Christmas 2008...

We had a great Christmas this year!! We first went to my mom and Doug's the weekend before Christmas and celebrated there. All of us kids and our families were there and it was a really good day. The kids played and played with their cousins. While the kids were playing upstairs, there was a loud knock at the door and a loud "HO HO HO" and before we could get the kids downstairs, Santa was gone and there was a big gift for everyone on the front porch. That Santa is quick!! :) The kids were amazed and super excited. They had a ball opening all their presents.

We went to my in-laws on Christmas Eve. We went to Christmas Eve Mass when we got there. It was a very nice Mass and Cameron and Landon got to go with grammy to the children's liturgy. Cameron always enjoys this. They also got to be part of the beginning processional where they each brought hay to lay in Jesus' manger. It was really cute. We then spent the evening enjoying family and eating and eating some more!! When we woke the next morning, grammy and grandpa's living room was filled with presents and there were stuffed stocking throughout the house. Again, that Santa is sneaky!! The kids were once again amazed and excited!!

We drove back to KC on Christmas. We got home about 8pm. Before we left on Christmas Eve day, Cameron sat some cookies and milk out for Santa and even left Rudolph a carrot (her idea). So, there was much anticipation on the whole way home if Santa had come to our house while we were gone. And, he did!!!! We let Cameron open the door to the house and her jaw dropped to the floor in amazement again. It was so funny! That darn Santa even left the fireplace doors open after he left!! Cameron is still baffled that Santa can get up and down the chimney. So, they opened more gifts and played and played some more.

Brent and I are very blessed with our healthy, adorable children and our dependable families. My heart was a little heavy on Christmas Day so I drove to my grandma's grave to visit with her. I was really missing her. So, I went and wished her a Merry Christmas, cried and told her how much I missed her, and left her a little note. It was quite the peaceful visit.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday Season!!

Cameron's 5th Birthday...

My baby girl turned five on December 19th. Where has the time gone?? She had a great birthday. She got to take cupcakes to school on her actual birthday. She picked what kind of cupcake and helped me decorate. She loves helping in the kitchen, especially with baking. She was quite proud of the finished cupcakes!! They were nothing special, but don't tell her that!! :)

We had a party for her at my mom's house because we went there for early Christmas the weekend of her birthday. She wanted a Barbie themed party again this year. So, I made another Barbie cake like last year and it turned out pretty good. Cameron thought it was fabulous and that is all that matters. She got everything Barbie Diamond Castle. Which is what she wanted. It was alot of fun watching her open all her presents and be so excited for every gift. Landon was just as excited as Cameron!! I'll post some pictures of her fun weekend.

Couple more pics from Turkey Day...

So much to be thankful for...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our family. We spent Thanksgiving day at Grammy and Grandpa Pelzel's house. Jacqueline, Bill and Billy came back from Ohio so it was great seeing them and the kids had a blast playing with Billy. We miss them alot. They also had fun playing with Wyatt. Three 2 year old boys is quite the sight!! They play, then they fight...never a dull moment!!

We went to my Dad and Susie's in Wichita on Thursday night. Matt, Nicki and the girls were there from Nashville. We hadn't seen them since Christmas last year so it was so great to see them. I hadn't seen Madi yet and I couldn't get enough of her and her cute chunker thighs and smiling face. I wish I could have seen them longer. Nicki and I ventured out at 5:30am to do some crazy shopping on black Friday. We got some good deals and had some fun!! Thanks for going with me Nicki!!

Then we headed to my Mom and Doug's for a fun Saturday. Brandy and her three kiddos were there. Cameron loves playing with her older cousin Kylee. They are so cute because they all sleep together on the hide-a-bed there at my mom's house. Pretty cute I think. I was able to visit my grandpa in the hospital several times. He is doing ok. I really treasure these times I get to spend visiting with him because I know he is very lonely without my grandma. I also visited my grandma's grave. That was extremely hard for me to do. I couldn't stop crying when I was there. I just can't believe she is really gone. She was such an amazing lady and I miss her so.

Cameron made pilgram hats at school. Thought I would enclose a pic of her wearing it.

Hope everyone had a great Turkey Day!!

Trick or Treating...

Cameron and Landon were so much fun this year for Halloween. Landon was bound and determined to be Batman, so after some persuasion Cameron agreed to be Wonderwoman. Once we bought her costume she was really excited! They were so cute and we had the most fun dressing up and going trick or treating in our neighborhood. Landon was so excited to wear his costume that he wore his Batman mask to bed at naptime and I couldn't resist taking a picture of him...too cute!!

Since Halloween was on a Friday night this year, we trick or treated for two and a half hours. Brent is a little psycho on Halloween. He really likes to trick or treat and get to every house so the bags will be full of candy. And boy were the bags full!! Of course, guess who ends up eating most of the candy....yes probably me!!

I will post some pictures of the kids in their costumes. As you can see, Cameron has no problem changing up her poses. She was quite the Wonderwoman!!

In Remembrance of My Grandma...

My grandma Klepper passed away on October 25th, 2008. She got very sick suddenly with a perforated bowel and had surgery the following day. After her surgery, she developed septic shock. Her body was not able to fight this. She was 84 years old. She left us too soon. I still can't grasp the thought that she is really gone. She was such a "go getter" and I honestly thought she would always be around. She meant so much to me. I could go on for days about the grandma she was to me. She always had a smile on her face, she never complained about anything, and she always gave the biggest, tightest hugs ever!! Man, I loved her so much!! My kids called her "grandma great" and I can't think of a better name for her because she really was the greatest.

I know she is dancing in heaven now and I know I have an angel with me always. But, that doesn't seem to make it easier. I do now have this new profound belief in my faith and the afterlife in heaven. She was loved by many and will be so missed by so many people. I can't imagine the holidays this year without her. They will be hard on the entire family.

I worry about my grandpa. He is in the hospital now and misses her so much. She was his beloved wife for 63 years. I pray he can find happiness here on earth without her by his side. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Pumpkin Patch...

We went the pumpkin patch in Lawrence a few weeks before Halloween. The kids had a blast on the hayrack ride. There were so many pumpkins to pick from this year. There were huge pumpkin vines everywhere and Landon would venture out into the patch and get stuck in the vines. Pretty comical if you ask me. Brent came to his rescue many times. Landon found a perfect small pumpkin minutes after we started and he managed to hold onto the pumpkin the entire time we were there. He NEVER put his pumpkin down.

Cameron on the other hand searched and searched for her perfect pumpkin. She finally settled for a "pretty good one." She is like her dad when searching for perfect pumpkins. He always has to really analyze every pumpkin's shape, how it sits, the size, the roundness, will it be good to decorate etc.

I love the fall season and Halloween. The kids are really at fun ages this year. I'll post some shots of the kids picking their pumpkins.

State Fair and Preschool...

Cameron started 4 year old Preschool last week. She was so ready to get school started again. She was a little bashful the first day. When I picked her up though she talked and talked about seeing her friends and playing and how great school is!

We also ventured to Hutchinson last weekend for the State Fair. It was a rainy day but the kids had a really good time. My friend Sarah and her family live there and they joined us for the festivities. The animals were a big hit for the kids of course. The State Fair food was a big hit for Brent and I!! :)

Uncle Paul's Wedding...

Brent's brother Paul and his new wife Jamie got married three weeks ago in Ellsworth. It was a really fun weekend for the whole family. Brent was Paul's bestman and Cameron was the flower girl. She is quite the old pro doing the flower girl thing. She did not hesitate at all and was ready to fulfill her duty. And of course, she was super cute and adorable as she posed for pictures and walked down the aisle. Brent and I couldn't believe how old she looked and how big she was acting!!

Landon had a fun weekend playing hard with his cousins. The three boy cousins on the Pelzel side are all within a couple months of each other in age. It is always a lot of fun seeing them play and interact with each other. Cameron and Landon were so excited to see their cousin Billy who they haven't seen since he moved to Cincinati in May. Cameron barely left Billy's side all weekend and she was quite motherly to him. It was pretty cute!!

Brent and I had a fabulous time at the wedding dance. My mom took the kiddos for the night so Brent and I really let loose for a change! We danced and partied till the wee hours of the morning. Nothing like a good old Catholic wedding dance. Brent entertained everyone with his mad dancing skills like always!!

Hope everyone is enjoying this nice "fall" weather!! I know I am!!

After Harvest Festival...

Well, the big After Harvest Festival 2008 has come and gone. We had a good time again this year. Cameron and Landon had a great time playing with friends and cousins all weekend long. Cameron was glued to her cousin Kylee the entire weekend. She had a blast!! We went to the city pool a couple times, too. On Saturday afternoon, Cameron and Landon got to swim with Sarah's girls, Lauren and Claire. This is always a fun time. For the moms too!!

We enjoyed the big parade on Saturday morning and the carnival on Saturday night. The carnival was a huge hit and both kids cried their eyes out when their tickets were gone!! Cameron and Landon both rode several rides and the ferris wheel was the chosen favorite.

Brent and I were able to go out both nights!! I was able to see friends I haven't seen in a long time. I look forward to this weekend every year to catch up with old friends. Sarah and I spend the majority of the time just walking around and talking and yes, people watching!! Always a good time!!

Thanks to my mom for watching the kiddos and to my cousin Jared for helping out!! Cameron and Landon had lots of fun with their big cousin Jared and seeing Jenna too!! I enclosed some pics of the kids swimming with Lauren, patiently waiting for candy at the parade, and some shots at the carnival. Enjoy!!

Cameron's Swimming Lessons...

Cameron started swimming lessons for the first time last week. She loves it. She was a little shy and hesitant the first day of lessons but ever since she has been excited to go each morning. The lessons last for two weeks. She is learning the back float and front float and just getting comfortable kicking and being in the deep water. Landon sits on the sidelines and plays in the sand. He would much prefer to be in the water with his sister.

Nana also came for an overnight visit last week. The kids loved having her here and both rallied for her attention the entire time. They played with Barbies and played "restaurant" the entire day!! They love having their grandparents here at the house for visits.

We are headed back to Ellinwood this weekend for the annual After Harvest Festival!! Woohoo!! Mommy is very excited!!

Fourth of July and more...

We headed back to Western Kansas for the Fourth of July. We spent the 4th in Ellsworth at Brent's parents. The kids weren't real sure about all the fireworks. Daddy and his brothers, uncles Jeff and Paul, popped firecrackers ALL DAY LONG. Landon was fine as long as he wasn't too close to the loud pops. Cameron was really not a fan this year. The only firecrackers they enjoyed were the smoke bombs and snappers. Maybe next year will be better for firecrackers. Brent sure had a great time though. The kids had a much better time going to the pool with their cousin Wyatt. I enjoyed this more too!! Both Cameron and Landon love the water.

The next day, we went to Ellinwood to visit grandma and papa. Papa decided he wanted to take the kids miniature golfing. They both loved it. And papa was very patient with the them. Cameron even made a hole in one with papa's assistance!!

We are having a great summer and it is going by really fast. We spend alot of time outdoors swimming, bike riding and going to the park. And of course, going to Target!!

Hope everyone is having a great summer, too!!