The Kassel Family Project Life 365

We got a new toy for our truck today or maybe it’s *really* for Andy.  We finally bought the new stereo system just in time for our Thanksgiving trip to Chicago.  The current stereo’s display stopped working a while ago.  Everything else works great on it, but there is no display, which makes it a bit difficult to actually tune to anything.  Andy will spend this coming weekend getting the new stereo installed.  We’ll send the current stereo off to have it repaired and then sell it for about double what it will cost us to repair it…  At least we’ll make a little something off the broken one!

Since Laura was out of school today, I took her for Mommy-Daughter haircuts and also a stop at our polling place so I could vote.  She was quite excited because she got four “I Voted” stickers just for being there with me.  Our Mommy-Daughter haircuts were also a great time and Laura’s haircut is now *very* similar to her soon-to-be American Girl Doll.  It was a great morning with my girl and I am just sorry that I didn’t take the whole day off.

At Thanksgiving this year, Laura will be getting an American Girl doll.  She picked out a doll that looks like her complete with red hair and the doll’s name will be “Lauren Mary Kassel.”  Of course, Lauren will need clothes, but Santa Claus will be bringing most of those.  In the meantime, I’ve bought a few things and begun the stockpile for Santa to deliver.  Of the things in the photo, Laura knows about the jeans and bunny slippers, but she hasn’t seen the backpack, socks, and shoes.  Throughout this week and next week, more items will arrive as well.  Most of it will be hidden so that Santa Claus can deliver them on Christmas morning, but Laura will receive matching t-shirts from the American Girl Kansas City store and matching pajamas.  I also bought Lauren a coat so that she won’t be cold.  I think both Laura and Lauren will be happy.

It was time for another Kids’ Workshop.  This time, the kiddos got to make Thanksgiving Napkin Holders.  It was an easy project, but both kids enjoyed it.  They are always so proud when they complete a project with Daddy!  And yes, we are using them.  John’s is actually holding napkins and Laura’s is holding papers in her room.

Andy and I celebrated our 16th Wedding Anniversary in Hermann, MO, today with another great couple, Greg and Beth VanHove.  It was a beautiful day full of sunshine, wine, food, and great friends.  We visited three different wineries and really enjoyed the whole day.

To my husband, thank you for “15 great years and 1 year of crap.”  I wouldn’t trade any of it.  We have been through a lot together and we always seem to come out on the other side stronger than we were before.  You are my best friend and I love you.  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 sixteen years and beyond.

Kids really can fall asleep in the darndest places…