First Flakes, Cheap Gas, Girlfriends & New Kittens

We saw the first flakes of winter this past weekend and it was oh so cooold!! I knew it was coming and it is getting closer to Thanksgiving...but after having a week of 70 degree weather last week, it was a bit of a shock to my body. I'm a summer girl. I did smile though when we filled up the tank this weekend for under two dollars a gallon! :)

On Saturday morning, I had breakfast with two great friends. We've been doing this for the past few years usually meeting at Cracker Barrel. This time, Julie invited us to her house and made a yummy breakfast for us. I love these girls and feel blessed how our friendship has grown over the years through doing bible studies together, taking walks, having breakfast together & watching our families grow. The newest member is in Janel's arms...little Maya is four months old now. Julie's daughter, Kylie, is the same age as Kaiya and they adopted her a few months before we adopted Kaiya. It's been fun to see them grow up together as friends. This is a picture of the girls together as newborns. And now, we are both going through the adoption waiting period together again.

I've been working on Kevin for the past year to get a cat...not because I like them a whole lot, but because of a little problem we have with small grey animals with pink noses and long tails. Kevin has always declared a resounding "NO WAY", which I can understand since he does have a mild allergy that flares up when around cats. But, when I brought it up again this fall, I noticed that he didn't reject the idea as quickly as he had before. So, three weeks ago we stopped by a house with a "free kittens" sign in the front yard in search of a kitten to add to our family. Instead of bringing one home, we brought home two and the kids (mainly Kaiya) have had fun playing with them. Kaiya will disappear and I will find her in the garage holding her kitty. It's sweet. Meet Jack & Abby...the newest members to our family.

Roller Skating Party

Last night, our church had a roller skating party at Bell's Rink in New Haven. This roller skating rink has been around for years. I remember going there as a little girl when area church's would have a church skate night once a month and then when I was older our youth group went many times. Kevin and I even skated around that rink together hand in hand during our dating months...good memories. It was fun to take our kids and watch them learn to skate. We took Caedmon two years ago and he just wasn't ready yet and didn't enjoy it much that time. This time, we couldn't keep him off the rink. He loved it! Poor Kevin tripped over Caedmon one time and landed on the floor with one leg bent behind...skate wheels pointing up...bottom crashed down on skate wheels...OUCH! This was Kaiya's first time and there wasn't anything that was going to stop her from getting out on that rink with everyone else. She was so brave and did surprisingly well. For some reason though she wanted to suck her thumb a lot which she hasn't done for awhile...I think it made her feel more secure since her feet were unstable.

We invited our little brother, Immanuel along with his family and had a great time with all of them. Here is a picture of his oldest sister, Marquisha skating with Kaiya.

Kevin treated us all at the DQ afterward and moaned about his sore hiney all the way home.

Turning 33 in the Windy City

I celebrated my 33rd birthday this past Thursday and had an amazing week spending time with family, friends, my husband & myself. The week started off last Sunday with a birthday dinner at my Mom's. She made all the comfort food that I love. Growing up, our traditional meal on Sundays after church was a beef roast, mashed potatoes & corn. That was exactly what I wanted and she even threw in a green bean casserole & sauteed mushrooms...two more of my favorites. An extra little treat for me on that day was having my son fall asleep in my arms. Now that hasn't happened for a long time. Caedmon has never been one to like a whole lot of snuggling so sometimes I have to hold him down and attack him with kisses against his will. I cherish any chance I can get so I kept smelling his skin and kissing his head. I loved it!
On Wednesday, we dropped the kids off at my Mom's at 7:30 in the morning and headed north. Kevin had an appointment in Sturgis and dropped me off in Shipshewana for a few hours. I had fun browsing around the little crafty Amish town. My most exciting purchases were a bag of popcorn from Yoder's & some homemade granola from the Blue Gate Restaurant.

From there we headed to Chicago for Kevin's annual business meetings and would spend the next three nights here in downtown Chicago. But first, we drove past Chicago and had my birthday dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in Shaumburg, Illinois. Why drive past Chicago to eat at the cheesecake factory when there is one in Chicago? Well, some of you already know the answer to that, but the rest can keep reading.

We just don't do this enough. It has been a long time since we've gone out...just us. As we were traveling that day, we decided to discuss our family's goals for the next year and one of those was HAVE MORE DATES.

We shared a salad & pizza. Kevin chose both items and I gave him a hard time since it was MY BIRTHDAY, right? But I was so glad he convinced me to try the chopped salad...it was delicious!

Right across the street there just so happened to be this big blue building that caught my attention.

IKEA is one of my favorite stores and we usually come at least once a year. It's the ultimate chic household item shopping center and their prices are good. They have great ideas for organizing in small spaces which is perfect for us right now since our space is small. It's hard to explain the feeling I get when that building comes into view. My heart starts pounding faster and I turn into a little kid. We had a blast cruising around the three levels and posing for silly pictures.

Kevin was having fun too as you can see. Some men have given him the advice to take two aspirin before entering this store, but I have to say that he enjoys it about as much as I do and is usually pretty patient. It helps to have a cafeteria on site.

Our favorite section in the whole store is the AS IS section where you can find the dirt cheap items. I found two medium size glass storage containers for forty cents each, and two curtain panels for my bedroom for three dollars each. They will replace the white sheet that has been hanging there. Kevin also found enough wood to build me a bench for our garage for $3.50.

Kevin was in meetings most of the day on Thursday. I spent most of my time that day scrapbooking. What a dream! I accomplished so much and loved the uninterrupted quiet time. I also caught up on all the news & daytime talk shows that I don't watch at home. That evening was "The Mixer", an event for the Northwestern advisers & their families. Big beautiful buffet style tables are set up all around the room and everyone makes their way around meeting new people and seeing old friends from the company. I absolutely love spending time with the group from Fort Wayne. They're truly like family. Great role models and people you just want to be around. We've gotten to know one of Kevin's business partners well. Rob & Jenny have two children the same age as ours and are expecting their third in March. Jenny and I usually spend time together while our husbands are in meetings. This is the first meeting that neither of us have brought the kids along to. Jenny & Rob, Kevin, Me & Kara G.

On Friday, Jenny and I decided to brave the cold and walk down Michigan Avenue. It was very cold, but fun to get out of the hotel for a bit. We had lunch here.

That night was the Dinner & Dance.

We were served a fabulous dinner. Here is the menu:

APPETIZER

Chili Roasted Apple with

a Bouquet of Field Greens, Duck Confit,

Candied Walnuts, Wedge of Gorgonzola Cheese,

Plum Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Grilled Fillet Topped with

Crusted Vegetables, Blackberry Demi,

paired with

Crab Stuffed Jumbo Prawns, Coconut Beurre Blanc,

Pear Potato Croquette with Sun Dried Tomato

Bundled Snap Peas

DESSERT

Dark Chocolate and Bitter Orange Mousse

Citrus Pots du Cream

Rosewater Feullentine Truffle

Chocolate Pearls and Fresh Raspberries

Dessert is always the highlight for me.

THE DRESS

My sweet niece, Maci, let me borrow her Christmas dress for the banquet. I felt so privileged to wear it and had several compliments on it that evening. Thanks Maci. Sorry no pictures of the dancing...I did get Kevin out on the dance floor for several songs which is a HUGE accomplishment in and of itself.

I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my birthday this year. I feel so refreshed and ready to be a mommy again. Thanks so much to both sets of Grandparents for keeping the kids and for letting us spend a few days together.

Happy 2008!

Our friends from church, Sean & Jayne Miller, invited us--along with several other couples to their home for a New Year's Eve party. They were so kind to let us bring all the kids along as well. The kids had a blast and we did also. Lots of yummy food and great fellowship. The girlfriends had a little friendly ping pong competition and I was doing so well beating all of them until little Miss Jayne came along and creamed me. The hit of the night was the Playstation 2 game called Buzz Mega Trivia that Ryan & Jaime brought along. The game is a lighthearted trivia group game presented like a TV game show and geared toward adults that was hilariously fun.
They even had a junior buzz game that the kids had fun playing.

Thanks again for a fun night!

The Day After Christmas

It's the day after Christmas and we're feeling the effects of all the fun activities that have taken place over the past several days. Wow, so many fun things to do and what a joy to spend time with family and friends. Last Friday we celebrated the birthday of our friends little girl turning three. Simon & Rachael Picazo invited us to Sweetwater Sound, where Simon works, for the celebration of Kesed's 3rd birthday. She was a cutie pie and all smiles. What a cool place to work...the employees have access to a huge area full of games the whole family can enjoy. Caedmon's favorite was the huge sports interactive screen where you could play soccer, football, golf & basketball. Kaiya's favorite was the mini golf and race car driving. I tried helping her drive, but she was determined to do it herself...and what a crazy & reckless driver she was! The kids had a blast!Saturday morning was spent making final preparations for the family gatherings in the next couple of days. I also did the laundry since Monday is my usual day, so it was nice to have that done. We decided to take our family to a movie that evening. We saw Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium at a local dollar theatre. Three bucks for the whole family...can't get much better than that! Caedmon loved it and this has been the first time that Kaiya has been able to sit through a whole movie. After the movie we enjoyed supper at Pizza Hut, then home again and off to bed...we had to be at church early the next morning to practice singing with a choir for special music on Sunday.

We had a wonderful service on Sunday morning and the choir ensemble went well. We sang "One King" along with "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". The choir consisted of all husbands & wives. During the worship time this video clip was played.
I love it when God uses ordinary people to spread a huge message and touch many lives...reminds me of an ordinary woman named Mary and an ordinary man named Joseph.

Sunday after church, we traveled to Jonesville, Michigan to have a Christmas meal with my Aunt & Uncle and cousins. Aunt Lorraine cooked up a huge delicious meal and we had the traditional gift exchange that we've had since I was a little girl. It was fun to see them all again and to meet baby Kendra for the first time. From there we traveled to Middlebury and spent the night at Kevin's parents house. Jason & Joyce were there from Alabama with their two kids, Owen & Helen. Monday, Christmas Eve, was spent celebrating with Kevin's whole family. It's not very often that we are all together...there are seven grandchildren age four and under, so you can imagine all the energy that filled the house that day. It was loud, lots of diapers and there were toys, wrapping paper & foam peanuts scattered everywhere (thanks to Curt :) ), but what a joy to watch the cousins all interacting & playing together...that was the highlight for me. Caedmon & Easton wearing two chocolate mustaches
A pajama bath - Owen, Karis & Kaiya
The kids exchanged gifts after a brunch then the adults played "Catch Phrase" while most of the children napped. That evening after supper, Grandpa read the Christmas Story while the kids brought gifts to baby Jesus played by baby Lincoln. Caedmon started nodding off at the supper table and wasn't able to stay awake for the Christmas Story. My mother-in-law, Ruby, did a fabulous job planning everything and making it a very special time. Thanks Mom! Joyce dressed her kids in these shirts...












I saw them on them and didn't even think about what they actually were trying to tell us...they're expecting #3!

After hugs & goodbyes, we drove home. Caedmon sat out cookies & milk for Santa...and Daddy finished wrapping the last couple of gifts while Mommy put her feet up.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Our family tradition for the past two years has been to have our family Christmas on Christmas morning. Whenever everyone wakes up, we make a big breakfast then open presents after breakfast. This year we had banana pancakes, bacon, orange slices & orange juice. I think Caedmon ate half the bacon and Kaiya ate half the oranges. Before eating, we lit the last candle of our advent ring and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.
Stockings came next. I love taking our time and letting each person open their gift while everyone watches patiently to see what that person gets.

Caedmon got a port set, town set & emergency set to go along with his train & road tracks he has gotten the past couple of years. Daddy also found a remote control firetruck at a garage sale this past summer for a couple bucks that he gave to Caedmon.
Kaiya unwrapped a set of pots & pans & a pretend play kitchen oven. Lately she has been mommy's little helper in the kitchen and loves to pull up a stool during dish washing. This was the perfect gift for her this year.

That evening we went to my parents to celebrate with them and my sister's family was there as well.

Stoll Family Traditions:

Appetizers before supper including sparkling apple punch

Mom serves Prime Rib for supper

Family Pictures
Exchange Gifts
Bingo - Mom & Dad buy cool prizes including several gift cards to places like Target, Starbucks, McDonald's & Burger King

Wow...it's hard to believe Christmas has come and gone already. So much goes into preparing for this special Holiday. What better event could we put so much time & energy into than the Savior's Birthday! Happy Birthday Jesus!