Family Manor Christmas at "The Plaza"

Dear Family-
I did my best to take some pictures of our annual Christmas event this year; however, I do not have a lot to share, as I was so busy chasing after our little Bradley! The little guy just did not want to stay put this year. He was off and running, exploring the large hotel. We had a great time seeing everybody. I regret not being able to talk to everyone of you.

Here is my sweet little niece, Abby, playing the piano during our program. I loved listening to her. I can't tell you how badly I wanted to get my hands on her beautiful long hair to do a braid. I sure did enjoy doing up a hair-do for her on Christmas day at the Klimek's!! (Smile, Abby!!) The kids watching the program....Paige, Carter, Lexi, Autumn & Bradley.....

Brett & Amy reading a poem about Brett and Hunter. This was very neat!!

Uncle Louis reading from the Bible about the birth of our Christ. The kids were very attentive to his enthusiastic & energetic reading!

We always enjoy listening to Paul sing...............

Even the little kids came up to do some singing....

Cruz, Sam, Dylan, Carter, Autumn, Lexi & Paige.....

Carter, Autumn & Lexi. Lexi did such a nice job singing!

I met Amanda's fiance, Robert. He was very nice and seemed comfortable with everyone. Robert & Amanda did an awesome job singing together, while Robert played the piano.

Todd & Amy Johnson's daughter also came up to sing. Bill & LaNita brought their family to The Plaza this year. They are a really neat family and are all very talented!

Robert, Amanda, Damara & Paul......

Grandma Lila.....

I think I was out chasing Bradley at this time, but Chad was able to take a few pictures. I am disappointed that I missed the group singing....

LouAnn, Carter, Perry, Autumn, Lexi, Paige, LaNita, Sondra, Pat, Grandma Lila & Allie.......

I love this picture of LouAnn and Carter singing....

Sorry I was not able to get many pictures of the kids swimming that afternoon. I had to keep my eye on both boys, as Chad was busy with "lifeguard" duty. We are sure proud of Chad for jumping in the pool to help little Jordyn.

Here is Brett and Carter wrestling in the pool; and Abby helping Bradley in the pool....

Abby & Bradley......

I wish I could have taken more pictures of everyone. Shana has a great family blog on the Manor Christmas. If you haven't checked it out, yet, be sure to click on my family fun link to Jamie & Shana.

Have a great New Year's everyone!

Klimek Christmas

It was a great Christmas at Grandpa & Grandma Klimek's house this year, as Grandpa Ed was with us and Grandma Deb was looking and feeling good! We are so very blessed!

We took some pictures with Grandpa Ed.....
Nicole, Grandpa and Chad...
Shana, Grandpa & Jamie....

Dad, Grandpa & Mom....

Uncle Jamie & Grandpa Ken......

The Klimek's were a little tired Christmas day as they spent the night before celebrating Christmas at Grandpa & Grandma Wodele's in Nelson.

Abby & Shana......

It was an exciting afternoon with the dogs as Jack & Sophie REALLY wanted to meet Toby! Toby was not as happy to meet them.

Jack & Sophie were getting so excited about playing with Toby that they were drooling all over my pants. All Toby could do was hide his head in our arms or the cushions of the couch. He acted like a ferocious dog if Jack or Sophie got too close.

The kids quickly opened up their presents and were happy and content to play with all of their new toys. Carter is playing with his new Star Wars figures.

Bradley and Abby were coloring in a great big Star Wars coloring book.

We sure did have a nice time! Merry Christmas!!

Dorwin Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with the Dorwin's on Christmas Eve. Grandma LaNita made a wonderful meal and we all enjoyed the goodies afterwards.
Trying to get the Dorwin cousins to take a picture can be a challenge! Bradley has Grandma LaNita's apron on and Cruz is "in motion" at the time.... Let's try it again......Dylan has his new nerf gun and Carter has his new light saber....

Bradley playing in a "Pampers - Cruisers" box while Toby watches....

I failed to go around and take pictures during our time together, so I told Carter to take some pictures for me. When we downloaded the pictures later that night, this is what I found on my camera.....

What an exciting-looking group......

There was some type of Ninja stuff going on dowstairs while we were upstairs enjoying some adult conversation. The pictures tell it all.....

Our photographer was able to take a couple of pictures besides the Ninja crew downstairs...

Uncle Todd teasing Toby..........reminded me of the time Uncle Jamie was teasing Toby and our ferocious dog chased after him....

Thanks for a fun time everyone and a great meal!! Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday, Bradley

Bradley turned 3 on Christmas Eve. For Bradley's birthday, we took him to "Animaland" in Oakwood Mall to pick out a stuffed animal. "Animaland" is like "Build-a-Bear", but has a variety of animals to choose from. Bradley picked out a puppy and named him "Tootsie". He dressed his puppy in a little camo outfit. Later that afternoon, we made a birthday card for Jesus that we make every year for the birth of our Christ. That evening, we went to Grandpa & Grandma Dorwin's to celebrate Christmas together.

Here is a trip down memory lane and some of my favorite photos of Bradley.....

2005 - Bradley's born....our baby was known as "Baby Dorwin", as we did not have a name picked out until day two!

Bradley's first birthday party.....

Bradley's second birthday party......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRADLEY........WE LOVE YOU!!!

Christmas Program at Friendship Church

The Sunday School kids put on a very nice Christmas Program for us. My group of Sunday School kids were dressed up as little Shepherds and Angels. They practiced singing the words to "Away in a Manger" and "The First Noel".

Carter, our little Shepherd.... Bradley did not want to dress up for the program, but he did want to go up on stage with Carter and sing the Christmas songs.

Our little Shepherds and Angels getting ready for the program.......

Our serious-looking Shepherd and the sweet-looking Angel, Paige.......

I must say, Paige makes a very cute Angel.....

Ethan is also in our group and was a smiling little Shepherd......

What a crew!!!.....

Bradley wanted to get in on the picture-taking, too!

The kids are on stage singing, "The First Noel".....

Paige, Bradley & Carter....

Paige, singing her heart out.........

Dylan, who is in the next class up, was a police officer in the Christmas Play. He did an excellent job remembering all of his lines.

Yes, this angel has a beard!! The kids put on a cute Christmas play with humor. Everyone was looking for Baby Jesus.

Cousin Hunter is in the play as a Shepherd.....looking for Baby Jesus and trying to figure out the real meaning of Christmas.

Even Cousin Brett was in the play as "Rudolph", with Santa, explaining how humans celebrate Christmas.

The little ones get to sing one more song....."Away in a Manger"....

Great job to our Sunday School kids for putting on a beautiful, yet entertaining, Christmas Program.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Bradley's 3rd Birthday Party

We celebrated Bradley's 3rd birthday Saturday night....during the snow storm going on outside. We had a small crowd, but certainly a fun one!! Here Bradley is ready to blow the candles out on his cake.
I would like to share with you that Bradley dressed himself today, and there was no convincing him of changing! He did, however, take the sweatshirt and hat off before the guests arrived. We took the birthday cake pictures before the party started.
He looks fabulous in his striped shirt with camo pants. He did forget to put on one more piece of clothing that you will find out about later in the blog.......keep reading....


The ladies....Missy, Tara & LaNita. Take note of the snow storm that you can see out the patio doors! We are staying inside, all warm & cozy!Another crew here.....Ken, Denny, Deb & Jack. Bill came later, as he was busy snow plowing. It was funny listening to the guys (Ken, Denny, Jack & Bill).....they had lots of stories to share with each other. I happen to catch a few of their stories while cleaning up in the kitchen.
Grandma Deb looked good. She looked like she was feeling good again.

Pat & Denny left the warm Florida weather to come home to a cold Wisconsin. It was nice to see them! They will fill their time in Minnesota & Wisconsin with family & friends; and the grandkids' games & events.

It can be a challenge to get the Dorwin boys to smile for a picture, but they did pretty good! Uncle tried to give Bradley a wedgie, but soon realized that Bradley did not have underwear on!! Aunt Pat, Tara & Paul...

Todd, Missy & Jack in the background. We were glad that Jack could join us!

Grandpa Ken & Grandma Deb read books with Carter Saturday night as they stayed over night due to the very slippery roads. Grandpa Ken....

Present time......Bradley opening his gifts....

The Bee Movie, from Auntie Missy & Uncle Todd. Bradley's favorite movie!

Auntie getting the Little People airplane ready for Bradley to play with. Don't you just hate all those twisty ties???

Another present to open....

A remote control car from Auntie Tara & Uncle Paul...

And some garden tools. I love these little garden tools!! Bradley did, too, as he was "weeding" the carpet. He knew just what to do with these tools!

Tara was very kind to take lots of pictures for me during the gift opening. Thanks Tara! Tara has a new hair style, which looks very nice.

The Dorwin cousins....Dylan, Cruz, Bradley, Carter & Paige. Carter showing his Star Wars Galaxy figures from Grandma Deb & Grandpa Ken.

Bradley and Carter attacking the birthday cake the night prior to the birthday party. I made another one the next day! :-)

Thanks, everyone, for joining us for Bradley's birthday party. We had lots of fun and it was good to see everyone again. We will all be seeing each other again soon with Christmas just around the corner.

The boys and cousins had their Christmas program at church today (Sunday). I will hopefully be able to post the pictures early this week!

Have a great week everyone!

Gingerbread House

The boys decorated a gingerbread house today after church. Chad left for the Dakota's the same time that the boys and I left for church. The Dakota's are in for a snow/ice storm, so Chad wanted to get a start before it gets too bad.

We just heard from Chad and he made it pretty far, but they are now shut down. The interstate is closed and he said everything around him is frozen, including his truck! He is parked at Wal-Mart, so he should have what he needs until he can get back on the road. Please keep Chad in your prayers as he is driving in some difficult weather.

Have a good week everyone!

Carter's Holiday Program

Carter had his holiday program last Thursday for the Arkansaw Elementary School. Here he comes, all ready to sing... See if you can find the cousins......Carter, Autumn and Paige are in the picture.... Autumn's closer to the top; Carter is directly below, and Paige is over to the right...

Sorry about the eyes.....I zoomed in on these pictures....

Dylan was with the 3rd graders, but I was able to catch a picture of him.

The kids did a great job singing!

Decorating the Tree

I am getting behind on our family blog. Last weekend, we went Christmas tree hunting and the boys found a beautiful tree to bring home. We spent the next day decorating it. The boys each have a little tree (that comes from their mom & dad's room) that they like to decorate with their own ornaments.

We have been doing some Christmas baking and Christmas decorating around the house.

In Memory of Our Jacob

December 4th is a day we will always remember and keep our Jacob close to our hearts. A day has not gone by without thinking about Jacob. As time passes, I feel God's comfort more and more. I often think about what he would have looked like........what he would have been like. Would he take on Carter's strong-will; or would he be more of a stinker, like Bradley? Jacob is and will always be a part of our family. Carter talks about him often and it puts a smile on my face knowing how much he loves him.

God gives me strength each day to think about Jacob and smile. My heart aches for him, but I feel comfort in knowing that I will be with him one day.

The boys made cards and placed flowers by the tree that we planted in remembrance of Jacob.

Carter made a beautiful picture for his little brother. He drew an angel, a Christmas tree, and a snowman, as he told me that he remembers Jacob's birthday around Christmas time.
I want to thank everyone who thought of us today and sent e-mails, e-cards, cards, flowers, Shana's beautiful tribute on her family blog, hugs, and kind words of love. I can't tell you how much your kindness means to us and how much it helped me get through the day. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND COMFORT. It is comforting to know our baby Jacob is in good hands!




On a different note, Bradley wanted to show everyone his Christmas headband that he made at daycare today.....