Our Christmas 2012

As always, we had a wonderful Christmas here at Casa Tuescher. We always do Xmas eve at Kurt's parents and have yummy appetizers and open gifts. I think we managed to surprise Grandma and Grandpa with Nooks =) Kurt and I both worked on Xmas eve, but he got home before me, pulled everything out and sorted so it was not much work for me when I got home. The little boys got Kindles and lots of legos, Parker got lots of golf items and Arielle was happy with Uggs, a Coach purse and her Pandora bracelet. Then its off to my parents for more food and gifts!! Santa did not forget Kurt and I, he got many things off of his wish list and I added 4 charms to my Pandora bracelet and got a piece of luggage that I wanted----which really will benefit Kurt, its smaller so he won't hurt himself lifting it when I go on girl's weekends, LOL

A Wedding in the Family

We had a family wedding on this past Saturday night, my cousin Molly got married and we celebrated on her and Curt's behalf!! I took well over 100 pictures, but just picked a few of people who don't really have a say of whether or not they make an appearance on my blog--HA!! Kurt had to work, so Arielle was my date and Parker came out after he was done with his golf meet down in Iowa. A wedding is always a good reason for family to get together =)

Graduation Cookies!!

I found the pictures of the cookies!! These were the ones we had made for Parker's graduation party---aren't they adorable?! Of course, I had her make up some in UW-P's colors, because at THAT time, that's where he was headed to college!!!

Our Baby is SEVEN

Beckett is seven years old already =( I honestly don't know where SEVEN years have gone. He is the funniest little guy and makes us laugh a million times a day (making Paxton mad several times a day is also on his agenda). He's our little performer and while Paxton loves to watch train videos on youtube, this kid is playing music videos of every genre, but usually with a heavy dose of Chippettes--at least until I tell him I can't take it anymore. His birthday was probably the lowest-keyed ones we've ever had a Casa de Tuescher. I've scaled back immensely from the Sunday afternoon munchie fests and have just been having Grandparents over for dinner, cake and ice cream. Beckett was going to wait until the weekend to do his, but on Tuesday night he announced he wanted it ON his birthday. OK, can't fault him for that, but his meal choice was frozen waffles!!! I just couldn't do THAT to family! So it was some veggies, fruit and cheese and crackers to go with cake (of which there was a CRAPPY selection, but he picked what he wanted and was happy, so Momma has to be happy too) His main request for a gift was a sno-cone maker. I was sweating it, but the USPS came through and it arrived on our doorstep while he was at school =) He also got an Innotab 2, some legos, clothes, some CD's, a microphone, DS game and a Spongebob DVD. He was thrilled with everything =)

Wedding Reception--long time coming!

My Dad grew up in a TINY little "burb" with 3 other guys who all grew up and stayed close. They all married and the 4 couples did many things together, include raising a total of 10 kids. The FINAL one of those 10 was married yesterday and it was a reason to celebrate =) These are pictures from the big party!!

Time for a Change....

Because I'm no longer a "Great RN to be". Because I am now: a REGISTERED NURSE!! Yep, in-your-face, onling "screaming", all CAPS registered nurse. I took the NCLEX boards, waited not-so-patiently and finally caved and paid the $8 fee to get an early look.
Totally worth it.
And now, I must brainstorm for new lisence plates...

Happy Birthday, America

What's more all-American than Snoopy and Woodstock? Besides, the boys just love these two =)
Pictures of our "celebrations" later....

Happy 8th Birthday, Paxton!!!

OK, technically his actual birthday was last week, but we had his party today to celebrate. Both sets of Grandparents, his Godmother, Arielle, my brother and nephews were here to help us celebrate and Paxton had such a nice day. He received the lego sets he had been dying for (and a couple of surprise sets too!), water guns, a couple of gift cards, savings bond, the always appreciated outfit, a new DS game, a CD player/radio (which Beckett has been playing non-stop), a scooter and Yogi Bear (cute movie!!).
I can't believe its been EIGHT years already since his 9# 14oz self made his overdue arrival =( He's just he sweetest little boy and it is a pleasure to be his Momma

No more pencils, no more books....

That's right. For all intents and purposes, I have completed nursing school. FIVE years, peeps. I did it part-time, nights and weekends, summers included. While working full time, mothering 4 children, wifing one husband. It wasn't easy and I had loads of help and now it's over. Well, except for pinning. And graduation. And sitting for the boards. But compared to the 5 years behind me, those upcoming things seem small.
Believe it or not, my classmates and I did not leave the hospital skipping, screaming and throwing books and papers into the air. It almost had a surreal feeling to it. Very hard to describe, HA!
I. am. a. nurse =)

Parker's Confirmation

Last night Parker made his confirmation---a very long time coming, HA! In our Diocese you do it as a high school junior when most (it seems) do it in 6th or 8th grade. At any rate, his next sacrament is marriage--a LONG time from now, HA!!
The Bishop was pretty humorous, which helped the pomp and circumstance of the 2 hour ceremony move along =) Parker had "warned" me that no phtographs during Mass were allowed, but plenty of parents must not have gotten the memo and when the Bishop kept pointing out photo opportunities the flashes were firing off like paparazzi (well, almost!)

Happy Birthday, Niki!

My sister turned 40 last week!! This Saturday her husband had a surprise party for her and she was indeed surprised =) Kurt wasn't able to go (work), so I stagged it and had a fun night with some family members.

Happy Anniversary!!

Kurt and I celebrated 9 years on New Years Eve =) Dinner at Fried Green Tomatoes in Galena (WITH dessert, of course!) and then we stayed at the DeSoto House, which is where we got married. Yay for him having the night off of work =)

A Happy Chappy!

Parker has a driver's license!!! He was pretty nervous leading up to and during the exam, but he was a smiling guy when he and the examiner got back inside. Kurt said in the time they waited between taking his picture and it being processed he sent a TON of texts--HA!!
Congrats to my favorite 16 year old =)