Christmas

 

As I was listening to a friend talk about all the driving they had to do this past week, it made me very thankful that my family and Mike’s family lives right here in Owatonna. I never have to drag the kids across country, I never have to factor a 3-5 hours car trip into my precious and short break from work, and I always sleep in my own bed each night.

 

Christmas Eve was spent at my mom and dad’s for appetizers. Mike’s family joined us as well. I did not take any pictures of that event, but I did snap one of Noah and Connor opening their allotted ONE gift in pre-celebration of the big day.

 

Both boys got new Phiten necklaces this year.

 

Christmas morning came around 7:00 AM in the Budach household. Not bad! I can tell the kids are getting older…..

 

 

 

 

 

By far the most anticipated gift of this year was their Ipod Touches……they have not put them down since they got them. They were both so excited and happy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockings are always easier because Santa doesn’t have to wrap those gifts!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That afternoon we headed over to Mike’s mom and Dave’s for another Christmas. All the usual suspects were there……..

 

 

 

If you look closely, you will see a few funny moments…..

1. Corey doing the Christmas-Vacation-Drum-Roll before opening his gift.

2. Zach getting a fancy rock from South Dakota as a decoy so he wouldn’t know what was really in his box.

 

A shot of all the grandkids.

 

We are now just enjoying our days off before going back to work/school for what I call, The-Longest-Three-Months-Of-The-Year. The days until spring break (which is a week later this year) seem to take 6 months, I swear. Florida starts calling my name around January 3rd and doesn’t stop until the plane touches ground down south.

 

I few noteworthy items from the week so far…

Noah had his first sleep-over. He’s miserable today and it basically a bomb waiting to go off at a moments annoyance (probably his brother). It just adds more fuel to my dislike of sleep-overs. I am hoping it doesn’t start to become a normal occurrence.

 

Noah also went somewhere without adults for the first time. I know I am a nervous Nelly when it comes to this stuff, and I know most 12 year olds have already ventured out without their parents at least to a movie with friends, but I don’t like it. He went to the basketball game with some buddies and I went to the movie with my parents and sister-in-law. Needless to say, I wasn’t able to relax and just enjoy the show knowing he was there alone. Minus one mishap of him dropping his phone UNDER the bleachers, all went well (how would I ever know if it didn’t since I wasn’t there?!) and having to call a janitor to crawl inside the bleachers because they aren’t retracted after games, he got it back and it still works.

 

I wonder when this will get easier? I guess I have to trust that he’s a responsible, good kid and hope like heck he remembers that when he’s out without his parents. But, that doesn’t mean I have to like it. So for the record, I don’t.

 

As of 4 minutes ago, the bar is officially complete! I am looking forward to entertaining some friends there later this week. I will take some pictures and post about the before and after too. Of course, the construction did not go without incident, because it’s just not the Budach-way to NOT have some sort of issue or road block no matter what we try to do. But, it’s complete and we love it. It’s amazing how much that room has changed.

 

Hope your Christmas was merry and bright!

LB

Basketball and Concerts

 

December

Should be one of a person’s favorite months, right? After all, what’s not to like? There’s Christmas, presents, days off, snowflakes, baked goods, lazy sleep-in mornings, hot chocolate, fireplaces, chopping down Christmas trees, decorating, family get–togethers, the list is endless.

 

Except December is becoming increasingly the-month-to-cram-every-single-thing-you-can-until-you-cry month. I am not exactly finding it enjoyable. Between family craziness and school craziness (why do I put the biggest project of the year in December?) I am raising the white flag. I surrender. I. Give. Up.

 

Basketball has started. Both boys are playing, Noah is traveling. MEN plan these tournaments and I think we all know men aren’t so good at planning. Most tournaments find us learning the day before of the plans,  driving an hour and a half only to play only one game and have to drive back up the next morning at the butt-crack of dawn for another one, and practices that go until the late hours at night.

 

Noah’s team isn’t exactly good. They win very few games. However, it’s a nice bunch of kids and they seem to have a good time, which is what matters, right? Right?!? Noah is great at every aspect of basketball except one. Making a basket. Apparently, this is a requirement to being successful at this sport. Who knew?

 On defense.

 

 

 On Offense.

 

 

 

 Rebound!

 

 

 Shooting. Bless his heart.

 

 

 Caught by the picture snapping mama.

 

 

Connor’s basketball just started last weekend. He and his team got to play at half-time of one of the Huskies games. This once enjoyable event has turned into quite a joke. It used to be they played whole court against another team during half time. Now they rebound (while standing on the side lines…not many balls there), they get to give high five the players, and they play for 8 minutes on half of the court while the other half of the court is filled with crowd members trying to make a three-pointer for a liter of pop. You can imagine who people watch….it’s not the wee ones. But, I think Connor had fun. Due to my horrible lenses and my inability to take a picture much further away than 4 feet (and add that they are  indoor pictures which we have established I cannot take) all the pictures are blurry. Every single one.

 

 

The only picture I will post.

 

 

 

 Noah being too cool to hang out with his parents.

 

On top of the madness that is the holidays, schools feel the need to have concerts held in December too! Oh Joy!

 

 One of my friend’s daughters is to the right of Connor in the white. Aren’t they both so cute? Notice the bit of space between him and blue-dress-girl? Connor gave that girl on his left some what-for while they were setting up. Cracked me up! She was trying to tell him exactly where to stand and he wasn’t having any of it. That’s right my boy, shuffle closer to the sweet one in the white!

 

 

Noah is in choir this year…..I basically forced him to try it. A bunch of his friends are in it so that makes it less painful enjoyable.

 

Again, due to my lousy lenses….these pictures are as close as I could get. Maybe someday I can win the lottery and invest in some decent equipment.

 

So, life is crazy. My Meniere’s isn’t liking it. I am tired all the time, struggling to hear, and basically have a foggy feeling most days. Last year around this time I was sick with vertigo. I wanted to leave school because I felt horrible, but I battled through the day. I am hoping somehow that that will not happen this year. I read recently that when someone that suffers with this feels this way, you have to spend 4-5 days doing nothing in order to not have an episode. The way I am feeling is my body’s way of telling me to KNOCK IT OFF and stop the madness. Too bad I can’t listen to my body.

 

Oh sweet holiday break….could you hurry please?

Lee Anne

 

The pressure…..

Got a text from my friend today putting on the pressure to update the blog.  Actually, she texted to make sure everything was okay. Sweet, huh? Yup.

 

So, prepare for some random.

 

Our latest favorite recipe is HERE. I just finished making them and it’s taking all my will power to not make myself a third helping. You will not be disappointed if you try it. SO DO IT, and then write on the blog and tell me if you love it as much as we do. Noah cheered when he came up the stairs and saw what were having for supper. Do not be afraid of the fry bread either. If I can do it it, anyone can do it. It’s easy peasy.

 

The only thing to alter in the recipe is to use HALF of the packet of onion soup mix. Even if you double the recipe (you can see it only uses a half pound of hamburger. The lady has no children, can you tell?) It’s way too savory if you add the whole packet.

 

Otherwise, it’s pure bliss. I add lettuce, sour cream, and olives because I like all that stuff, but the kids eat it just like the recipe calls. While you are at that woman’s site…..check out her other recipes. There are many great ones on there. We like the cheeseburger chicken too.

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We are putting a bar downstairs! It’s made for some pretty exciting times around here. We are working with Richard’s Wood Products out of Geneva. Mike’s cousin married into the family that owns the joint and she works there. They do amazing work and I am excited to see how it improves the downstairs. I will take before and after pictures. Maybe we will even use the downstairs now. Happy hour anyone?

 

I have been hunting for stools. I think it would be fun to do some cool patterned ones to liven it up down there. We will see what I can find.

 

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Noah and Connor both started basketball practices and Noah had his first tournament in Fridley MN this past weekend. They played three games and lost two out of three…..but not by too much. It was a lot of fun. Noah does very well at every facet of basketball except one……making a basket. Seriously, the kid is so aggressive, he steals the ball all the time, he outruns most of the players, he hustles every second on the court. He just can’t make a shot.  He did have four points on the weekend though. So, maybe there is hope! To watch him break away from all the other players, run down the court to his basket, and MISS THE SHOT is agonizing for me! I usually bury my head in Mike’s arm when it happens. He’s got a great group of kids on his team and it makes for such a good time for the boys. Noah joined the very last millisecond, literally. I think we are all glad he did.

 

Connor has only practiced once and they have not played a game yet. Teams don’t play actual games until third grade in Owatonna (just skill building up until then) so Connor is super excited to do that for the first time. We are too, actually!

 

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Looking forward to getting together with my family on Thursday for Thanksgiving. My niece, her husband, and my sister are coming from Wisconsin Wednesday night and staying until Saturday. That will be nice to have them here. Saturday we will go to Mike’s mom’s and Dave’s and enjoy another fabulous meal (which reminds me, Cindy……what can I bring?).  Having four days off makes me very happy.

 

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My BFF Tammy and her hubby Paul are also coming home. Oh how I miss them! The plan is to do something fun with them on Saturday night. Not sure what we will do yet, but anything is fine by me. Purple Hazes….here we come!

Purple Haze Martini:

One shot Chambord (raspberry liquor)

One shot Vanilla Vodka (I like Stoli)

One shot cranberry juice

 

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As part of the student council, Noah is speaking in front of the entire school to present a check to a local charity in town. I was completely shocked when he said he was okay with it. The students at Willow Creek raised $1800 for Bed for Kids ( I dare you to watch without crying) in 5 days. Isn’t that incredible? FIVE DAYS! Noah will help present them the check on Wednesday. If I can keep from having a nervous breakdown, (remember this is the boy that stutters?!) I will take pictures.

 

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Having some issues with Christmas gifts. The video games the boys want are rated M for mature and I just won’t do it. I know ALL THE OTHER kids have them, but I am not giving in. As far as I am concerned, I don’t care if another video game or gaming system enters this house. They have plenty. They say there are no “good” games rated T or under (which I think I am being nice about the rated T ones!).  They don’t play video games excessively and I am fine with them playing as much as they do, but I won’t cave on this one. I know the NFL and NBA games only come out once a year (those are probably their favorites) and they have the latest ones….but too bad. Guess that means Santa will have lots of money to spend on other things since he doesn’t have to sink $50 into a video game!

As a side note….as I type this, the boys just got sent to their rooms for fighting over a video game. Going to be a long winter.

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Mike and I ventured to a Bed and Breakfast in Stillwater last weekend for Mike’s birthday. We had such a great time, but decided we are done with them. Something about sleeping in someone else’s house just weirds me out. Ick. I felt like we had to whisper while we talked. The breakfast was nothing great (in fact I never even finished mine) and the bed was a double. I like my husband a lot, but we do not sleep in a double bed. Does anyone, really?

 

It was 57 degrees and we strolled through the cute little shops on the main drag in Stillwater and then had a great dinner at Marx. It was perfect because it was super packed, super slow service, which made for all kinds of wine drinking and talking. A much needed get away indeed.

 

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That’s all I got. No pictures….but lots of links, so enjoy~

Lee Anne

 

 

Halloween

So, I basically had to beg my kids to trick-or-treat this year. Noah was convinced he was too old, and although Connor wouldn’t admit it, I think Noah NOT going made him not want to go too.

 

I had no costumes and didn’t really plan on purchasing any. I went online and found some homemade ones that I started throwing out as options to Connor in case he would change his mind. He vetoed most every one but finally agreed that maybe he could go as……a dirty laundry basket! I was SOOOO exited!

 

I had it all planned, I would cut (“we” meaning Mike) a hole in the bottom of one of my laundry baskets, and then we would have Connor stand inside it and pull it up to his waist. I would then pile in some laundry around him. Finally, I would glue old socks to his clothes to make it look like static cling.

 

I thought it would be hysterical and very creative. THESE are the kinds of costumes I appreciate. My fondest memories of my own costume creations was when my friend and I went as a pair of dice in college. We covered two HUGE boxes with fuzzy, white cloth that we paid a fortune for. Then we cut black felt dots out and glued them to the sides. Finally, we hooked them together with string and stuck our heads and arms through holes on the top and sides. Brilliant! I saved those suckers and Mike and I even used them for Halloween one year.

 

 

Because they didn’t decide to go until the last second, I was stressed.  I rushed home from work that Monday to get Connor’s costume finalized.  Noah decided he would throw on his football gear and walk through the neighborhood with Connor, so his costume wouldn’t require anything of me. I went to work on Connor’s gluing a few odd socks on a hat and on the shirt Connor would wear.

 

He tried it on and I was laughing so hard.  As I was trying to breathe, I could see a look come across Connor’s face…….there was no way he was wearing that costume! He was totally embarrassed.

 

UGH!!!

 

I threw up my hands and sent him downstairs to grab whatever he could still fit in from the old costumes.

 

Hey, at least it made for an easy picture…..no smiling necessary.

 

 

Have I mentioned Connor completely skipped size 8 pants and now wears 10’s? They are 3.5 years apart and I had to look at this picture twice figuring Noah was on the bottom step or something. No dice.

 

The weather was decent and the kids came back having had a good time. Mom and dad and I stayed back and handed out candy and I think we had four people at the door. I had SO much candy to share with my students the next day. There are many advantages to living at the end of a dead-end…… being able to enjoy trick-or-treaters is not one of them.

 

Even though costumes were a bust, pumpkin carving was not! For the first time ever, our kids carved their own pumpkins.

 

They both still have a few candy bars left in their bags. There was only one almond joy which made this mother very sad. I was really counting on three or four.

 

Time to move on to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hard to believe how quickly the end of the year is approaching. But, I am okay with that….the quicker we can get back to summer the better.

 

Peace,

LB

Apple Orchard

 

We decided to take a jaunt to Faribault and go to the apple orchard. I needed something “fun” on the weekend that didn’t include a kids’ sporting event or grading of papers (don’t worry I got my fill of both of those this weekend though too…in case you were worried). No one ever really wants to go, but I usually insist. We’ve been going for many, many years.

 

 

My parents came with and we battled bugs and wind, but we came home with tons of apples!

 

 

 

 

I think Connor may have had the most fun. He ran around like a demon. He climbed trees to the WWAAYY top to get the “juicy ones”.  I wanted to make him come down but decided to look away instead and let him have fun.

 

 

 

 

 

Noah is probably getting a little too old for this kind of thing. He picked a few, posed for a few pictures….then checked his phone. I asked him to pose in the pumpkins and he went into the patch and then turned around when he realized he’s too cool for that.

 

 

We picked up a caramel apple kit and we will be making those tonight for snack.

 

 

 

 

 

We went out to eat at Boston’s and drove home at sunset. I took a few shots outside the car window.

 

 

Good-bye summer!

LB