irish pub and the food was very good. Kim found a non-alcoholic beer he really liked and ordered a second one. That never happens. The next day, Emily and Andy joined us and we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Alair loved it. She walked the whole time without complaining. Friday, we went to Michigan and St. Joseph. Alair loved playing in the sand. When we got back we had Pizza with Marty. Very good, evev though Andy dropped one of them in the parking lot. Saturday we went to Amish stores. I love Yoder's Dept. Store. So much fabric and patterns. Sunday, we went to The Fiddlers Hearth for lunch. Irish and very good again. Supper was at Kimber and Jason's. Kabobs--very good again. Alair had a blast with an earth ball. Monday, home.

Aubrey, Claire, Natalie and Allison are coming tomorrow. Louise is giving a shower for Chtistine and Andy on Saturday. Aubrey also has to get her dress fitted on Friday.

The 4th of July was a lot of fun and very busy. I baked 40 dozen cookies for James Bros. Construction for their party they have every year. Kim donated half of them. We went to the parade in Elysian and Alair got too much candy again. Louise and Al had a bar-be-que and then we went for a nice pontoon ride before dessert and fireworks. Sunday we were all dragging.
I;m now sewing Natalie's baptism dress and it looks really nice. I've got a lot of things to sew in the next two weeks.
I;m getting excited to go to Indiana in a couple weeks.
Alair and I are meeting Louise in Elysian for breakfast this morning so I can get her the list for Christine's shower. There was some question as to if we were even having the shower. She now decided we are.

Well, I've heard from Apple a couple times since she left. Ireally do miss talking with her about things that are the same and different in our cultures. Most of the time we realized that people are the same no matter where they are from.
I was asked to sew three sashes for the Elysian royalty this year. Miss Elysian gets crowned this week. Their big celebration is on the 4th. I'm also sewing a baptism dress for Natalie. I decided to sew some doll clothes for Claire so she gets something a baptism also. I'm trying out the pattern on Alair's doll. I haven't heard from James's if they want me to bake cookies for their party on the 4th yet.

Well, we have Bullhead Days this weekend. Miss Waterville coronation tonight and fireworks. We hope to go down town after the pageant and get Apple some bullheads. It's her only chance to eat the delicacy as she leaves tomorrow morning.

Aubrey ,Claire, Natalie and Allison are coming for the weekend. Allison had a car accident Wednesday. She and Milo are ok but the car was totalled. We'll have to see what insurance does. The other driver had a suspended license and ran a stop sign.

Bible school is done for another year. Hopefully next year goes better--separation anxiety,refusing to sing....

Last weekend was a lot of fun. It was very noisy and hectic, but great. The wedding was pretty, but the groom didn't smile once,not during the reception either. Can't figure that one out. Dam Days parade was good. Claire and Alair discovered the joys of parade candy. The only problem was the weekend was too short.

I got all the wood work varnished and the bathroom painted. I ordered curtains and have pictures to hang.

Apple's farewell party is today. Just a few friends she made this year and some family. I'm making some of her favorite foods. She's hoping to find saur kraut in an American super market her boy friend found in Thailand?!?!

Next week is Bullhead DAys in Waterville. Busy, busy.

Candy from Lutheran Social Services came yesterday to go over things for foster care. This time we get to be finger printed! WE signed a lot of things and still have more to do and sign. The next couple of weeks will be hectic, so Candy said she would come back when we are ready. Allison and Chris are coming tonight for the week end. Will be fun!

Erik graduated from Alex Tech last night!!! We are finished with fafsas and tuition until Alair gets there. I have a lady from LSS coming Wednesday about Crisis Nursery. Yeah, we're probably getting back into it. Today we go to German Lake church for their annual spring salad luncheon. Louise and Karen will be there. It's always good food and ususlly entertaining. Next weekend Christine's aunt is giving her a shower. We have to bring underwear for a game!?!?!?

More Natalie Jean

 
 
 Grandpa, Erik, and Apple with Natalie Jean.

Natalie Jean

 

 

 

In the pictures are Grandma and Natalie; Alair and Natalie; and Claire and Natalie.

We've got a new granddaughter. Natalie Jean was born on Sunday, at 1:16 am. She weighed 7lbs.6oz. She was due on May23rd, but decided differently. We went up to see her yesterday,and I will get some pictures up soon. This has really stirred up feelings of wanting to get relicensed for foster care. We'll see. Erik went ballistic when I brought it up. I know getting everything ready for the home inspection is a pain. I will know if this is what we should do. I have a little voice that tells me and I have learned to listen to it.

About a year ago, Pastor Mumme's wife, Glenda, ordered a new gold chasable for his anniversary in the ministry. He also said he would like a red one at some time. I said I would like to make it. Then the problems. Where to find a pattern and what fabric. I contacted where Glenda ordered from and they weren't alot of help. Then a few months ago, I saw on Father Hollywood (post in left column),that his wife made him one. I contacted them and got the pattern off the internet. It's discontinued so it was expensive. Then ordered fabric and trim from Gaspard. I finished the garment last week and Pastor Mumme wore it Sunday for confirmation. I had some set backs. The main one being a three year old and a pair of scissors, but we won't go there. It got done and I hope to make several more in other liturgical colors. If you want to see pictures, go to "i shouldn't be doing this" in the column at the left.
Aubrey is due in less than three weeks now and has informed me she is nesting. Emily is feeling some better. hooray!!!!Allison is fine.Apple leaves in less than six weeks now. It will be sad to see her go. Hopefully we get to go to Thailand within a few years to see her.

We go pick up Apple at the airport today. She has been seeing the country for the past two weeks. She went to New York and then California.
Allison called last night and said she felt the baby move yesterday. Emily called and she is still sick. She got medication and it seemed to help at first, but not so much now.
Alair has her last day of early childhood tomorrow. WE're supposed to eat at Pizza Ranch and then go to Kari Fessel's to see baby animals. I'm not sure how Alair feels, though. She woke up with a red eye. Pink eye or allergy?

Well I decided I'm not going to import my blog to facebook any more. I figure if people want to read my posts they can read the blog. Aubrey and Claire and the four dogs were here this weekend. There is less than 5 weeks left till we have a new granddaughter. We didn't do much. The two girls played a lot and it was fun to hear them trying to communicate. Claire speaks like a 2 year old. This week I am very busy. I need to get Pastor's chasuble done and Mindy Boll has a bridesmaid dress she wants me to alter. Also, Apple comes home on Wednesday. Also I have Bible study here again Friday. I was supposed to have it last Friday,but some of the ladies couldn't make it, so we cancelled. Annette's mom passed away on Friday night. Sad.

Easter

 

 

 

 

Decorating Easter eggs with my sister, Allison, and having a tea party with the tea set the "super bunny" brought. I got a new pink dress,Mommy made it.

It was nice having Emily home. With all the girls pregnant, it really makes me think back to when I was pregnant. The aversions to certain foods and smells, and the cravings for others. Also the morning sickness that sometimes lasted all day. There are still certain foods I can't eat today because I ate them when I was pregnant and got sick. I also remember how I felt the first time the baby moved. It was such a neat feeling and then eventually the kicks were so hard I could hardly believe it. I can't wait for all these new little beings to be in our lives.

Well, Emily was coming then she wasn't coming then she was coming then she wasn't coming. Now she might be coming!! Tomorrow. She woke up this morning feeling better. thank goodness!!!! It was nice having Aubrey and Claire here this weekend. Claire talks quite a bit now so it's fun listening to her. I have to get Alair's Easter dress finished(started) today. Also have to clean from dogs chasing through the house all weekend.

Aubrey and Claire are coming down this weekend to go to a shower for one of Aubrey's classmates from high school. Alair and I are also going. I'll have to go shopping to get extra fruits and veggies for Aubrey, as she has to watch her carb intake. By the way, Alair will be an aunt three more times this year!!! We are so excited!!!

Spring!!!!!!

 

 

 

Allison and Chris are coming down for a visit tomorrow. It's Erik's birthday on Saturday. He requested blueberry cheesecake. Doesn't care what else I make for supper. After Saturday, no more teenagers: at least for several years!!!!And the best thing is Erik finally got an internship!!! We were starting to get worried. He was applying all over, but with the economy, not many are hiring. He is supposed to start on April 6. He needs this to graduate. We are very relieved.

Yum!!!!!!!!

 

 
This is Claire, her mom, Aubrey, and the cake I made for her birthday. It was alot of fun!

The weather warms up to around 40 degrees and the snow mostly goes away, and then 4-7 more come. I like the fields covered up, but I'm tired of winter. Apple is getting in on a "good" winter this year. Some of our exchange students didn't see much snow at all.

I ordered a new Bundt pan to make Claire's birthday cake in. I'm picking it up today. We are going up for her birthday on Sunday. Saturday, I'm going wedding dress shopping with Christine and her sisters and Mom. Should be fun!

Claire's Easter dress

 
 
This is the dress I made for my Granddaughter for Easter. I was going to give it to her for her birthday tomorrow, but it's postponed due to illness.

This last Sunday was the first service to celebrate our churches' 100th anniversary. I made a salad and dessert for the dinner after second service on Sunday. We never got to go. Erik, in all his 19 year old strength, decided lifting a snow mobile into the back of a pick up was a good idea. Not so. He suffered greatly that night and after Kim, Alair, and I got back from early service on Sunday morning, Erik decided he should go to the er. Andy came over to help pour him into the car. He got a muscle relaxer and pain medication and a lecture from the doctor. We missed the dinner at church. Erik did go back to Alexandria yesterday. He said it wasn't TOO bad.
This coming Sunday is Claire"s 2nd birthday and we're going up there for dinner. I made her gift and hope it fits.

Well, Christmas is over for another year. I had such a great time this year. Other years, I'm exhausted after and mostly wonder where the time went. While I was pretty wore out, I also realized ahead of time that I would be, and let Sam's Club do a lot of the food. Christmas Eve we had snacky things after the Children's service at church. Alair was in her first program. She knew the words to In a Little Stable, Away in a Manger, and the line that the 3 and 4 year olds said together. She sat well with her class, but decided not to participate. She had her finger either up her nose or in her mouth the whole time. We were so proud!!! Emily and Andy, and Allison and Chris hurried to get here just to see her, too. Christmas Day, everyone was here for dinner. We all had a great time. Friday, the kids decided to use their gift cards. The guys went to Owatonna to Cabelas and the girls went to Mankato. They all got back for supper and Apple made Spring Rolls. So good!!! Saturday was the reception for Andy and Emily. About 50 people besides our own family came. It was really nice as we got a chance to speak with them all. Sunday, most of the kids went home. Monday we went shopping with Apple and Gift. They are going to Florida on Wednesday and needed a few things. Tuesday, Emily and Andy left for home. Very busy time, but so much fun. By the way, the kids gave Kim and I tickets to Michael W. Smith's Christmas concert. It was wonderful!! We also had 9* dogs in our house with the kids. It was a circus at times.