Christmas Day

We spent Christmas in Colorado...On Christmas morning Mikaela had us up by 7am (wow do I rmember thoughs days). Her 14 year sister was not pleased but got up anyway. Down to the stocking they went to find hair stuff, socks, and lots of candy. We then made our way to the other room and opened gifts with Opa. Here we found games for the Wii, movies, lots of stuff from g and g light, and Opa, mom found a new coat (for church) and dad found (that mom spent to much money on him). The best part was when Liz opened a box that was a humidifier box...she was not impressed and put it aside with sad face. Then when she realized the box was just a box to be used her face lit up when she found a gift inside. Then we got to Aunt debs and uncle dennis' house and Aunt debby pulled a fast one on her and put a bunch of little wrapped boxes together with only one gift in one of the wrapped boxes. Who will be the one picked on next year? We had a great time with everyone. Post Christmas consisted of being at the mall for several hours with Brett, Danielle, Chelsea and Aron (with girlfriend). It was actually one of my trips to the mall. I have the hardest time leaving Colorado this go around! Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Parade

I did not get many pictures of the Christmas Parade...this happens each year after Thanksgiving. This year it was dry but wow was it cold. So here we have the kids all bundled up and sitting on??? Oh yah it was the cold pavement. Thanks to the Barr family we sat in the doorway of a shop and stayed warm.

2009 Christmas decorating

It is family tradition that everyone helps decorate the tree....I think I have the same pictures taken each year but the children just get bigger.

Music program

Mikaela joined the elementary school choir and this was their performance for Christmas.

Acquire the Fire

In November mom chaperoned a youth church trip to Billings Montana. What awesome kids we have in our youth. We left early on Friday on a bus that was....well lets just say we werent sure if we would make it to Billings. (this was a chartered bus) Just outside of Casper the bus broke down from there it was down hill. The youth were great and we all kept our spirits up. The conference was heart warming and what an experience to see our youth grow in God's name. I learned a thing or two about young adults as well. I spent the night in a room with Liz and two other girls and leave it my daughter to warm the bed up in a way that I will leave to your imagination. (lets say all of us girls laughed for another 20 minutes prior to falling asleep). We returned on Sunday after another not so great bus ride as I discovered the next day I had carbon monoxide poisoning and would believe the young adults that were sick throughout the weekend had the same thing.

New Arrival

November 1st 2009 at 7:38 am we had the arrival of Isabella Raelyn Bertz. Congratulations to the proud parents of Bree and Ryan Bertz. God has blessed them with a treasure that all of us are rewarded!

Now just waiting the arrival of my next neice or nephew!

Masquarade Dance

She had pics taken at the dance but I do not have them yet....will post more when they come in. Still trying to figure out how she got so darn beautiful!

Yet the dances have begun....this was a 6-9th grade dance called a "Masquarade" (sp). They had such a good time. Liz has invited me to chaperone the next dance (gee thanks). I asked her why parents didnt get to chaperone this dance. Her statement...."they did I just did not bring you home the form". HMMMMMM. Thank goodness some of the teachers are good friends of mine. Needless to say they were all good and the staff said it was awesome! I think she is starting to realize we can be a pretty "cool" moms and dads.

Halloween

On our way out the door for a bag full of candy!

This is at the church Fall Festival with Mikaela's friend Jenna. Dad made the costume (I-Pod) and mom did the sewing. What a team we are. Liz went as nothing "I am to old for that". Ha we will see what happens next year as I think she regrets that comment this year.

What a night....Mikaela invited some girlfriends over to go trick-and-treating. They came back with a pillow case full of "junk". Liz was the "babysitter" while the adults sat around catching up. With young 3 girls and the neighborhood teenage gang I think they had a great time. The weather even cooperated with us....just a little chilly was all.

Choir Concert

Liz had her first choir performance. They did an awesome job. She is in the general choir and was selected as one of the 20 memberts for "select" Choir. Her favorite song to sing was "Great Balls of Fire". I am going to post a few pics but not sure if the little clips of videos will come through. We did purchase a DVD if anyone would like to borrow it. (it will be here Nov. 2)

Baby Shower

We celebrated the soon to be born Isabella on October 17th. Bree is to be Due Nov. 7ish. Now there has the slight chance that "she" will be a "he". As Bree had one ultrasound in the early part of the pregnancy, doc said girl but you know how they are not always 100% accurate especially in that early stage. Baby shower was hosted by Amber (sister-in-law) and Theresa.

Cake made by Ken:

Mama Melleen

Not sure why this photo did not paste....probably because it is the best one!

Family Vacation

It has been forever since I have updated the famous blog. That is what happens when you are getting ready for the family vacation. This year we took a Carnival Cruz to the Western Carribean. We ported at Grand Caymen, Cozumel, Belize, and Routan. Along for the trip was grandma and grandpa Light, Ken, me, Liz, and Mikaela. Things we did were swim with the dolphins, snorkling, beach day and some good old shopping. Mom and dad did a tour with Liz in Cozumel and went off by themselves to tour Belize. Highlights of the trip for the girls was the dolphin swim. Hightlights for Ken and I was the snorkling in Belize and beach day in Routan. It was nice to go all day come back to the cabin take a nap and then relax with a drink before dinner. The dinner entertainment was unforgettable as well. We also had many exciting moments such as racing to first port for a fellow passenger who became ill, our boat crashing into a royal carribean boat at second port, and last but not least some not so smart young adult falling from floor ten to floor nine and having to be rushed to the hospital in Belize city (no thank you). I just want to thank my mom and dad for a fabulous time with many memories also to my family for being who you are!

All pictures are on facebook but for those of you who are not facebook fans here are favorites:

Updates

Not to much to really update...it is already mid-term for the girls school. Both girls are doing excellent. Liz has had a few struggles trying to adjust to a more structured school, but watch out she is up to speed now. She is cheerleading, got chosen for select choir, and continues her piano.

Mikaela is also doing choir, tae kwon do, and piano. Her teachers do nothing but praise her and tell me how lucky I am to have two wonderful fully spririted children.

I am posting Liz's school picture now but have not received Mikaela's so hang in there it will be coming.

Ken and mom just up to the same old thing. Ken still working at his job and mom is continuing to do mental health occupational therapy. I do have to say that one thing that has changed this year is even with the activities they are all after school so we are home by 6pm. Gotta love that.

Back to school

The girls are officially in full swing....Here are pics of 1st day.

Liz is currently (already) involved in cheerleading (what?), choir, tried out for select (show) choir (will get results wednesday next week), youth group, piano, and who knows what else.

Mikaela currently participating in drumming circle, after school choir, tae kwon do, piano, and who knows what else.

I love the life of a busy mother!

Bree and Ryan's Wedding 8-1-09

Bree came into our lives 8 years ago as a babysitter for the girls. She slowly started coming over more and more often. Then it turned into Sunday dinners. We saw her off to 9th grade formal, a jobs daughter ceremony, graduation (we missed some of this because of well....let the sad stories be for another time), and now a marriage. Funny things I can remember: first dinner she spilt milk all over the table, her first car and driving lessons, her first real boyfriend (not something we care to remember), family trips (she gets strep throat and grandma Light has to take care of her), trips to Denver, rafting down the river, White water rafting in colorado and almost getting her killed. The memories could go on forever....point is she is loved by us as anyone could love a child. Now on her special day we could not be more please to see her be with a gentleman who loves and cares for her as we would.
Here is Bree and Theresa trying to get the dress...who let the pregnant girl stand on a chair to reach her dress???? Waiting patiently upstairs for the gentlemen to finish pictures...Ken is trying to keep her hydrated.

More Pics (Theresa and Bree)

The Liz and Mikaela in the dresses that Aunt Debby made and mom helped

Before the wedding pics....bride

After wedding shots (Ryan and Bree)

Wedding party

The cake...everything on it was edible

The Toast

Dancing with the Bride for $1 (I think I paid more then that)

uMMMMM! what is this????? Who gave Liz permission to dance with this gentleman (Bree's 16 year old little brother)

Hey....what has happened to all my little ladies!!! Mikaela what are you doing dancing with a boy????GRANDPA AND OPA HELP!

Father/Daughter dance that Ken got the privilage to participate in.

Braces

After (sorry they are out of order)

during
Before

After three years of prepping and waiting for permanent teeth to arrive Liz had to have two teeth pulled last month and today was the official day of braces. They only put the top ones on today because they will take the longest after they get going they will put on the bottoms and all will be done at the same time.

Nieces

Last weekend we traveled to Denver for one of our usual trips. During this visit we accomplished making two dresses one for liz and one for mikaela. These were needed for Bree's wedding on Aug. 1st. Thanks again to my wonderful sister-in-law we completed them in one day. Then it was off to family putt putt golf. In 10 years I finally BEAT Ken at minature golf HA! On Sunday we hit the mall, had a lovely meal with Dennis, Debby and family (including Rachel as she was in town for the weekend as well), then off to pick up Danielle and Chelsea. Last year we have them for about three days, this year we took the plunge and had them for an entire week. We played games, went for walks by the river, spent time at the pool, and did lots of jumping on the trampoline. We met our challenges with Gods guidance and made it safely through. Liz did lots of growing up as she had to babysit while Ken and I were at work. (I heard lots of "mommy" comments come out of her when it came to her cousins). Liz did get a break in between the week and headed back to Denver with the youth group to go to water world and eliches for two days. Whew does she ever slow down. Mikaela held up well but when she does want her space invaded watch out! Danielle and Chels departed from us this past Saturday to return to colorado with dad (Brett). Who by the way is doing well. This week it is back to a normal schedule with only two kids in the house.

At the river

Game night (mom beat dad again at aggravation! must be my week:)

at the pool

Danielle, Chelsea, and mikaela