A Reunion of Great Friends...

Facebook has really been alot of fun. It has helped me re-connect with friends that I have known for almost 30 years as well as friends from all walks of my life.

There's one group in particular that I was able to re-connect with that I have known since I was 7 years old. Suzette, Kerry, Misty, and Brad. We grew up living in the same park.

Here's a photo of -some of us- from our childhood. I don't remember how old we were here - and I think this was Christopher's birthday party. In this photo is my dad, Christopher, me, Misty, Suzette and Ceresa (sadly, she passed away this year).

We had a get together at On the Border, in Mesquite. It was so great to see everyone after all these years. I must say - everyone still looks basically the same. We haven't aged much at all : )

  This is us now... Suzette, Kerry, me, and Misty....

Me and one of my greatest friends, Misty...

Kerry, Me, Suzette, Misty and Brad

Suzette, Me, Kerry, Misty, Michelle (we met her in 7th grade, I think), Suzette's husband, Tracy

(he lived in the park next to ours), and Brad

Hopefully we can have annual get-togethers with everyone. Brad lives in VA, so he comes once a year. But the rest of us all live here in the area, and do actually get together often.

David's Family at Christmas

The day after Christmas, David's sister (Claudia) and brother-n-law (Ray) came over for a visit. We don't have the opportunity to see them very often so the boys were really excited to see them and anxiously awaiting their arrival.

The boys had fun showing them what Santa brought them. Ben showed Aunt Claudia his games he loves to play on the computer, and Will & Andy wrestled with Uncle Ray. They brought gifts and cupcakes for the boys - which they loved. Ben and Will got xbox games (Bolt and Wall-E), and Andy got puzzles, coloring books and bath toys. All big fun!

We went for a walk around the neighborhood - which was nice. It was actually a nice day! Not too cold, alittle windy in some areas - but for the most part a nice day!

We were so happy to be able to spend time with Claudia and Ray. We don't get to see them near enough. Now that Andy's getting older - hopefully we can change that.

Claudia found some pecans from pecan trees and they were quite yummy.

Aunt Claudia and Ben!

Uncle Ray and Will!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




The boys posing in front of the fireplace with Aunt Claudia and Uncle Ray!

My famous group shot in front of the fireplace! If there's a party - you'll see some version of this shot : )

And .... our family!

Christmas Day Walk!

The boys babysitter, Jamie, is home for Christmas and the boys love LOVE spending time with her. She was able to babysit them once and came by a few times to spend time with them. She and Jenna (her sister) came by on Christmas Day to give the boys some yummy homemade cookies and take them for a walk.

I had Jamie take my camera (which I often do) because I love seeing my boys from someone else's perspective.

Ben, Will, Andy, Kuma (my dog), with Jenna

Andy

Will, Andy and Ben standing in front of our neighbor's HUGE Tigger decoration!

Will....

Andy....

Ben....

Andy is walking with Jamie - holding her hand. So, so precious (although he looks alittle tired : ) ....

I love these photos. But mostly, I love that Jamie loves my boys so much. She truly loves spending time with them and it makes them feel so special.

Jenna, Jamie, Ben, Andy, Will (and Alvin!)

The boys and I will be so sad when the time comes and she decides to get a 'real job.' We will miss her terribly!

I feel so lucky to have been given Jamie for my boys. We are so thankful for she and her family - the Herings. Pastor and June Hering are definitely models that I look up to. They are extraordinary parents with four extraordinary children. It shows in Jamie and her siblings what great parents the Herings truly are. I aspire to be just like them....

Merry CHRISTMAS!

The boys woke up BRIGHT and EARLY! William woke up first and he woke up Ben, and then David and I woke up Andy. They were all thrilled and so excited about Santa coming.

Ben and William

Ben and William looking at electric guitar

Andy playing w/his kitchen

David, Ben and William opening gifts

Andy got some play silverware for his kitchen

Andy putting a coke in his refrigerator

Will got some batman toys for his Imaginex castles. We love Imaginex. Great toys and well-made.

Boys having fun : )

It was a great day! We are blessed and so thankful this Christmas for our family, our healthy, smart boys and all we have.

Merry Christmas to you and yours during this Holiday Season.
Love,
The Wilke's

Christmas Eve

The boys are so excited about Santa coming tonight that they can't sleep. We got a little snow flurry - so it made it real for the boys and made it feel like Christmas!

Ben wrote his letter to Santa. He wants his own computer.

I think this is the last year that we can have the 'magic of Santa' with Ben. He suspects something is up. It began last year - but we were able to change the subject and not address it. We didn't really address it this year - it was just known - I guess. I think he knows - but still wants to believe.

My 3 Christmas Boys. Of course - always in their undies!

Next year - I'll have to put pj's on them :)

Will holding snow in his hand. The boys were so excited about the snow.

Leaving cookies, milk and our notes for Santa.

We tracked Santa on Google Earth so we could see when he would be near our house. The boys loved this!

The boys outside playing with the little bit of snow we got. I had to block out the boys b/c of course .... they are in their undies! Next year - CLOTHES!



Boys are in bed and now it's time for Santa to Come!
Ben got his computer and a few xbox games; Will got a keyboard, xbox games and some toys; Ben and Will got an electric guitar; Andy got a kitchen and some toys.

Merry Christmas to my sweet boys and my wonderful Husband who works hard to make it all possible for them! I love you guys!

I was 'Born to be an Engineer."

Ben, Will and Andy and I were down the street visiting with Jamie (the boys babysitter) and Jenna. Jamie's is home for Christmas and the boys always want to spend as much time with her as they can.

It was raining off and on and we were playing basketball, playing with umbrellas and having a good time with them. Jenna and Jamie started asking Ben what he likes to do, what his hobbies are, what sports he likes, what he's into. Everything was "no or nothing really". Then after all the questions he said "forget about it... i was born to be an Engineer."

He has said for the last year that he wants to be an Engineer. He hasn't specified what type of Engineer yet.  His favorite subjects in school are math and science. He loves building things, and trying to figure things out.

He's definitely a go-getter. Over the past few months, he's been really helpful around the house. Doing the laundry, cleaning his room, helping his dad build furniture, basically any chore we ask of him - he will more than likely do. It's been great. I just pray it continues.

Now... to just get Will and Andy to follow in his lead.

Kate's Family for Christmas

Typically every year at Christmas we spend time with my parents and my family. I grew up having big holiday festivities and I loved it. I really want that for my boys. We typically do the traditional holiday food for Thanksgiving and then do Mexican or Italian food for Christmas.

This year we got together on Christmas Eve for lunch and we had Lasagna, Garlic Bread, Pumpkin Pie, and Vanilla Ice-Cream. It was super easy and not stressful at all - which was fantastic. My parents, Christopher, Stephen, Linda, Tiffany and Courtney all came over. It was fun and nice to hang out with family.

Here's my brother, Christopher, playing with the kids. Will, Andy, Courtney (my niece Tiffany's daughter), and Ben. They had a great time with Uncle Christopher and enjoyed him pushing them around on the car. Typically he's outside on the trampoline with them - but it was a really bitter cold, winter, snowey day - so we played inside.

We took my traditional picture in front of the fireplace to mark the occassion.

Christopher, Stephen, Courtney, my dad, Linda, Tiffany, my mom, me, David, Andy, Will and Ben.

"Happy Birthday David!"

Happy 45th Birthday David!

We hung our traditional Birthday sign to surprise him. And showered him with a few special gifts.

David is a wonderful artist. He loves to draw, paint and create. In the warmer months he draws masterpieces on our driveway with chalk. I've taken photos of them, but I wanted to get him something so he could record these wonderful drawings for the boys. We got him a sketch book, charcoal pencils and all the great art supplies he needs to get started.

David had to work on his birthday, but was able to get off alittle early so he could enjoy some time away with our neighbor & good friend, Dave.

It was a great day. I'm anxiously waiting for him to start drawing and creating!

Happy Birthday David .... we love you!

2009 Christmas Card

Usually every year I know what I'm going to do months (sometimes a whole year) ahead of time. But this year - I just really had nothing. I had no fun, creative ideas and really couldn't decide what I wanted to do. We took some photos of the boys playing in a 'rock band' and thought we would use those, but I just really didn't feel it. Here's a few of those....

Here's Andy and Ben...

I couldn't find these on my computer - so copied them off of David's facebook.

And Will....

I got this hat in New York. I thought it was totally cool and fit Will's personality to a tee.

I think I had decided not to do a card (almost), and then I got the coolest card ever from my girlfriend, Michi. And suddenly I had an idea. I took the boys down to the creek by my house and let them just walk around and play. No pressure at all! Just have fun and maybe mommy will snap a few pictures! So that's what we did. From that, came our Christmas card!

Front of card....

back of card....

If you didn't get a Christmas card from me, and you want one - please make sure I have your address for next year and I'll be sure and get one out to you.

It's Christmas Time in the Wilke Family .....

Christmas is always such a fun season for us! The boys are getting old enough to really understand the true meaning of Christmas! And Ben's almost at the age to where he's figuring out about St. Nick. I actually think he knows ... he's just not ready to give up the magic : )

12/1/09: We finally got around to putting up our decorations. And that included the boys trees in their rooms.

Here's Andy, and his tree - in his room ... that he decorated all on his own.

Here's Ben and Will with their tree. I had to crop this picture because as always the boys are in their undies. Very hard to get photos in our house with them wearing clothes.

12/3/09: We loaded up the kids and took them to the Rowlett Tree Lighting. It happened to be FREEZING outside! People were leaving as we were walking off because they couldn't stand the cold. We actually didn't last long either. Just long enough to snap a few photos.

Here we are with the chick-fil-a cows. The boys are interestingly scared of animals in costumes. So of course me, I'm telling them "it's ok, it's only a guy in a costume," rather loudly I was told.

David reminded me not to ruin it for everyone else. Funny, I was not even thinking about it, I

just didn't want the boys to be scared. But I felt bad later. Hopefully I didn't ruin anyones magic.

Here are the boys playing on the Mark Twain statue in front of the library. Funny,
David kept calling it "Einstein" and was wondering why no one else laughed.
Probably not good, but it was only for a quick picture : )

12/4/09: Typically David's mom (Oma) sends the boys chocolate advent calendars. This year - she didn't send them which was ok .... we found these cool lego advent calendars. They had a different lego set for each day to countdown to Christmas! It was pretty cool ... but probably a little too much. I think next year we'll stick to the chocolate advent calendars : )

David, Will & Ben....

Ben...

Will...