Happpy Birthday Aaron! (12/27)

Aaron, Noelle's husband birthday is on the 27th of December.
Being a Pastor, along with two little people keeps him busy! We wish you a great year filled with many joys and dreams!

Christmas Blessings 2010

Christmas Day all our kids and their families along with Jeff's Mom joined us for some holiday cheer. Highlights - there were so many but the most important is that we were all together!

Danielle, Paul, Natalie & John; Noelle, Aaron, Lauren, & Elijah; Blair & Heather; Abby & Dan; and Jeff's Mom Gayle - we are blessed!

Thanks everyone!

Love,
Mom and Dad

Grandkids & Christmas:)

Christmas 2010

Time to share with cousins & Dads, with Grandma, & just tired out!

Christmas Eve at St. Lukes

We attended Christmas Eve services at St. Lukes where Noelle's husband Aaron is Pastor. After we go to church with them we head to St. Walburga for our midnight mass. We enjoyed both services.

Christmas Eve Lunch 2010

Jeff and I joined my brother John and his wife Kim for lunch with my Mom. Mom has always enjoyed eating at Red Lobster so we decided to take her there. She turned 89 in November.

You know you are a grandparent when ----

---- you are invited to your first school Christmas Program. Natalie Kaye attends Mary Queen of Peace School and invited us to her Christmas Program. What a treat to listen to children sing traditional Christmas songs celebrating the birth of Jesus. We were so proud of her! We could hear her singing. John seemed to enjoy the program as well!

Dec. 2010

Happy "2nd" Birthday Elijah (12/7)

Our youngest grandchild is now 2 years old. Time goes "oh" so quickly! He seemed to realize that this was a special celebration for him. Ean loves to listen to stories, build with blocks, drive his cars and trucks - "varooom, varooom" letters just don't give that sound quite right and of course get his sister going:) Little brothers just seem to have that innate ability.
Happy Birthday Elijah! Love you! Grandpa and Grandma

Cookie Baking 2010

The "3rd" annual cookie baking day (& Friday evening) was very productive. The big boys helped the little ones decorate sugar & gingerbread cookies. The big girls did the rest:)

Cookie Baking cont.

Dad & his girls -
Noelle & Abby deciding on which to do next!


----- and whoops spatuala in mixer - not a good combo!

Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma's Birthday

Today (11/27) is my Mom's 89th birthday. Danielle, Paul, Natalie, John, Abby, Jeff, and I helped her celebrate today. Mom has been a resident at St. Therese in New Hope for the last 3 and one half years. Early this summer she was transferred to the memory care unit. Understanding and communicating with Mom in her reality is sometimes challenging but she is my Mom and I love her for whoever she is today, tomorrow and yesterday. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Mom shares her birthday with Heather and Blair's wedding day. My Dad was deceased when they were married so a gift my Mom gave to Blair was a ring that they had gotten for my Dad commemorating their 50th wedding anniversary. When I see it on Blair's hand I often wish that he and Heather are able to someday celebrate 50 years together!

Happy Anniversary Blair & Heather (11/27)

Heather and Blair are celebrating their "6th" wedding anniversary on the 27th. They have recently moved to Iowa due to changes in jobs. On Friday evening we shared a pheasant dinner and just tried to catch up with them. Heather shared about her new job - expanding her experiences in the area of speech therapy and Blair and Jeff had much to talk about the "construction industry". Warms our hearts to see and hear that they are becoming more settled in their new home which may be miles from ours but only miles. They have an extra bedroom in the home they are renting in DesMoine - so we will be visiting soon. Happy Anniversary! Love you Mom and Dad

Advent Calendars

Advent, the season of preparation! While on one of my excursions I found these and I try not to miss a chance to enjoy my sewing room - so each family received one of these with a booklet of ideas to experience during this time. Ian and Noelle are looking at one of the calendars.

Thanksgiving 2010

We once again gathered the Sunday before Thanksgiving to celebrate the "Nadeau Thanksgiving Day." This is the reminder to us that it isn't the day that we celebrate but taking time to give thanks. This year we were not complete in body but in our hearts. Blair and Heather have moved to Iowa and it just wasn't going to work for them to join us but there will be another year.

Happpy Birthday Heather!

On Sunday Heather became half my age - enough said right Heather :) We were at the quilt retreat and decided to remind her shortly after midnight that the day had arrived. She was a good sport and didn't even hang up on us. Heather is a busy gal - new job - organizing a new home! We wish you a great year Heather! Love you! Jeff and Barb

End of an era!

Going, going, and gone! The volleyball court has been enjoyed for a long time from couples volleyball, to the kids playing on teams, to faculty parties, family gatherings, friends enjoying an evening - but all things do change and this is now going to be our "family garden." Jeff's Mom who will shortly be 89 years old continues to enjoy her garden. From her wisdom Jeff and I continue to learn - and making this into a garden is another lesson. Hopefully we will enjoy ours in the next coming years as she has. The joy that comes from something so small that can grow and reap a harvest -- and so it continues........

Trick or treaters!

Now aren't these cute trick or treaters - I think they should come in and stay awhile. John was a roaring dinosaur (I think he has been practicing his "roar" since his birthday!) and Natalie a kitty.

Rain and more rain!

The lake level continues to increase. On 10/9 is one photo and the other was taken on 10/30. I think we can officially say the dry spell is over! We have an artisan well at the cabin. This pipe is in the lake and water flows through it continually throughout the year. It is a great visual of how much the water level changes.

Kate's Party

Kate Harder was a guest of honor at a party to celebrate her arrival. Kate was born February 19th her Mom and Dad's (Allison & John's) 5th wedding anniversary. Can't top that for an anniversery! The Aunties and cousins and second cousins gathered! Who can resist that smile? Allison is our god child. It has been a joy and a blessing to watch her become a beautiful young woman with a baby of her own. Love you guys!

52 + 8 (Right Kitty?)

This fall I started a new decade! Oh dear, that sounds really old; but you are what you are; it is only a number; all the words that we hear. The best part of this age thing is being able to look back and count all of the blessings in your life and to be very thankful for them. I am! A soul mate, children, grandkids - the list begins and hopefully will continue for a few more decades!

Team work again!

Without the help of our kids - the fall chores of cabin life would be difficult. We think it is pretty cool with busy schedules that they continue to take turns in helping with this "fall ritual" of taking the dock out. A time of reflection as the leaves turn. Thank you, Dan, Ab, Aaron & Noelle!

The season coming to a close - boat rides and hanging out on the dock! Ean and Grandpa enjoyed a tour around the lake - Ean figured out how to make the boat go faster and of course Grandpa loved it! Who is enjoying it more???? Ab, Dan, Ean, & Lauren basking in the fall sunshine!

Food challenge!

Last winter when we were in Phoenix, we shopped at a flee market. There is always something interesting - so we found these Duro's! I brought a package for each of the kids. Well Ab did some research and this is what she did. You are the winner Abby! (She put them in the microwave.) They are even tasty:)

Canning - baking continues :)

I continued this fall to enjoy the canning and baking. This canning thing is almost addicting - I made South American's, a variety of pepper jellies, peaches, jams, and salsa. It is also very helpful to be able to share the jars with our kids; or a loaf of bread or cinnamon rolls - I so enjoy! When Jeff is here - he will help. The pressure cooker is his expertize!

Church Raffle

Ean's name was drawn as the winner of the Weber grill at the raffle at Mary Queen of Peace. It was fun to be there when Noelle received a call from the church secretary - she was unsure about this since she attend St. Walburga - brought back fun memories and much discussion. Jeff suggested that this year we write everyone's name on the various tickets - fun to have one of your own win!!!

Grand Forks - AIA Convention

This fall I was once again able to attend the AIA Convention. It was held at the Alerus in Grand Forks, ND. I enjoy these outings since I am able to hang out with Jeff and watch him in his "element". I realize that I am just a tad prejudice but he is a very successful business person. Such fun to hear others - even competitors talk about the remember when - and after 39 years there are a few of those. I also took some time to head over to the campus of UND. Noelle, our second oldest daughter graduated from there in 2000 with a degree in Social Work.

AIA - Last time?

Here is Jeff finishing up setting up the FABCON booth at the AIA convention in Grand Forks, ND. Perhaps this will be the last time he attends this AIA gathering??? (retirement) It is enjoyable to be a by stander and listen and watch as competitors meet and chuckle about old times - as it was with Jeff and Dick - an unnamed competitor:)

Happy Anniversary Danielle & Paul!

Danielle and Paul are celebrating their 7th anniversary the 11th of October. They have two children Natalie who is 5 and is now a kindergartener and John who is 3 and loves dinosaurs. They are a busy couple with fun things keeping them busy!

"A Roaring Party"

Here are all the kids "roaring" like dinosaurs - helping John celebrate his 3rd birthday. From left to right - Natalie (John's older sister), Evan (a friend), Ean (John's cousin), Lauren ( John's cousin) and John. Dinosaurs hats and they are all ready to enjoy! Great party, fun had by all!

Happy "3rd" Birthday John (9/17)

Our grandson John, (Danielle & Paul's son) celebrated his 3rd birthday last Saturday. John can make the best dinosaur roar - he loves cars, trucks, and riding his new scooter. John has an infectious giggle that makes you want to laugh out loud. He is a special guy. Love you lots John! Grandpa & Grandma