Happy 75th Birthday Dad!!!

Today is my Dad's 75th Birthday!! :) I can't believe he's that old already! But I sure am glad he's had the chance to see my boys grow up so far. I know how much he means to my boys and Mom has said that he thinks of our boys as his own. And I know they love him dearly as well! Infact, Josiah told me last night that he misses Grandpa and wants to spend the night there, so he's going there Saturday night! :) I thought that was really sweet! :)

Merry Christmas to all!!

Our family, while at the Holidazzle parade, Nov. 27th, 2010. This was the first year Isaac and Josiah got to with us to the Holidazzle parade in Minneapolis. Martin and I have been there a couple times, but the boys were really excited about going for the very first time! Part of the fun is being outside in the cold, enjoying the parade. (thankfully it only lasts 1/2 hour or it could be a bitterly cold time). We stayed at the Millenium hotel which is just a couple blocks from where the parade starts (and is right on the Nicollet Mall).

Me and my boys... don't they look so enthused?!?! :) ha ha... this is the Sunday after thanksgiving and we were walking to the downtown Macy's to see the floor they have all decked out for the Holidays. Each year is a different theme, so this year it was "a year in the life of an elf", or something like that. It was lots of fun to see all the work they went into making it a big production. Definitely a must see! :)

Martin and the boys enjoying their hot cocoa while watching the Holidazzle parade

Isaac, Martin and Josiah and first off - NO! Isaac is NOT standing on anything to make him taller! Isn't it fun to see how the boys have grown? I know you've seen it in your kids, but when its your own, it just doesn't seem to be possible. If I remember right, Isaac was almost taller than his Grandma Josie last year, and is almost taller than both my parents too. And yes, soon Isaac will be taller than both Martin and myself!

Isaac is in 6th grade this year and really enjoys it. This year is the first year that Isaac has been in the High School part of School. Strange! He doesn't seem to mind it though and actually he gets to hear his Aunt Michelle make announcments every morning now.. That's pretty special huh?! :) Aunt Michelle has threatened to make a goofy announcement just to Isaac, but of course she's too nice to do that! And it would totally embarrass Isaac!! Isaac is involved with Chess in School, and has enjoyed playing ball in the summer time too. He also loves playing with Legos, Hot wheels and LOVES taking things apart! His latest endeavor has been to take apart a car that Josiah had. He took it all apart and then found my E6000 glue and started putting it back together. I tell you, there have been parts laying all over the house!

Josiah is in 3rd grade this year and just loves it. We have been to fortunate to have wonderful teacher for our boys in the Public School! :) they are VERY helpful and you can tell that they care about their students! Josiah joined Cub Scouts last year and this year he was the top Salesman for our District selling $2,570.00 (last year Isaac got top Salesman with selling $2,300). Josiah loves Cub Scouts, AWANA and Sunday School. Josiah also enjoys playing ball in the summertime and taking swimming lessons. He loves Legos too, Hot wheels, drawing and jamming to tunes! His latest thing is growing his hair out. You can see that a little bit by these pictures, and he usually takes care of it pretty good too. He got lots of comments on it at the Elementary School program last night. People like his longer hair and even Grandpa has said that it looks nice.

Martin and I - what can I say? This year we celebrated 12 years of marriage... Wow does time fly there too!

I'm still involved with Cub Scouts and helping with Sunday School (1st and 2nd graders). I celebrated my 15th year here at Bargen Incorporated as well. Wow has time really gone by fast!... Martin is with Bargen Inc. as well, as Roofing Estimator/Foreman for the Flat Roof Division. He really likes his job as every job is different, so there is always something new to learn and/or do. In January he'll be going to TX to visit his family for 3 1/2 weeks! The boys and I are so jealous that he gets to spend time with them, but we know he will give them our love and hugs!

We were so excited to have some of Martin's family here for vacation in July/August! :) Martin's 2 sisters - Frances and Eloisa were here along with Fran's kids - Bella, Jayce and Aiden. Family friend, Raquel came along and so did Martin's cousins, Rita, her hubby Victor, and sons Edgar, Abraham and Josh. They wanted to go to the Mall of America, so we went up there for 2 days and the rest all spent another 2 days up in the Cities. Finally, on Friday that week, Rita and her family met us in Mankato for the opening day of Vikings Training camp. We had a really good time with everyone and we wish it could happen more often! (for pictures of our time with family, please see the previous post)

Above all, we thank our Heavenly Father, who, without Him, we would be nothing. We need to give Him all the Glory we can for all the wonderful things we have in our lives, including our families and friends. We love you all very much and wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas! :)

With love from us all ~

Martin, Michelle, Isaac and Josiah