Saturday, February 21, 2015

They sure do grow up fast








I always loved the picture of the kids on our bed and I had been meaning to "retake" it for a LONG time and today I finally did it. Dominic was just a few months old and Isabella was 2.5 in the first picture, second picture Dominic is 4.5 and Isabella is almost 7. Where did the time go? My babies are growing up so fast! 4.30.10 It was time to let go of the old bedding that we had from our first house. I took on last photo of the kids again so I could do a recap of them growing up with the bedspread. Dominic 9 Isabella 11.5  Jan2015

Flash back photos





Saturday, December 20, 2014

Christmas Letter 2014


We have had another year full of God’s grace and blessings.  We have now been in our new house for 2 years and we are still working to do little projects to make it our own.  Over the summer we took on the basement.  When we moved in the basement could be described as a “movie/game room-man cave” It has black ceilings, deep red walls and dark gray trim.  It was pretty dark down there.  It took many days and many coats of paint to transform it into the beautiful living space we now love.  Hoping to work on transforming our bedroom and the laundry room in 2015. Home improvement projects just got more fun now that Ikea has opened in Kansas City 

Our family was able to take an amazing vacation to Colorado over the summer. We stayed in a cabin with my aunt and her family for the first few days and we were able to see my dear friend Gina and her family too. We climbed mountains, visited the Mother Cabrini shrine, went to many state parks, tried out paddleboards and overall had a wonderful time enjoying God’s creation.
Our family continues to be involved with The Heart of the Redeemer Catholic Community.  It is so refreshing to have a community of support as we try to live out a Christian life in today’s world.  It has been a blessing to have our children thriving in their youth groups and to have men’s and women’s groups & faith formation for the adults as well.

Isabella is now 11 and started 6th grade this fall. She loves reading, writing and being creative. She still wants to be an artist/designer when she grows up.  She spends her free time devouring books, drawing or creating art projects. Her favorite subject in school this year is science (although she changes her answer to this question frequently). She continues to take piano lessons and is becoming quite the little composer. She is also participating in art classes, book club and is in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. She ran track again last spring and improved her race times from the previous year. She also participated in several summer camps. She was the Queen of Hearts in the Act One summer theater camp. This was also her second year participating in the Dunrovin Christian camp in Minnesota. She had a wonderful time canoeing, participating in prayer meetings and having a blast with friends.
This fall she was cast as “Thing 1” in Suessical the Musical Jr.  She did an amazing job and looked super cute with blue hair.  Isabella continues to bless our family with her creativity and joy.

Dominic just turned 9 in this fall and had a Lego castlecake.  He loves playing Legos and makes some pretty amazing creations. He is in the 3rd grade this year and loves to read, just like his big sister.  He is especially fond of the Peter and the Star Catchers series (which is a prequel to Peter Pan).  When he grows up he wants to be an artist/designer or a scientist.  His favorite subject in school this year is reading.  He continues to take piano lessons and is such a fast learner. He is also participating in art lessons, book club, boy scouts and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This fall he joined the St. Andrew’s basketball team and is looking forward to his first game in January. 
Last spring he ran track and earned many medals for his speed. Over the summer he attended Weblos camp with his dad and had a great time doing archery, shooting BB guns and repelling.  Dominic is always bringing joy to our family with his contagious laughter and fun sense of humor.

Michael continues to work as a creative director at Salva O’Renick. He and Christina coached the 6-10 year old track team again last spring. Bringing home the state trophy for the girl’s team. Michael is also involved in “That Man is You” at our parish.  In his free time he has been working on greening up our lawn and tackling home improvement projects. He has been playing guitar for praise & worship during small group meetings and he continues to take piano lessons with the family as well.  In his free time Michael enjoys bike riding with the kids and Nerf gun wars.

Christina has had a busy year home schooling a 3rd grader and 6th grader. She has also been running a middle school book club and coordinates the St. Margaret’s track and field day in the spring.  She and Michael continue to teach Natural Family Planning once a month at St. Andrew’s parish, sharing God’s plan for marriage and family.  In her free time she enjoys photography and reading.

Life has been full of Blessings this past year.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas & a joyful New Year.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Christmas Carol

 Outside the theater stage, KC Rep.
We went for the first time to see the Christmas Carol, it was amazing.
 The beautiful lobby Christmas tree.
England back drop like the Christmas Carol set.
12.11.14

Happy Feast of St. Nicholas 2014

 Dominic got an R2D2 ornament from us.
Isabella got a Tinkerbell ornament.
12.6.14

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Visiting Great Grandma Buhman

12.11.14

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Merry Christmas 2014

 Not sure why this picture didn't make the cut?




Dominic and Stella in Christmas cheer.
12.7.14

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Cast PJ Party

 All the kids got together at the end of the night and did their finale dance one more time.


The Cast of Suessical Jr.
12.2.14

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Thanksgiving 2014


 Aunt Amie & Isabella
A little ping-pong at uncle Jeffrey's new house.
Thanksgiving dinner 11.29.14

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Friday, November 21, 2014

Suessical Jr.: Starring Isabella as Thing 1

 Lots of amazing friends came to see the show and support Bella
It was such a blessing to have amazing family and friends!
 Grandma & Papa came too.
 So excited to get flowers and gifts from her fans.

 The Cat in the Hat and his Thing 1 & Thing 2

 Mrs. Meier & Sam with Bella
 The Bauer family
The Elmans
11.21.14
 The SPO Missionaries & the Hardesty family
 Ms. Terah, Isabella's music teacher
 Mrs. A (Isabella's art teacher) & her grandkids
Mary & Lucy

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Sets crew: Suessical Jr. 2014

It was great working with these wonderful ladies making all the great sets for the show. Thanks Beth & Maureen for a fun season.
 The amazing Circus McGurkus train
 Look at the cute t.v. I made!


I did the cute Cat in the Hat box too.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Happy Birthday Dominic

 Dominic made this little Lego birthday boy in honor of his birthday.
 Dominic was in need of a bigger bike....just in time for his birthday.
 It was 19 degrees out on his birthday...did that stop him? Nope!
 Birthday breakfast, biscuits and gravy
 Cupcakes to give to his friends today at art class
 9 candles


He was so super excited on his birthday morning, he woke us all up at 6:30am!