Stan and Steve

Steve and Jan

Christmas morning with the Johannes'

"Mentos - the Fresh Maker" Thanks to Jan for providing Steve, Laurie and I with plenty of mentos, tooth paste, tooth brushes and floss this year in our stockings! If I didn't know any better I would think she was trying to tell us something?! HAHA!

We headed over to Jan and Stan's around 10:00 for a yummy breakfast of egg bake, carmel rolls and crab quiche and next came the gift opening!!

Christmas Eve 2009
Mom and Dad's

Despite the snow storm conditions that Steve affectionately named "snownomi," Steve, Tuck and I, yet again piled into the car and off to River Falls we ventured! We headed over a little earlier than most years so that we could leave earlier and try to avoid bad driving conditions. We got to mom and dads' around 2 and started munching on appetizers almost immediately! A couple hours later Nick and Mandy joined us and then all seven of us had a delicious Italian themed meal - complete with lasagna, french bread and salad! Church came next as it does every year where we sang many CHRISTmas songs and held on to candles for the last song, Silent Night. Then back to the house to open gifts and take family photos!!

...And even though Katie is waaaay over in Thailand right now, she was still included in the family photo {grin!}

CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING!

Do you think we got enough snow?! We woke up to about 12 inches of snow on the morning of 12/24! It was beautiful, but I felt really bad for Steve since he had to get up and shovel the drive way (and it wasn't the fluffy stuff either. It was the heavy stuff perfect for making forts and snowmen but not shoveling!) Luckily, Tuck kept him company. We do have a snow blower but do you think it worked when we needed it most? Absolutely not!

Preparing the Nursery...slowly but surely!

It's a slow process...but little by little we're getting more prepared for our baby's birth. The crib is up, stroller is purchased and put together and infant car seat is here now too! {Now Steve just needs to install it in my car, which we've heard is tough to do right?} Might need to visit the fire department
to make sure it's done correctly!!


Baby sheets are washed now too, and crib is made. Tuck does NOT know what to think about all the changes taking place in the nursery. All he knows is that he wants to play with the toys he sees on the bookshelf and on top of the dresser..... oh boy!

BABY SHOWER - DECEMBER 5th, 2009

Me, Melissa, Becky, Kate and Erin

The "Grandmas to Be"


BABY SHOWER - DECEMBER 5, 2009

Laurie and Jan were kind enough to throw me a wonderful baby shower on 12/05/09.

Not only did I get to catch up with family and friends, but also received numerous gifts for the baby - thanks to all who came! And thanks for the great gifts... Steve and I didn't realize how much one tiny li'l baby really needs until we walked into a Babies R' Us store for the first time - wow that store sure can be overwhelming!!

The Finished product

After stringing the lights.....hanging the ornaments....

...and doing our best to keep Tucker occupied so he wouldn't eat anything he wasn't supposed to.....

Our Christmas decorations went up without any problems or delays and here is the finished product:


Ta - Da! It makes the house look so cozy when it gets dark outside and we turn on our Christmas tree lights!

My parents gave us a great Nativity Set that I was also able to integrate into our decorations this year and it looks great! Reminds us of the Real reason for the season! Jesus' Birth.

Preparing for Christmas!

Preparing for Christmas this year was easy since it was a beautiful day and we didn't mind
standing outside for awhile to pick out our perfect tree! We go to a family owned nursery {Cal's} close to our home to find a tree. {Have been doing this for three years now}. This year we settled on the white pine. I may never try another tree again - it was cheap and doesn't shed needles even when Tuck plays right underneath it! {If you're wondering why we let Tuck play under the tree... we don't! He does this when we're not looking and has even managed to eat three ordaments this year...

Thanksgiving 2009

For Thanksgiving this year; Steve, Tuck and I piled into the car and off we went to my mom and dads' in River Falls. We had a delicious meal and were joined by Mandy, Nick, Pete and Grandma and Grandma Shepard! Tuck was happy to spend quality time with Jack! {My parents' yellow lab}.

Aside from eating and catching up, I kept busy finishing up Katie's Christmas gift. For those who don't already know, she has been in Thailand since Spring of 2009 (Almost ONE year!) and mom and dad decided to send her a Christmas Care package. We were all thinking of you on Turkey Day, Katie!!!

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For Dinner we quick stopped home to drop Tuck off and then made it to Jan and Stan's in time for dinner! We definately had enough to eat this year for Thankgiving... and we have a lot to be thankful for too!! {grin}

Crib Installation

Our next "project" we had to tackle? Why installing the new crib of course! We did this on Halloween, plenty of time to spare with the baby's birth not until early February!

Since Jan and Stan couldn't make it over to help with the painting, they were kind enough to stop by and help with putting the new crib up!

Painting Party!

We had family over to help us paint the nursery in October. Because I was unable to help due to paint fumes (lucky me!), we brought in reinforcements to help with the job!

Who was up for the task? Mandy, Mom, Dad, Laurie and Steve all pitched in, and it felt like it took no time at all! Easy for me to say... {grin}!


<---- One of the colors we choose - light green. Perfect when you don't know the baby's sex!

Before I jump right into my blog I thought I should take a second to "introduce" my family to you! For those who don't know my in-laws, here they are on the left! Laurie is my sister in law, Steve is my hubby of a little over one year, and Jan and Stan are my parents in law!







....And here is my family on the right. My little bro, Pete, Older sister Mandy, mom, dad and little sister Katie.

Steve and I are blessed to have married into wonderful families, and are so excited to have them all be a part of our baby's life!

Steve and I were married on 9/06/08. Here we are in September of this year with our pooch Tucker! (This is the same spot Steve proposed in September 2007) It's at Taylor's Falls State Park, in Taylor's Falls, Minnesota. The area it looks out at is Wisconsin. What a fitting place to propose to a "Wisconsin Girl," don't you think?!