Thanksgiving

     Thanksgiving was very different this year for us.  First of all, it was our first holiday without Mom O. ):  It was a hard day for the family.  We did take a break from hosting this year, so Gary and Emmy hosted instead.  They have a huge detached garage where they could have all of us.  Michael was with Amber's family this year which felt different as well.  We are used to having them with us for the holidays, but we understand that we have to take turns with her family as well. :) 

 Gavin had a blast on this Polaris sled.

 He even made the noises too (as shown by his mouth in this photo)!!
He kept asking me to take his picture!!

His little brother, Ian, just stood by him and wished he were bigger in order to be on the sled too!!  

He is walking now, so it was fun to watch him motor around.

 

Gavin was in Super Hero mode most of the day.

He was definitely entertaining!!

     Another reason that Thanksgiving was difficult was the news that Jim's cancer has spread into his liver, pancreas, and bones.  Here he is with his son, Brayden, sporting their matching "Schreifels' Water Works" jackets.  We are hoping and praying that he qualifies for a clinical trial at the Mayo.  He has a three week break from his treatments, so we will continue to hope for the best.  Our prayers are with Jim, Kati, and Brayden!!

 Jill and Jed smiling for the camera!!

 Dani and her cousins, Chelsea, Molly, Jill, Kris, and Kati 

 Time to play the "4, 5, 6" dice game...

Here is the whole gang!! Thanks to Brayden for squeezing us all in the photo!!  

Great job for a seven-year-old!!

We are so very grateful for our faith, family, and friends.

Big vs. Little

     Meet Timber, our neighborhood's newest addition.  Rachel and Curt (and the boys) recently purchased this miniature Yorkie.  He is so very cute, and Keaton just loves him already!!  As I was being introduced to Timber, along came Willow, the not so miniature Goldendoodle.  Poor Timber is like a morsel for Willow.  She was wondering what the heck this tiny fur ball was and decided to snoop around for answers!! :0)
                     

 

"Tuesdays with Morrie"

     A couple of Saturday nights ago, a group of us gathered for dinner and a play.  We headed to downtown St. Cloud to the House of Pizza and then to Pioneer Place to see "Tuesdays with Morrie."  A couple of us read the book a few years ago, so we knew what to expect.  Even though I knew what was going to happen, it didn't stop the tears flowing at the end of the play!!

     I have really enjoyed all of Mitch Albom's books.  It is also something that I can share with my dad as he also enjoys reading his books ever since I bought him Tuesdays with Morrie.  (This is also directly related to the origin of his breakfast "date" with Timmy every Tuesday.)  For years he has made breakfast for my brother's best friend (and a very good family friend) every Tuesday.  My dad has since referred to his special time with Tim as "Tuesdays with Timmy."

Here we are enjoying pasta, wine, and each other.

Simona being goofy...an inside joke!

"Dirty Dash"

     Well, here's a blog that I started but didn't finish.  The pictures are too good not to share!!  Plus now that it is getting cold, these pictures remind me of much warmer days!!

     My niece, Brittany, and a couple of her friends participated in the "Dirty Dash" held in Billings, MT in July.  It was a 5K mud run through an obstacle course, which proved to be quite challenging according to Brittany and her friends.  

They are definitely dirty from head to toe!!!  Brittany is on the far right. :0) Love ya!!

I just don't think I could do this...

Then, in August, my neighbor, Katie, competed in the MUDMAN in St. Cloud, another 5K mud obstacle course.  She was still smiling afterwards...:0)