Fun at the Park!

We have had some BEAUTIFUL weather lately! We have not had much of a winter at all and I'm loving it! I'm guessing we will have one more cold spell before spring, but we shall see.

I have been taking the kids to the park most days that it is pretty. Logan has become full boy lately, not that he wasn't before, but he is getting pretty rough around the house. He loves climbing onto chairs and then onto tables. I've about had several heart attacks lately! His favorite place to hang out is still the fireplace. Keeping this house in one piece is nearly impossible these days! I've definitely learned not to be so uptight. I just don't have a choice anymore. Gabe probably wonders what happened to Mrs. Tidy.

I thought this pic of the kids at the church playground was precious! Definitely a framer!

Big Cedar

Gabe had a PT Rehab Net Business Owners' meeting in Branson this weekend. I always go to the retreat with him each year. Gabe has meetings most of the day and I get to shop, nap, eat, or just do whatever I want. It's a real treat and I always look forward to going each year. This was our first time to ever go to Big Cedar and we loved it! The grounds are so neat and beautiful! I worked out in their fitness center the first day we were there and was so impressed! Every piece of equipment was brand new and the treadmills and ellipticals had TV screens. Pretty posh!

We spent some time at the outlet mall, The Landing, and some time driving down the strip. Branson was hit by a tornado a day before we arrived. Numerous theatres and businesses were damaged, but most of Branson was up and running.

A big shout out to Aunt Melissa, Grandma & Grandma, and Grammy & Papa who graciously took care of the kids while we were gone. It sure is a blessing to have all of our family in the same town!

Madison's 3rd Birthday with Dora!

Madison turned THREE years old on the 19th. We celebrated with lots of family and a couple of friends last night. The biggest hit of the party with Dora! Madison and all of the kids had a blast! Check it out!

Time Out

Here he is...at almost 18 months....in time out.This is first time out at home. He's sat in time out several times at Fit Kids (the nursery at the Fitness Center) for hitting and pulling hair. I still can't believe he will actually sit in a chair and not get up. I have tried it once before at home and it did not work. But, after hearing the director of Fit Kids tell me about him staying in his time out chair I decided to give it one more try.

Logan's favorite thing to climb all around these days is our fireplace. He tries to climb up on the brick and open and shut the doors to the fireplace. I literally tell him to get down probably 10 times a day. I spank him and get him down, but he gets right back up. So, I just tried putting him in time out and it seems to have worked. He did not go back to the fire place!

So, we'll see!

My Valentine

Chocolate Goodness! These miniature trifles are sure to make my Valentine go weak in the knees! This is one of Gabe's favorite desserts.

This year is our 4th Valentine's Day together as a married couple. It's been tradition for Gabe to take me out to eat and for me to cook him a special meal each year to celebrate Valentine's Day. I usually pull out a special table cloth that was given to us by a dear friend. It is monogrammed with the date we got engaged and the date we got married. Gabe used it the night he propose and I try to pull it out each year, along with our china. However, it's getting harder and harder to do with kids. This year he requested a shrimp boil and trifle. So, no china or special table cloth this year. But, don't worry. Both will be brought out soon!

I know that I don't say it enough, but I really do love you, Gabe, with all my heart. I know that I don't always "act" like I'm in love with you, but my loyalty to you is strongern now tha ever. As long as you don't ask me to give up my shrimp or crab legs, I'd do anything for you to make you happy!

And, I'm not the only one who is crazy about you. The kids are SUPER crazy about their daddy! Their spirits lift the second you walk in the door. I can only hope that the kids end up with more traits like YOU than their momma! Ha!

Happy Valentine's Day to YOU!

First Snow

We got a tiny bit of snow early this morning...

I'm not crazy about playing out in the snow, but I let Madison go out for a little bit after lunch while Logan was still napping. She mostly just walked around in it and made "footprints." She soaked her pair of mittens and asked for another pair. Too bad I didn't have another pair!We made snow ice cream, but by the time I collected the snow it was already too wet and slushy. It tastes more like a homeade ice cream flavored snowcone. Sure hope school is not canceled tomorrow!

Corn Chowder

Last night I made this chowder recipe out of our church's cookbook. I thought it was good and easy to make. Not sure Gabe was a big fan of it, but maybe it was because it had potatoes in it. He's not a fan of potatoes. This definitely is not a healthy meal...loaded with two starchy veggies, half and half, and topped with bacon. Oh well!

Corn Chowder

5 slices bacon
1 onion
1 can diced potatoes, drained
2 cans corn
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can creamed corn
2 1/2 cups half and half
1 tsp salt

Fry bacon, drain, and crumble. Saute' diced onion in bacon grease. Then add all other ingredients and simmer until heated. Top with bacon and shredded sheddar cheese.

Enjoy!

Long time no see!

I know, I know! It's been a REALLY long time since I've blogged. Like, over a month. I honestly have not had anything to blog about and frankly just haven't been in the mood. Here's what we've been up to:

Madison will be THREE on February 19th. It's kind of hard to believe, yet I'm glad we've almost made it to three. It's been a very challenging, but fun three years. I've been planning a very simple "Dora" party for Madison. That is the theme she chose. I am not going all out on decorations, in fact, there will probably be none exept for a few ballons. But, I will be cooking a big meal. We will have Dora cupcakes and sugar cookies and....Dora and Boots WILL BE at the party! Oh, yes they will. Madison knows they are coming and I can't wait to see her face when they arrive. We took this picture today out in the yard to use on her birthday invitation. I can't wait to see the finished product!
Besides planning for a Dora party, I've been busy keeping up with my Professional Development hours for my teaching certification. I've kept up with my certification each year since I quit teaching. It's a chore to get 60 hours each year, but it's worth it to have my license current at all times.

We've enjoyed many warm days lately here in Russellville. It's kind of been strange, but we really haven't had a very cold winter. I'm loving it. I've been running outside on the days that it is warm instead of hitting the gym. It does so much more for me mentally to be outside. It's great "thinking" time!

Logan is still into everything these days, although it seems like it's getting a little bit better. He and Madison play very well together and Madison has been calling him "Buddy" lately. I think it's pretty cute. Her teachers at school said she keep a very close eye on him during playtime in the gym. I have no doubt that Madison will be ready for Kindergarten! In fact, I think she may be ready to teach kindergarten by the time she is old enough to enter! Ha!

Some other exciting news is that our new Minister of Music just moved to town today! I had the pleasure of attending OBU with him. We sang together in Ouachita Singers and even went on tour to China together with the Ouachita Singers. I consider it such a priviledge to get to serve in music with a special friend. I know God has many great things in store for FBC, Russellville.

Well, the dishes are waiting and I'm still in my workout clothes. Better hit the shower and get busy!

Back to School

The kids started back to MDO today. (Sigh!) It was a long Christmas break. Logan moved up a class and I was a little sentimental about it. Turns out, he did just fine. He now takes his nap on a nap mat at school. I was a little worried that he would not want to sleep on his mat, but his teachers said he laid right down and slept for over an hour! I just don't want him to grow up I guess!

Happy New Year!

Making Traditions

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! We spent Christmas in AR this year. We spend Christmas in TX every other year and this was our year to stay home. I was actually so glad that we didn't travel this year because Logan is into EVERYTHING right now. I don't think I would have been able to enjoy myself for one minute if I had to keep him out of trouble for several days in someone else's home.

Tradition #1: Making a gingerbread house! Madison and her friend, Beckett enjoyed decorating this beauty.
Tradition #2: Reading "The Birth of Jesus" with Grandpa. Grandpa read this special book to everyone, (but Madison in particular,) before we opened presents. She was a very good listener. I can't wait for her to absorb more and more of the Christmas story each year.

The kids were super tired, so it was a little crazy, but that's how it usually is with kids!

Tradition #3: Attending the Candlight Service at our church. This is one thing that we missed out on as a family growing up because we were always in TX. This is a Freyaldenhoven tradition that I have enjoyed taking part in. Madison enjoyed holding her candle during the service.

After the service, we heading over to Gabe's parents and enjoyed finger foods and each opened one present...another family tradition of the Freyaldenhovens-tradition #4.

Tradition #5: Christmas Morning at OUR house! We've decided that we will have our Christmas on Christmas morning each year. It was fun watching Madison enjoy opening each present this year. Her favorite gifts? Dora bandaids, Dora panties, and sippy cups!

Tradition #6: We headed to Gabe's parents mid-morning and opened presents there. Santa was very generous with the stocking goodies this year!

Best present ever!

But my favorite part about Christmas? The food! We enjoyed a SPREAD of delicious food on Christmas day and I ate to my heart's content.

Hope you and your family had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Pics, Part I

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

and a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring,

To you and your kin,

Good tidings for Christmas

and a Happy New Year.

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

We wish you a Merry Christmas,

and a...

HAPPY

NEW

YEAR!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011 from THE FREY'S!

Surprise Double Date

Gabe and Kevin surprised my friend, Melissa and I this past Tuesday night. Gabe told me a while back that I needed to reserve a date for a "surprise" with our friends Kevin and Melissa, but honestly, I never marked the date down! He told me Monday night that we would be going on a surprise date Tuesday night. He said he had a babysitter lined up and we were leaving at 4:00. I guess I didn't act too surprised, but it was mainly because he told me a while back that we were going to do something with Kevin and Melissa and I just assumed this would be it. He said it may or may not be it. The last time we had a surprise date it was to see STOMP in Memphis, so I kind of expected the same kind of deal.

Well, we walked out of the house a little after 4:00 and there was Kevin and Melissa! We headed to LR, ate at PF Chang's (our favorite double date resturaunt), and then headed to Verizon to see Cirque du Soleil! I put my foot in my mouth in the car on the way there because we were talking about shows we had seen and I mentioned that I liked Cirque du Soleil the last time I saw the show, but it wasn't really a show I'd want to see again. Whoopsie! That's when they told us we were going there that night. The show was actually VERY good! Much better than the last show I went to.

It was a fun and well-planned night. Way to go, Gabe & Kevin!

Christmas Parade & Sneak Peak

We took the kids to the Christmas Parade the other night. I personally think the Christmas Parade is WAY overrated, but Madison really enjoyed it last year so we went again this year. She loved it again this year!

This little booger...not so much! I think he was just ready for bed!

Watching the parade curbside with Daddy!

Love Logan's winter toboggan!

We finally took our Christmas pictures. A girl that went to high school with me asked me a few days ago if she could take pics on the kids, so I jumped on it. We took them at Lakepoint Conference Center and so far I have only seen this one picture! But-I LOVE, LOVE it! Can't wait to see the rest and get my Christmas Cards ordered and mailed!

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE dressing the kids in matching outfits?

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Well, we were supposed to take family pictures this morning for our Christmas card, but it rained all. day. long. I had no idea it was going to rain. Our plan was to take the kids by the city mall to see Santa while they were all dressed up for pictures. Since we had already told Madison about Santa last night, we knew we still had to take them. This is Madison's first look at Santa.

Look at her cutting those eyes at him. She's trying to figure that old man out!

Madison was quite intrigued by Santa, but Logan went hysterical. He wasn't a fan, to say the least. Poor kid. He was scared to death!

Santa took Madison by the little finger and was quite taken by her. He said she looked like Cindy Lou.

Best Buddies already! I think he forgot to ask her the most important question of all...

Have you been a good girl this year???

Daddy jumped in the pic to try to get one more shot of Logan & Santa.

He still has a pouty lip.

I ordered the kids' matching outfits from Bizzy Bee Quilts in town. I thought they turned out pretty cute! Having two little ones 18 months apart sure is tough, but it's super fun dressing them alike. Worth it? Mmm, probably not, but might as well enjoy it!
Leaning in for some sugar!

Two cuties!

Now, on an honest note. I got really bent out of shape this morning when I realized we weren't going to be able to take our family pictures. I mean, if we didn't take them today when would we do it? Our Christmas Card wouldn't be mailed out the first of December and life would be doomed? Sounds silly now, but at the time that's exactly how I felt. And on Thanksgiving Day, we were supposed to eat at noon, but we didn't end up eating until 1:00pm! My brother misunderstood and thought we were eating at 1. Again, I got bent out of shape. Over food. Good food, I might add, but still. Just food.

I really hope that in all the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, that I just step back and take a look at everything around me. The holidays are supposed to be fun and enjoyable and a time to visit with family. But, I personally get frantic with all that there is to do and all the events that are to be attended, that I sometimes forget to enjoy the holiday season. I hope to allow myself to enjoy this Christmas season.

Santa is fun, but Christmas is not really about him. I want Madison to know what Christmas is really about. We'll be taking Madison to see the Living Nativity again that our church hosts each year. I also hope to start a few new family traditions!

Let's enjoy this holiday season...