Ahh, Merry Christmas To Mom!

Thanks Hubby! :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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Early Christmas With Grandma!



Nobody does KU better than Grandma!



Home For The Holidays!



She's Back!

 Our favorite girl arrived on Saturday to spend the holidays with her family!  After much planning, a little bed re-model and LOTS of cleaning, I headed out the door to MSP (airport).  It was just like in the movies when you see your loved one coming and both of you begin to run towards eachother arms open wide!  We hugged, we kissed, and then we busted out laughing...because, well, that's what we do!  We headed for the car where Mocha was anxiously waiting.  I have to believe that dog new something about Bre was happening with all of the mentioning of her name and me going in and out of her room.  When he finally seen her he freaked out and like he used to wait for her to come home from school everyday, that butt just wiggled with excitement!  It was the sweetest thing to see!


Mochaccino finally gets his Bre!



Next we drove home...a surprise was waiting!  After she took a tour around her own home, she entered her room!  She was shocked (I think)!  Her bed was what I call 5 Star Bryana Style! Shabby Chic is what she likes and comfortable, cozy and welcoming is what we thought she deserved!  Did I mention we have not stopped smiling at this point!?  She turned to look at me and said, "mom, you know me so well...".  OK, sniff sniff, it doesn't get any better than that!



Five Star Bryana Style!



On to the Cheesecake Factory we go!  Her first time, my Gazillionth! Hehehe!  It was wonderful and that was how we ended Bryana's first night home.  Oh, you might be wondering what about the boys...well, they left for a basketball tournament in Iowa on Friday night, so this was all mama on Saturday! :-)



We love Cheesecake Factory!



The reunion with her dad and brother on Sunday was just as sweet!  We drove 3 1/2 hours to Iowa to watch Jayson play ball.  Dad was waiting at the door for us to arrive. Wish I had a video of the dance Bre did when she seen her daddy! SO stinkin cute, they hugged and after she was peeled off of him, it was on to find little bro.  If you know Bre, she cares what no one thinks and she LOVES her brother!  She hides from him in a gym full of kids, teams and adults.  As soon as he turns his back, she runs, grabs him around the neck and to the floor they both went! His smile was as big as hers...laughing and Ahh's were going.  Big sis was back home.  You would think a 14 year old, who was about to play a game, around all of his teammates would have tried to pull the "I'm too cool" card.  BUT no way, it was priceless!

  

Not sure who's happier!? Sweet!



Back together again!

   

Yep, that's Bre in the middle of the huddle!



Here we go again! Gotta LoVe it!

What A Man, What A Man, What A Man, What A Mighty Good Man!!!



Yep, that's Mocha's doghouse! Only a little sliver left to get in so far! :)



Christmas, ready, set, GO!

"Mama, can I please play with one of those shiny things??"

Our First Thanksgiving Without Our Bre

Our First Thanksgiving Without Our Bre,

Preparing All The Plates

Except The One With No Meat

No One To Remind Us Of The Macy's Day Parade,

Boy, Is This Gonna Be A Long Day

She Would Wake Up Early,

Clean From Ceiling To Floor

Watching The Dog Show Was A Must,
As We Went To The Kitchen For More

Only Bre Would Have Us Say Our Thanks Around The Table,
Our Conversation Always A Reminder Of How God Is Able

Belly's Full And Hearts Thankful,
Was It Time To Take A Rest,
Oh No No, Not Just Yet

You See, Not Only Mommy Loves Christmas Glee,

Turn On Some Music It's Time For Bre To Trim The Tree

Though We Share The Same Humble Gratitude,

Bryana's In Texas Being Mightly Used

We Miss Her Presence Around This Place,

Miss Her Obnoxious Laugh And Her Smiling Face

She Sent Us A Picture Of Herself In A Tree,

A Sweet Reminder Of A Sparkling Christmas Light--Our Bryana Marie

Happy Thanksgiving!

Basketball....Off and Runnin'!

3rd Place Cooper Tip Off Classic
 First tournament of the 2010-2011 season

Good Morning Minnesota!

When you wake up to this in Minnesota...

You go make your coffee!!

Yep, that brown blur is Mocha!  He loves the snow!!

"Hey, I remember this stuff!"



Not sure we'll ever get him back in.

Yep, I'm still smiling...I love it!

Too bad for the boys...they have a lot of work to do!

Now, to get to my shopping! :-)

Wayback Wednesday!

Ok, in honor of the season, I thought it was only fitting to do a
Wayback Wednesday of my boy at a Hoedown when he was 4yrs old. Y-E-E-H-A-W!!!

A Nice Relaxed Weekend

Just because I love them!

My Sweet Treat for the Week!

Bet you've never seen a cuter Cupcake Princess!

My girlfriend's daughter Lola is rockin' her cupcake costume!



Don't ya just smell the sugar, she's SO SWEET!



My Very Unnecessary Purchase!

I sure wish I could record the sound it makes (Vikings Horn), but let me just say everytime I push the button, Mocha comes running!

The End of Football Season

Today was the last game for Jayson's football season.  First of all can I just say that almost ALL of the games were sunny and warm...in MINNESOTA!  We heard bad weather stories of previous years, but this year we were blessed to watch Jayson run an average of 2 touchdowns a game and over 200 yards per game in beautiful weather!  What a fun time!  Jayson has never played organized football before, but proved to be an incredible Running Back!  Mom was impressed...I know, surprise surprise!

The team record was 5-3...pretty good.  Jayson met some great kids and got to play close with one of his best buds from basketball.  He went the season with one minor ankle injury that caused him to sit out one game, but whew, I'll take it!  We are very proud of him and very thankful for the coaches and people God has placed in our lives that truly care about Jayson.

And let me not forget to mention how proud we (me & the kids) are of Big Jason (dad) for assisting with coaching this year!  He never gives himself enough credit for spending that quality time with Jayson and other kids, giving encouraging words, pats on the backs and numerous car rides to and from practice and games!  I know that he created a bond and precious memories for Jayson...I think that is the BEST part of this season!

Fall Weekend!

I completely enjoy decorating for Fall...ok, I enjoy decorating period!  This was the perfect weekend to hunt for pumpkins, load up the truck with hay bales, and pick out mums!  I even found a little friend to stay outside and welcome visitors (scarecrow).  Yes, my children are 18 & 14...but I do have daycare children that love to see the display...right?!  I love doing it and even though my hubby does most of the work, he always says, "it looks good babe!" 

Happy Fall!

 

Our Backyard full of leaves...I think it's beautiful, my hubby doesn't think so at all!

Gotta have some Fall arrangements inside too, right?! :)



NO Fall weekend without my Vikings! :)

I Told You My Cup Runs Over!

This was made for me by one of my Child Care loves...thank you Natalie! :)

My Visit With Bre!

What a great time I had with Bryana in Texas!  She is doing so good!  Before I even landed in Texas I was bombarded with texts and facebook messages letting all of her friends know "my mommy is coming!"  Needless to say, we were both very excited to see eachother! 

When I arrived on Campus I was greeted by my girl and her friends.  I met many of her peers and NOT to my surprise most of them were just as bubbly as Bre!  Can you believe it!?  Ok, maybe not AS bubbly, but close.  She is in great company.  These "kids" that I met LOVE God and they LOVE "Breezy".  Yep, Breezy.  That is what everyone called her while I was there.  It was so funny to see her interact with people and all I could think of was, this is my little woman now! 

As with any dorm, she lives in tight quarters, if you really know Bre you know what a miracle it is for her to even be so far away from home let alone being a roomate with five others!  She kept telling me how much she is learning and how quickly God is doing things in her life.  I could see it!

We played together, ate together, shopped together and worshipped together!  The perfect weekend with my girl!  Before I left I told her to pack her things because I was bringing her home...her friends protested and she looked at me with a smile and said, "no mom, I have to stay, this is where I'm supposed to be."

Proud cannot even begin to describe my feelings.  I am incredibly thankful and blessed!


Here comes Mommy!


 

One of many hugs!




Our worship experience!

 


Breezy and Beth




Organizing her things!



ATF Call Center, where she works!



Teen Mania Ministries (wanted to be here since age 12!)




Learning to break dance with friends!



Top bunk is the best bunk!