Every year Santa visits Norwood...
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christmas Letter 2009
Here is a copy of my Christmas Letter for those of you who did not recieve one...
Merry Christmas!!!
I can hardly believe it is time to sit down and write this letter again. So, I sit here and reflect upon the last year and think…Where has it gone? Have we really done anything? What were our highlights/lowlights? How do I fit it all onto one piece of paper? Well, here it goes…Hang on-it may be an interesting ride!
This year we have gone on several family outings.
In January as well as November we made a trip to Duluth and stayed at the indoor water park for a couple of nights. A good friend of mine and her boys were able to come with us for our November trip-there was 6 kids and 3 adults in one hotel room! Can’t wait to do it again (my husband may feel differently).
We also went on two camping trips. In June we went with several other families from town to New Ulm and stayed at Flandreau State Park for 4 days. Wouldn’t you know our luck…it was so hot, we had to go see a movie just to cool off for a couple of hours! Then, in August we went to Duluth and camped on Spirit Mountain. That weekend was far from warm; it was cold and rainy ALL weekend. One night, the temperature got down to the low 40’s-we FROZE! The kids of course in both situations were not bothered by the weather.
In July the fair is in town. We have gone EVERY year and blown a TON of money. This year we decided that we would go to the fair and just wander through the barns, pedal tractor pull, parade, and fireworks. The kids went along with it, because we promised them a trip to Valley Fair instead. So, later in July we went. We got there at 10 when they opened and planned to stay until they got tired and winey-we figured it would be around supper time and we would have to head home…NOPE we stayed until they closed at 10 pm! We definitely got more out of that than we ever would at the Cannon Fair. I think that will become our new fair experience.
With it being such a cool summer-excluding the week we were in New Ulm. We only made it to the Red Wing Pool once this summer. The kids were kind of bummed that we weren’t able to go more often. We did have a pass to the Cannon Pool and went a few times. We spent quite a few afternoons in Grandma Jackie’s nice warm pool. The kids also took swimming lessons again, and did great. It turned out that most of those mornings I was watching them from the side in sweats, because it was SO cold…Yep, I am one of “THOSE” moms!
The kids are in AWANA again this year at our church. Nessa is even able to go this year! They have all memorized so many verses, and continue to be eager to learn more! It is awesome to watch them grow in their faith. Last Sunday was the Christmas program at church. Austin was a police man, Belle was Mary, Carson was Joseph, and Nessa was Bubbles Wubbles. Nessa was the only one of our kids that had a speaking part…There was no stage fright for that girl She was right at home up on that stage!
In October we visited the Afton Apple Orchard again. This year we didn’t pick pumpkins, but the kids picked a ton of apples, and sampled just as many! Then, it was my job to make numerous apple pies, crisps, and breads! Surprisingly they are not appled out!
We are still hosting a small group Bible Study at our house this year. We are “The Parents with Small Children” group. There are 4 couples and 8 kids that regularly show up! We love it and totally enjoy the fellowship that comes along with it!
What’s new with each of us?
Austin-now in 5th grade! Over the summer he participated in Little League baseball, and was busy with that 3 days a week. He also learned to mow the lawn! He has become quite independent over the last year, and is an excellent (not always willing) helper with chores around the house. He still enjoys anything sports related, reading, math, Wii, and his new hobby is collecting/sorting football cards. This past fall he was on a traveling football team, so quite a few of our Saturday mornings were spent watching him play. In January he will start playing basketball on another traveling team. He and 3 other 4th graders were chosen to be school patrol captains. They had to go to a week long camp in Brainerd for training. I was more worried about him being gone for an entire week than he was…We both made it through ok! He also participated in an ILEO competition…Basically Lego robots and programming them to do different things (way above my head). The 2 fifth grade teams from Cannon got 1st and 3rd out of 21 teams-he was pretty excited. He loves trying/learning anything new!
Belle-2nd grader! School has been going good. She definitely loves the socialization. She also really enjoys reading. Again this year she is in dance, and absolutely LOVES it. She is constantly dancing around the house, and working on doing the splits (she is really close). She is also involved in Girl Scouts and will be selling cookies again in January (if you are interested). On Thursdays after school she participates in math club-just to help master her facts. The teenager in her is starting to emerge! We are all about the style and fashion. Clothes and earrings are a big thing right now. On her birthday she got a kitten…Blake, he is a gray farm cat. She has had the responsibility of taking care of him and everything he needs. I think it is a bigger job than she thought it would be! She is always ready, willing, and able to help with whatever we may need!
Carson-1st grade this year! He has also developed a love for reading, and is getting better everyday. He enjoys playing sports too. This year he played pee wee baseball, and is currently attending a basketball camp on Saturday mornings. He and Austin will occasionally play something together, but tend to get frustrated with each other being at different levels. His current interest is Lego’s. He will sit and build vehicles and buildings for hours. He also enjoys the Wii and computer. Many hours are spent staring at a screen playing video games! Now that the snow has fallen he loves to play outside. The church across the street has a large parking lot that is plowed. All the kids in the neighborhood go and play on the GIANT snow mountain. He is pretty easy going and enjoys being around others.
Nessa-1st year in preschool! She enjoys every minute of it. She is able to go full days while I am in school. So, she has been going on Mondays and Thursdays, next semester she will go on Monday and Wednesdays. As soon as we get home she starts the countdown until she gets to go again! What else can I say about this child? She always has us laughing; with things she says or does! Everything is very animated and dramatic. Nessa is very much the youngest child! It is only her and I home 3 days of the week; although not much time is actually spent at home. She got money for her birthday and said, “Let’s go to Maurice’s!” She enjoys playing with her baby dolls and wishes for a new baby brother or sister. She and I spend a lot of time baking/cooking together…You can often find her following close behind me.
Phil-He turned 30 in November! It was a very difficult milestone for him, but he made it through! He is still working for Norwood. He is the IT manager for both Red Wing and Sleepy Eye. 3 days every other week he leaves about 5am and makes the trip to Sleepy Eye and then returns home at 6pm in time for dinner. I spend a lot of time praying that he will be safe and stay awake all the way there and back home. Again this year he is on numerous Fantasy Football leagues. Sunday afternoons he is often found in front of the TV with his computer nearby to keep track of how his team is doing. This past year he added another room in the basement. Now the kids are able to have a TV/video game room without tying up the main TV. Very seldom do you find him just sitting around…There’s always something he wants to do!
Me-Oh goodness, not much to report! Aside from being a taxi driver, I have stayed incredibly busy with school this last semester. All my free time was spent doing homework for the 16 credits that I took! I have one more day of classes left for the semester…WOOHOO!!!I am on track to graduate (finally) in the spring with a Photography A.S. degree. With that I am hoping to open my own business/studio, check out my website www.rachaelgergenphotography.com I am still working for the Beacon. That keeps me busy a couple nights a week. It is a nice change of pace, and I really enjoy being able to get out and shoot-even if it is sports! I am hoping to catch up on a few projects as well as some rest during my Christmas break!
Well, time to sign off, I am quickly running out of room! To stay totally up to date on what we are up to check out our blog. You can find it at www.gergennews.blogspot.com We hope that during this extremely busy time of year you remember to take time to celebrate the true reason for the season! Merry Christmas!
Love,
The Gergens
Merry Christmas!!!
I can hardly believe it is time to sit down and write this letter again. So, I sit here and reflect upon the last year and think…Where has it gone? Have we really done anything? What were our highlights/lowlights? How do I fit it all onto one piece of paper? Well, here it goes…Hang on-it may be an interesting ride!
This year we have gone on several family outings.
In January as well as November we made a trip to Duluth and stayed at the indoor water park for a couple of nights. A good friend of mine and her boys were able to come with us for our November trip-there was 6 kids and 3 adults in one hotel room! Can’t wait to do it again (my husband may feel differently).
We also went on two camping trips. In June we went with several other families from town to New Ulm and stayed at Flandreau State Park for 4 days. Wouldn’t you know our luck…it was so hot, we had to go see a movie just to cool off for a couple of hours! Then, in August we went to Duluth and camped on Spirit Mountain. That weekend was far from warm; it was cold and rainy ALL weekend. One night, the temperature got down to the low 40’s-we FROZE! The kids of course in both situations were not bothered by the weather.
In July the fair is in town. We have gone EVERY year and blown a TON of money. This year we decided that we would go to the fair and just wander through the barns, pedal tractor pull, parade, and fireworks. The kids went along with it, because we promised them a trip to Valley Fair instead. So, later in July we went. We got there at 10 when they opened and planned to stay until they got tired and winey-we figured it would be around supper time and we would have to head home…NOPE we stayed until they closed at 10 pm! We definitely got more out of that than we ever would at the Cannon Fair. I think that will become our new fair experience.
With it being such a cool summer-excluding the week we were in New Ulm. We only made it to the Red Wing Pool once this summer. The kids were kind of bummed that we weren’t able to go more often. We did have a pass to the Cannon Pool and went a few times. We spent quite a few afternoons in Grandma Jackie’s nice warm pool. The kids also took swimming lessons again, and did great. It turned out that most of those mornings I was watching them from the side in sweats, because it was SO cold…Yep, I am one of “THOSE” moms!
The kids are in AWANA again this year at our church. Nessa is even able to go this year! They have all memorized so many verses, and continue to be eager to learn more! It is awesome to watch them grow in their faith. Last Sunday was the Christmas program at church. Austin was a police man, Belle was Mary, Carson was Joseph, and Nessa was Bubbles Wubbles. Nessa was the only one of our kids that had a speaking part…There was no stage fright for that girl She was right at home up on that stage!
In October we visited the Afton Apple Orchard again. This year we didn’t pick pumpkins, but the kids picked a ton of apples, and sampled just as many! Then, it was my job to make numerous apple pies, crisps, and breads! Surprisingly they are not appled out!
We are still hosting a small group Bible Study at our house this year. We are “The Parents with Small Children” group. There are 4 couples and 8 kids that regularly show up! We love it and totally enjoy the fellowship that comes along with it!
What’s new with each of us?
Austin-now in 5th grade! Over the summer he participated in Little League baseball, and was busy with that 3 days a week. He also learned to mow the lawn! He has become quite independent over the last year, and is an excellent (not always willing) helper with chores around the house. He still enjoys anything sports related, reading, math, Wii, and his new hobby is collecting/sorting football cards. This past fall he was on a traveling football team, so quite a few of our Saturday mornings were spent watching him play. In January he will start playing basketball on another traveling team. He and 3 other 4th graders were chosen to be school patrol captains. They had to go to a week long camp in Brainerd for training. I was more worried about him being gone for an entire week than he was…We both made it through ok! He also participated in an ILEO competition…Basically Lego robots and programming them to do different things (way above my head). The 2 fifth grade teams from Cannon got 1st and 3rd out of 21 teams-he was pretty excited. He loves trying/learning anything new!
Belle-2nd grader! School has been going good. She definitely loves the socialization. She also really enjoys reading. Again this year she is in dance, and absolutely LOVES it. She is constantly dancing around the house, and working on doing the splits (she is really close). She is also involved in Girl Scouts and will be selling cookies again in January (if you are interested). On Thursdays after school she participates in math club-just to help master her facts. The teenager in her is starting to emerge! We are all about the style and fashion. Clothes and earrings are a big thing right now. On her birthday she got a kitten…Blake, he is a gray farm cat. She has had the responsibility of taking care of him and everything he needs. I think it is a bigger job than she thought it would be! She is always ready, willing, and able to help with whatever we may need!
Carson-1st grade this year! He has also developed a love for reading, and is getting better everyday. He enjoys playing sports too. This year he played pee wee baseball, and is currently attending a basketball camp on Saturday mornings. He and Austin will occasionally play something together, but tend to get frustrated with each other being at different levels. His current interest is Lego’s. He will sit and build vehicles and buildings for hours. He also enjoys the Wii and computer. Many hours are spent staring at a screen playing video games! Now that the snow has fallen he loves to play outside. The church across the street has a large parking lot that is plowed. All the kids in the neighborhood go and play on the GIANT snow mountain. He is pretty easy going and enjoys being around others.
Nessa-1st year in preschool! She enjoys every minute of it. She is able to go full days while I am in school. So, she has been going on Mondays and Thursdays, next semester she will go on Monday and Wednesdays. As soon as we get home she starts the countdown until she gets to go again! What else can I say about this child? She always has us laughing; with things she says or does! Everything is very animated and dramatic. Nessa is very much the youngest child! It is only her and I home 3 days of the week; although not much time is actually spent at home. She got money for her birthday and said, “Let’s go to Maurice’s!” She enjoys playing with her baby dolls and wishes for a new baby brother or sister. She and I spend a lot of time baking/cooking together…You can often find her following close behind me.
Phil-He turned 30 in November! It was a very difficult milestone for him, but he made it through! He is still working for Norwood. He is the IT manager for both Red Wing and Sleepy Eye. 3 days every other week he leaves about 5am and makes the trip to Sleepy Eye and then returns home at 6pm in time for dinner. I spend a lot of time praying that he will be safe and stay awake all the way there and back home. Again this year he is on numerous Fantasy Football leagues. Sunday afternoons he is often found in front of the TV with his computer nearby to keep track of how his team is doing. This past year he added another room in the basement. Now the kids are able to have a TV/video game room without tying up the main TV. Very seldom do you find him just sitting around…There’s always something he wants to do!
Me-Oh goodness, not much to report! Aside from being a taxi driver, I have stayed incredibly busy with school this last semester. All my free time was spent doing homework for the 16 credits that I took! I have one more day of classes left for the semester…WOOHOO!!!I am on track to graduate (finally) in the spring with a Photography A.S. degree. With that I am hoping to open my own business/studio, check out my website www.rachaelgergenphotography.com I am still working for the Beacon. That keeps me busy a couple nights a week. It is a nice change of pace, and I really enjoy being able to get out and shoot-even if it is sports! I am hoping to catch up on a few projects as well as some rest during my Christmas break!
Well, time to sign off, I am quickly running out of room! To stay totally up to date on what we are up to check out our blog. You can find it at www.gergennews.blogspot.com We hope that during this extremely busy time of year you remember to take time to celebrate the true reason for the season! Merry Christmas!
Love,
The Gergens
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thanksgiving Week!
I am sitting in class...Well, actually I am waiting for class to start. Anyway, this week is going to be pretty mellow compared to years past. We are doing a small thing at Mom and Dad's on Thursday and then on Sunday we are going to Rosemount for my Mom's family's Thanksgiving. I have been looking online and planning our plan of attack for Friday morning! This will be the 12th year that Phil and I have gone. He claims to not enjoy it, but I think deep down he really does. It was actually him that started looking at the ads first this year:)
The kids have school today and tomorrow and then have the rest of the week off. On Wednesday we are going to take Phil some balloons and cake to work. His 30th birthday is on Saturday and since that is the last day he works for the week, and the kids don't have school it works out perfectly. He is really struggling with this whole 30 thing.
This past weekend Phil totally took all the kids on Saturday. I had wedding pictures that I needed to edit, so he entertained them all day. Nessa had her first birthday party sleepover on Saturday night. She went to a friends house. They had 9 3 and 4 year olds spend the night. I told the mom that she was absolutely nuts! When I picked her up on Sunday I was told all went well and Nessa said she had a blast!
Well, hopefully class is going to start soon, better sign off!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Where does the time go?
This morning Belle was just asking why I don't make as many cookies and treats as I used to. I told her it was because I am more busy now than I have ever been. We are still running here and there all the time. Austin has activites after school at least 3 days a week. Belle has dance once a week. And two of the days I am at school until 5, so I don't get back to town till after 5:30. By then it is time to come home get dinner and then do homework and showers. Then you add in our Bible Study group, and the kids AWANA, two more of our evenings are taken. Oh, well at least we don't have time to say that we are bored!
Gotta go, Nessa and I are babysitting our Pastor's baby this morning. She is less than a month old! They will be here soon, so I gotta get moving!
In the last couple of weeks...
We were running short on time trying to get a family birthday party in for the 3 little kids with their fall birthdays. So, on a spur of the moment thing we threw a party. I was impressed because Paula was out of town, Ed was the one that went shopping and got gifts for the kids. He did well, got both Belle and Carson fun hats and Nessa got a stocking and they all got cash as well. They have had fun spending all the money that they got. I am not sure what we are going to do for Christmas, because it was hard enough shopping for this party!!!
We found an amazing deal for the hotel/water park in Duluth so this past weekend the kids didn't have school on Friday, so we headed up there. Our room had enough bed space for 8 so, my friend from high school and her 2 boys came and stayed with us too. My husband is AWESOME!!!He survived a weekend with 2 women and 6 kids all in one room. The kids had a blast as usual. Here are some pix!
Other news...I WILL be graduating in the spring. I worked it out with one of my instructors to do the one class I need as an independant study type thing. So, as long as I don't fail anything I am good to go! I am hoping to maintain my 4.0 GPA, but with all the stuff going on I am not sure that is going to happen.
For one of my classes we have to shoot Ken and Barbies wedding. I have spent sometime in the last few weeks working on this project. It has turned out to be more fun that I had first thought. I have posted a few of the pictures on Facebook, and will post some on here when I get a chance.
Gotta go, Nessa and I are babysitting our Pastor's baby this morning. She is less than a month old! They will be here soon, so I gotta get moving!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Halloween
On my way to school...I will update later, but here are the pictures from Halloween!
This was the easiest costume ever...Just had to buy face paint:) His wardrobe is primarily vikings attire.
She wanted to be an angel...Couldn't find a white affordable dress, so I bought her a snow princess dress and told her to be a snow angel:) We already had the wings and halo.
Had to buy this one. One out of four isn't bad though:) The mask didn't last to long though
Each of the kids carved their own pumpkins...They drew out a face on them and the cut it out with a carving knife. The crosses are scars...I think:)
Hard at work carving.
She actually helped clean it out this year
Nessa has wanted to be a pumpkin since we started talking about it in November. This was my costume when I was little:)
This was the easiest costume ever...Just had to buy face paint:) His wardrobe is primarily vikings attire.
She wanted to be an angel...Couldn't find a white affordable dress, so I bought her a snow princess dress and told her to be a snow angel:) We already had the wings and halo.
Had to buy this one. One out of four isn't bad though:) The mask didn't last to long though
Each of the kids carved their own pumpkins...They drew out a face on them and the cut it out with a carving knife. The crosses are scars...I think:)
Hard at work carving.
Nessa's pumpkin had feet and hair...very creative!
She actually helped clean it out this year
Halloween was a success! The kids got 28.8 pounds of candy in an hour! Plus the candy they got from the parade on Friday...We are all going to look like blimps before too long:)
Other news
We had to buy a new van. I have had to make 4 trips back to the dealership because of minor things, all covered under warranty:) We did manage to get the other van fixed and now a friend is considering buying it...her car got totalled and so she is borrowing it right now.
I am still in school...ALL THE TIME. Unfortunately, I will not be graduating in the spring...I will need one more class that is only offered in the fall:(
The kids are all also in school and doing very well. They all love it! Homework in the evenings gets a little stressfull with all the different things they each bring home.
Nessa is in preschool 2 days a week. She is there from 7-5:30. I feel so guilty being gone all day so often. I don't know how parents that work full time do it. There is no way I could leave her every day. She does love it, but comes home completely exhausted and ready for some mommy cuddle time:)
Not sure what else is new...I will update later(I was at school all day~a very stressful day). I am on Facebook and regularily update my status, find me on there to keep up to date:)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
First day of school
The kids started school on the 8th of September. They were more than ready to go back! I now have 3 kids in school full-time and 1 in school on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-5! Nessa started a few days after the other kids, so I haven't gotten a picture of her yet, but it is coming. So far it seems like they are going to have a good year. Trying to balance practices and homework is a little tricky at times, but so far we have managed!
I am going to school full-time this year as well. Between school, work, kids, house, and my taxi service I have little down time.
Phil has also traveled a couple of times since school started and is still going to Sleepy Eye a couple of times a week. So his schedule is pretty busy too.
We are hoping that in the next couple of weeks things will slow down and not be so busy!
I am leaving tomorrow for 4 days. It is my first ever trip away by myself that will last more than 18 hours! I am taking a 1 credit course and going up the North Shore. I am really hoping to get some good shots, perhaps one that I can hang in the livingroom. Should be a good trip, I am super excited!
Well it seems as though I have finally gotten this blog updated, hopefully it won't take me so long to get back to it again!
The end of summer:(
This year for Belle's birthday, we got her a kitten. She decided to name him Blake. She was so excited. At dinner that night, before she got the cat, Eric came up and she was crying because she missed him. The timing was perfect!
We decided to skip rides at the Cannon Fair this year, and take the kids to Valley Fair instead. So much more worth it! We had a blast. We hadn't planned on staying all day, but they were soooo good that we were there from open till close. Of course they all fell asleep on the ride home, but there was no whining or fighting the entire day! Too bad it cost so much to get my kids to get along for a day:)
Austin loved to get to drive, but the peddal was so hard to push, he had a hard time!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Birthdays, sports and more!
Nessa and her friend Jordan...They are best friends!
Austin's half birthday family party 10 1/2 years old!!
Austin playing little league.
Belle and her soccer team
Austin's friend birthday party. We went mini golfing at Gergen's and then had a baseball game. That was also a cold day!
National Night Out
Spraying the fire hose!
My little jail birds! 
Phil and the kids made a cake for my birthday.
Austin's half birthday family party 10 1/2 years old!!
Austin playing little league.
Belle and her soccer team
Austin's friend birthday party. We went mini golfing at Gergen's and then had a baseball game. That was also a cold day!
National Night Out
Spraying the fire hose!
Dressed for success!
My little jail birds!
Phil and the kids made a cake for my birthday.