Monday, December 26, 2016

Sledding!

If you all know anything about me, you know that I love winter and I love to go sledding.  I have fond memories growing up of sledding and I want to pass that love along to my own kiddos.

When we celebrated Christmas with my side of the family, we were very excited that they had snow in Cherokee and we could go sledding!  An added bonus is that Jess and Mitch's house is on top of a hill, so we could sled literally in their front yard. 

We went Friday when it was snowing and Saturday when it was considerably colder and we could only stay outside for about 30 minutes.  Sunday was the day that it was -22 below and the feels like was -39.  Yikes.

Anyway, sledding...  So much family fun!
 The worst part is always the hike back up the hill, am I right?!
 Maddox is fearless, as always.
 Everybody decided to have a race down the hill.  On your mark, get set,  GO....!
 My favorite part of this photo are everybody's expressions AND the fact that Blake willingly jumped on Uncle Justin's back. 
 Jenna's ride down the hill didn't go so hot....

 The uncles, Justin and Mitch, got the kids involved in a competition to see who could stay upright the entire way down the hill. 
 Guess what?  Justin was the winner!
 Jess and Mitch had to race. 
 Jess didn't win...
 Blake's attempt at going down upright.
 My bearded brother.  He was all frozen and I asked him to take his picture.  I LOVE IT!
 Bowen's attempt at staying upright.  He did pretty well and made it halfway down the hill before...
.... he wiped out.
 McCoy.  Seriously.  The cuteness.

The view from their house.  So pretty, especially while the snow fell. Our snow is all melted here at home, so we're hoping for some snow soon so we can go out and go sledding again!

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Merry Christmas from the Burdorfs!


MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BURDORFS!
We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  I'm putting our Christmas letter on the blog because it didn't make it in the mail.  You know, because...life. Anyway,  we hope it finds you well and enjoy your family in the days to come!

Seasons Greetings from the Burdorf Family!
We hope this letter finds you all enjoying the Christmas season and all it has to offer. As our kids get older, it seems we just keep getting busier! Here is a short glimpse at what we have all been up to in 2016....

AARON
Aaron continues to be the 7/8th grade social studies teacher at West Marshall. He also refs volleyball, basketball and umpires baseball and softball and, because he wasn't busy enough, is coaching the high school boys golf team. In addition, he coached Brody's spring baseball team and his basketball team. In what has been a long process, the end is in sight for Aaron's Master's Degree to be a principal! He hasn't taken the most direct route to that degree as family comes first, but he will be back looking for an administration job during the new year. We still have our part-time photography business that keeps us both busy and really enjoy doing photography for the school and families. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys golfing and watching college sports, although the highlight of 2016 had to be the Cubs winning the World Series! Go Cubs Go!

JAMIE
This year was a year of change for me with the twins going to school full-time. I am still the Editor at our local newspaper and work in the office a few times a week, while also attending meetings and games at night as needed. Photography keeps my busy, especially at the beginning of every sports season. This fall I also got to spend many hours in the tractor doing some tillage for a friend of ours. I actually really enjoyed the peace and quiet of the tractor and thankfully didn't run into any fences. Ha! I coached Jenna's softball team for county ball this summer, while also coaching her fall and spring league softball team. I love coaching the game I love to young girls! I enjoy volunteering at church, with Meals on Wheels and mentoring at the library's after school program. In my spare time, I like to read (self-proclaimed book nerd), work out (sort of), cook and bake, be outside with my family and riding my new old-lady bike I got for my birthday.
JENNA
Jenna is now ten years old and in the fifth grade. She loves her teacher this year and is having a successful school year so far. She played softball in the spring, summer and fall and has really found her niche pitching. Her county ball team won the county championship, so that was a cool moment to share with her! Jenna played volleyball this fall and after a slow start, she really enjoyed it! She is continually setting her volleyball in the house, which drives her parents nuts! Basketball practice has been going on for a couple of months and they will start games in January. Jenna started band this past summer and is playing *drum roll please* the trombone! Woo-hoo, Aaron and I were pretty excited because we can both help her. This girl is ten going on 18 and I hate how fast she is growing up.
BRODY
Brody is now eight years old and in third grade. Brody is the most curious, inquisitive and argumentative child we have. His mind is always working. He asks so many questions about any subject out there. Brody is kind of like Aaron's mini-me as they can both sit and analyze sports for days. Brody got to play his first season of kid pitch baseball. Aaron coached him in the spring and Brody was like a kid in a candy store because he got to pitch, catch and play the infield. He is also wrapping up his basketball season and played baseball this past summer too. He told me in the van this past weekend, “I just can't wait until after Christmas so I can start practicing baseball again!” There's no doubt what his first love it. Brody is also taking piano lessons, got to be the ball boy for the high school football team this fall and mostly just likes to be outside and wrestle with his brothers all the time. 
 
BLAKE
Blake is five now and is in kindergarten! I was nervous how the transition would go to the “big school,” but there wasn't a tear shed on the first day of school. The minor setback we encountered was Blake having to get his tonsils and adenoids out during the first week of school. He recovered like an absolute rock star and only missed a day and a half of school. Plus, no more snoring! Blake celebrated his three year kidney-versary in November! I can't believe it's been three years. We are so blessed by the fight and resiliency of this kid and we just love that kidney of his. One of Blake's biggest accomplishments this past year was learning to ride a bike without training wheels and losing his first tooth! Blake and Brody are very similar in their love of sports. Blake also adores baseball. This mom is just stoked she got not only a left-handed thrower, but also hitter! 
BOWEN
Since Blake is five, you know that Bowen is as well! Bowen and Blake are in different kindergarten classes, which is just fine with me. I like that they talk about their own friends each day and still get to see each other at recess. Bowen is, by far, our most stubborn child. He sets his mind to something and you aren't getting that kid to budge. Bowen is Mr. Independent and enjoys school. Bowen is quite meticulous about everything. He has become quite interested in putting product in his hair on a daily basis and it makes me worry about what he will be like as a teenager! Bowen also enjoys riding his bike and is the best little helper when it comes to anything around the house. He also has a huge heart and is our animal lover. 

The past year we were blessed with good health and time together. Those are two things we never take for granted!

From our family to yours, we wish you much JOY, LAUGHTER and GOOD HEALTH in 2017!
Love the Burdorfs --- Aaron, Jamie, Jenna, Brody, Blake and Bowen