Christmas 2008

I POD SHUFFLES!

Brookie's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Snowcone Maker!

1/3 of the gang at Grandma Julie's

The start of opening presents at home.

Patiently waiting for Dad to be awake enough!

Well, Christmas has come and gone for another year. It's always amazing to me that we spend what seems like forever preparing, cooking, wrapping, decorating..for it to be gone in a matter of a few short hours, but that's ok, it is my favorite season/holiday. We had a very busy, but enjoyable time with our family and extended families. Christmas Eve day, the kids just played around the house, I tried to clean, Jerod worked. We went to his parents house with all of his siblings, spouses, and our nieces/nephews, for a wonderful dinner at 5. We than played a few games, the kids each opened a present from a cousin (they draw names) as they had already opened their presents from Grandma/Grandpa and Auntie Jili. Santa even made an appearance, he peeked his head into Grandma's window around 6:30 p.m.. We were ready to leave and go home for bed by 9, Santa called Grandma's and told the kids to get to bed, b/c he couldn't come to all of their houses until they did. Christmas morning the kids made it till 6 a.m., poor Jerod, he married an early riser and got 3 kids who are also early risers!!! I told them they had to let him sleep till 7, but after I made breakfast, they woke him up at 6:45. We opened presents rather quickly, each girl got 4, their "highlight" was that they each got an IPOD Shuffle. It was then, get dressed, packed up, Daddy had to plow first, because of course it snowed again (I'm rather sick of winter and it's only December!) then it was up to St. Bay for Christmas with Papa and Grandma, my sister and her family and Great Grandma Verna. We made our stop off at my other grandparents, as it's harder for them to go out, and they enjoyed a little time with the girls. It was 11 by the time we made it to my parents, Mom was busy cooking as usual, the kids were excited to see their cousin, Jordan, I was exhausted and ready for a nap! We ate a fabulous lunch, than opened gifts.. At 2:30, I took a nap and woke up 3 hours later... Jerod & my mom had found a Walgreens as Brookie had been coughing horribly while I napped.. We played a few games that night and watched the weather as more snow/ice was setting in. I got woke up at 4:45 by my Mom the next morning, to "Taylor has a really bad stomach ache" I thought it was all the Christmas brownies she ate, but no she had a touch of the flu, as she got sick about 1/2 hour later.. Worried we all would get sick we contained her to 1 area of the house. Luckily we didn't and by afternoon, she was feeling well enough to travel home. Now it's time to CLEAN, Jerod has painted the baby's room and gotten the crib up for me (what a great husband!) I need to finish putting the bedding on. We'll work on resting, I know Jerod would like to get out on the snowmobile trails this week if possible, my niece Jordan is coming to stay with us for a few days for New Years, than it's back to work! Baby is due exactly 60 days from today, I hope it goes fast!!

Much love and a Happy New Year to each of you!

Michelle

Christmas Card 2008

So, Jerod has been asking (no kinda begging me) to do a Christmas Card the past few years involving his favorite winter sport, snowmobiling! I'm usually not such a procrastinator, but with work, some absentmindedness and being pregnant, I didn't have my cards done this year by Dec. 1st!! So we got just enough snow to incorporate all 3 of our "sleds" into our Christmas Card (Thanks to my wondeful sister in law Becky, for taking the pictures, I think it was about 10 degrees outside!!) I hope you can see this ok, I cropped it so it made it kinda small. The smaller picture is Daddy on the girls sled, and the girls standing there mad at him for hopping on!!

Have a great holiday everyone, it's coming up fast, so take a little time to enjoy all of the wonderful feelings and blessings that evoke during this special time of year!

Love, Michelle

Merry Christmas!

Holy crow, Christmas is in 13 days, where did the first part of December go??? Anyway, here's my holiday letter, and I'll post the picture from our Christmas card tonight, for all my friends/family in cyber land, I love you too, and didn't want to forget you!!
Michelle

Happy Holidays!
2008
We hope this letter finds each of you happy, healthy and excited to
conclude one year and ring in a new!
Our family is busy as ever with no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Taylor (10) is in 5th grade, and continues to take pride in her school work and brought home a very good report card first quarter. She is in dance, but this may be her final year as next year will bring the opportunity to play sports, and she is leaning towards that. We are so thankful to have Taylor’s kindheartedness in our home.
Mackenzie (9) is in 3rd grade and continues to do well in school, I wish I had half of the memory she does! She is also in dance; she and Taylor are in a Tap/Jazz class together on Monday nights. Kenzie loves to dote on all of her younger cousins and her younger sister, and we are so grateful to have her sweet spirit bless us daily.
Brooklyn (6) is in 1st grade, and has endured some struggles with learning to read, but we keep plugging along and have seen some nice improvements since the beginning of the school year. Brookie dances on Wednesdays’ in a Tap/Pre Ballet class, and her big brown eyes and sweet face continue to get her out of trouble,
(more times than they should) but we couldn’t imagine life without her!
Baby #4 is due Feb. 27, 2009 and we couldn’t be more excited! The day we told the girls they screamed for joy and Taylor even cried! The ultrasound on Oct. 30 revealed this is a boy, I sure hope they are right, because if for some reason it was wrong, this will be a little girl dressed in blue and camo colors! Whatever the outcome this kid is sure to be a spitfire, as he/she likes to kick from about 10 p.m. – midnight, every night! We’ve chosen to honor some of those we love the most here on earth, and if this is a boy, he will be Charles Jeffrey after our dad’s, and if it’s a girl, it will be Charli Ann (after my dad and both our Mom’s middle name.)
Jerod is still with Packerland Transport, which now got sold to a company called JBS, I’m just thankful they kept on the cattle department! His brother Jake is now his partner, so it’s nice to be able to keep the truck so close to home, thanks to his parents who let the boys park the truck in their building driveway. Whenever he’s not working, he stays busy with hunting, tending to his small herd of cows or working
at the race track in Shawano and Antigo.
As for me, I’m busy being Mom, helping the girls with homework, reading with them, driving them to dance, appointments, etc… I’m again working at school which is a blessing, because I get to take my kids to work everyday (so to speak!)
I am excited for the baby, but nervous, I haven’t done this in 6 ½ years and just when I thought we were entering a new phase of life, it’s time to bring on the diapers, first smile, sleepless nights, first step, first word, I can’t wait!
We wish each of you nothing but love and happiness in 2009. May you feel the love of the Lord, Jesus Christ in your lives everyday.
With Love,
Michelle, Jerod, Tay, Kenz, Brook & the baby!

I'm still alive & kickin'

No pun intended, as in this is all the baby does, kick, kick, poke, kick..Many I think my insides are bruised, but it's all worth it! Sorry I haven't updated in a while (a month or so!) but my computer got a nasty virus, so I was without for a little while, but I'm back..
I'll post our Christmas card & letter to boot, next.. THANKS to Becky, my lovely, talented sister in law who came over yesterday and braved the frigid temps to help my husband get his dream Christmas Card!!
Hope your all enjoying the holidays, we have a tree up, it's not decorated, and there are no decorations up at my house yet, I better get on that!
Love,
Michelle

Halloween 2008

**All costumes compliments of Daddy! He enjoys making Halloween costumes, if you can't tell he gave Brookie's the most thought/effort this year, he had as much fun making as she did wearing it!

We're having a boy!

Well my ultrasound was yesterday and as added cruel and unusual punishment the instructions said to come with a full bladder, drink at least 32 oz. of water/fluids 1 hour prior to my appt. So I did, all the way to Green Bay, when I got to my sister/brother in laws to drop the girls off, I couldn't hold it anymore, so I had to use the bathroom.. I feverishly drank 16 more oz. of water on the way from my sisters to the hospital (about 15 min) checked in at 9:20 for my 9:30 u/s appt., and I waited, waited, waited... at 9:50, I was almost in tears and said forget it, and used the bathroom again. Filled up my water bottle, started drinking and hoped they would still be able to due the u/s if my bladder wasn't completely full! They finally called me at 10 a.m., apologized for the wait and I apologized to the nurse telling her I wasn't sure how full my bladder was... The U/S tech comes in and says it's ok, we're actually in the process of switching over that policy and you don't have to have a full bladder anymore.. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? So on we go to the U/S, she measures the head, spine, back, feet, other things while I wait for the important stuff.. She says you want to find out what it is right? I said yes of course, to which she than comments how his back is turned towards her, so it maybe a little hard to get good pictures.. I panicked and than about 1 minute later she says well it's a boy.. I slapped that poor womans leg so hard and said, "Are you kidding." To which I told her you have to be sure. She said we'll I can't tell you I'm 100% accurate but I'm pretty sure.. She than waited a while, and finally got a better shot and said there you go there's your boy.. She pointed out his bottom, legs and what was in the middle! :) I couldn't wait, had to ask if I could use my cell phone right there to make some calls, my poor husband was loading so didn't even get to talk to me, so I texted him, and made some phone calls/texts to grandparents, aunts, uncles and of course my girls.. Brookie couldn't contain her excitement, she screamed in the phone, I WANTED A BROTHER! I had fun shopping afterwards, he got a start to his wardrobe, thanks to Kohl's.. Here's his ultrasound pix, and yes if you want to know what's by his mouth, I'm quite positive he was blowing a bubble!

Baby updates

So, I'm 20 1/2 weeks pregnant, wow I hope the 2nd half flies by as quick as the first! All is going well, my ultrasound is scheduled for Oct. 30, so only a few short weeks till we find out what it is!

Everything's going well, I've gained 4 lbs & at last check up the heartbeat was 135. All tests have come back great up till this point, so to me I'm just hoping for a healthy baby!

Here's a picture of my baby belly taken on Sunday...

***And here's a cute one I found of Brooklyn (Jeana I don't have a 4th photo in a 4th album, or don't have time to look I should say & figure out what that would be so here you go, she was Daddy's little hunting buddy one night & had no problem dressing in camo!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HONEY!

I can say that with a huge smile today, because now, officially, Jerod is 35 also!

I hope you have a great day, it was so cute today at waytoearly this morning, Brooklyn was laying in the middle of us (post bad dream that woke her up) and Jerod said she kept poking his cheeks, when he finally opened his eyes, she screamed, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!

Love ya old man! You'll always be my favorite goofball!

xoxoxoxo

First day of school pix, our newest family pix & than one from Chuck - E- Cheese of Kenzie and her cousin Jordan.. We went to celebrate her 9th birthday!

School, Dr & EXTREMELY TIRED!

Well school has started, 1st day (1st week actually, my camera wasn't cooperating) pictures I'll post soon.. It's going good, I'm full time this year as we have 2, 4 yr old kindergarten classes, 12 students in the am & 11 in the pm.. It's been a rewarding challenge, training kids all over, spoiled by the responsibility that last years class grew into by the end of the school year, but I soon realize, they'll get there too!!!

So, I work 7:45 - 3:15, not bad, except that there are 4 of us to get ready, lunches to finish packing, homework to make sure is in the folders, getting dressed, brushing hair, brushing teeth.. It's tiring!! But so far, we have a good track record, I always get to work 5-10 minutes early! :)

Had another Dr's appt on Monday, Sept. 8, all is well, initial bloodwork came back normal, heartbeat was 150's, so I told the Dr. it's a girl, all my girls were up in the 150's, with Kenzie going 140's for 2 or 3 mo's.. :( It's ok though, I know girls, girls are my thing, so what's another girl to the brood, except my poor husband!! :) Let's just say if the U/S says it's a boy, I'll probably not believe it anyway! It really doesn't matter, I'm just hoping for a healthy baby and have you seen the baby girl clothes they sell now, SO CUTE!!!

Other than all of that, I've just been tired, not as much from the pregnancy as the allergies I get every year at the this time, only they started right around my birthday this year, and have left me miserable and unable to get a decent nights' sleep every since!! Let's just say I'm praying for a FREEZE real soon!!

Take Care all, pictures will follow soon, I PROMISE!!

Love to all,
Shel

More summer fun!

Porter gets his "Tra-Tra" for his 3rd birthday!

Tay & Brook on the Merry-Go-Round at Bay Beach Kenzie - Dallin - Jenni on the Merry-Go-Round
Jen - Kenz - Tay on "SCAT"
A boy & his cotton candy, P-Man enjoying straight sugar!

Summer Fun!

So, we've had a pretty exciting summer! We've gotten to do some fun things, the Kalahari (pictures didn't turn out to well, we'll try & scan some) than Shawano Lake, than Bay Beach/Castle Karts.. Unfortunately, school starts all too soon (3 weeks!) Good news, I got full time! I'm back in the 4 year old kindergarten room, which I love, the teacher is FABULOUS, we get along famously, so this year is sure to be a BLAST!!!

Brookie will be in 1st grade, Kenzie in 3rd grade and Taylor in 5th already! Yikes by the time, (she'll be in 9th by the time this baby goes to Pre-School! Scarry stuff!!!) Here are some pix of our summer!

Brookie, so excited to be going out on the Pontoon with her cousins/aunties/uncles/Gma & Gpa! Kenzie just chillin' on the boat (Shawano)
Taylor & Jasmine, tubing in Shawano Lake!
Brooklyn & Dallin testing out their piloting skills!

Uncle Jerod & Ms. Ivy Lynn, waiting for everyone else to get off of the Tilt-A-Whirl! We do hope summer has treated you well also!

Love,
Michelle & family

1st Dr. Appt. & 1st Ultrasound

So today was my first "official" dr's appt., and basically she told me what 3 HPT's told me already, I'm indeed pregnant! Here is our baby's 1st official picture, sorry it's kind of dark.. Anyway, the head is on the left side pointing down, followed by the body/spine moving upwards.. The baby already has it's arms/legs forming, but not quite fully yet..

Dr. Pardini is SUPER nice, I just love her to pieces, she's even routing for us to have a boy this time! She printed off 4 copies of the U/S picture, she wanted the big sisters to each have one along with Mommy/Daddy...

All looked good she did a quick u/s, dates are right on, the baby was moving all over the place, it was so cute! The heart was beating nice & strong, my next apt. is Sept. 8th...

Hope you are all doing well, we just spent the week at Papa & Grama's (girls & I) I relaxed (or tried my best) while Papa & Grama pitched in to help with the 3 girls & my niece Jordan came along too..

Love, Shel

Almost there!

Well, officially 5 hours left to summer school and we're done, yeah! Had I known then what I know now (there would be a baby on board!) I probably would've turned down summer school, but that's ok, the extra cash has been nice, and I've also enjoyed the chance to spend a little extra time with some of the departing students who will be kindergarteners and to meet and get to know those who are coming in... Kids really are the best, and this age is great, they love you for who you are no questions asked!

TTFN,
Shel

P.S. The countdown is on till Auntie Jen comes home, the girls are so excited!

Summer, summer...

So, our summer thus far has been pretty hectic & busy.. With school ending a little later this year (June 11th) we had our quick 2 day trip to the Dells at the Kahalari Resort, than Summer School started June 23, and we have 8 more days..I'm looking forward to the 5 week break before school starts (yikes only 5 weeks!) We hope to get in a week at Papa & Grandma's house post summer school, but I have to be back Friday afternoons for the races, so the girls & I will probably go a Sun-Thurs., except Auntie Jen's visiting right after summer school, so it may have to wait till Mid-August..

I had a meeting with our principal at Gresham at the 4 yr old K teacher, I'm hopeful to get full time, but at this point, I'll take part time..This pregnancy obviously wasn't planned, so I'm unsure of what the future holds for me with a job..I'll finish out the school year (will take 8-10 weeks off depending how I feel) so I will only be returning for 6-8 weeks of work, which won't be too bad considering I usually (knock on wood) have babies that sleep for about 12 hours a day off and on for the first 4 -6 weeks of life anyway. I'll than take next summer off to ponder, but at this point, I'm probably leaning towards keeping my job, as I still have weekends, nights & holidays off..I really don't want to give my position up, as it's the perfect job when you have kids...

As for me, I've been feeling eh, ok.. Days are good and bad, the past 2 weeks have been filled with lots of nausea all day long, but we're muddling through, and hope to feel better by the time school starts, Sept. 2nd..

Otherwise our days have pretty much been filled with swimming at Grandma's and naps (for Mommy!)

Hope all of your summers are going well also!

Summer fun in Grandma & Grandpa's Pool

Brookie Boo's, she's getting so much braver this year, actually "swimming" under water, and jumping off without any arm floaties on! Taylor Jo aka fish #1
Kenzie Rae aka fish #2

Our nephew Dallin, his favorite thing to do is jump in, go under, go up and do it all over again! THANKS GRANDMA JULIE & GRANDPA JEFF for keeping the pool going all these years, and for heating it!!!

4th of July

So, the 4th of July makes the tiny town of Gresham really come to life, thousands line the streets of Gresham for the annual parade.. The firefighters marched again this year in honor of the 100th birthday of Gresham, and they had a bag piper playing with them, it was really nice..Jerod is closest to the camera with the tan hat on..

My talented father in law, Jeff thought he would build a redneck chopper, just like Paul does from American Choppers, he put this beauty together in a matter of hours, creative isn't he? I think Julie would like her lawn mower back now though.
Here are some shots of the girls, after the parade we went and helped Daddy, up at the park with a booth for the fire department. Jerod built a "house" out of plywood with doors/windows and another firefighters wife painted the flames on. The kids had the chance to use the fire house to put out the fire, it was really cute and the girls were really good helpers!

After it slowed down a while each of the girls got to take a turn, here's Taylor with a local firefighter, he was really impressed with her skills, she knocked all the flames out in a matter of about 20 seconds, he said it must run in the genes!
Take care all, we'll be in touch! First Dr's appointment is scheduled for August 1st, I'll be exactly 10 weeks, so am hopeful to hear a heatbeat at the appointment!

Love, Michelle

Brooklyn would like you to know...

She's going to be the big sister

Believe me, she wasn't nearly as shocked as I was!

Estimated Due Date of Baby #4 : Feb. 27, 2009

Name's already picked out.. There's 1 really special person in this world to me, that I waited and waited and waited to name one of my kids after, or include in the middle name.. but I never had a boy... So regardless if this is a boy or girl, here's the name: *P.S. I love so much Dad, your the best Papa Charlie there is*

Girl: Charli Ann Hoffman

Boy: Charles Jeffrey Hoffman (CJ or Charlie for short)

Jerod doesn't really get a say, I've got my mind made up on this one.. I know that there is a special plan for this little angel, and this is going to be a huge blessing in our home, we are all excited, we hope you can join us in our excitement!

Love,

Michelle

We blew it!

Well, we blew the secret. In order to get the girls to finish weeding a row in the garden, he started giving them "hints" that we were taking them on a quick mini-trip.. MUCH TO MY DISMAY, I couldn't keep it in any longer.. After they finished a few more chores around the house, we told them.. They were excited, so that's good!!
Promise to take pictures and blog about it when we get back! In the meantime, Kenzie gets to go on a mini-trip for homework club tomorrow and Tay actually gets to go to Noah's Ark, in Wisconsin Dells on Tuesday for her homework club trip! So it's a busy week for all.

Wishing everyone a wonderful start to their summer!

I've got a secret!

So, self-admittantly (sp??) I'm a really bad secret keeper.. I just love fun things/surprises, so I can't contain myself to tell that person(s) the surprise involves. So, I'm filling all of you in...what's the surprise, you ask? This week on Thursday, we're taking the kids here: (please don't tell them if you see them, we're saving the surprise for the car!) The Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells!

Almost last day of school picture!

So, I promised the last day of school picture, but we had a serious case of the lazies this morning, that and Kenzie didn't feel good..so here is a pic of the 3 girls from Monday night, Brookie's graduation.

Have to brag for a moment, I'm so PROUD of my 3 girls.. Awesome, awesome report cards, Taylor's even made me cry! Straight A's (with an A- in Math!) Never thought we would see the day, this from the kid who has struggled in Math up until this year, I can only attribute most of that to her awesome teacher! Shout out for Mrs. Schwitzer, we think your great!!! Also, can't leave out Mrs. Otradovec & Miss Rost, 2 very wonderful teachers, who we think are Awesome! They've helped Kenzie & Brooklyn flourish acedmically too this year! What can I say, I really feel like the Gresham Elementary Staff rocks! (hey I work there too, so I can say that!)

Have a happy summer, we'll send pictures throughout the season to let you know where we've been, where we're headed and if Taylor will surpass me in heighth this summer :) Before I go,

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY JEFFERSON!

TTFN!

Kindergarten Graduate!

Well, she did it, Miss Brooklyn is now a kindergarten graduate! We got to attend a cute little ceremony last night to celebrate the class of 2020!

Here she is with our nephew, Josh.

Tay, Kenzie & Brook have been "tagged"

So I had to ask Ivy's Mom what the heck it meant to be "tagged" she clued me in and said to write 7 things about each one of my girls.. That's 21 total, I think Ivy cheated and I demand a recount! :) So I'm going to 'cheat' right back and right 7 things about my 3 girls.
1. They are all likely to be taller than their Mommy, at 10 years old Taylor only has about 6 inches to go and she'll surpass me, with Brookie's long legs, she's sure to be taller than I, and Kenz well...she might let her Mom off the hook, I have a feeling she won't be MUCH taller than me.
2. I must admit, all 3 of my girls have the gift of being thoughtful. Thoughtful of others that is, they are always concerned about who's hurt, who's sick, who might be moving (ahh umm...) they pray for those they love, and for this I love my girls!
3. They are all Daddy's Girl's, although he may not admit it, and he does make them work hard...he loves his girls to pieces and they give it right back, I think in their eyes Daddy hung the moon, just for them!
4. They **LOVE** Disneyworld, don't know who they got that from! ;)
5. Not a one of them look remotely like their Mom, ok so that look-o-meter said one might, but no matter where I go, if someone doesn't know exactly where I fit and I tell them my last name, they look at my kids and say, YEP they're Hoffmans!
6. It breaks my heart just a little that their not so little anymore! At the same time though, I'm grateful that we're over the potty training, bottles, cribs and onto the shopping!
7. I love them to pieces, even when I get upset, ask them to clean, pick up, stop fighting..that's minor, they really are good girls, and I have been blessed.
So..that's all your gettin' Miss Ivy, and Tay, Kenz & Brook tag Auntie Jen!
(i don't know if you've been tagged or not, but you'll just have to do it again than Jen)

You got a friend in me

One thing I hope to instill in my 3 girls is that they will always be friends. It's wonderful to have friends outside of family, a lifesaver at times, but what matters most at the end of the day is family. Friends will come and go throughout the years, but family is here to stay.

I'm so thankful for my little family, it amuses me to hear things like dont' you wish you had a boy or maybe you should have one more and try for a boy. Nope, I fully believe that Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us, Jerod & I weren't included on the "boy" one, and that is completely fine with us. We have some awesome nephews to love and spoil, and we wouldn't trade our 3 beauties for anything. Thank Heaven for Little Girls!

TTFN

Fishing with Dad

Normally on Friday nights in the Late Spring/Summer, Jerod & I are working at the race track. With the races were cancelled tonight with the threat of rain, so Jerod decided to take the girls fishing over by his Aunt/Uncle Vicki & Scott's house (they live on a lake.) On Taylor's 1st attempt, she caught this nice 16 1/2 inch bass, she was so excited! Brookie came home exclaiming "Mom, I can touch a worm now!" They crack me up.. To my WONDERFUL husband, I love you, couldn't live with out you, your the best daddy and husband! xoxo

Spring Pix!

Just a few pictures of my babies! My little dancin' diva's, I really love to watch the girls dance, at the risk of sounding "braggy" they really are good little dancers! Taylor's long limbs make her a beautiful ballerina, Kenzie just "gets it" things come so easy to her, and she may not look like she's having fun (smiles are hard to find on the stage) she's definately into it & has some rhythem! Brooklyn's awesome at "Jazz Hands" no pun intended, she has really precise arm movements! I'm just so proud of each and everyone of my daughters! The other picture is of Brooklyn, just thought she was looking extra cute that day, so I snapped her pic!

TTFN, have a good weekend!