Christmas Day 2008

After opening up presents with Travis' mom and dad we headed back to Galesburg to pick up Buddy. I-74 was not much better than the day before....

We picked up Buddy and headed to my dad's in Monmouth at around 1PM.

Man, having a "little" kid around sure makes the presents grow!

One tradition we have is to take a yearly photo around the tree. I knew times would be "tight" with a youngster around and I wouldn't have a lot of opportunity to figure out dad's camera, so I practiced on Travis and I.

Not the most flattering of either of us, but a tradition is a tradition.

Good thing we got a picture of us though, because I forgot to get a "whole family" shot.

Shoot!

Mom, Dad, Travis and I spent the early afternoon playing "Are you smarter than a 5th Grader" on the TV. Travis and I were black balled by Jeff Foxworthy because we asked for help on a 2nd grade music question. Mom and Dad thought that was funnier than anything. Dad was actually wiping tears from his eyes. It was good to see my mom and dad laugh like that!

Justin, Stormie, and Rhylee came a little after 4. Rhylee had already had 3 Christmas' that day and was tuckered out, so Buddy, Rhylee and I watched Cars in Justin's room (hoping for a nap)

I think Buddy and I were the ones who dozed off!

Before dinner, a "Vancil" tradition is to open up our stockings. This is a result of always opening 1 gift on Christmas eve. Now that we are all grown up and out of the house, we aren't there on Christmas eve, so to compensate, we drawl the Christmas presents out as long as we can. Thus, opening stockings first gives us some presents and we save the "tree" gifts until after dinner.

We always eat dinner in the dining room, and this year I think we may have started a new tradition (Travis says, "he's hoping so") This year dad fixed a prime rib for Christmas dinner. No one in the family had ever cooked one from scratch. This is a bit odd seeing how Justin was a chef, mom loves to cook, and dad loves meat, but no one had prepared a prime rib. Let me just say, I'm not a huge meat eater anymore, but WOW! That meat was WONDERFUL!

This is my dad, carving the prime rib, YUM!

After eating Prime Rib, Texas Road House baked potatoes, asparagus (me not Travis, Travis doesn't eat green vegetables), and a Swiss vegetable medley it was finally time to attack the tree presents.

Rhylee "sorting" the presents!

We quickly found that Rhylee likes to open presents. He isn't so much interested in what's in the gift, but the actual ripping of paper and throwing it aside is what he likes best. I think next year, I'm going to buy 5 rolls of paper, and just wrap empty boxes for him to rip open and play with :)

Justin is the traditional present sorter. I think he has a new apprentice.

After presents we helped clean up, played a little Mad Gab, and then headed home. It was a great day with laughter, good food, and a happy family! We were spoiled with presents again, and had a safe trip back to Galesburg.

We just want to thank everyone, Stechers, Chervenka's, and Vancil's for such a great holiday filled with traditions and love!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2008

Tradition is huge for Travis and I. Especially Christmas Traditions. It is a tradition that we have Christmas eve with his side of the family and mine on Christmas Day (more on that later).


Unfortunately this year with Travis' sister's family moving to Des Moines we weren't sure if we were going to be able to make that Christmas Eve tradition happen. However, Heather/Kirk and the kids graciously invited us to come join them in Des Moines for Christmas Eve in order to keep the tradition going.


The weather decided it would try to interfere...

This is Interstate 74 on the way to Ben/Kay's house on Christmas Eve morning.

What should have been a 40 minute drive took an hour and a half. We were thankful to arrive safely and with out any trouble.

It is also a Stecher family tradition to have Oyster stew on Christmas Eve. Because we didn't think oyster's would keep for the drive to Des Moines we decided to have oyster stew at Travis' parents before we left. Travis, Ben, and Kay enjoyed yummy stew, and I got an exemption this year!!! However, I did feast on ham sandwiches and a relish tray!

Because of what Travis and I encountered on 74 we weren't sure what we would find on I-80 so we decided to leave early. We were pleasantly surprised! The roads were clear, and the sun was out. We were able to make the 2 hour 45 minute drive in just over 3 hours! Not bad for Christmas Eve.

Once gathered at the Chervenka's house we were able to play with the 3 nieces and nephews, eat lots of food, and catch up with everyone!

This is all 9 of the "Stecher" family shortly after we got there!

(we decided to do pictures before the frenzy of presents)

(ingenious idea!)

Somehow Tyler, the youngest, continued to get chocolate from Chocolate animal crackers all over his face :)

Can you guess who the "supplier" was?

Look at all those big boy teeth in the picture on the left!

Uncle Travis and Tyler play peek a boo in the new Cars tent

Aunt Misty and Annica make jewelry with Annica's new jewelry maker

Uncle Travis and Caleb play with the new farm toy.

We decided to head home around 6:30PM in order to get home before 10 and to let the Chervenka's start getting ready for bed. Again, the drive home was wonderful, clear roads, stars in the sky...I think I might have seen Santa's sleigh....

Then we got to Williamsburg (where Tanger Outlet mall is). In between Willamsburg and Iowa City we came over a hill and saw flashing lights. As we got closer it appeared there was an accident up ahead. We slowed to a stop and we waited...and waited....and waited....AND WAITED!

This is the view when I got out of the car.

Two semi's in the west bound lane crossed their lanes, the middle grassy area, and the two westbound lanes (ours) and then crashed in the westbound far ditch. (my source is the truck driver who sat next to us during the wait.)

We pulled to a stop at a little before 8:30PM and didn't move again until 11:35PM. We sat for 3 hours. Well, Kay and I sat for 3 hours, Ben and Travis got out of the car multiple times to stretch, ironically enough it happened when Kay and I started a game of Name that Show tune....

I think it was the diesel fumes leaking from our friendly trucker next door...

Once we got moving again, we had smooth sailing er....driving...back to the Stecher Chateau in Rock Island.

We were thankful to be home safe, warm, and with lots of fun memories of Christmas Eve 2008!

Bath Time!

Buddy has acquired quite the "smell". Unfortunately, it is not time for him to go to the groomers so Travis and I decided it was time to take matters into our own hands. Buddy did not agree...

Buddy before, happy, even perhaps smiling...

Right after Misty explained what was going to happen.

Buddy: You're going to do WHAT? Travis, come on help me out man!

Up we go!

Buddy: Um, I don't' think I want to do this anymore...let me out!

Rub a dub, dub...Buddy's in the tub!

Buddy: Please! Travis! Look at my puppy face....HELP!

Buddy: We are so not friends anymore!

Times up...water's getting cold!

Buddy: This is NOT fun anymore...wait, wait, it never was fun!

Buddy: Get the camera out of my face

Buddy: Has anyone seen a mirror? How do I look?

Buddy: I've had enough of this, let me out! No more pictures please!

Buddy is now resting comfortably and smelling great I might add, in front of the heater on the carpet in the office where I am writing this. He received 1 treat before entering the bath, and 2 once coming out of the tub. He did exceptionally well for not having a "home" bath in over 5 years!

A new delicacy

This is a Grennie

This is quite the delicacy to a dog....on a restricted diet...who never gets any love or attention...yeah right on the last part!

Travis' parents were kind enough to send home 2 greenies with us today to see if it is something Buddy might like. It is quite the delicacy as they cost approx. $1.00 a piece. That's a lot for a dog treat! I was unaware of what exactly a greenie was. It is a dog treat somewhat like a bone that is supposed to aide in a dog's digestion and teeth health.

As you all know Buddy is on quite the restricted diet, of which he often tries to stray from by eating anything we leave out or guest might drop....

So tonight we gave him his first greenie....

I think he approves....it took him 14 minutes to eat the whole thing. He sniffed the ground for about 5 minutes after looking for more and then promptly fell asleep on the office floor.

For a blurry video of the escapade click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGO1o053ZfQ

Buddy says thank you to Ben and Kay for his rare taste at the finer things in life!

Happy 2nd Anniversary

December 9, 2006

Two years ago today, Travis and I got married on a very cold Saturday! It's funny how quickly the time goes, but sometimes it seems like no time has passed at all. It's silly the things I can't remember...the big things...but then the little seemingly insignificant things about that day that I do remember....

my brother driving to Galesburg on our wedding day to plow a path at Lincoln Park so we could go and take pictures...none of which came out good because it was too cold! I remember eating McDonald's at my hairdresser's because all of my married friends told me I had to have something to eat. I remember running late getting to the church because my hair took to long and Ashley waving me by her on Main street as she stopped traffic going in the opposite direction. I remember being told I could go into the church...no wait you can't Travis is still there...oh OK now it's OK...oh wait no it's not, and then being shoved into a teeny tiny bathroom until he was gone. I remember my mom crying while she told me how proud my Grandparents would be and how much she loved me. I remember my dad stopping me before we went down the aisle just to have that sweet father/daughter talk. I remember a small strand of snot running down Travis nose while we did our vows making my eyes get huge and then laugh...a finer Misty/Travis moment. And I remember kissing my new Husband 1/2 down the aisle making one of my favorite wedding pictures we have.

Most of all I remember all the love, support, generosity and kindness displayed to us not only during our wedding season, but during the past two years of our marriage. We are so lucky to have such a loving support group.

Today on our Anniversary, we have had a quiet evening, but were able to put up our "wedding tree". Instead of a guest book that we'd put in a closet for years, we had each guest sign a wooden ornament (Great idea Ben!) so we could have a yearly reminder of all the special people who shared in our day. Tonight we put up the tree, the ornaments and talked and laughed over all the people who we had with us on that special day.

What a great anniversary! We are looking forward to many more!

December 7, 2009

It's hard to be Buddy

Buddy is really beginning to think he's a human! Tonight I have been busy, busy, busy with work here at home. I have been stuck in the office all night. Travis and Buddy have been in the Living Room watching T.V. Just a few moments ago Travis asked if I had a minute to come and look at something......this is the something I came to look at.

It's hard to see in the picture but Buddy is laying vertically on about 3 pillows. It is almost as if he is sleeping straight up and down. These pictures show him awake as the first 10 shots from the camera woke the poor guy up....it's such a hard life being Buddy don't you know!

Just look at his paws, don't they look like a humans would placed on those pillows? And his hind legs they looked crossed. We'll at least he knows how to sit properly! HA!

Merry Christmas Buddy!

During my traumatic experience at Menard's on Friday my mom and I found a great buy on pet beds. There were extra large soft bed pillows on door buster sale for $10.oo. I had not planned on buying one, and it wasn't on my list, but.......

Buddy sleeps on an old comforter in our bedroom and it doesn't match our room, and it is constantly getting thrashed around by the dog, so when I saw a pet bed in colors that matched our bedroom, I knew Buddy would be getting an early present! :)

When I got home I covered the pillow in my perfume. I think I did a little too much though, cause when Buddy stepped on it all he could do was sneeze and sneeze.

Travis suggested turning the pillow over and laying on it with the dog, so I did. After 2 days I'm thinking he likes his new pillow.....

Merry Christmas Buddy!

Black Friday

Mom and I went out on our annual "We must be crazy to get up this early" shopping trip on Friday. This year Travis and I did not stay at dad's on Thanksgiving so mom had to drive to Galesburg to pick me up and we hit the shops from there.


Our first stop was Menards where we waited outside in a line that went all the way down the building for about 5 minutes. In the check out line the guy from the paper came up and asked if he could take some pictures....


Let me back up a little and give you some background on my appearance yesterday....

I went to bed at 10:30 on Thursday night, I woke up at 5AM with my eyelids broken out (I have very sensitive eyes) They were so red and dry that they were actually cracking! So when I woke up, I did the only thing I can do when they get like this, I smothered them with lotion and had to forgo the makeup. No biggie though right? It's 5AM who's gonna care? So after trying to just pull up my bedhead into a ponytail, I decided that I already looked really bad and I should take some time to try to curl the hair. So I did. I pulled it up 1/2 way and brushed my teeth.
By 5:25 I was ready to go out the door.
If you do the math you will see I took all of 25 minutes to get out of bed, put clothing on, curl my hair, brush my teeth and get my shopping list...


OK back to the real story....
So this guy comes up and says he's from the paper and wants to take some pictures because mom and I look like we're having so much fun...(we were cracking up at something so he caught us laughing)
Mom says sure...of course she says sure she was 15 minutes late picking me up so she could do her hair and makeup! SHE looks like a human! So the guy takes the pictures and tells us they will be in the paper. Great.
Then after we've checked out he pulls us aside and asks if he can video tape us to put us on the Internet website................again, no hair/makeup done AND I have a gross eye situation....again, mom says sure...MOTHER!!!!
So we get pulled aside and he asks us some questions and then mom stands there not saying anything just smiling away, so guess who has to do the interview.....the girl with no hair/makeup done and with a gross eye situation!



Last night we scoured the paper...no pictures of us...whew! Then we looked on line...only one picture of us and it was of mom and my backside....whew!

I was sure we had lucked out...
This morning I am up early and decided to look online myself and what do I find?????
A video of a beautiful mother who looks ready to tackle the world and some hobo who is looking REALLY ROUGH!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqJ1oYYhwqY

I have now decided I will never go shopping the day after with out make up again....and I need to see a doctor about this eye situation.....


You know when you first see a picture of yourself and you realize wow, I'm starting to get old...yeah, that happened today for me.

After the traumatic events at Menards, one would ask...were you able to go on???? The answer is of course, it was the day after Thanksgiving deals! We went to Wal-mart, Sears (where I saw a parent of a student), Bergners, Bath and Body Works (where I saw another parent), Sears again, JC Penny, Christopher and Banks, Target, and Perkins :)


I went home and took an hour nap and then went and worked at Bergner's for 7 hours!


We got a lot of shopping done and had a lot of fun!

**I should now say that mom and I did both agree to the photos/video...although I am convinced the superstar/model mom was loving every minute :)** and I was never mad at her nor am I now..I think it's a stitch, but I am a little embarrassed about how horrible I looked.

Holiday Cheer!

It is an exciting night at our house! For the first time since we bought the house 4 years ago, we are able to have outside lights! We have no outdoor outlet on our house and thus have not been able to have outside lights, much to Travis' disappointment!

This year I suggested that we run an extension cord from the Garage and once Travis consulted with his dad, we found out it was a go! You should have seen the excitement on his face! I must admit, I was a bit concerned with a "Griswold's Christmas" motif, but the end result is very tasteful, tactful, and beautiful....at least I think this is the end result....

Travis has been shopping after Christmas deals for several years picking up lights for when we have a house that it would work with! I am so thankful that we finally have the opportunity to use the lights and give some seasonal joy to Travis! :)

Well Done Hubby!

Happy Holidays!