Thanksgiving Break!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday this year. Ragnar's parents flew in from Germany to come and spend the holiday with us. 

Here is their cute plane selfie on their way to Texas!

They got to walk the kids to school which my kids love!

We played the Legos they bought the kids and that took a good portion of the day!

Channing loves putting puzzles together.

Oma was helping Deacon make baskets. He loves to play basketball!
On Tuesday we got a chance to go to the Houston Temple. My parents were kind enough to watch the kids as we went.

Ragnar and his mother.

 Ragnar and his cute parents

We got to go to a Houston Rockets Game on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and had a great time in the suites, even though the Rockets didn't play well.

Our handsome boys!

Rockets Selfie!

Thanksgiving day came and although I was so nervous about cooking my first Thanksgiving dinner, it turned out well and we had a great day!

 Ragnar was helping with the turkey! Thank goodness!

 Making some yummy potatoes!

Hellmut was ready to eat!

 The middle kids table ;)

And of course we had a wii dancing party. Daphne is here after all!

That evening Ursula wanted to see what all the Black Friday hype in America was all about, so Daphne and I went out to two stores to show her what it was all about! I think she enjoyed herself!
Friday we got to have lots of help putting up Christmas decorations!

Ragnar got the tree up and Daphne and I decorated!

 Here it is in all it's 12ft glory! I love it!

They wanted to add some lights outside...so this was the arrangement the kids wanted.

Ursula also helped the kids make these ribbon place mats. They had a great time learning!

Their grandparents took them to the park and they had a blast!

The kids are lucky to have such fun grandparents!

On Saturday night we went to dinner and then to see The Phantom of the Opera. It was wonderful!

Such a fun night!

Deacon loved Hellmut and it was so cute to watch them together. Hellmut would say "guten tag" and Deacon would always walk up to him and shake his hand! We are so glad they came and we miss them so much already!

Another season's a wrap!

Cavin finished out another season of soccer. He completed Fall season which makes 6 seasons with the Texas Heatwave. He has had the same coach and has really enjoyed playing with Coach Tory. This year they were the Red Dynamite a name he proudly chose.

Here he is at the beginning of the season.

He sure loves getting his trophy each season! They had an end of the year party at the bowling alley and they had a blast!

 Here they are, minus one boy Miles

He sure is a handsome soccer stud!

Family Pictures 2015

My favorite thing to do every year is get family pictures. While I don't enjoy the preparation and finding something for everyone to wear, or the anxiety that comes with making sure everyone is rested and happy, I love the end results. I love to see pictures of my kids and how much they have grown each year. I am so grateful for our family. Here are some of my favorite shots.

Sweet Ella

My Handsome Cavin

Our sassy "orange head"

Cute little Deacon

This is a face we see so often. He is so excited about everything!

Our Family!

Some candids

Me and one of my sweet boys

Cute girls

11 years later

The cute gals!

Hartzheim Boys!

I am so grateful I have eternity with this family of mine. They truly are the family I dreamed I would have.

October Fun!

October is always a little busy around our house as Ragnar starts up the Rockets season and the holidays begin. The kids and I enjoy getting ready for Fall. This month started with a trip from Daphne for the kids church Primary program. We were so grateful she took the time to come. 

The girls are always glad when Daphne comes for church because she curls their hair so pretty! The kids did great in their program and it went well as a ward primary presidency.
The next week we painted pumpkins for FHE as we prefer that to carving.

They each were definitely different and I enjoy seeing their creativity.

Cavin had to make a pumpkin of a character in a book for school as well. It was a family project and we chose "The Tickle Monster" book. My kids have loved that book since my best friend Stacey introduced them to it. 

Ella also got to go on her fourth grade field trip all the way to Austin, Texas to see the state Capitol and a couple museums. I was nervous for her to go that far alone. They had big greyhound buses they took them on fed them and such and she had a blast! I mean she talked about it for days. I am so glad it was such a positive experience for her. 
As for Halloween this year. We were a little less than enthusiastic. The kids were indecisive about what they wanted to be and I was all for keeping it simple. Cavin decided to be a basketball player and I was glad because he had everything and Deacon was one as well. I much prefer spending money on something they will use again! Ella wore her dance recital costume and Channing her birthday dress of Sophia! It worked out well!

 Ella as a princess ballerina.

 Cavin was James Hardin

 Channing was Sophia the First

And...Deacon was a handsome basketball player.

I sure love these kiddos! We went to the Trick or Treat in the suites at the Toyota Center and it was packed this year. We had fun though and then we hurried to our ward trunk or treat and caught the end. Then on Halloween it was raining. It slowed down so I took the older three kids with some friends out to trick or treat, but it was kind of a dreary day. Another Halloween in the books!