As the snow falls . . .

I sit here and reminisce about this past year, and what a year it has been. Filled with lots of change and emotions, but all for the good!

I am learning to relinquish some of my Holiday "have to do's" and am just maintaining. I didn't get any Christmas cards sent out, no holiday cookies made, still have 5 boxes of Christmas decorations that didn't get unpacked, and no real Christmas shopping done. BUT I have two wonderful and beautiful girls who are having a great Christmas, so I guess that is all that matters really.

Soon we will be on our way to Biloxi to spend the Holidays with John's Family. John is ready to get out of the snow and I think he would settle for leaving tonight if we were packed. Although, the girls have been enjoying it.

A Happy Holidays to Everyone!

Juice Plus+

Since our journey into a healthier lifestyle, a friend of mine told me about juice plus+, so we decided to try it. Even though we are vegetarians, we still do not get 13 servings of fruits an vegetable a day and definitely not in a diverse way - sometimes we go all week on apples and banana's.

We have been taking it for almost a year now and I can't say enough positive things about it. We LOVE it and the girls are so much healthier. There is such a big difference, the girls have not been sick for over 6 months, and lord knows that with all the day care kids germs, they have had plenty of exposer. I 100% contribute it to Juice Plus+. Anyway, here are a video that talk about Juice Plus+ from Dr. Sears, the leading pediatrician. It is AWESOME!

If you want more info, e-mail John, veggiejohn@gmail.com or you can check out his website at www.veggiejohnjuiceplus.com And there are more video's by all kinds of Dr. and researchers.

First Day of School

And we are walking down the lane with all the crew in tow.

Hanna began 1st Grade at Mediapolis Community School

Lexi started Pre-K and their cousin Lyrica began 1st grade

New Edition to the Family

We made a tough decision to get rid of the riding horses. I haven't had much time to ride this summer, because we have been traveling so much, and we like dong that, so it seems a little frivolous to keep a big horse that eats a lot of hay all winter when we probably won't ride next summer either. So I took some final picture with the girls on HD and then we sold her.

But I could justify getting a pony for the girls, and along came Annie. The girls have enjoyed these last days of summer with her and I am excited about them working with her in the Spring. They really needed something smaller that they could build their confidence on.

Living History Farms

While we were in Des Moines for the fair, we decided to visit the Living History Farms.
We began the tour 300 years ago with a Native American camp and then went on to a 1800's farm, were the girls found sheep, pigs and ducks.

Then we rode a tractor back ride back and the girls hung out in a flower garden.

Finally a Group hug outside after a long, fun day.

Fun At The Fair

The State fair was a year of new experiences this year. John's Mom and Dad, and Uncle Kenny and Aunt Carol, were up and had never been to a State fair before. And the girls took everything in two jam packed days.


We made sure to stop for Honey Straws

Played in the mister

and we made sure to take time for play.

At The Beach

We went for an end of summer vacation at Saylorville just north of Des Moines.

The Girls LOVE the water

And we had the beach all to ourselves

For swimming

And sandcastles

It was a Wonderful Day!

Tea Party

A Date Was Set, And No One Was Late

To The Mad Hatter Tea Party

A Celebrate for

Lexi Renee Trochesset

and

Hanna Marie Trochesset

There were so many good picture, I created a slide show, click on the photo and it should take you to photobucket - Enjoy!

The First Day of The Rest of Their Lives

July 28th

Today was the long awaited, at least by John and I, day!

The girls were both happy and sad at the same time and we had lots of heartfelt discussions that I never thought I would be having with a 6 and 4 year old. It was an emotional rollercoaster, which ended with grins and forever good-night hugs. We decided that they would both make just and fair judges when they grew up :)

Baby Emily Arrives

We welcomed a new member to the Family in May, just two weeks before Lexi's Birthday :)

Emily Kaye Schnedler

The girls welcomed her by throwing a baby shower and they were named the Hostesses with the Mostesses!

Beginning of Summer

Trip to Nashville - To see Family

The girls began another long trip - this time with Dramamine in hand - to Dickson TN, on the east side of Nashville, to see their Aunt Amy, Uncle Rich, and Cousins Kelsey and Kaylin. We stayed at the State Park in Dickson, which was a lot of fun, and spend lots of time with family.

The Hawk Eye

We made the paper :) Enjoy!

The Hawk Eye

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The Drama Queen

In Action. The other day we were having dramatic play with the child care and she showed her true colors. She is such a drama queen - we have been telling her that for months, but now we caught her on film :) I loaded the whole episode on Picasa for you to enjoy :-)

From Lexi Dramatic Play

Thoughtful Children

I look these as the girls were contemplating the inner meaning of Easter (or so I would like to think they were that sophisticated).



Aren't they beautiful people!

Easter 09

What a wonderful Spring Day to celebrate!

The Easter Bunny arrived at our house sometime in the night and left the girls easter baskets filled with Barbie Movies and Wipe-off coloring/tracing books.

Then after Church, the girls discovered that the bunny left eggs in our yard.