Celebrate Good Times

New Year's Eve with spent with family and friends...

We met for dinner, bowling, drinks, music and prizes at Ham Lake Lanes.

We had a great time throwing some balls, eating the pizza buffet, blowing our kazoos

and jammin' out to music!

It was a great event to end 2010...

As pictured below...

Back Row (from left to right): Peter (Sam's brother), Tim, Sam, Doug (Sam's stepdad) and Al

Middle Row (from left to right): Joanne, Amanda, Stacy, Sylvia (Sam's mom) and Jan

Front Row (from left to right): Caden, Calli and Alexis

The competition was fierce...;)

Caden, Alexis and Calli won some fun prizes this evening...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Snow Days

We headed up North the day after Christmas to hang out with The Barta's and do some snowmobiling. We are trying to take advantage of all this old-fashioned winter snow we have received, so this was no exception...

we had SNOW much fun!

Over the course of one and half days as a family we put on over 125 miles.

Two by two (on each snowmobile) we enjoyed the serene beauty of the snow and nature.

Along our journey, we encountered a few "bumps" in the road. It all started on Monday morning as we ventured out on the lake to gain access to the trail. As you know, we have received a lot of snow (setting a record in December) and with the weight of the snow on the lakes it has pushed water up to the surface. Well, this freezes and creates very icy, slick conditions on the lakes. Well, this ice caused Lisa and I to go spinning...we eventually (what seemed like an eternity) were stopped by the snowmobile ski catching snow/ice and sending us for a whirl. The next thing I knew we were on our backs with my snowmobile on its side. I lay there wondering what the heck just happened and then realized...ouch! Lisa and I are recovering from some funky green and purple bruises on all bony protrusions on our left sides...;( Needless to say, I was a little fearful to get back on...but, I thought about what I say to my children in similar situations, "You have to get back on and try again". And so, Lisa (being a good sport) and I got back on and rode 100 miles.

As the afternoon came, so did our hungry bellies and empty gas tanks. Going along with our planned route we stopped in a local city to grab some "fried" food and fill the snowmobiles up. What we didn't know...was that this city on the trail map was closed for business!

Thank goodness for this farmer passing by and giving us advice and directions to nearest city that was OPEN for business.

One of the many animals we encountered...TURKEYS!

Thanks for the fun memories (some more fun than others ;)

and for your warm hospitality, Barta's.

It's great enjoying the winter outdoors with you!

Merry Christmas!

We had a blessed Christmas this season, one that we are very thankful for...

we were able to spend it with family from far and near because family is the

best part of Christmas!

THE MAGIC OF THIS CHRISTMAS INCLUDED:

• A wonderful Christmas Eve dinner filled with lots of pasta and salad, a scrumptious cookie plate overflowing with Christmas goodies and delicious ice cream cake roll with homemade fudge (thanks, Bill!)
• Seven giggling cousins
• Fabulous dice game gifts and presents...Menard's gift card, lighted mirror, Victoria Secret's gift card, Justice gift card, Dennis The Menace DVD, silk scarf, LED garage light, Hunting game, Bendaroos, iTouch sound docks, Orbeez, and so much more
• Seeing the kids' faces light up as Santa passed by the window to drop off a bag of presents for the children
• Feeling the love of family
• Setting out the plate of cookies and cup of milk for Santa on Christmas Eve
• Amanda and Sam home to share the Holidays with us
• Awaking on Christmas morning to Caden tapping my shoulder to come and see what Santa brought him (drawing supplies)
• Feeling the love, peace and joy of Christ at Christmas Mass
• Remembering those who have passed on and are watching over us
• Watching Sam and Amanda experience their first snowmobile ride, journey and rollover
• Enjoying a Mexican dinner of fresh grilled fajitas and sultry sides
• Calli relaxing with her own personal body massage by her Auntie Amanda
• Looking silly as we played Calli's new game of Hedbandz
• Watching tears of joy run down my Mom's face as she gazed over the scrapbook calendar I created for her
• Being together
• Feeling the love of my husband and children as I open my gifts, especially picked out by them
• Watching the expressions on the faces of those who received gifts that they have yearned for
• LOVE

God bless you in this season

of peace and hope and light.

May your heart be merry

and may your joy be bright.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

What Goes Up Must Come Down

This year we were enthusiastic to join The Barta's (and their friends) on their annual Christmas Eve day sledding extravaganza! We met at a local park in Coon Rapids to enjoy the great sledding hill along with many, many laughs! The snow was perfect, the hot chocolate hit the spot and we (the Lekson's) tried something new...

The Snow Gang...

It was a fantastic morning to enjoy being outdoors and capture some great photos...

(The Barta Family)

Mark and I tried snowboarding for the first time...Mark was a little more successful at getting to the bottom of the hill than me (but, not always standing up...;) The kids, however, are great at snowboarding and catching some awesome air over the jumps...

Caden got to open an early Christmas present this morning...a new snowmobile sled!

We couldn't resist giving him his gift to try out on the hill.

It was a hit by all who tried it...and it is soooo cute!

Caden is progressing well at learning to snowboard...

he has moved onto bigger and better hills than what we have to offer in our yard...
and grabbing some amazing air...:0

Thanks for the great invitation, Barta's, we are looking forward to joining in on the fun next year!

You're Invited...

This afternoon I celebrated the holiday season with Caden and his first grade class.

Just like the last party, Mr. Lofgren planned activities for the entire day!

There was FUN had by all and I was glad that I got to be a part of it...

One of my duties as a class volunteer was to organize and help with an activity. I chose to help the children with a craft...my favorite! I found a great foam snowman ornament kit at Joann's Etc. and it was a BIG hit with the kids. They had a great time gluing and assembling the glitter snowman that included a picture of themselves. Bummer...I was too busy constructing the craft and helping the kiddos that I forgot to capture a photo of the cute finished project...:(

The first graders created 2 more fabulous crafts that included, Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and a Christmas tree ornament...

Mr. Lofgren has his very own Christmas tree in their classroom! The kids love the original ornaments that have been there from previous years (students) and they also loved bringing in their gifts to put under the tree until the BIG party day...

The time had finally come to commence the "musical gift exchange"! The kiddos were so EXCITED to gather up the gift they brought in to share with one another and start the exchange.

As the holiday music started and stopped the kids went around and traded gifts, with each pause of the music the children had to decide if this was the gift they were going to keep. If not, the music played on and the trading continued....it continued until the very last child was confident he had chose the perfect gift! Whoa, I wasn't sure when the madness was going to end, as you may know, 6 year olds can have troubles making decisions...;)

Caden was elated to receive Yahtzee (again-we have 2 at home ;)

it has become one of his favorite games to play as a family. The children also received a gift from Mr. Lofgren...2 books! These have also become favorites of Caden...

The class enjoying an all time holiday classic-The Gingerbread Man by Jan Brett...

What would a party be without TREATS??? We enjoyed some sugar cookies that were decorated with frosting and LOTS and LOTS of sprinkles...mmm!

Mr. Lofgren spent a few minutes with every child to personally thank them for the gifts, cards and goodies he received from them and their families...

Now....home to take 2 Excedrin and a nap!

It's All Downhill From Here

Calli had her very FIRST EXPERIENCE of DOWNHILL SKIING today at Wild Mountain!

She had a wonderful adventure with her fellow fifth grade classmates and her Dad (better him than me :D ). What a great year to learn skiing with all the snow that we have received!

Every student was given a lesson that they had to pass before they could venture out on their own. Calli passed with flying colors and soon she was gliding down the green and blue hills with Mark and her friends...

There were a few encounters along the way, but as the saying goes...

"practice makes perfect"!

What a priceless photo...

Great job, Calli!

P.S. Thanks to Kristin for being our on-location photographer, we were fortunate you forgot your camera and we had ours for you to capture such great photos, THANKS AGAIN!

Music Makes the Heart Sing

Calli participated in a new activity at McKinley this year...CHOIR!

She has become a member of the McKinley Bulldog Choir and has really enjoyed becoming involved in the fall choir. The choir has meet weekly after school on Wednesday's in preparation for their field trip this December to a few local senior centers and for their grand performance at the Mall of America. The theme has been centered around "A Very British Christmas" and all the Christmas carols sung have originated from the British Isles. It has been so great to hear her singing/humming her Christmas carols around the house, she has a lovely voice...

Today I was thrilled to join Calli and the McKinley Bulldog Choir on their field trip to three senior centers/homes and for lunch at Pizza Hut as well! It was very touching to see the elderly people singing along, clapping and enjoying the kids. And what a great event for me to take in some holiday spirit and capture some glorious photos...

The day has come for the grand finale for the McKinley Bulldog Choir...the majestic performance at the MOA! We have been informed that the Mall of America only selects a few elementary schools each Holiday season to participate in their Holiday Music Festival, so we felt very privileged to participate in such an event...

This was the sign that was posted at the entrance to the Sears Rotunda where the Bulldog's performed.

The choir did a fantastic job for a large audience this afternoon. Due to the snow storm from last weekend, the media was predicting over 200 thousand people to visit the MOA this weekend! Whoa...what a great experience!

We are so proud of you, Calli!

Being A Cousin Means...

...sharing in the fun of BMX riding together!

Caden was super excited to have Nicolas join him for a night of BMX practice at Rehbein's!!! They had so much fun tooling around the track that they only took a few minutes out of the 2 hour practice to rest. Mark and I were so impressed on how well Nicolas rode on the indoor track...;) We told him he was a natural and that he had a new summer sport in store for him.

Thanks for taking part and showing your support for Caden in BMX racing...

you are a GREAT COUSIN!

Out With A Bang!

Caden went out with a bang this afternoon with a HAT TRICK (taking first in all three races) for his final BMX race of 2010! That's right...Caden took home a 1st place trophy and was so so very excited. He has had a rough start with riding at the indoor track, but as we have discussed with him...determination, practice, hard work, more practice, confidence and more practice has paid off! Last place or first place, we love you the same!!!

Look out 2011, Lightning Lekson is RIDING HARD!

A Week of Christmas Traditions!

We always have a few set Holiday traditions that we celebrate each Christmas season...this week brought about a few of them!

#1...On Thursday, December 2nd Santa visited our neighborhood to deliver candy canes and collect non-perishable food items for our local food shelf. It was an intense night of waiting and wondering when he was to come down our street...we must of been one of the last stops for the night, because he finally arrived around 8:30 p.m. Showered, in pajamas with food in hand they tore out the door as soon as the lights and sirens were heard!

Although, the pictures did not turn out well this year, the kids sure did LOVE seeing Santa on our fire truck!

#2...Gramma Jo Jo came in tow with her baking supplies to spend the afternoon at our house on Sunday, December 5th to create and decorate Christmas cookies with the kids. It was a lot of work to make the sugar cookie dough, roll the dough and then cut it out into fun Christmas shapes! But, it all paid off with some terrific cookies that were handmade with LOVE!

#3...The evening of Sunday, December 5th brought about dinner and a play at the Season's Dinner Theater at Bunker Hills. This year's musical comedy was called, Casa Flamingo Christmas, and had a touching heartfelt story that revolved around the meaning of "all roads lead home". The food, fellowship and production were outstanding as usual! We had a new guest join us this year...it was great to have Ron (Jan's brother) be a part of this annual Christmas tradition. This year's play was the final production at the Season's Dinner Theater as next year we will joining the Seasons Players for dinner theater at the Majestic Oaks Golf Club in 2011. Make sure to mark this on your calendar for 2011...it is a fabulous tradition to start with your own family!

Thanks, Dad and Mom, for your early planning (they purchased the tickets back in August) and for your generous giving of this gift to be shared with family at Christmas...we love you!

#4...We concluded this fabulous week with dinner and more Christmas cookie decorating with the Rosar Family at their home on Friday, December 10th. We soooo missed having the Therrien family there this year to partake in this annual event...:( The children had a fun time embellishing some very large sugar cookies and gingerbread people! Everyone looks forward to the togetherness we can spend as friends at this time of year...