I Am Still Alive...

First Day Of School...

Hello to my followers (both of you). I hope all is well. I am still alive. I seem to spend what time I can grab on FaceBook these days. I do have the calling on my heart to write and share more so I will be blogging more frequently starting today. Please hold me accountable and post comments to motivate me. I need all the help that I can get!

School has started for the Kettelkamp family. We are on day nine according to Sophia. We are all back in the school groove, but I have to admit that I think it took me a little longer to adjust than it did for the kids. I have felt so disorganized this year but I'm finally feeling like I have some control of our schedules. I guess I'll enjoy that while I can.

Chris has decided to play football this year. This is the first time he has ever played and he is enjoying the practices thus far. His first game will be September 15th. Clay has also decided to play football this year. He begins practices this week. Jay is playing soccer with the Nixa Soccer Club. It is challenging him more and is a league that is more competitive. He had his first game last Saturday and the team played great. They finished in a tie 3-3. Sophia is playing soccer this fall with the Nixa park district. She also begins practices this week and her first game is September 19th. Needless to say, we are running all over the place, but enjoying every minute of it.

Merry Christmas Eve to one and all! I just wanted to share a funny Christmas moment from the Kettelkamp household. One evening a few weeks ago Alan and Sophia were watching T.V. when the following commercial came on. When the commercial was over, Sophia looks at Alan and says, "I know what is in that box." Alan, a little afraid to ask, said, "What do you think was in the box?" Sophia very proudly says, "A shirt!" Relieved, Alan says, "You're right! She is getting a shirt for Christmas."

"...Christmases Long, Long Ago"

I love looking back at photos of Christmases past and see how big the kids have gotten. Each of these moments seems like it only happened yesterday. I guess my mom was right, the older you get, the faster time goes. I truly am cherishing each moment before they are gone. I sure do love my kiddos and am so blessed that God has entrusted them to me. Sometimes I wonder what he was thinking, but feel blessed just the same. May you enjoy this special time of year with those you love and make amazing memories that will last forever.

(12-20-08)

Just In Time For Christmas--Thanksgiving Photos! Go Figure!

Here is a pictorial of how we spent our Thanksgiving. We celebrated Thanksgiving Day with Alan's family. We then spent the remainder of the holiday with our dearest friends, the Reavis'. We had a great time with them. Among other things, we shopped, visited the Festival Of Trees, enjoyed gingerbread cookies, chatted with Santa, and caught up with some good friends and stuffed ourselves at Incredible Pizza. Oh, we also delivered a cute little four legged friend to Brenda for her "32" birthday. It was a great few days of good food, awesome friends and some fun memories. We hated to see it end. That was evident in the tidal wave of tears that flowed when we had to say good-bye. That part is never easy.


Chris filling his plate with all of that comfort food.

Clayton patiently waiting to eat.

Sophia and Jay waiting not so patiently to eat.

Sophia thanking God for our meal.

Clayton and his best friend, Abigail.

Caden enjoying his gingerbread cookie.

This gingerbread man never had a chance.

Brenda devouring her "heavily" iced gingerbread man. Yummy!

Sophia showing what remains of her gingerbread man.

Clayton's just about done.

It doesn't take much to entertain these boys.

I think Jay won this fight!

Tanner, Chris and Casper. How sweet!

This group looks like trouble.

Best buds!

Sophia and Jay in front of an African themed tree. Roar!!

Clay, Sophia, and Jay with Santa.
Tasty snowflakes!

"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas..."

The Christmas season officially began for the Kettelkamp's this weekend. On Saturday we spent the day decorating for Christmas. We hung lights outside (that took most of the day and extremely stressed me out watching the kids helping Alan hang lights while standing on the roof). We so scream Griswold's or hillbillies. I'm not sure which is more appropriate. We also put up and decorated the Christmas tree. The kids had a lot of fun with it and it has definitely put us in the spirit. We love pulling out all of the ornaments and reminiscing or more appropriately with our family...staking claims on which ornament is yours. We're so competitive.

On Sunday after church, we spent the day at Silver Dollar City. The Christmas celebration is going on there right now, so it was very festive. We rode roller coasters in our winter coats and at the end of the day with sleet stinging our faces. That was a first for us. We watched a Frosty The Snowman show. The kids decorated and ate some sugar cookies. We ate some cinnamon bread, some ice cream (It takes a lot to keep my kids from eating ice cream, even cold noses and extremities), and drank some hot chocolate. At the end of the day there we watched a lighted Christmas parade and a Christmas tree light show. There are so many lights there right now. They've really done a great job with it. It was beautiful, especially at night.

*Ignore the date on some of the photos that reads January 2003. These were taken November 2008. Did I mention that I am asking Santa for a new camera this Christmas?

Clay's Indian project that daddy helped him with. Notice the bear "scat" that is included. I'm sure Mrs. Banks was impressed with that.

Clay with his Indian project. He was very proud of it and rightfully so.