Carolan Christmas

We headed over to my parent's to celebrate Christmas Day.  So much fun with all the kids!  The adults watched movies and played cards too, as the older kids were all content playing their DS's...

Christmas Morning!

The kids were up b 615 wondering what Santa had left... and they were suprised!  Love seeing the look on their faces!

Sabelka Christmas

Sabelka Christmas was on Christmas Eve, as it is every year.  We had great food, laughs and the kids had a good time opening gifts! 

I did it!!

Finally, after 3 years of taking online classes, I have my BA!!!  I could not have done it without the help of my husband!!  Last Friday we went out to celebrate with the Sabelka's with dinner at Don Jose' and drinks at Toppling Goliath.  What a great evening!!  Now, what to do in my spare time....:)

Santa Sighting!

On Thursday night the kids got a chance to see Santa...as you can see in the picture Derek is not too fond of the jolly guy! 

Nolan had his first Christmas program for school this week.  It was short and sweet and we had cookies and milk afterwards with Santa and the Mrs.

Eryn also had some excitement this week with First Reconciliation on Wednesday night.  Another busy week ahead for the Sabelka family with Luther PALS Christmas and the regular weekly schedule!

Happy 5th Birthday Nolan!

Nolan turns 5 today!  WOW... where does the time go?  Looking back at some past pictures it is clear that kids grow up WAY too fast!  At any rate, kids look forward to each and every birthday and it's such a fun time to celebrate with them!  Happy Birthday Nolan, we love you VERYmuch!!!!  We celebrated low key today with Spiderman cupcakes and Nolan's favorite meal, pancakes and sausage. 

Thanksgiving Weekend

there is so much to be thankful for, I cannot even begin to list; it's been a great year for this family and we are so blessed!  We enjoyed a great pre-Thanksgiving meal with my parents last weekend, and on Thursday morning, we continued our annual ritual of watching the Macy's parade.  I was busy preparing our contribution to the noon Thanksgiving feast, but the kids had a good time watching the floats and performances.  Then it was off to the Merrill's for Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a delicious meal and great company as well!

The weekend has continued to be one of my favorites.  It seems much slower paced than other holidays (thanks to having Friday off).  I feel like I've been able to get some things done around the house and spend some time with the kids.  We've already begun some baking in anticipation of Randy's annual deer hunting trek this next weekend.  The older kids and I even decorated a gingerbread house this afternoon.  Christmas cards are out, and some online shopping is also done.  The next week is hectic, as I will be traveling for work and Nolan turns 5 on Monday, so it's good to get a good start on things!  Tomorrow Randy and I will be doing our Christmas shopping, so I am looking forward to a day away:)  The kids will have a great time at Grandma and Grandpa Sabelka's!

Busy weekend and 1 year check up

Well, the Sabelka's are gearing up for my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving!  It's busy, busy busy in our household with Luther PALS activities, preparation for Eryn's first Reconciliation, and me finishing school (YIPEE!!).  Yesterday I made 4 dozen cookies for Nolan's school program, a pan of bars for Eryn's celebration at church, then decided to make 2 pumpkin pies!  We are having an early Thanksgiving supper tonight at my parents, so it's another weekend filled with lots to do.  Luckily, everyone has remained relatively healthy, despite several papers home from Eryn and Nolan indicating Strep in the classroom:(

Derek had his one year check up this week as well.  Weighing in at just over 23 lbs, he is also in the 75% for his height; I think he may end up to be the tallest of our children!  Poor kid had to have shots and blood drawn!  In addition, he had fluid on his right ear, so the dr. went ahead and prescribed some antibiotics.  He hadn't been really showing signs of his ear hurting, so I'm glad it didn't need another office visit!  He's really been working on those teeth so we just assumed that it was the teeth.  He will need to have his ears checked again in 3 months for the fluid.

Party Time!!

Last weekend we celebrated the boy's birthdays.  Nolan thought it was great to celebrate early!!  As always, everyone had a great time!  The house is more cozy and full every year with more and more kids!  Makes it more fun too!!  Here are some of the pics from the day.  I have to tell you the story about this last picture though, it's too cute not to share!  One evening the kids and I had already eaten supper and I had left a plate of food on the table for Randy.  I was helping Nolan with his bath when I came out, I noticed a pancake was missing from the plate.  Low and behold, Mr. Derek had swiped his pancake and settled down in front of the tv to eat it.  This kid cracks me up:) 

Derek is 1!

Derek turned one yesterday!  We had a good time opening gifts and eating cake just as you should on your birthday!  Although he wasn't photogenic, Derek loved being sang to and the center of attention!!  Good practice for the birthday party for him and Nolan next weekend!!  I think the two older kids are having just as much fun with the new cookie monster toy as Derek is!

Happy Halloween!!!

It's Started Already....

I think since the second week of school, one if not both older kids have been bringing home slips stating that they may have been exposed to strep.  As you all know that's a not a favorite word in this house!!  So I was not suprised on Friday to get a call from daycare that Derek was running a temp.  He slept rather well that night but in the morning was still running a fever, so we made the trek to Decorah.  Diagnosis: left ear infection and possible strep.  Thank goodness the doctor didn't see that it was needed to swab the poor baby!  We spent the majority of the weekend snuggled in the house. Two days and antibiotics later, we are doing much better!!  Now, if those teeth would just give him a break!!  Derek is at 22 lb 14 oz and about a week shy of his first  birthday.  I know I say it alot but time really flies!!

Back at it!

  As you know, the projects in the Sabelka household never seem to end.   Hence, the back entry way  before the demolition...

       and what it looks like today...more room (and more dust) but a reason to deep clean the house!!!

                                                 the view from the door (from the garage)

                                                          future laundry room/bathroom!

Firetruck Parade

Fall Fun!

We took advantage of the great fall weather one day and went to the park in Spillville to capture a few pics of the kids.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nelson

This weekend Jodi and Mike said "I began their lives together as husband and wife. It was a beautiful day to celebrate their love and happiness! The kids had a great time, as did Randy and I. We were honored to help Mike and Jodi celebrate their special day. We wish them many years of joy, happiness and love. Here are just a few pics of the day.