A Picture Update

Hey everybody...HAPPY FRIDAY!

It has been quite the week.

Maya spent lots of time at Boom's house because G-ma is on business in...Africa!

The girls had a movie and mac and cheese night.

Pa and Auntie Cat came over for pizza and playing.

I got some good gratitude reminders.

And the biggest event of the week happened on Wednesday night.  My mom, sisters and I went to the Minnesota Orchestra's annual meeting, because of an announcement that was going to be made.  The details of the announcement can be found right here.  But to sum it up, the Musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra, a group founded during the lockout, donated $250,000 to the orchestra. IN MEMORY OF MY DAD.  The money established a "Bellwether Fund," that will work to support music education and community programming. 

The musician who made the announcement, Kate Nettleman, invited my mom and sisters and I to come to the meeting.  She was beyond sweet and talked to us personally about how much she and the other musicians loved and respected my dad.  Overall, it was a really good (and hard) evening.

The Star Tribune also covered the story, which can be found by clicking right here. (Crazy side note: the Star Trib reporter who covered the lock out, talked with my dad a lot about the lock out and subsequent orchestra recovery, and wrote this article also happens to be my lifelong friend Emily's dad.  Small world!)

So there you have it.  Another week of down and we are now in December.

Timehop Thursday

I've got some good ones today.

First up: Thanksgiving

Then...two toddlers: Callie on the left, Maya on the right.

Then adorable Maya and her face that hasn't changed much but at the same time she has gotten so big:

Then Miss CJ and her beautiful smile:

And sweet sisters:

Advent

Yesterday was the first Sunday in Advent. Advent is a season of preparation and anticipation of something amazing. 

The dictionary definition says the word advent is "the arrival of a notable person, thing or event."

I'll be honest that it is hard to prepare and anticipate something excitedly when someone notable in your life is not there to prepare and anticipate with you.

Yesterday at church we heard this, a familiar verse.

And Pastor Ben talked about our dark world and how we can take this opportunity to be a light. WE are given the POWER to BE lights in this world.

It is the 30th today, which means it has been 7 months since Dad died and our world fell apart. I have spent a lot of time talking about and thinking about and seeking out light the past 7 months.  

But this season is a reminder that the world can always use a little (lot) more joy and light, and how I choose to live my life can help with that. 

I'm thankful for Advent and the opportunity to gain a new perspective on light. And the reminder, once again, that light always overcomes darkness.

Weekend Wrap-Up

Happy Sunday!

Chris had to work ALL WEEKEND LONG...so the girls and I stayed pretty busy.

On Saturday morning we met Pa at Bachman's to see the Santa show.  Neither of the girls wanted to actually SEE Santa and talk to him, but he did wave at us at one point when he was on stage.

After dance and nap time, we headed to the condo to see the Johnson cousins- Amy, Peter, Andy, Beth, Donald and Frederick.  The kids together were ADORABLE.

Donald (4), Callie (5), Frederick (2), Maya (2)

When I got home on Saturday night, I found a picture of me and Andy around the same age that Callie and Donald are now...so it was probably about 28 years ago!

Kind of crazy, huh?

Other things from the weekend...

My mom introduced me to "Classical Stretching", which I have done (with "help") the past couple mornings.

This helper is not actually very helpful.

Speaking of my helper, she also is very unhelpful when I'm trying to get ready in the morning.  Like today, when she sat on the counter and played with the wedding rings.

But she looks so dang cute...

Before nap time, we had a sweet moment (with the iPad).

Tonight I went to see Sister Act at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater with my mom and sisters!

Lastly, guess who made their appearance for the first time this season?!?!?!?!?!?!

REMEMBER US???

Yep- Coo-Koo and Loony are BACK!  And a certain almost-6-year-old was PSYCHED.

So you can look forward to pictures of the elf antics each Sunday during December until Christmas.  Since it is the first Sunday in Advent today, I thought I'd get out some of our Christmas decorations.  I didn't have it in me to do as much as last year, but I got our front table and mantle decorated a little bit.

I still love my Grandma's ceramic tree.

 It is hard to believe that December is in a couple days, and there are only 3 weeks left of work until winter break.

Have a great week.

A Picture Update

Happy Friday all!

It has been quite a week in our household...from sickness to Thanksgiving. And now even a little snow. 

Callie was off school all week, so she got to go do Maya's usual day care routine. On Monday they went to Boom's house, where they got to go see the Elf Show for the first time this season. Callie also wrote Boom a note. And fell majorly asleep on the ride home.

Cal had swimming lessons on Monday night. 

On Tuesday Chris had the girls, and he took them on rides at MOA.

G-ma and Pa had the girls on Wednesday.

Other random pics from the week:

And now, Thanksgiving. We did brunch at G-ma and Pa's house with G-ma, Pa, Boom, Auntie Cat, Uncle Dan, and Hanna. There was lots of good food and lots of fun activities.

After Maya's nap, we headed to the Suurmeyer's for a wonderful evening with friends and family. Again, there was delicious food and fun activities!

Today we went to Boom's house to play and have lunch.

Maya and I went home for nap time, but Cal stayed with Boom. They went for a beautiful (snowy) walk.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Happy Thanksgiving

I can't say too much today, besides I'm overwhelmed. 

Overwhelmed with being thankful for all the good in my life. And overwhelmed with missing my dad.

But I know that by having an attitude of gratitude, it will be a good day.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Timehop Wednesday

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought I'd do my Timehop post early.  Here you go!

Two-year-olds: Callie in the left, Maya on the right.

The girl who is almost SIX:

And because the picture on the left popped up from EIGHT years ago: