Birthday Retreat

So, my birthday was Jan 3 and honestly I wasn't looking forward to it coming. It's not because I was going to be another year older but because of other circumstances. Well, after some lengthy discussions with my hubby, he planned something for me but I had to agree to it all with out knowing what it was. I did know that we were headed out somewhere and had to pack a bag for me and the kids. So right after church we came home, ate some lunch and headed out. Still not knowing where we were going, I had my guesses but no clue really what was in store. We headed in the direction of St Louis but knowing Danny I knew this probably wasn't were we were going, he just wanted me to think that. Well, after an hour or two, he finally let me in on where we were going. Osage Beach. It's a part of the Lake of the Ozarks. He had rented a small cabin on the lake and had it planned for me to spend an entire day shopping. Osage beach has a HUGE outlet mall, 110 shops, with FANTASTIC deals. He allowed me to get shopping for anything and everything I wanted with absolutely no limits. I'll admit that was a little overwhelming cause I don't spend much on myself and what I did spend was outrageous and makes me feel a little guilty. But I got some really cute things that are classics to carry me through for a few years. It was a really good day. He did a good job entertaining the kids all day long while I shopped alone all day. He would take them to stores then go to the car and watch movies with them, then I'd eventually meet up with them and nurse Audrey. We had a fun lunch at an Italian restaurant and then did more shopping until dinner time. We shopped all day and the kids did fabulous all day long. They were rewarded with an LED flashlight that will see much use. We didn't get home until 10:30 that night, they were exhausted, Danny and I were exhausted- it was a long day. Danny did good-I owe him big time!

Pictures are in order of what we did:


Momma's little girl loooooovvvvvved the hot tub!!!!



We all love the hot tub. One day we will own one.


Most adorable girl ever eating some pizza.


Dinner time at the cabin. (This picture made me realize how much weight I've put on lately, yuck! But I think with the new clothes I got it compliments my figure better)


They are all literally in the middle of saying "pizza"


This is a picture of the lake at dusk, it was taken right off the deck.


All my cute kids dressed up for me for my birthday.


I think this is cute of the boys looking at the lake.


I love how Josh is hugging Colton in this one.


Just chillin-watching some morning cartoons.


Love that smile!


Danny does not like bathing the children, can't you tell by that face? But since it was my birthday, there wasn't any argument from him.


A shot of the lake in the morning.


Just waking up in the morning.


Some of the bags

This is a shot of all the goods I ended up with. There is a lot of cute things there and a lot of overlapping of clothing. Can't wait to get wearing them. Thanks Danny!!!!

Christmas 2010

So here's a few pictures of what Santa left for the boys. If you look under the tree there is one present opened because Audrey unwrapped it so many times that I quit wrapping it and left it there for her to play with.



The boys made some s'mores for Santa. And it wouldn't be complete without a drink of Orange soda to go with it. They also threw some food outside for the reindeer to eat.




This is the gifts that they opened on Christmas eve. They have WANTED pillowpets forever. So Grandma and Grandpa indulged them and got them the coveted gift. And they LOVE, L-O-V-E, love them so much!


Christmas morning craziness at our house. The kids had a great Christmas! They said they really liked all their gifts. Audrey had been ripping open presents every day prior to Christmas but on Christmas day when she was free to do so she wasn't doing it. I guess since it wasn't taboo to open them up anymore it lost all it's appeal to her.



Taking note of their new loot


Binoculars!! They each got some binoculars for our upcoming Yellowstone Trip.








(Look at that face almost looks mad)








Monkey bread for our Christmas morning breakfast-YUMMY!



All cleaned up and in their new Christmas pajamas

Merry Christmas

We wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We wanted to get Christmas cards out this year but it just didn't happen so this is our "card" to everyone. We hope you have a wonderful day and that you may remember the reason we celebrate Christmas. May we remember the Saviors humble birth and the sacrifices He made for each one of us that we may live again!







All the pictures were taken at Crown Center. Our tradition is to visit Fritz's Railroad Diner for dinner then we head over to see all the Christmas displays. And we couldn't have asked for a nicer winter night than what we got that day. Merry Christmas to all!!!!
Love
The Fritz's

(As a side note, it's really hard to get 4 kids to look and smile at the camera at the same time. So, I chose the first picture because it showcases each of their true personalities!)

Josh's Christmas Performance

Dec 13 Josh's preschool held a Christmas program. The kids performed many Christmas songs. It was really cute watching the little ones. It reminded me of a bunch of Sunbeams singing for the Sacrament program. Of course the kids are 4/5 year olds so they don't hold still very well and then some had to go out and go potty, as well as one kid throwing up. I felt so bad for the kid but more so for the mom, that just had to be a horrifying moment for her! I really love his preschool. It has been so good for him and the teachers are wonderful. He goes to North Cross Preschool which is held at the Methodist church. Which I've really come to love that they include prayers and keep some Christ in the picture. Anyways, here are some pics that we got of him. We are still trying to figure out all the features on our camera so if they don't look crisp that's why.


Getting all the kids lined up and ready to go



Singing and clapping



Josh finally finds us



More singing and actions



Another glance over at us




Their final song with some of there teachers. His teacher is the tall brunette with a bob.

Not for the Faint of Heart

So last night Danny went to pick up the missionaries for dinner at our house and on the way back as they were driving over a small bridge near our house one of the missionaries asked the other one if he thought the dead buck was still there. Of course this made Danny's ears perk up and he had to know more. They told him there was a buck frozen in the creek under the bridge and they had wanted to get it out for a long time but didn't know how to do it and now it was frozen in the water. Danny said he didn't care and that he would go get it after dinner. They thought he was crazy but they wanted to see him do it so Danny, the missionaries, and Josh went down there after dinner.
When they got there you could only see a small portion of the back as the rest was frozen under the ice. You couldn't tell whether it was a buck or a doe but the missionaries promised that it was a buck so Danny said he was willing to get it out. The ice was frozen pretty solid but Danny slowly chopped a path out to the buck with an axe checking to see how deep the water was as he went out. The limb that you can see by the buck Danny chopped up and had it straddling the ice so that if he fell in he had something to grab ahold of. Well it took him a while but he finally was able to pull the buck out of the water and then he chopped the head off and brought home his prize that he worked so hard for. Now keep in mind it was only in the twenty's as far as the temperature and of course Danny who loves the cold did all this work without even wearing a coat. I will let the pics tell the rest of the story. WARNING: Some of the pics are not for the faint of heart. Enjoy!
Just so you know it is legal in Missouri to take the antlers if they are attached to a dead deer as long as you report it to a conservation officer within 24 hours. Danny got up early on Saturday to cut the antlers off and clean the skull and called a conservation officer too. He met with the officer around 2p.m. on Saturday and now has the official paperwork to possess the antlers.



You can see the path that he chopped in the ice and how far out the body was.

This is what it looked like from down in the creek.

The boys with the prize.

That's my muscle man!!

The rest of the deer minus the head.

Here is the missing head.

All the boys with the cleaned up antlers.

Danny

Nate

Josh

Colton

Even baby Audrey had to get in on the action.