Festive Weekend

This weekend was full of festive Christmas events enjoyed by all. Grandma Good came into town Friday night and LTD greeted her with lots of kisses and hugs, and of course, their Friday night ritual, a disco dancing party complete with black lights and strobe Christmas lights. Saturday, we treated Grandma to a musical production at Grace Church in Eden Prairie called "The Story Tour". Some of the best known Christian music artists told the story of God’s love and redemption from Genesis to Revelation in 18 songs. The tour featured Max Lucado and Randy Frazee along with Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys, Francesca Battistelli, Natalie Grant, Selah, Anthem Lights. It was spectacular  and the artists also sang beautiful, traditional Christmas songs. It lasted 3 hours but was SO worth it!


This morning, Grandma got a chance to see LTD shine as they sang at church with other Crosswalk children (Sunday School) at the 10:45 service. They sang beautifully! After we treated Grandma to lunch and got her safely to the airport to fly to Denver to visit my sister, Jill, and her family, it was time for Santa!


Our neighbors really do it up right. Early tonight, they invited all the neighborhood children and their parents over for hot cocoa & cookies AND a chance to visit with Santa. They have an outdoor landing that was a perfect gathering spot for Santa to land his sleigh and sit down with all the children and look over their Christmas lists one at a time. It was such a riot and LTD were in absolute high heaven. They carefully made their lists to give to Santa and were SO happy to make it on his "Nice" list and each got a certificate with their name on it stating so. It was so beautiful outside and perfect weather for the festive gathering. All the children had a blast and the adults enjoyed it equally as much. What a perfect weekend leading into Christmas. Now, it's time to hunker down and get that Christmas shopping done, presents wrapped and sit back and ENJOY. Merry Christmas!

Santa reading Dylan's list

SO happy to be on Santa's "Nice" list

Close-up

Santa reading Taylor's List

I have been a VERY good girl, Santa!

Close-up

Lindsey very proud of her list

YEAH, I made the "Nice" list too!

Close-up

7th Birthday Bash - Part 3 - The Finale

On Saturday, December 3, we gathered up the troops for a birthday party at the local rollerskating rink - LTD and 27 of their friends. That makes 30 children on rollerskates - YIKES! Seriously, it was alot of fun and a few of the parents including Dave and me joined in on the fun too. There were no 911 calls so I take that as a successful birthday celebration. 

Since we chose the early time slot, we basically had the entire rink to our party which was so helpful so our little friends didn't have to worry about getting run over by bigger kids. The kiddos skated for 2 hours and we took time to enjoy lunch and cake. We SO appreciate our friends and their parents for helping make LTD's birthday memorable and accident-free. Really great kids and their parents are pretty wonderful too :)

The celebration week is over and "7" is officially in full force. We pray for the upcoming year to be filled with health, love, peace, gratitude and many more wonderful new memories. We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.  Cheers!

Taylor & friends ripping up the floor

Lindsey & Friend - so sweet!

Girl Power!

Taking a break

The wind tunnel packed in

Winds up to 90 mph - yee haw!

Table 1 of 3

Table 2 of 3

Table 3 of 3

Happy Birthday to you!

More wind tunnel action with their twin friends

Birthday Cage

Speed Demon!

7th Birthday Bash - Part 2 of 3

On LTD's actual birthday, December 1, it just so happened that they had school AND a school Winter Concert that night so there would have been no time to celebrate their special day, other than the treats in school they shared with their classmates. But, we asked their teachers for approval to take them out of school for the afternoon so we could treat them to unlimited rides at the Mall of America Nickelodeon Universe and they graciously approved. You see, typically, kids ride free on their birthdays which is a HUGE savings when you are paying for 3. However, we were told when we arrived that they no longer offer that special and we had to pay full price - GULP! After Dave recovered from sticker shock, we had an absolute blast! We went strong for almost 5 hours and took a short break to treat them to lunch at the RainForest Cafe. We all got a chance to go on rides and nobody got soaked on the log ride which I believe we went on 4 different times. The favorite was the Pepsi orange roller coaster which we frequented MANY times, more than we can remember.

That night, our little angels sang along with their classmates at their school Winter Show. The teachers and staff at our school are nothing short of spectacular and the show was fantastic. Their music teacher is so talented and she shares her passion and expertise with all the children so lovingly. Very cool and very appreciated!

When we got home that night, we all collapsed from going strong all day long. Stay tuned for Part 3 - The Finale:  Rollerskating Party for 30!

Wooo Hooo!

Dad gets in on the action (mom did too)

How far up are we going to go?

Taylor ADORES the swings

Amazing Tree at the MOA

3 varmints at the foot of the tree

Do I look pretty or silly or all of the above?

Definitely Silly!

Dylan singing at school Winter Show

The girls singing (lower left corner)

Marvelous performance!

7th Birthday Bash - Part 1 of 3

So, this post may be one - two weeks late but the FUN memories are still fresh. LTD turned 7 years old on December 1. It truly seems like yesterday when Dave and I were carrying them around in the Baby Bjorn, bouncing to the weekly "polka hour" noon show, pushing them around in our massive triplet stroller and/or pulling them around in their infamous choo choo wagon. Those were the days. Back then, we used to look forward to their next big milestones. Truth be told, now we wish we could turn back the clock. They are growing up MUCH too fast. 

We started our birthday celebration one week early with Grandma Good since she was in town visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday. We love having her here with us and wish we could see her everyday, and the other grandparents too! So we truly savor the short time we get to share with them. In keeping with our family tradition, we pulled out all the Christmas decorations and went to town decorating our new home in preparation for the most wonderful time of the year. The kiddos did an excellent job and it looks lovely!

Stay tuned for Part 2, their actual birthday.

Birthday Pie with Grandma Good

Dad's reader glasses are a big hit

Kit Kat - our new "neighborhood stray" kitty

Trimming the Tree in Style

Merry Christmas!

'Tis the Season

Believe it or not, we still exist and are just now starting to surface from all the chaos in our lives the last few months. We lost our dear Papa Egg and had to say goodbye, packed and moved into a new home that needed "work", school activities and volunteering, church activities, dance, basketball, Scouts, and an abundantly successful year in business and all that entails. However, with all the craziness, we couldn't be more grateful for all the blessings in our life. We have SO much to be thankful for:  each other, our health, our families which are closer than ever, our school and teachers, amazing friends and co-workers, our church and congregation, our new home and neighborhood, laughter and love in our home, food on our table and the list goes on. 

But above all this, we are most grateful for the birth of our Savior. This is what matters most and we need to remind ourselves of the true gift of the season. Below is a link to a beautiful video that spoke to our hearts. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. 

May God bless you and your loved ones and may your Christmas season be filled with joy, laughter and love....and gratitude.

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

In Memory of Papa "Egg" - 2/6/42 - 10/9/11

On October 9, we had to say goodbye to our beloved Papa Egg. Papa, we miss you more than words can possibly express. You were a caring, loving and giving father and grandfather who melted our hearts with your laughter and filled our bellies with delicious meals and baked goods.  You made us laugh hysterically through your jokes (how are you related to your dad?), toys (infamous pull my finger toy) and actions (holding your breath so your pants would fall to the floor in the kitchen). We smile reflecting back on those select memories and many more.

As a father, you were always there for me; through the good times and "challenging" moments. Through those times, you taught me how to be ethical, honest, responsible, work hard, respect others and keep God in our lives. I always admired you for your no-nonsense, direct approach to people and life and it is obvious some of that has rubbed off on me :)  Even though you were not always the most affectionate person (mom filled those shoes pretty good for both of you), your heart was full of love. Thank you for your guidance, discipline and for loving me and instilling in me the virtues that I can be proud to pass along to my own children.

As a grandfather, you were OUTSTANDING! From the day LTD were born, you traveled miles to be there for us, and each time brought special baked goodies that were savored by all. When we needed to get away, there you were to step in and take over so Dave and I could get a break. Every time we came home to Bismarck, you always welcomed us with open arms and many times waited up until we arrived safely. LTD always talked about your cooking & baking. "What's Papa Egg gonna make us today?" Let's see, there was "Papa Cheese" (Velveeta), "Papa Eggs" (sunny side up eggs) and "Papa Pancakes" (yours were always better than mine). We loved the pride you had for your "triplets" and how much you talked about them to your friends, neighbors and family. They adored you equally as much and still pray for you every night, that you are happy in Jesus' arms (and petting Shaq).

We love and miss you dearly, Papa Egg. But we take great comfort knowing you are no longer in pain, you are at peace, and have arrived safely at your eternal home in heaven. No doubt JoDee was there to greet you and what a reunion that must have been. We shall see you again when we are called home and look forward to being reunited. Until then, please watch over your entire family, keep us safe and know that you are in our thoughts every day.

With LOTS of love, butterfly kisses & hugs, Camp Clark.



Wedding night - December 15, 1978



High School Graduation Portrait

 

Ken and Barbie sunbathing at the lake