The Kassel Family Christmas cards are ordered from Shutterfly. Between the 30% discount on the cards and another 25% off my entire order, I couldn’t pass up the 55% off. That is a big “check” off the November To Do list!
Eighteen!
Andy and I celebrated our 18th Wedding Anniversary in Hermann, MO, today with another great couple, Greg and Beth Van Hove. It was a beautiful Fall day complete with lots of wine, food, and great friends. We visited three different wineries, consumed a lot of wine, and bought even more wine (we came home with about 40 bottles). A special thanks to Jeremy for watching the kids after school so that we could take our time and enjoy the day.
To my husband, thank you for the past 18 years. I would not trade any of it, including the tough times. There is no one that I would rather share it with. We have been through a lot and, yet, we always come out on the other side stronger than we were before. You are my best friend. Even when we drive each other crazy, I still know that you will be there any time I need you. I look forward to the next 18 and beyond. I love you!
18th Wedding Anniversary
From 18 years ago to today, what a ride it has been. There is absolutely no one that I would rather share it all with than you. Thank you Andy for (at least) 15 years of wedded bliss! I love you!
Busy Saturday…
While the morning was lazy, the afternoon was busy! We did some shopping at Sears because John needed blue jeans and they have the best, inexpensive blue jeans for boys. We ate an early dinner at Cracker Barrel and then went to Shryock’s Corn Maze on the last weekend of the year for some fun. We wandered through the maze for over an hour looking for checkpoints. We did manage to find #3 and #4, so I will consider that a success. One of these years, we are going to find them all! OK, so I can dream…
After wandering around the maze, we enjoyed some Hot Chocolate by the warm fire and watched the sun set. Of course, we also watched the Gumball Roller Coaster before heading home to bed.
Upon arriving home, I checked the mail to discover that Tamara had dropped off a CD-ROM of our family pictures for 2014. I had to look at them immediately and post them to Facebook. I think they turned out very well and I am excited to get started on our Christmas cards.
My favorite of all of us.
My favorite of the kids.
My favorite of Laura.
My favorite of John.
Halloween!
Ah…one of my favorite holidays of the year. Our Halloween Bash turned the big FIVE this year with some new people attending. We ate amazing Chili with great friends (three kinds of Chili and VERY little left!), drank Great Pumpkin Ale from Flat Branch, and took the kids Trick-or-Treating. We had another large pack of kids this year, leaving only the baby behind at the house. We all had a great time, adults included! Thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the evening with us. The night went way too fast! Now, on to pictures!!!
This is the beginnings of the Great Pumpkin Ale from Flat Branch that, again, did not disappoint. Fantastic beer that makes Halloween even more fun!
There was this scary man running around our house all night! Poor Velma!
Before we allow the kids to begin the trek for candy, we make them pose for pictures in front of our big spider web.
Of course, us ladies have to get *our* picture taken in front of the big spider web too!
We hit up a lot of houses for candy. Watching the “pack” run up to a door is always fun!
After being out for about an hour in the cold, we headed back to the house to enjoy the rest of the evening.
Great fun with friends! There was much silliness that included some Cards Against Humanity and the night lasted long. (Thank you for a Halloween Friday!)
It was another great Halloween bash with great friends, food, and dead growlers. On to next year!
Chili!
I completed ingredient preparation for the Chili when I got home from work. Of course, I had to take the obligatory picture of all the ingredients together. Yes, that *is* 12 pounds of meat between the two different types.
As soon as Andy got home from his golf tournament (he and Jeremy won, by the way!), he made Chili. It took three hours to finish both huge pots, but our house smells fantastic!
Bring on Halloween complete with Chili, Flat Branch’s Great Pumpkin Ale, Trick-or-Treating, and time with great friends!
Jack-O-Lanterns!
It is Jack-O-Lantern Night in the Kassel Household! First, Andy cut the tops off the pumpkins and then I scooped the guts! It is truthfully one of my favorite parts…
Second, the kids drew the faces that they wanted on paper so that Daddy has something to copy. John was very specific this year. He wanted a happy pumpkin.
Laura wanted a mix of different things. Originally, she wanted a one-eyed pumpkin, but that changed by this evening.
Third, Andy uses his artistic skills to transfer the kids’ pumpkin face designs to the actual pumpkins.
Fourth, Andy carves and carves until the pumpkins are satisfactory to all. This is actually never in question, because Andy is an excellent Jack-O-Lantern carver.
Lastly, the finished Jack-O-Lanterns are placed in their new home on our front porch for all to enjoy.
