Welcome Christmas Card Readers

For those of you who found my blog via our Christmas cards this year (thanks Angie for the idea last year!).....Welcome.

We will be spending our Christmas running around and being Merry. I just picked Jase up from school today (out early at 2:00) and he was wound and ready to go. I guess the Christmas countdown has gotten to him. I know he got to me earlier this week when he was out of school my first 3 days of working from home due to snow/ice. How am I ever going to survive the next 2 weeks with him at home with mounds of energy? Tony and I decided that Mrs. Gildehaus needs a serious raise.

So...Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year too! (maybe I'll be getting that digital camera for Christmas and have some awesome new photos to share in the New Year.)

The Last Supper

We often think of the Last Supper in the biblical settings, but today was a last supper of a different kind. Today - 3 ladies who have worked closely together over the past few years went to their last work day lunch.

Yes - the economy has struck and today was Debbie's last day. I know Debbie will move on and be happy with her bigger than life personality, but change is always a little scary. In the coming weeks, I know that Angela and I will probably be making our last QT run at lunch and each moving in different career directions. (PS. QT please open a store in Troy.)

So in honor of Debbie's last day - cheers to us all and may the future hold wonderful memories to be made.

The Last Appetizer

The Aftermath!

Holiday Countdown

Well... I haven't been on here for awhile. Shame on me. I do want to say that the Holiday Countdown has begun and the Stewarts are READY! I get to put up the tree next week. YIPPEE.

Tony's Angel

Not that there was ever any doubt, but my husband most defiantly has a guardian angel.

Today on his way to an interview in St. Louis Co, Tony was in an accident on highway 70. He came across a small bend on the highway looking straight at a midsize car facing the wrong way. Tony tried to avoid hitting the car, but ended up spinning the vehicle and hit the midsize car. This impact threw his vehicle over the car and it rolled. The car then went into the right hand lanes of traffic, where 2 semis took care of the rest.

Lucky for us, Tony was able to crawl out of the window of the SUV. He went to the hospital for tests and to clean up his cuts. All tests were good and the cuts on his head will heal.

This day could have ended much differently. It is a blessing that all we are dealing with are some cuts, headache and a body that will be terribly sore tomorrow I'm sure.

P.S. Tony extends his apologies to Sgt. Patton since it was his vehicle he was driving.

I'm an AUNT!

I am the proud aunt of a wonderful little boy. Gavin Joseph Hotop was born September 26th at 3:51 am. He weighed in at 6lbs and was 19" long. He has a head full of dark brown hair and his daddy's sideburns! He is still in the hospital since he was 5 weeks early, but doing well.

Soccer Game#1

First game of the season. What can I say? There is nothing like watching the kids run around the field beaming smiles of joy and chasing a ball without any rhyme or reason. We struggled with knowing which way to kick the ball first half of the game. (Coach P worked on that at the next practice.) Overall, it was a good experience (besides the kids on the other team calling our kids losers! We'll show them later in the year!). Jase scored a goal and was pretty much happy with that.

Jase nursing the water cooler! (if you can see it....)

"We're gonna crush you!" yelled Jase after being called a loser.

Jase at the bottom of the pile.

Kicking our first GOAL!

Going head to head with the "experienced" kid.

Nothing like a little team huddle at the end of the good game. Good luck next time boys!

First Day - Kindergarten Photos

Here are just a few photos of the first day of Kindergarten last week. Jase loves his school, class and teacher!

Rocking out on the way to school.
Not excited at all!
Walking to the room.
Found his chair.
See ya mom and dad. It's all good.