Thanksgiving Memories

Thank you for all of the cherished memories:)

Nate and I were talking on the way home of how much we enjoy all of our traditions. We're counting on everyone to keep these around so our kids can enjoy the family fun too!

Brrrr! It's cold outside!

Hope everyone is staying warm! This past week as been a real wake up call - 70 degrees and sunny down to 28 degrees with rain and snow. Fun, fun. I finally broke down and put a warm coat on and now the weather feels kinda nice. I just love the change of seasons - as long as I am warm!!!
Lexie has finally gotten used to bundling up. We had a couple of rough mornings!!!

Lexie helping Daddy clean!

Nothing like stalling in the morning when Mom is trying to hurry out the door!!! At least she's reading right?!?!

Our sleeping angel!

Sunday morning we broke out Lexie's new coat! Thank you for saving this Anna. We just love it!!!!

All bundled up and ready to go to school!

Have a great week everyone. We are looking forward to seeing everyone!

October 1st

Lexie posing by the pumpkins on October 1st. This is befor the next door neighbor's party.

Lexie taking her ride to the party.

Enjoying herself in the jumping pen. She slept really well that night!

The birthday girl, Cassidy, and Lexie.

Our Visit with the Wodele's

Hanging out on the couch. Thanks for having us over! We sure had lots of fun playing!!!

Janelle and Jake - you have a very lovely little lady!

Three little monkeys jumping on the bed.....!

Sept - Minnesota Mini Vacation

Three little cousins standing in a row,

Three little cousins sitting in a line,

This little cousin is looking fine! (Okay, too many kiddie books before blogging!!!)

Mika is hamming it up for the camera!

Uncle Jeremy surfin' safari. Let's go surfing now, everyone is learning how, come on a surfing safari with me!!!! (Beach Boys!!!)

Maya hammin' it up! : )

Lexie and Maya.

Lexie, Stephanie, and Mika.

Lexie watching the Birchler Boys in a boat! (She's hoping Daddy doesn't get hurt!)
Kansas City Sisters!

The cousins three.

How adorable! : )

Lexie watching the rides at the Mall of America.

Catch up time

Hi Y'all!

Since our week vacation in Sept. I have been behind with everything! It has been a continuous game of playing catch up/keeping up at work and at home - thus there has been no posts from the Lodi clan. Here are two pics of Lexie after we got her month long double ear infection cleared up. She finally ran around smiling. It feels so good when your kids feel good. Thank heavens for chiropractic!!!

Lexie loves bathtime!!!

Lexie enjoyed her first Brewers game in Milwaukee.This is a photo of Lexie's first hair cut. Those bangs were getting too long and were starting to drive Mommy nuts!!! She did amazingly well. She sat very still and shed no tears. Completely opposite of her Mommy when she was little!!!

Halloween Fun!

Nate and I enjoyed the Halloween weekend in Hudson with friends. We were Betty and Barney from the Flinestones (ski team costumes).
We hope to see more Halloween pictures soon:)

Life Goal- check!!!

Maya and Mika with Mommy's student and Falcon cheerleader Ashely after Maya attended a kids cheer clinic.... Mika was an honorary cheerleader as she just couldn't sit by and just watch. We are discovering that Mika is SO her mommy and Maya SO her Daddy!!! AND... I HAVE BABYSITTERS AGAIN!! YEEE HAAAA ! Our others are now in college... :( and only come home rarely..) East Beach Santa Barbara
Estero Girls and bride Chavet

Our best Friend Travis finished his goal on the KC marathon the week after ours.  He also ran the half and we met him at the finish line knowing how awesome it was to have a fan club cheering you on. We all went out to dinner that night with our medals on (Of course this was my idea!!! Travis loved it.. Ryan hated it....) and had a blast. The girls wore some of Ryan's old medals... The pic above also has Auntie Heather with Uncle Travis and us.
Our number one fan club!!!! :) Right after Ryan finished the race back at the hotel... 
YEEEE HAAAAAAA!!! 
My Hero: Ryan Jon Birchler
Mile 26... You CAN DO IT!!!  (Red is half marathon, Yellow full marathon) Notice 

I love you sign!! :) 
Ready to Roll! 

It's taken me awhile to blog as it's crazy as always around here! I won't write much, but have to say thank you so much for all the wonderful well wishes!!! It meant the world to Ryan and me!

Ryan did absolutely awesome! It was also so incredible to have our own family congratulatory group of Todd, Carrie, Jack, Delaney and Peytie after Ryan's life goal!! It was only a few brief moments, but will last forever in our hearts that you guys were there on such an important event in our lives. It really was emotional! It was awesomely symbolic running the first 10 together before Ryan had to split off  to the  marathon and I finished the last 3.1 by myself... under 2 hours which was my goal... Ryan finished in 4:21... Really awesome...

It was fun sharing successes with my students... I started to feel pretty old though when a teenager compared me to her 37 year old DAD!!! AGH!!! 

Great to see the incredible variety of people, age, race, body type... I passed Mr. Muscle man.. But then I was passed by some chica I would have bet money on to beat... You just never know what's inside someone's heart!!! :) LOVED IT!!!

We love and miss you all. We can't wait to see some of you at Thanksgiving!!!