10 months of Elaina

Christmas - Part 2

Part 2 takes place in Iowa and begins with a flashback to my early 20's. It was called something like 'christmakwanzapalooza' or something whacky like that. Kelly's brother Cannon organizes the bus & route around the area... Brett & his friends were all there and then there was - the over 30 crowd. They stuck us on the front of the bus & insisted on us doing Jello shots... not really a good idea - though I will admit we all had a great time!

I recovered and we spent the day at the new 'cabin', 'cottage', 'ponderosa' - Only time will tell this home's name but it is perfect and we had so much fun just hanging out together here. 

The boys created a sledding chute.

Curt takes these things very seriously. There are days I truly believe he's a 10 year old trapped in a 34 year olds body. And he tells me I'm a 50 year old trapped in a 32 years old body. I guess that's why we're good for each other! 

warming up!

And there were a few presents to be opened of course. I didn't take any other pictures inside... it's cozy, warm & has my mom's creative touches & pieces of Grandpa's cabin all over it. It's perfect and 'lovely'!

 

Then we just spent time hanging out at mom and dad's together - these kids always have a blast when they're together. Look at how well behaved all 5 children are.. oh wait we bribed them with opening their gifts after the picture :) poor Reese didn't get the memo about the striped shirt - sorry Reese! (I'm kidding, it wasn't planned)

I just love these smiles!

and here are some Christmas Eve photos. I had a wonderful birthday - slept in, went to the gym with dad, got treated to a coffee from 'Em's', went to church with our family, opened presents & ate angel food cake - it was perfect as always. I just love having a birthday on Christmas Eve - I am always surrounded by people I love and the spirit of Christmas is always in the air. I am blessed!

Then there were presents from Uncle Brett after church of course. Lauren got a cat piano that plays different notes of 'meow, meow, meow, meow...' you get the hint and there is a microphone - thank you Uncle Brett! 

and we ended with another night at the Cottage with Grandma and Grandpa before we had to leave on Wednesday. 

We love you and had a wonderful Christmas. Thank you for everything Grandma and Grandpa! 

Christmas Part 1

So, as I sit here in our 'Christmas Part 3' (don't worry I'll blog about that when it's over) I just sit and think about how truly blessed we are. Our Christmas is nearly a 2 week vacation so instead of having to cram it all in to a couple of days we get to spread it out and enjoy all the Christmas season has to offer. 

Today as we were on yet another 2 hour journey in the 'sports van' Curt looked at me and said, 'I really enjoy this, I know a lot of people wouldn't enjoy all the driving but I get to be with my family and that makes me happy.' He drives, I read, work on my computer & keep the kids entertained - we love it.

So Christmas Part 1 for the Tetzlaff's began last week we wrote letters to Santa, visited Santa, made ornaments for our Jesse Tree, went to a birthday party for Jesus, shipped out some last minute orders & on Thursday morning Santa visited our house (we have a special connection with Santa so he hooked up the kids early!) 

I know, I know Jack in footie pajamas (super dorky) but he is always asking for them when his sisters wear them... so Santa thought he needed a pair - and they may be one of his favorite Santa gifts... that or the bubble gum - it's the little things! 

Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Dear Santa,

Dear Santa, 

I hope this letter finds you well! My name is Jackson and I want to say I am sorry for talking back, to where I am not doing that anymore, cause I am nice!

My name is Lauren and I want to say I am sorry for biting everyone in my family to where I am not doing that anymore, cause I am nice!!

Jackson wants a snowblower and a picture of handsome decorations. Lauren wants a snowblower and 2 pictures. And Elaina would like a toy monkey.

Merry Christmas Santa, travel safe! 

Jackson, Lauren & Elaina

So, I never knew letters to Santa had to be prefaced by a confession... but daddy helped the kids write letters. I had to sit in the other room because I could not contain my laughter. The whole scene at the kitchen table was pretty much hilarious!

We went downtown yesterday, visited Santa & had lunch with Curt. I'm glad to see Santa smiled for our picture because he was kind of a grumpy Santa, he looks the part but not sure his personality was quite right for the part. Our conversation with Santa went like this: 

Santa to Jackson - 'what do you want?' 

Jackson - 'a snowblower'

Santa to Elaina - 'what do you want? a pacifier? ok'

Santa to Lauren - 'what do you want?'

Lauren to me - 'I am not talking to him'

and that was the end of our conversation with Santa - short, sweet, no tears were shed, a $14 5x7 photo was captured - mission accomplished. 

Santa will be visiting our house tomorrow morning since we are starting our travels early... as of now there is no snowblower, no pictures and no toy monkeys set to arrive... anyone know where to find a toy snowblower and what is a 'picture of handsome decorations'...

I have a confession.

So, I really thought I was a top contender for 'mom of the year' this year - until I was smacked up side the head yesterday and reality set in. Jack's preschool 'led Chapel' little did I know this was like a big deal... I knew as soon as I pulled into the parking lot & saw a little girl with a bow, tights & a cute red dress - I was not going to win my award... 

So we went into Chapel (after I had to ask for directions, awkward) to find moms & dads with camcorders, grandparents, great grandparents. Jackson had his mom and sisters. He wore jeans and a garage saled (is that a word) orange sweatshirt, hair not combed... Elaina wore pajamas... I hadn't showered for 2 days (which I guess is better than 3 - because that is BAD). 

Afterwards there was a little 'reception' (of course there was)... Lauren pretends she's a dog and tries to eat the cafeteria table - no I didn't know she was doing this until a 4th grade girl came over to tell me she was not being a good girl and spitting her cookie at the girl across the table. Really? yes. really.

After collecting my children & jackson heads back to his classroom we have a meltdown Miss Lauren flails her body and insists upon crawling out of the school on all 4's... tears streaming down her face. I have a baby carrier on one arm.. trying to drag a toddler out with the other hand - I was perspiring heavily (tmi - I know, I'm just fully reliving my morning yesterday - it doesn't help that an 'aromatherapy specialist' talked me into buying some 'natural deodorant - ummm doesn't quite work the same - just so you know) 

Though the entire morning was a bit on the rough side we survived. Jackson was a pretty cute 'star' - note he's not really singing - so I didn't practice with him much (I thought the CD he was supposed to practice was for the Christmas Program next Tuesday - I'm a procrastinator - he practiced a couple times - poor kid) 

I did get some video (but have no idea how to get it on my blog) with my phone from his 'preschool led chapel' (seriously does that sound like a big deal?) I thought they'd sing 1 song. He's been talking about 'going on stage' for the last month - this was a big deal for him, guess next time I'll know. He had fun, even though he didn't know the words & wore a dorky outfit. All that really matters is that he's learning about Jesus & why we celebrate Christmas. 

Anyway... here's a picture of Jackson (the Star) & his chapel partner, Bridget. (ps - I met Bridget's mom - she comes to chapel once a month and knows Jackson - worst mom ever... had no idea I was supposed to do this!) the rest of the pics are on my other camera - which Lauren stole earlier today and I can't remember where I hid it. 

10 on 10 (per a friendly reminder this morning)

Thank you Maggie for the reminder that it has been 1 month since I've blogged - sorry!  We're back and today I did our 10 on 10 for December. 

8:00 - dropping jackson off at school & playing a game of... 'hey lauren guess what?'

 9:00 yes, the Good Day Cafe - yummo!

 10:00 - breakfast with Laura - such a fun surprise that she was in town! 

11:00 (so this is actually about 11:30) - grocery store madness - these little carts are a TERRIBLE idea. Very dangerous for anyone and everything at Lunds.

 12:00 - this smile melts my heart and makes me forget about my 'to do' list

 1:00 - E's brother and sister are sleeping so we treasure a little snuggle time...

(this is the aftermath) now how am I supposed to get anything done?!

 

2:00 - Sitting at the kitchen table looking at the beautiful house in our backyard - this beautiful house leads me to online house hunting... why does this always happen to me? (not sure about the random guy climbing on roof...)

3:00 - I must accomplish something today

 4:00 - she's awake already? and taking her baby doll to Montana - of course she is, Lauren is non stop these days...

 5:00 - bath time

THE END!

a not so ordinary trip to 'the zoo'

Sorry this post will not include pics of cute animals because this trip was to Wausau - aka 'the zoo'. (I know that was a funny, right!) Curt, Uncle Steve & Papa George watched the kiddos while Jackie, Chris, Tami & I had a girls' day in Wausau. We shopped & shopped some more, I got my toes done, ate some yummy food & danced the night away to Boogie & the Yo Yo's at the Grand Theater. Such a fun weekend. We ended the weekend Sunday with a deer fry at Grandpa Harvey's & a tour of Uncle Kim's basement carnival. Such a fun weekend! 

Happy Halloween!

Love, 

some cute Packer fans

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

say cheese!

Happy Monday!

Love, 

the Tetzlaff Kids