Fargo Force Hockey Game

A few weeks ago we were able to enjoy a Fargo Force hockey game with my sister, Jenn, a few of our friends and their children!  Emma loves hockey and hanging out with her buddies, so the evening game was a success!

Baking Cupcakes

Emma loves to bake!  She baked birthday cupcakes with Auntie Jenn Sluke the day before her big 2nd birthday party in Moorhead!

Master's Graduation!

December 16, 2010: This was a wonderful day for our family! After 4 long semesters of graduate classes, I graduated with my Master's in Currculum and Instruction emphasizing in teaching English Language Learners.  It will be nice for our family to be able to relax in the evenings without the stress of thesis writing and phone conferencing.  It will also be nice to be able to make plans at the drop of a hat to visit our friends and family!  We will very much enjoy being free to homework in our home--for a few years anyway!

Wild Hair Day

Emma was able to spend a day with Auntie Jenn Sluke over Christmas break when she stayed with us for a few days in Moorhead while I was still teaching before break.  With this cold and dry weather, Emma's hair goes wild--especially when it doesn't get combed. 

Alot has happened in the last 4 months...

Emma swinging in her favorite swing at the neighborhood park

 Alot has happened in and around out home in the past 4 months.  Here are a few pictures to show some of the exciting moments we have been through! May you be blessed this holiday season and into 2011!

Swimming at Uncle Marcel and Auntie Lisa's backyard pool!

Beautiful Emma at Nana's Quilt Shop in Crookston!

At the SIOUX football game with Nana and Papa Sluke!



At Papa David's basketball game!




Emma and Elliot..do you see any resemblance?




Emma climbing on my recovered rummage sale find!



Emma sleeping on our stairs after a car trip..she was too tired to wake up when we carried her in.



Showing off her SPOILER gear!



Caught wide-eyed with her first Groovy Girl-Ruby!



Clapping at Papa's basketball game in Crookston!  GO SPOILERS!




Proud and relieved after Lori's Master's Graduation!



Showing off her balance and strength--standing straight up on daddy's arms!



Who's just like daddy?  Emma loves to build!




Reading a story with Papa David and Miss Piggy!




With nana and papa Sluke before opening Christmas presents!




In her Halloween Costume in October--what a cute TULIP FAIRY!



I know...I know!

Enjoying some sister time with our little ladies!

I know...I know! It's been way too long. I want to apologize for my lack of posts, but I hate to break it to you....we have been BUSY.  With Nana Cheryl opening the quilt shop just over a month ago, Mommy starting (and successfully completing 2...wait--3 projects) in her new hobby of quilting, Daddy installing the doors in the basement---as well as working on the trim , building a deck, pouring the patio, and pounding nails into the walls wherever I ask him to)...Oh by the way, he planted a tree in our front yard as well....and put up a ceiling fan in our bedroom!  What a wonderful husband I have!

Our Family :)

On top of that, school has started---teaching for me AND learning as I complete my final semester of my Masters Program----Thank the Lord I am almost done!  Now's for finishing my Action Research Thesis Paper--please include us in your prayers as there are many long and stressful nights ahead, I believe.

Other than that, we have tried to relax whenever possible.  It is hard to do with a newly turned 21 month old in the house. If she isn't pulling everything out of a cupboard, she is usually sitting (or squatting) inside of it.  She loves to take ice out of the freezer, lick it, make sure we know it is 'ICE' she's eating, and then toss it in the tub to watch it melt.  She also insists on feeding herself.  She makes sure she has her own plate, fork, spoon.....napkin--almost everything but the kitchen sink, when we sit down for a meal.  She folds her hands and waits for us to pray before we can eat....by that time she has usually snuck in a few bites.  :) Silly girl!!
Her and daddy read a few (or half of the) stories from her baby bible (Thanks Matt and Stacy--our BFFS) every night before bed. It is probably her most worn out book! 
She is also very proud of her new baby cousin Elizabeth Emma Jean Steinbrink--born September 1st (same day as Auntie Kari- 'E') to Elliot's brother Brett and his wife Ashley.  She met her on Saturday, and talked about her the whole way home from our visit. 
Emma is our pride and joy--she is really turning in to a beautiful, smart, and silly young lady. 

Enjoying time with Auntie Jenn and Sonja at Courtney and Justin's wedding in August!!

The beautiful newlyweds!!

Taking out the trash after the Christmas Fabric Opening!

Emma and Jack coloring at Auntie Jenn's shop!

Christmas Fabric Opening at the new shop!

Emma had a blast helping unwrap all of the Christmas fabric at Nana Cheryl's Quilt Shop!

She was very excited about tearing off all of the paper!

She was so excited that she decided to lay on top of this bolt to make sure no one else got a hold of it!

Here muscles are getting pretty strong-she picked up the whole bolt!

Here is bolt number 2!

She's lifting this one up to bring it to the shelf!

The Quilt Shop Hiding Spot

Emma has found the perfect hiding spot underneath Cheryl's checkout counter. There is currently an open cupboard....It will be very disappointing for Emma once sometime else finds a home there!