Tag: aunts

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Christmas 2022

Our plans for Christmas break changed from road trip to homebound thanks to snow, sub-zero wind chills, and poor road conditions.

We had originally planned on traveling to STL on 12/23 to visit Shecklet #3’s godfather, then on to GA to visit family, and finally to FL to visit friends. On 12/21, the house was minimally decorated for Christmas, I was caught up on laundry, and we had minimal items left in the fridge.

If you’re wondering why there is an “M” on the tree on the right, Shecklet #4 asked if we could get an ornament for the baby we lost between Shecklet #2 and Shecklet #3. (I had a very early miscarriage in August of 2009.) We never named the baby until #4 started referring to him as the “microscopic baby.” That turned into the formal name, Mike. So the “M” on the tree is in honor of our other little saint in heaven, Mike.

School ended up being cancelled for Shecklet #2 on 12/22, so we we considered getting on the road a day early. However, IA looked like this:

We made the adult decision to stay safe and not risk the stress or potential car trouble while in a “towing not recommended” zone. Our cancelled plans meant we were able to play games as a family, decorate sugar cookies, and shovel lots of snow.

We were also able to attend Christmas Eve Mass at our parish.

Jake shopped for heavy appetizers earlier in the day for our after-mass Christmas Eve meal.

Christmas morning we opened gifts and relaxed for a few hours. Shecklet #1 assembled his LEGO set, we hung Shecklet #4’s new cork board, and Shecklet #3 got to work figuring out classic rock melodies on her guitar. Shecklet #2 had to wait to try his new goggles.

We headed to Jake’s parents house around 3pm for dinner and opening gifts. The Shecklets enjoyed getting to see their cousins.

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Summer Saturday

We went back to Carver Lake for an afternoon of riding.

And then went to visit Aunt Kari. The guys dismantled a pallet and we did a little yard work for fun 😊.

We burned the pallet wood and had s’mores, too.

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HBD Kari 2022

We gathered in Hastings to celebrate Kari’s birthday (a day early.) The weather was gorgeous, so we spent most of the evening outside. The Shecklets enjoyed seeing their little cousins ❤️

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Tractors in Hutchinson 🚜

Jake took the girls and one of his sisters out west to the Orange Spectacular this evening, complete with a tractor pull. Shecklet #4 even found a chainsaw 😆 (Yes, I know my tractor emoji is John Deere-colored. I apologize to the Allis-Chalmers devotees.)

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Full of fun

This girl is full of energy and fun every day. This collage captures just a snapshot of what I’m referring to.

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Father’s Day 2022

This baby was placed in my Walmart cart, so I took that as a hint that it was supposed to find it’s way to our home. I don’t often surprise Jake, but this time I did. I’m not sure he imagined I would actually purchase it for him. Surprise!

Three of the kids helped assemble it.

Then it had to be out to use! (The kids figured out the air fryer pretty quickly.)

We also celebrated Grandpa Dave’s and Aunt Bri’s birthdays.

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Shecklet #1’s Confirmation 2022

It was a big day in Shecklet #1’s life! He turned 16 and was Confirmed on the same day!

His sponsor was a gentleman from our parish who he met back in 2nd grade.

A little history of their friendship…Prior to his First Communion, Shecklet #1 gave a loaf of banana bread to a man (Mr. M.) on Bread Sunday. Bread Sunday is a parish tradition where First Communicants help make a loaf of any type of bread and then give it to someone they don’t know at the end of mass. Little did we know then how Mr. M. would become such a strong, prayerful supporter of Shecklet #1 over the coming years. God’s hand in their initial meeting and continued connection is very clear.

When it came time to select a sponsor, there was little hesitation on Shecklet #1’s part as to who he would choose.

It was a beautiful day for a beautiful mass, and we are grateful to have witnessed Shecklet #1 take the next step in his faith. God is doing amazing things in his life!

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Our citizenship is in heaven

12:20am on Palm Sunday 2022, my godmother and aunt, Deb, took her final breath here on earth and joined her loved ones in heaven – including our sweet Astrid.

My SIL was one of a handful of people who knew that my aunt was in her last days and had been praying for her and our family. After telling Bri of Deb’s passing, she shared the verse from Philippians that clearly God keeps putting in my life.

It’s the same verse we put on Astrid’s marker and that I wrote on our sanctuary floor not once, but twice.

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Bad Axe

Part of Shecklet #2’s birthday present from Aunt Larissa was a trip to Bad Axe for some axe throwing. They reserved a lane that held enough people to bring Grandpa Dave, Jake, and Shecklet #1 along, too. It looked like a lot of fun. I want to join them next time!