Snow Days

Winter is here!!!  We are very happy at our house since it is white outside.  The sleds have made many trips down the local hills and a very large snowman was built.  The year is coming to an end, but we feel so lucky to be blessed
with so many fun and new things.

The first snow fell and we managed to build quite the snowman.  It took both Jeff and I to lift the middle ball...heavy snow!!!!  Here are the guys so proud of our new friend.

Jayden and I hanging with our new friend.  The weather didn't cooperate for us, so Mr. Frosty wilted and is now buried under the latest snow fall.  Think we will have to wait until spring for our scarf and our hat.

Did I mention that Jeff and I were going to treat ourselves to a new fireplace?  Well here is the old one...

And here is the new one.  We are very happy with how it turned out.  The mason did a great job matching the stone for the enclosing the one side in.  The warmth that we have now is so wonderful.  It is well worth the wait.

 Jayden recieved from St. Nick a rock kit and here he is digging for a treasure.

We had Gabbi for a weekend and so we took her and Jayden to the Dinosaur show at Shopko Hall in Green Bay.  It was not all that it was said to be, but the kids enjoyed it and that is all that matters.  So happy we can do these special things with the kids.

"Mom, Mrs. Alby said we have to wear our pj's inside out so we have a snow day tomorrow."  So this is what I came upon when it was time for night time prayers.  How fun for the kids to feel they are doing their part in making a "snow day" happen.

 

 Christmas Eve we had Jeff's family over for supper.  We shared with them a tradition my family has had for many years...egg rolls.  It may seem strange, but they are the best.  We enjoy making something different for the holidays instead of the typical turkey and ham.  I think they were a hit.  The kids had a blast playing
together and opening the many presents.

Merry Christmas from the Kraus house...this was our tree Christmas morning.  We had a very excited boy when he came down the stairs to see if "Santa" came.  With great surprise, he sure came with lots of extra goodies.
His favorite thing...a Knex roller coaster.
 
 The Knex roller coaster.

The two boys waiting to see what is under the tree at Grandpa and Grandmas house.

We hope that everyone has had a wonderful year filled with many great adventures.  We look forward to the coming year for new things to come and new adventures to arise.

Happy Holidays from the Kraus House!!!

Jeff, Heather and Jayden

A time for giving

This time of year is one of my favorites because people get credit for "giving".  On a daily basis, most people do something out of good will for others and never really take notice to it.  Most are too busy to notice or just don't realize how something so simple can be so big.  The holidays brings this into light a little and I think people take notice more.  Maybe it is because "Santa is watching" or maybe their hearts are more open.  Maybe we should have "Thanksgiving" every month so people "take notice".  This past month for me has lightened my steps.  Why?  People have taken notice, not always, to the little things I do for them and are very thankful.  How hard is it to say "Hi" and smile to someone walking by?  To give a compliment or to lend an open ear to listen.  The simple things are most often the most meaningful gift someone can give.

November has been not too busy for us it seems.  We really didn't do too many new things this month, but that is okay sometimes.  Jeff, his dad and brother were able to go hunting opening weekend.  No one came home with a trophy deer, but they did come home with lots of fun times to share about.  I'm sorry I don't have any pictures from deer camp, maybe next year.

We decided to take a little time to learn to ice skate.  Tri County Ice Arena was open for a open skate so we took to the ice.  The wall was Jayden's friend in the beginning, but did adventure out on his own towards the end and did great.  We will be doing this again.

Ooops..."this ice didn't hurt me Mom".  He got right up and took off again and again.

I was pretty uneasy on the skates at first, but got the groove back after a little bit.  Here though, Jayden and I were holding on for dear life.

Stephanie is a pro and Gabbi, lets just say she needs a few more years to really take the ice on.  She was a good sport though, loved going around gliding between two of us.

My two best guys...tired after skating.

 Jayden and Daddy made a Rocket together on a Daddy weekend.

Jayden received a science project kit for Halloween so we took on one of the projects after school one day.  I thought it would be fun to add a little food coloring to it to make it a little more exciting...lets just say I won't do that again.  Jayden had blue hands for a few days.  It was a lot of fun to play in the Goop!

Every year we have a little get together at my Mom's house to bake Christmas cookies.  This year we did it a little early since Baby Claffey would be arriving.  My Mom, Nicole, Kelly (our old neighbor), Sheri and I made our goodies and had a wonderful time doing so.  Since it is so early, I'm pretty sure nothing will be left for the holidays.

"Mom, I want to try something new."  "What is it Jayden?"  "I want to play the guitar."  A long while ago, Jeff bought a simple basic guitar so we got it out.  One night he was all into it with his sucker in his mouth just plucking away on the strings.  I'm pretty sure it still is a little big for him, but was fun to see him just having a blast with it.

 

 While the guys were gone hunting, Mom, Jayden, Linda (Nicole's sister-in-law) and I went to Fond Du Lac to the Kristmas Kringle Shop.  We had a lot of fun in the shop and found two new ornament for the tree this year.

Jayden's cool Turkey he made at school, gotta love a gobbler when you see one!!!!

The guys of the house took off to the Christmas Parade downtown the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  They enjoyed the parade very much and wishing I could have joined them.

What do you do when you get bored?  Make a slide in the house!!!

Our first big snow for start of our Snowy season!!!  We sure hope that we get more.

Our first attempt at a snow angel...look close to see the green angel

made with love by Jayden.

 Baby Claffey has arrived!!!!

Introducing...Grant Michael Claffey 7lb 0.9oz 19.5 in, born 11-27-12.
Congrats Nicole and Mike...you sure made a beautiful little boy!!!

 

Oh my, I think that might just be a turtle.
Wonder how that got there?  Guess he just has to love them just like his Auntie.

So sweet!!!

We hope that everyone enjoyed this month and look forward to the great times ahead in December.  This year sure has brought us a lot of things to be thankful for and hope it has done the same for you family too.

Until next time...
Jeff, Heather and Jayden

The Beauty Around Us

I know I have touched on this before, but how can a person not enjoy Autumn?  It is so beautiful in every direction you look.  The many different shades of yellow, orange and red.  I find myself gazing out my window more often to take it all in.  Looking at all the leaves that have fallen to the ground on my walks to school to bring or get Jayden.  Gazing through the somewhat bare trees to see the prettiest blue sky.  The smell of the fresh crisp air, the crunch of the leaves with every step, oh how I love this season.

The Kraus house has been busy with a few things this October.  Mostly taking in the nice days we have been given and having a little fun.

The great Pumpkin Harvest again this year was a success.  Uncle Ronnie and Uncle Louie tended to the seeds so well that we had a huge Harvest.  Don't think we will be growing the snake gourds again...they took over the garden.

We had Chad, Stephanie and Gabbi over for a grill out and happened to enjoy a little time playing in the leaves.  The kids and I played tag and went for wheel barrow rides around the yard.  Gabbi was making it rain leaves and Jayden was trying to cover himself but there wasn't enough leaves.  We made the most of it and had a blast.

My sister Nicole (and her Husband Mike) are expecting their 1st little one December 4th.  We all are very excited to meet him or her especially Jayden.  We held a shower in honor of Nicole and our big helper had to be their for his Auntie and new cousin.  I think when he knew their was presents and cupcakes involved, he was in.  Jayden didn't care one bit that he was going to be the only boy there.  Proud cousin I have to say!!!

It was a very nice shower and here is the crew...Mom, Nicole, Wendy and I.

The weather cooperated very nicely for Jeff and Jayden on my last weekend to work.  They spent a day at the corn maze "getting lost" in the corn.  They found their way to the end and enjoyed every minute of it.

Here is the happy kid at the end, taking in all that he ventured through.

We are very fortunate to live where we do to be able to enjoy nature so close.  The guys went hiking through Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve and found a few great places to pose.

In a fireplace?

Talking about fireplaces, check out all our firewood.  We spent a day and a half splitting and stacking all the wood.  Only thing, we don't have a fireplace to burn it in.  We are working on that though, so hopefully we will be using it up soon.

Jayden has been enjoying building towers and trees out of Jenga blocks.  He makes sure I take a picture of everyone.  Hope you enjoy this creation.

So who would like to hunt from this deluxe hunting stand?  Well my Uncle Ronnie has built a few of these on his land and Jayden and Uncle Louie headed up their to see the view.  The next morning Uncle Ronnie shot a 8 point buck with his cross bow.
Guess Jayden is his Good Luck Charm.

Oh no, a Spider!!!

 

We took advantage of Jayden having a half day off and had an afternoon of fun.  We picked Gabbi up from her sitters and had a picnic lunch.  Soon we were attacked by bees so we finished it up in the car.  After we headed to Mulberry Lane Farms to see the animals and pick a pumpkin.  It was our first time their and I would go back again.

Gabbi was not a fan at first of the animals, but soon warmed up.
Feeding the cow was simple.  

 But not so simple by the huge Pig.

Jayden milked a cow.

Jayden riding a horse or is that a little pony?

Gabbi riding her pony.

We enjoyed a "fast" hay ride.  We seen horses and their colts running and playing around.  Cows were grazing in the field eating grass.

I wish I would of thought of this, instead of a sand box they had a corn crib box.  Way less mess and way more noisy fun.

Don't forget the cool Rooster that was learking around.  Thought he was pretty cool.

Then the kids got to pick a pumpkin from the patch.  They first wanted to take a break on the pumpkins since it was a little hike to the field.

Carving Pumpkins with cousins.  We had a blast and the kiddos even didn't mind cleaning out their own pumpkins (well sort of).  Can't believe we have been doing this for 6 years now and looking forward to many more.

Packer Party!!!  Go Pack Go!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!  Our Ninja Jayden.

 My dad came over to show me his Buck, nice 8 pointer.  Now lets hope that Jeff, Chad and his Dad have good luck when they get out opening weekend.

Now here is one of the beautiful trees that just glows in color.
I think most of us take for granted all the beauty around us.

So this is it for now, hope everyone has had a great October.  We look forward to more adventures in November and hope everyone does too.

Until Next time...
Jeff, Heather and Jayden