A Forgotten Post

     In November, we honored our veterans on Veteran's Day by inviting them in for our three lunches, and each grade level wore a different color of our American flag.

     Our head cook, Jodi, had a wonderful surprise as her son and active duty soldier, paid her a visit (unbeknownst to her).  She was able to sit down and have lunch with him.  It was a very touching sight when he first arrived.  Her expression was just priceless!! :0)

     Ann, Kelly, and I gathered for our annual "Mammo and More" night sponsored by CDI.  Usually Jean and Darci are with us, but they couldn't make it on the same night as we could.  After our mammos, they presented each of us with a gift bag, a 15 minute chair massage, wine, cheese, and chocolates.  

x

Hornet Pride

     Some of us were part of creating a respect and pride video recently.  Instead of Aretha Franklin, our very own, Bridget Eisinger (in the pink wig), did her rendition.  The rest of us were responsible for these letters and some "dancing" shall we say?!  We had a great time; too bad I couldn't put the video on my blog easily!!   

No More Treatments!!

     Yay, Jenny!!!  Four of us surprised Jenny last Thursday night after Jenny's last radiation treatment.  After months of chemotherapy and radiation, Jenny is done and (hopefully) cancer free.  She was thrilled by our support and wanted a picture to commemorate her big event, so I thought that I would share it as well!  Prayers for good news soon, Jen!!

      

Christmas Decorating

     Over Thanksgiving weekend, Darrell ended up in a precarious position as he was painting a wall that isn't the easiest to maneuver around!!  As you can see, he had to use a ladder to position himself on his belly and paint the corner of the wall.  My job was to make sure he didn't fall!!

     After Darrell was safe and sound, I started decorating for Christmas.  Of course, I had some help (just not in the human sense...as shown below)!!

As I decorated the banisters, Benji thought that he would position himself on the top of one of the railings and "snoopervise"!! 

As Darrell was putting together these fun light bulb ornaments, Dakota thought that he would snuggle in for a snooze.  Think they're spoiled at all??!!

Meanwhile...JJ decided to show off her new candy cane squeaky toy (which, of course, woke up the big guy who had to come and investigate what all of the noise was about).  

No worries...he got a new red light bulb squeaky toy.

When all was said and done, it was time to relax.  Apparently, it was way too much excitement for Benji!! 

Time to Catch Up

                                  
     I had a chance to catch up with friends recently.  Heidi transferred to the high school this year, and our friend's daughter, Bailey, has a new teaching job in the cities.  I never get a chance to see April, so it's pretty sad that we have to make arrangements to catch up outside of school!!  We had a very nice gathering, and it was really fun to see Bailey's new bling as she recently got engaged.  We got to see pictures of potential wedding dresses and hear about some of the wedding planning details.  I love this picture of us!! :)

The Smiths' Harvest Party

     I have had a couple of posts started but didn't realize that they weren't finished, so I better catch up!!  Our friends, Keith and Beth, hosted their annual harvest party, and I have pictures to prove it!! :0)

Here is Sugarfoot...

It was a beautiful day!!


Isn't this a cool gourd?  It was shaped like a swan!!

Here she is, the hit of the party, Alizandra.

Isn't she cute??!!
She has the pretty olive skin and big brown eyes like her dad, but her other facial structures look more like her mom.

She kept picking up the candles and smelling them and having the other guests smell them too. :0)

Checking out what her mom, Kelsa, was up to...

I love this picture!!

Alizandra wanted me to pack her around and show me different things.  It was pretty cute. :0)

Our gracious hostess, Beth, with one of her grandsons.

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)