Lance's 30th Bday and 1st Snow

We had a lot going on these past couple of days! Friday we went to gymnastics. Ansley did great once again and she really enjoys it. Since her last class, all Ansley has been talking about is the star stamp she got. This time she got a turkey stamp!

After gymnastics we went to eat with Lance. We stopped and got him his favorite dessert first, strawberry cheesecake! Ansley also gave Lance her bday present. With help from me, we wrote '30 Reasons Why I Love My Daddy' and framed it so that he can keep it at work and look at it every day!

30 Reasons Why I love my Daddy

"Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a daddy." – Anonymous

 1. You are my buddy

2. You tell me everyday that you love me

3. You are my hero

4. You explain things to me, even when I ask “what’s that” a million times

5. You are supportive

6. You give me unconditional love

7. You are hard-working

8. You believe in me

9. You are always there for me

10. You protect me

11. You are funny

12. You encourage me

13. You are smart

14. You make me feel safe

15. You are tender

16. You teach me right from wrong in a kind, loving way

17. You are patient

18. You read to me, over and over and over again

19. You are silly

20. You teach me new things like numbers and the ABC’s

21. You are brave and courageous

22. You make a great breakfast

23. You are kind and thoughtful

24. You plan ahead and you are well prepared

25. You are confident

26. You get excited when I learn something new, especially if you taught me

27. You love shopping for shoes and I love new shoes

28. You show me that I’m beautiful on the inside and out

29. You show me how men are supposed to treat women by the way you treat, respect and love my mommy

30. You are a man of God,

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

 Happy 30th Birthday Daddy!

I love you! Love Ansley

She of course fell sound asleep on the way home!

Saturday we drove to Mankato to 'ChiliFest' (http://www.mankatochilifest.com/). One of Lance's trainers at work had entered his chili so a bunch of the guys from Federated went to support him. On the hour trip to Mankato it was raining, but as soon as we pulled into the parking lot it had turned to snow. We enjoyed about 20 or so different types of chili and then we decided to head back to Owatonna. There was over an inch of snow on the ground when we left and it had already stopped snowing. I guess in some places in MN, the roads got pretty bad cause they said on the news that they had about 200 wrecks reported within 3 hours! Crazy! I thought these people knew how to drive up here! :)

Although we weren't able to take Ansley outside to play in the snow,

she did get to enjoy a snowball that AJ made her!

Then she decided to throw the 'ball'

I knew it was a big bday for Lance so I wanted to do something special, but I just didn't know what so I asked Jen and Allison if they had any ideas and Jen suggested a surprise party. She had all these great ideas so I enlisted her to be the party planner and pretty much all I did was get the supplies! She and AJ even volunteered to have it at their house. It worked out great that the ChiliFest was that morning cause it keep us busy til it was time. Boy, was Lance surprised!!! I don't have too many pics right now from the party, but as soon as I get them I will share cause Jen did a great job with everything!!! Since UT was playing, we decided to do a UT orange party, so we had orange foods, orange drinks, and everybody wore a cut-out "T"!

Yes, Jen even made the cake!!! It was awesome and YUMMY!!!

there was orange punch and even "T" water bottles!

"From the lakes of Minnesota...."

I had given pics to Jen of some of Lance's milestones throughout his 30 years

"to the hills of Tennessee..."

there were pics from birth till recent with everything in between

It was really sweet!

A HUGE thank you to Jennifer and AJ for all your help and Patrick and Allison!! I appreciate everything, especially our friendships!!! Without you guys this would not have been possible!!!

Also, thank you to everyone who came to the party and who also helped!

Happy birthday buddy!!! LOVE YOU OLD MAN! :)

 

We can't wait to see everyone for THANKSGIVING!!!

Only 3 more days!

 Pray for us as we travel!