The Lion King

Several years ago when The Lion King came to town, I went with my mother, and absolutely LOVED it! I swore then that if it ever came again I would take Shianne and Hunter (depending his age). So when it came to town this winter, I bought tickets for Shianne and me.

We were very excited - it was our own little "girls day"!

Just as before, it was absolutely amazing! Shianne loved it, and at several points during the show, it brought me to tears - it was so beautiful. Already looking forward to the next time it comes to town, and I'll take Hunter as well.

Our Christmas Tree

One of my favorite times of the year is Christmas and kicking it off by putting up the Christmas tree. We usually do this the day after Thanksgiving. The kids were both gone and Grandmas, and so Brian and I started it without them.
They then decided to come home, which was fine with me because it just didn't feel the same without them, even with the holiday music playing! They helped me finish up by putting on all their special ornaments they've collected and made throughout the years. It turned out beautifully!

Merry Christmas!

Soles Family Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving at our house this year, just a small gathering since my sister-in-law and her family went to South Dakota to celebrate with family there.







Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Brian's Deer

The much anticipated hunting season approached quickly this year, and opening day for archery was 2 days before Thanksgiving. Brian headed out to his friend's property where he had his tree stand set up, and got settled in. An hour after that, he shot the biggest buck of his life, with his bow! The deer was big, and old, so the meat was made into all summer sausage, and the head mount will most likely end up in our family room once it's done later in the summer. Of course, everyone was very excited, and so very proud of Brian!

Halloween

We went really low key for Halloween this year. We didn't have our annual Halloween party because Halloween first of all. Secondly, we mustered up our own costumes at home, and didn't spend any money at the store. We didn't even buy candy for trick-or-treaters because we weren't planning on being home. Instead we went to my sister-in-law's house and took the kids trick-or-treating down there.

Shianne and her school friend during their class party:

Hunter enjoying a Crispy Creme during his class party:

The cousins:

"Trick-or-treat!!"

Mmmmmmm......candy!!

Still here!

Better late than never, right? I've been Really behind in posting on this blog. Seems like ever since I started my new job, I don't have as much time to get on here and update everyone on our family events. So today, since it's a new year, I'm catching up and vowing to post at least 2 blogs per month. Let's see how I do...

Bittersweet

Today is a bittersweet day.

Exactly 6 years, 2 weeks ago today I began working fulltime from home. It was a blessing to be able to do things with my children throughout the years that many working moms are unable to do, and not have to put them into daycare. The making of breakfast, the afterschools snacks. The trips to the park on a spring afternoon. The doctors and dentist appointment in the not-so-busy morning hours. The summers at the lake. The drive to and from camp. Attending every single soccer practice and game, baseball practice and game, dance class, dance camps, shows, and school parties. The days snuggled up on the couch when they don't feel good. I have been blessed to do all this, and still work fulltime in the process.

Today is my LAST day of working from home. My children have grown, and we're all moving on to a new place in our lives. They are very independent and responsible children, and I am proud to say they are that way because of the last 6 years. They have learned that happiness comes not from going to work every day, but from spending time with those that we love, and they are old enough to understand that work is just an integral part of our lives, neccessary for us to enjoy all the fun things we love to do together - camping, boating, vacations, and movies.

And mom gets to go back to the workforce. While I'm excited about this new adventure, I will truly miss my friends/coworkers at KMC, and the flexibility I've had over the years. Now is time for me to become a full time working mom again - to be a part of the workforce that I haven't felt I've been a part of for quite some time.

Next week is vacation for me, followed by the start of a new job. It'll be an adjusting period for the first month or two, but we will all benefit in the long run.

Thanks to all my friends, family, and coworkers for your support!!
♥ you all....

Cookie Pops

This past Saturday was Hunter's last soccer game, and we were signed up for snacks. You know me - gotta out do myself everytime. Last summer for baseball I made cake pops that looked like little baseballs. For soccer, I decided to make cookie pops that were both soccer and Halloween themed, since it's only 1 week before Halloween.






Then I wrapped them up with 2 cookies for each of the boys. Great first half of the season, Green Giants! See you all in the spring!

Per Brian's request!

Ever since Brian has realized how much I enjoy baking, his sweet tooth as grown considerably. Last week I heard him say, "I sure am craving some sugar cookies". Probably not a good thing to say in our house, when my craze lately has been sugar cookies and figuring out the best frosting techniques, etc.

I had just picked up a pumpkin cookie cutter, so I went to town - whipping up the dough, cooling, rolling, cooling, cutting, cooling, and baking. That's the hard part for me - it's like doing laundry. You have to wait then work, wait then work, etc. It's a long drawn out process. It's the frosting that I enjoy the most, as it lets me be creative. This has been my only creative outlet lately.





Now, many may ask: "What do you do with all those cookies?" Well, what do you think we do with them? Eat them!! Ha ha..... No, we don't really eat all of them. I save a few for the kids to put in their lunches, or for an afterschool snack. I send some to work with Brian for the guys. I give them to our neighbors (especially the onces I borrow sugar and flour from!!). Although I try to stick to only eating 2 of them, there are times I find myself just eating the dough scraps as I'm cutting them out. oops!



If you haven't had a chance to try my sugar cookies yet, don't fret. There seems to be no end in sight of cookies coming from this kitchen!!

Greenbluff & Pumpkins

Every year we get together with our friends and head up to Greenbluff. Our friends own property up there, so we first meet there, which is right down the road from Seimer's Farm. We then head up to Seimer's to get our pumpkins. This year the kids and I indulged in caramel apples too - yum! We all try to get family pictures while up there. Then we head back to the house to carve, eat chili, roast marshmellows, and just enjoy the company of others.




This year was a success once again. The rain held off until late, and the kids did an awesome job on their pumpkins!