December 27-31, 2010

Monday-This morning I picked up around the house. Early this afternoon, the girls and I ran into town to pick up Lillie's birthday gift and to take Mom's folding chairs back. At about 5:00 p.m. I picked up Trystan's friend, Molly and dropped Alyssa off at her friend Lillie's. After dropping Alyssa off, the girls and I ran to Highland to pick up Pizza Hut Pizza. That's what they wanted. We came home and the girls had a picnic on the floor and watched a movie. They played the rest of the evening until they went to bed.


Tuesday-Trystan and her friend woke up this morning and played until I had breakfast made. After breakfast they changed out of their pjs and played some more. At around 10:30 a.m. we left the house to pick up both Alyssa and Shelbi from the sleepover. I then ran Molly home. I took the three girls to eat a t Subway and came back to the house. The three played hide-and-seek and made their own band with Trystan's purple guitar, purple drumset, and kareoke machine. Quite commical!!! Crystal came after she was off work to pick up Shelbi. We relaxed the rest of the evening.


Wednesday-I spent the entire day cleaning and doing laundry. It was a very productive day. Trystan and Alyssa spent the entire day in their pjs playing. I love that they get along so well!


Thursday-This morning I got up and got ready first thing. I had decided to take the girls to Justice. We had to take a pair of Trystan's pants back for a different size. While we were there the girls used their gift cards and money. It's nice to be able to take them shopping and not have to spend a dime!!! :) After Justice we stopped by Border's Books but Alyssa didn't find anything she wanted to use her gift cards for so we left. The next stop was Toys R Us. The girls had gift cards yet from Friends of Kids with Cancer that they hadn't used up. Alyssa chose a game and Trystan a puppy dog doctor set. They also agreed on two Wii games. That was the last store we stopped at and were on our way home. Alyssa talked me into stopping at Culver's in Collinsville. Thankfully I had two free kid's scoop coupons! Another "cheap" stop. When we got home, the family played the game Alyssa got and also played on the Wii.


Friday-Relaxed today. This evening we went to Jeff and Katie's house to bring in the new year. Last year we couldn't do much of anything because Trystan's counts were so low. Amazing how much has changed this year! Thank you God!! We all couldn't believe that the kids were able to play and stay up until midnight. We got home and were in bed a little before 1 a.m. We all had a great time with friends!

December 25-26, 2010

Saturday-Merry Christmas!!! This morning the kids opened their gifts from Santa and from each other. Tracy and I opened our gifts from each other and the girls. It is amazing to look back at last year's Christmas and this year and see what a difference a year can make! We thank God everyday for the blessings He has given us. This evening was the Rieke Christmas at the Masonic Temple in Highland. We arrived right at 5:00 and right away noticed that Great-Grandma still didn't look well. The evening started off with dinner. Just after everyone was finished eating Great-Grandma started showing signs she was having a stroke. The right side of her face began to droop and she was confused. We call 911 and had an ambulance come out. She refused to go with them and decided to go home. After dad took her home and returned, we opened gifts. It just wasn't the same without Great-Grandma there. We finished the evening with dessert and came home.

Sunday-Went to church this morning as a family. Alyssa did special music with Trenton and they both did a GREAT job! It amazes me how good she plays! Especially since she has only been playing for three and a half months. Came home from church and spent the in. Later in the afternoon, Carrie, Kortnie, and Derrick came over and we played Apples to Apples and the Wii. It was a really fun evening!

December 20-24, 2010

Monday-The girls are excited to only have a three day school week this week! I think we are all looking forward to the Christmas break and sleeping in!


Tuesday-Trystan woke up this morning with a terrible cough. While getting ready for school she choked on some phlem and spit up a little. I went ahead and sent her to school because she told me she didn't have an upset stomach and I checked for fever and there wasn't one. She made it through the whole day without incident. This evening she began sneezing a lot and the nose began running. Praying she's able to kick this cold without it leading to something else since her immune system isn't quite normal yet.


Wednesday-Today was the last day of school before the Christmas break. You could see the excitement in all of the kids faces as they were dropped off at school this morning. I brought in an ornament craft for Trystan's class to do. Each ornament had a picture of each child in it. I think the kiddos had a pretty good time doing those. When I finished with the kids' craft I left the school and was on my way to Highland to purchase Tracy's Christmas gift then back to Greenville to pick up the girls from school.


Thursday-Today the girls and I started the morning with baking for Christmas. We made Mississippi Mud dessert, chocolate chip cookies, birthday cake for Jesus, and fudge brownies. I then cleaned the entire house all three stories and did the laundry! From the basement all the way to the second floor. The house is now ready for Christmas Even dinner! So excited!!!


Friday-Relaxed this morning and then started the ham for this evening. It started snowing this morning. We are all so excited to have a white christmas!! Everyone started coming about 4:30. We were ready to eat before 5:30 and gifts were opened and being played with by 7:30. Desserts were had after that. Another blessed Christmas with the Watson side family!

December 18-19, 2010

Saturday-This evening my mom was going to come by and take the girls to see the lights at the Shrine in Belleville while Tracy and I get out and get some shopping and together time. But, my grandma wasn't feeling well so we all felt it more important that she go and be with her. My mom ended up taking grandma to the emergency room because she thought grandma was showing signs of a stroke. The hospital didn't think it was necessary to keep grandma in the hospital. She is to see her primary care doctor next week. Thankfully, my sister came to the rescue and came over and watched the kids so that we were still able to get some shopping done. Thank you Carrie!!!

Sunday-All of us went to church today. Both of the girls did special music along with the rest of the Children's Church group. They sang and played the bells. AWESOME JOB!!! After church was over we came home. Our friend Jeff, along with his daughter, came over to look at some things with Tracy. While the guys were outside, the three girls played together inside. They finished just in time for the girls and I to leave and go to AWANAs. Happy Birthday Jesus was the theme tonight. A grand birthday party for Jesus. The kids got to use their AWANA shares(points earned) to "buy" items from the AWANA store. They also had story/bible time and then the grand party for Jesus. All of the kids sang happy birthday to Jesus, had cupcakes and candy, played games, and did crafts. I really think the girls had a good time!

December 13-17, 2010

Monday-SNOW DAY!!! Started the morning by making cinamon rolls. Later this morning the girls and I made brownies, snickerdoodles, and triple berry muffins. This afternoon, I took the girls outside to play in what little snow we had. They had a great time! And boy was it COLD out there. When we came inside, I made the girls some hot chocolate to help them warm up beside the fireplace. For dinner I made a couple of homemade pizzas. Which were yummy if I must say so myself! Ended the day by relaxing together in the livingroom with the blaring fireplace. Gotta love snow days like this!


Tuesday-Back to school today! The girls were happy to return.


Wednesday-Trystan is still having some difficulty reading, but she seems to be doing a little better all the time. That's a big answer to prayers. Praying that she continues to "grow" in that aspect. Trystan still seems to be doing very well with math. There was some icing that started this evening. We'll have to wait and see if there will be school in the morning.


Thursday-Last night's weather caused icy glazed roads and that school was cancelled for today. I had two unhappy girls. But the day went smoothly anyway.


Friday-Roads are still bad so school was closed again today. Alyssa and Trystan were so unhappy that they were not able to go again. I guess I understand beings that it's extremely slick, so no playing outside. :( This afternoon the girls and I ran to Wal-Mart to get some grocery shopping done. The roads for the most part had been cleared by the time we left.

December 11-12, 2010

Saturday-The weather was pretty crappy today. Nothing like a bad thunderstorm in December! Spent the day inside cleaning. I love a freshly cleaned house! It smells so good. We had two birthday parties to go to today. But, only made it to one. :( Justin's party was fun! He had his party at Greenville Bowling Alley. The girls got to bowl again today. Two weeks in a row! They had so much fun. They each bowled a game and both scored 82!

Sunday-This morning we went to church and should have probably stayed home! It was snowing, but that wasn't the problem. The wind was blowing so hard that the visibility at times was almost zero! We made it to and from church safely. Decided to make the treturous trip back to church this evening for the choir's Christmas Cantada. Back and forth safe and sound. Also got a call from the school on the way home from church this evening cancelling school for tomorrow. Girls weren't excited to find out that there wasn't school. They both enjoy going to school.

December 6-10, 2010

Monday-Back for another full week of school. Trystan had her last practice after school today. The program is tomorrow night. When I picked her up from practice she showed me that she had lost a tooth at school today and was really excited about it!


Tuesday-This evening was Trystan's Christmas Program and she did a fabulous job! She was an elf in the program. Not only was she dressed for the part, but she acted the part too. Trystan showed her true self of stage throughout the entire program. We think that she is a true actress!!!


Wednesday-We were glad to have nothing to do this evening. Just stayed home once we were home from picking the girls up from school.


Thursday-Today was a fiel trip to Danikan's Tree Farm for Trystan and her class. Last year when she went on this field trip she had to wear a mask because her counts were so low. What a difference a year can make! God is so good!! This evening Alyssa had dance. While she was at dance, Trystan and I did errands. Then came home for the evening.


Friday-We are all glad that its Friday and looking forward to the weekend!

December 4-5, 2010

Saturday-Today we went to Highland to pick up our family pictures. After picking those up we went to a fundraiser at Poplar Junction to participate in the Klenke Bowl. Trystan hasn't bowled in over two years. She wasn't able to do it all on her own, but I think she still had a great time. Alyssa had a wonderful time too! Trystan and Alyssa both got certificates as well. Trystan's certificate was for bravery and Alyssa's was for being a super sibling. We are so proud of our kids! Trystan also was chosen to pick the winning ticket for an iPad that was being given away. After finishing at the bowling alley, we went to pick up the deer meat that was finished being processed. Thankfully when we got home that was where we stayed and got to relax.

Sunday-While Tracy hunted today, the girls and I started our day by going to church. After church we went and picked up Grandma Rieke. The four of us then went Christmas shopping. The girls were very well behaved for me. Thank goodness! I got a lot more Christmas gifts bought. We came home and ate dinner. After dinner, I decided to take the girls to the movie theater here in Greenville. They had been wanting to see the movie Tangled. I must admit I wanted to see it as well. We were not disappointed either. It was a great movie! We came straight home after the movie and the girls went right to bed. Another wonderful weekend!!!

November 29-30 & December 1-3, 2010

Monday-Back to the grind today for the girls. After school Trystan had practice for the Christmas program until 3:45. In a little more than a week is the Christmas program. Hoping that things go well and the girls stay healthy!

Tuesday-No practice this evening after school for Trystan, but she will have practice the rest of the week after school.

Wednesday thru Friday-The rest of the week went without incident.

November 27-28, 2010

This weekend Tracy got the Christmas decorations down for us to start decorating the house. He put up the lights outside on Saturday. Sunday we did go to Sunday School and church, but got the night off from AWANAs for Thanksgiving. The girls were not happy knowing that their long weekend was quickly coming to an end and that they would have to return to school on Monday.

November 22-26, 2010

Monday-The girls got up and knew that it was going to be a short week for them, due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Tuesday-Nothing differnt to report today.

Wednesday-Took the girls to school this morning. Tracy and I had to pick Trystan up at 12:30 to take her to see Dr. McDonald for her six week check. Alyssa stayed at school and Grandma picked her up for us. Dr. McDonald stated that there was still a crack in the bone but it seemed to be thickening. He stated that she should continue 50% weight bearing on her right leg. It wasn't excatly what we were expecting to hear, but it wasn't bad news. We are to go back and see him in another six weeks.

Thursday-Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for this year! We started the day by going to Teri's house for lunch on the Watson side. And ended the evening at Buddy's for dinner on the Rieke side. Tracy and Trystan stayed home while Alyssa and I went to my brother's house. Thank you God for the work you have done in our family!

Friday-I got up early to go Black Friday shopping with my mom. We both got quite a bit of shopping done! Let the Christmas season begin!!!