Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Lions vs Packers (12/28/08)


Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions
On Saturday morning, I found out that Dad got me tickets to the game. I was so happy, because I had wanted this gift more than anything. I was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan more than 11 years ago. I started being a Lions fan to annoy Logan. It worked! But then I started really liking the team. I figure since I was born in MI, I am allowed to be a Lions fan. Anyway, Dad and I got up early Sunday morning to leave for Green Bay. I complained because of all the layers of clothes Mom made me wear. There was a lot of traffic, and the weather was not good. We got to church late. Whenever we are in Green Bay, we go to Pilgrim Lutheran Church. It is sort of across the street from Lambeau Field. My parents know one of the pastors, Pastor Malme. He used to be the Pastor at their church in Rockford, IL. After church, we went to Lambeau Field to get our tickets. We had really good seats...Section 125, Row 51, Seat 10. We were on the Lions side! I stood up and cheered loudly when the Lions were introduced, while everybody else booed. Dad wouldn't let me boo when the Packers were introduced. I gotta say that I did not like the smokers, the fans chanting bad things about the Detroit Lions, and of course, the Lions losing. I did like being there with my Dad. Besides our feet freezing, we were totally warm. After the game we went to Old Country Buffet. We did not like the food there. We should have gone anywhere but there. Then we stopped off at Shopko's so Dad could look at the Christmas stuff. By the time we got home, it was about 8:15 P.M.







Sledding at Currie Park (12/26/08)


The day after Christmas, we spent time at Curry Park sledding. I am proud to say that I did not hit a tree! It was a Scheuer Outing: Peter, Sarah, Ryan, Stephen, Heather, Isaiah, Ben, Elsiana, Adam, Jill, and Ellie joined the five of us. It was a new experience for little Ellie. She was fine going down a couple times on the sled, but preferred to walk down instead. Elsiana had the smallest tube I have ever seen. Katherine almost made the big jump. Brett went on it two times and had lots of fun!

Jill's Surprise Birthday Party (12/27/08)

Jill's Surprise Birthday Party
Jill's 30th birthday is not until January 12th, but Adam and Jill's Parents, Terry & Dorothy, planned a surprise party for her over Christmas Break. The party was on a rainy winter day, at Club Garabaldi on the South side of town. Besides for the smoke, it was a wonderful place to hold all Jill's friends and relatives. There was great "snacky" foods, good conversations, and games. Happy Birthday, Jill! May God bless you with good health (for you and Peanut) and good memories.















Monday, December 29, 2008

Merry Christmas! (12/2508)

Christmas Day
When Jim & I were kids, we would get up early to look under the Christmas tree. This morning, our children were in bed sleeping. We were all up quite late last night, but it's Christmas Day! When they got up, we went down and sat on the sofa. Jim read the Christmas Story from the book of Luke. Then we, from the youngest to the oldest, opened gifts. Katherine's big gift was a autographed picture of Mia Hamm. Brett got a Detroit Lions fleece sweatshirt and necktie. Logan got the Iron Man DVD. Jim big gift was a very soft bathrobe, and I got a Wii Fit. We went to Mount Olive's Christmas Day Worship Service.



After taking Lucy out, we drove out to Oconomowoc. We spent the day with the Scheuers. The big surprise gift for Bill & Bobbie was a 42" TV.


Felicia, Ryan, Sarah, and Peter


Jill, Ellie, and Adam











After a very long Christmas Day, Brett and Katherine slept all the way home!

Christmas Eve Wednesday (12/24/08)

Christmas Eve


The Children's Choir sang at the 6:30 P.M. service. After church, we had a Gaba Gathering at our house. Jim made his famous chili. I made desserts. Bedull, Daut & Sue, and Latif & Ruth brought appetizers. The cousins played on the Wii, while we sat upstairs quoting lines from "It's a Wonderful Life." We were laughing so hard. We all have that classic movie memorized! Afterwards we went down to play on the Wii and take a group picture. It was a nice night with family.

Illinois Trip (12/22/08)

This is the 3rd year that Jim, Pastor, and I spent the day in Illinois. We changed things up a bit. With the bitter cold and biting wind, we decided to skip walking around downtown Chicago. Yes, we missed going to the Christmas Market, but we did still have fun. We drove to Glencoe and went to the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Wow...it was beautiful! It was not as big as Milwaukee's Mitchell Park Domes, but the tropical flowers and trees were so nice. We walked through the Winter Wonderland: trains all around Chicago landmarks made of natural products (acorns,bark, twigs, trees, etc.).





Shedd Aquarium


Old Soldier Field




We shopped at North Brook Court. Jim and Pastor helped pick out a Christmas dress for Katherine at Hanna Andersson. We grabbed a late "lunch"...bagels at Max's Delicatessen.
We drove past some incredibly huge houses and walked around in Lake Forest. What a quaint little town! After shopping at another mall, we drove to Gurnee and had supper at Giordano's.

M.O. Christmas Program (12/17/08)

Brett and Katherine had their Christmas Program this evening. We were blessed to have a full pew of spectators...Jim's parents, Jim, Logan, me, Kyle, Lisa, and Pastor.

Christmas Caroling (12/15/08)

Every year our family looks forward to Christmas Caroling at the Lutheran Home with other church members. We had a record attendance tonight: 30 people!