Eidsness Family Blog

Friday, February 13, 2015

Christmas 2014-Part 1

We always kick off our celebrations with our own traditions here at home. We usually go out for a nice supper, go caroling, read the Christmas story, listen to the kids play carols on the piano, open presents and then end the night with a birthday cake in honor Jesus and His birthday.

Madelyn still loves footed pj's and these were a favorite gift of hers this year. Can you tell by that huge smile!!

Birthday cake!! Yum!

The annual measurements in the garage

Checking out those Christmas stockings the next morning

Lauren turns 13

Lauren is now 13 and an official teenager! My parents came down for supper on her actual birthday because the family party we had already planned for later that month would not work for them. We decided to go all out and headed to the Black Steer. Lets just say it was a birthday supper she will never forget. The service was SO slow it was comical. We were there for over 2 hours! By the end all we could do was laugh. We came home and opened a few gifts and had a great night all in all!

Here she is with her homemade birthday cake courtesy of Grandma Darlene.

We had a jammed packed day. After we celebrated Lauren's birthday with the grandparents and cousins we were off to the Church Christmas program. This year's program was called "Christmas at Toy Land" Jillian was Barbie (notice Ken next to her) Madelyn was a ballerina and Owen was a train conductor. It was a very cute play. Jillian had a small solo and sang beautifully.

40th Wedding Anniversay

My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in November. They decided to host a casual party at The Depot in Mitchell. It was a wonderful evening. They had a great turn out and my brother was even able to come home for the special event. Will and I are so thankful to have parents that are both still married and truly love each other. What an example they are to us and their grandchildren! The picture above is the happy couple leaving the house for the party. The "green car" as we call it has been around since before mom and dad were married. It was actually my mom's car. Personally I despise it. Not sure why, but I have always been embarrassed to be seen it?? They would pick me up from my friends house growing up and I would duck in the back seat the whole way home. Anyway, they both think this car is part of the family and so we continue to store it and make jokes about who they will leave it to in the will etc. I think they know what will happen to the car if they leave it to me. It was special that they were able to drive it to their anniversary celebration and it was a very special evening!

This was the guest book table. Mom had tried her dress on for us earlier that day and still fit! She looked beautiful in it.

Monday, January 5, 2015

Will's 40th!

Will turned the big 40 on October 19th. I surprised him on the weekend of his birthday by inviting 3 of his good friends over for steaks and card playing. It was simple but I knew that was something he would really love and he did!

Family pheasant hunt on his birthday!

A custom cake for the old duffer made by our friend Sherri Oswald. It tasted way better then it looked!

He ended his birthday weekend with FCA here at our house. Each kid brought a candy bar with scripture that somehow correlated with the candy bar name. He loves candy and he loves God's word so it was the perfect gift. Having all the kids at our house fellowshipping around the fire was a great way to end the night.

Madelyn turns 9!

Madelyn on her 9th birthday! She is as sweet as she is cute. She is always smiling and in a cheerful mood. She enjoys ballet, reading, painting her nails, wearing dresses, and baby anything. She loves helping in the church nursery.

Getting ready to blow out the candles on the birthday cake made by Grandma Darlene. Her cousin Jake turned 7 a month earlier so we were celebrating his big day as well :)

Cross Country

Lauren competed on the Yankton Cross Country team this past Fall. It ended up being quite a ride! She had a great season and even earned a spot on the team to run in the state meet in Huron SD. This picture shows the teams praying at the start line before the race. This is a tradition that the Yankton runners initiate at most races. They invite the other teams to join them in the prayer circle and then Coach Dannenbring usually leads the prayer. Its SO awesome!

Here is the team with their 4th place plaque

Lauren and her favorite running partner Emerson being interviewed for the radio.

The start line. Yikes! Talk about nerves!

Here is Lauren with Coach Haar. He mainly works with the middle school Cross Country runners and until the last 3 weeks of the season this is who she trained under. He was an amazing example to her and gave her tons of encouragement and confidence. This picture was taken the night Lauren received her Varsity letter. It was a well deserved letter. Lauren put in many miles, blisters you cant even imagine, bruised toenails, sore muscles, and so much more. I think she would admit it was all worth it! Cross Country has won her heart I think.