The Elf on The Shelf!

Last year we started the cutest tradition with the kids, The Elf on the Shelf. The kids loved it. Ben was 5 and was excited by it and Will was 3, so didn't understand so much. But this year - they are both loving it. Last night our elf, Frosty, appeared. The boys didn't spot him on his watching post until the afternoon, but when they did - they were giddy with joy. All day, they wanted to look at him and make sure he was still there. The first time our elf appears - you normally read the book first and then a few days later - the elf appears. This year, since Ben remembered him - the Elf appeared and then tonight we read the story so Will would understand the "no touching" rule. Since touching him makes him lose his magic and then he can't report back to Santa.

Here's a photo of his first night in the Wilke home. Perched on top of the entertainment center (always in a location out of Will's reach). Will told me tonight that he could knock him off, then Frosty would get up and walk and then he could touch him. So we emphasis the "No touching."

Here's the story of The Elf On the Shelf for those of you who aren't famliar. If you have small kids - it's a fun tradition to start!

A beautiful story of an Elf sent by Santa to your home to watch over the family, reporting the nice and naughty episodes of the day each evening when he returns to the North Pole, creates such a beautiful tradition. But reading the story is only the beginning of the new tradition. The book comes with an antique-style Elf, formed to sit on your shelf. Each morning, the Elf returns from Santa's homestead and finds a new place to perch. The children search for the Elf. They're allowed to talk to him, but he can't talk back. They may not touch him, but they may watch him as he watches them. He's a constant reminder of the spirit, of happiness, of good-ol'-fashioned Christmas.

Thanksgiving Memories!

The original Thanksgiving post is below this one. I don't know how to reverse the order and I wanted to add more than 5 photos....
This is Will with his turkey hat on that he made in school. Isn't he cute?


Olivia and Will jumping on the trampoline. I'm taking the photo from inside my kitchen b/c it was too cold outside and I'm quite the wimp in the cold.


David and Ben playing chess. A daily occurrence in our house. Ben is now beating David at a few games and Ben loves it!

My mom, dad and Will stopping for a photo before my parents leave.

My dad. He had a stroke a few years ago that paralyzed the left side of his body. He hasn't been real happy and maybe has been in a depression. When I saw this picture - I wanted to cry. He's smiling - something I haven't seen in awhile. It brings joy to my heart to see the man that he was before the stroke.

Our Thanksgiving!

We actually had two Thanksgiving meals. The first was at my Aunt Charlie's house. We go there every year sometimes before Thanksgiving and sometimes on Thanksgiving. This year it was the Sunday before Thanksgiving. There were 30 of my family members on my mom's side. It's always great fun to hang out with my cousins. We have a tradition of eating our big meal then going for a 2 mile walk down Coyote Road to walk off the big meal. It's always something I look forward too.

Here's a photo of the entire family. As you can see - it's quite disorganized, which is my least favorite way to take a picture. No one knew where to stand or how to group and they weren't listening to me - so I had to roll with the chaos. But we captured the family - and that was the whole point of the shot.

On Thanksgiving Day, David cooked a wonderful meal for us. He went very simple. Didn't cook a big turkey or cook the sides from scratch (like he normally does). He got a few turkey breasts and got sides that were frozen stouffers meals. It was the best Thanksgiving meal I think I've had. It was less fuss - took very little prep time and was the best.

We had my parents over and then my cousin, Sherri, and 2 of her three children, Chelsea and Olivia. It was a great day. Relaxing and a lot of fun.

Here are a few photos from our day. Andy was asleep during the time that my cousin and my parents were here.

This is in the morning. I was holding my dog, muffy. She's 15 years old, blind and deaf and she LOVES to be cradled like a baby. And good thing b/c I LOVE it too. I watch tv and just cradle her, I walk around cradling her while doing chores. She's the sweetest dog. That's Andy there w/his hand on her. He wanted to cradle her too - but he couldn't quite figure it out. So cute!

Ben, while beating daddy at Chess!


Me and my cousin, Sherri.

Chelsea, my cousins daughter. I'm sure you all have one of these teenagers who cover their face or hide it when the camera comes by. I'm SO not use to that. My boys are big hams for the camera! If Andy sees a camera, he'll look at it and say "Cheese."

A time to give Thanks!

As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to stop and reflect on what this year has brought. We have had a wonderful year. And we KNOW that we are so very blessed this Thanksgiving.

• I am thankful for my husband that loves me dearly. He definitely carries the burdens of the family on his shoulders and always makes sure our needs are met big or small. He gives unselfishly to us almost daily. He gives me all that I need and desire in a husband and a friend. He truly is my one and only true love. He knows when I need 'time' or a minute of rest and he makes sure that I get it. I have loved him since the day I met him and could never love a man as much as I do him. I feel blessed that this man chose me to be his wife and the mother of his children and for that I am grateful. In January we will celebrate our 6th year of marriage, but a few days before that - we will celebrate 14 years of friendship. I love to look back on the last 14 years because it makes me smile. He challenges me and truly is my bestfriend.
• I am indebted to my parents. The two people who I embrace with great respect, admiration and love. Next year they will celebrate 50 years of marriage. What an astounding honor in our world today. I feel blessed to have an incredible role model for my marriage. My parents love me no matter what I do, and they are always there to tell me when I'm wrong and pick me up if I fall. I'm thankful for their love and that they are healthy and here with me today.
• I am overcome with thanksgiving for my 3 precious boys. What a blessing they are! What an incredible blessing! It has been a journey from single life, to married life to being a mother of 3. This wasn't ever my plan for my life - but it was God's plan - and for that I'm thankful. I have the best boys in the world. Ben, is my heart. He knows how to challenge me and how to break my heart at the same time. Will, is my love. He knows when I can't go on another minute and the one thing I need is a hug, a kiss or to hear "I love you mommy" and he is always there. And Andy, is my joy. He brings me bright days full of laughter and fun. All my boys are different and unique and they are definitely a joy. Being a mother has been my biggest challenge in my life - but it's definitely the greatest. I'm thankful today for 3 healthy, smart, loving boys.
• I have said before that not many people get one friend in their lifetime who is a real true friend. I have so many! I have friends that I've had since grade school who are truly a blessing to me. I have new friends and old friends who I couldn't get through my day without. My friends are my lifelines, my way to cope with the world - and I thank you!
• I am thankful for my Church. I was out of Church for a few years when Will was sick and was unable to take him into any type of daycare setting. Finally when he was well - and Ben was 5, I took Ben and Will back to Church. I prayed for months before that day that the boys would love it - that all would go well in their classes b/c I really craved the fellowship that I got from Church. God answered my prayers! The boys loved it! It gives me great joy when they ask almost daily if it's time to go to Church. If we happen to miss a Sunday, they are sad and want to know why we can't go. It makes me happy! I will always take them to Church and show them God's love. My mother took me to Church faithfully, every Sunday, and for that I am grateful. It was the best thing that she ever did for me.

I love the Lord and I'm thankful for all that He bestows upon my family. I know that we are blessed and I pray daily, all day for all the tiny blessing that I get througout the day (a close parking spot, not fighting with Ben over the computer, Will putting on his pants, Andy sleeping in, David letting me sleep in.) There's always things I'm thankful for. But mostly, I'm thankful for a God that loves me unconditionally and allows me to have this wonderful life that I have. I have an abundance of blessings and I couldn't ask for anything more!

We had our big family gathering on Sunday at my Aunt Charley's house. It's a tradition and we've been doing it since I can remember. It's always fun and it's the one time that you can count on all of us being together. Tomorrow, I will sit around the dinner table with David, my 3 boys, my parents, my cousin and her two girls. We will give thanks for all that God gives us and doesn't give us - and for all that we have b/c we truly are blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kate

Florida!

I took my annual trip to Florida this year for the last and final Super Soap Weekend. I left on Thursday the 13th and came back the following Thursday, the 20th.

The first day I was there (Thursday) - I went to downtown Disney ate at Rainforest Cafe for lunch and then just walked around. I went back to Rainforest Cafe for dinner and at 7:55, ran outside and was able to see the space shuttle taking off - which what appeared to be a shooting star. It was awesome to experience that. A girlfriend that I met the first year on the plane, met me again this year and we stayed together. She and her boyfriend met me for dinner. We hung out awhile and then called it a night.

Friday - I went to Discovery Cove to swim with the dolphins and in the coral reef. This was phenominal! I will definitely do it again, and again, and again.... My one and only life dream was to swim with dolphins and now I am set. My dolphins name is Hutch and it was love at First Sight with the two of us. My girlfriend (Nikki) and I had 8 hours to swim with the dolphins, the coral reef, and swim in the cove. It was awesome. We took naps, ate good food and truly relaxed. We were both so happy that we did this the 2nd day of our trip. We both were like "Ok, this good - we can go home now." It was the highlight of the trip.

Saturday and Sunday was Super Soap Weekend. This was my 4th year, so I didn't have alot of expectations for the weekend - except that it would be packed b/c it was the last! Surprisingly, it was not. It really wasn't bad - which was great! It was good. I enjoyed it as always. I was able to stand up in one of the talk shows and speak to Greg Vaughn who graduated from my high school and who now plays on General Hospital. I got to remind him of our hometown and get a photo with him. That was fun!

Saturday night, Nikki and I met her boyfriend (Sam) and some of his friends in Orlando at City Walk. I watched a boxing fight. Something I never in my life thought I would do. Didn't enjoy that so much. However, I did enjoy the great time that I had with Sam's friends. What a great bunch of people! We watched the fight and then went to a piano bar. I haven't had that much fun in so long. It was great to be my old self again and laugh and be fun! Definitely another highlight of my trip for sure.

Another day while I was there I went to Sea World. I got free tickets with my discovery cove pass - so I had to at least go. It was freezing the day I went. A cold front had moved in. It was nice to see. I've been to the one in San Antonio and it's much bigger than the Orlando one. It was nice and I'm glad I experienced it. But I was happy to get back to my warm hotel and crawl under the covers.

I ate at Rainforest Cafe a few more times, did a little shopping, sight seeing and then it was time to come home. It was a great vacation and great fun! I think next year I'll go back even though Super Soap isn't going to be there - just to go to the Discovery Cove. I'll stay shorter time, but I have to experience it again. It was definitely a chance in a lifetime.

Front Yard Foto

Mom's away so I get to play photographer... Backdrop goes up on the garage door and a couple lights come out... 1 umbrella camera left and grid spot at camera right to hit the back drop only... Of course, was working way too fast to notice that my aim was off on the background spot. Plus the light is a little to bright back there and to top it off, literally, I chopped off my own head. Is it still a self-portrait if you're almost not in it?




Ok, got the framing now just missing the aim on the spot. Not gonna Photoshop it (or am I just too lazy?)

At least I got this kid to throw off some 'tude...

...and a brief glimpse at some brotherly love...

We miss our mommy!