Sunday, December 7, 2014

What a Night for our Girls!

Jake and I are so proud of our Roslyn Ann...this lil' girl LOVES to dance and she ROCKED the stage yesterday at her "Frozen" recital.

All the nights of practice and every penny spent is worth seeing the pure pride and sparkle in Roslyn's eyes when she gets to perform on stage. My baby girl is growing up way too fast!

To make a loooooooong story short - Jake took Carrine out of Roslyn's 1st recital yesterday afternoon to let her run around in the commons area before the Finale. After a fluke accident, she split her forehead open and ended up in the St. Cloud ER for 8 stitches. Thank the Lord for good doctors, resilient children and family to help out. What a roller-coaster of emotions!


As hard as it was to see my 2nd baby girl leave for the ER with a gash on her head, I stayed behind with Roslyn to help her get through her second recital that night.
I'm so thankful Jake and his mom could take Carrine to the hospital.

Yesterday was yet again another example of a mother's heart always being torn. I wanted to be with Carrine so badly, but I knew Roslyn needed me too. I don't know if a person can ever overcome the "mother guilt."
Thankful it all turned out okay.

Roslyn was a beautiful Snow Flake Ballerina.

Precious

And then she got to steal the show, front and center in the song "Summer" from the Frozen movie.
Meet Miss Olaf!

Hilarious expressions.


Can you tell she was just a "tad" excited to dance on the BIG STAGE?!

She knew nearly every move...so thankful that she's found something that she LOVES to participate in!

As crazy/busy times can get, making the weekly commitment to Roslyn's dance schedule is worth it.
I was one proud Mom yesterday! (and always)

A few weeks ago when our "hair directions" came out for the recital, I was a little worried.
We were supposed to do a Swedish Braid for the girls.
Well, I haven't french-braided since middle school...

So we winged it Saturday morning - no practice  - just a dry run and we went for it!
Roslyn was beautiful. 

Roslyn and her friends got a hold of my phone in the dressing room and started taking "friend" pictures.
Love it!

I know this photo doesn't quite do the "justice" of how sweet Roslyn is.
But before her first show I gave her this RED ROSE from Jake and I to let her know how pumped we were for her to perform.
The next words out of her mouth, "Mom, I'll give this rose to Miss Danielle because she's the best dance teacher ever!"

And that's exactly what Roslyn did after the evening show. What a thoughtful kid.

The crew!


Can't tell you how adorable the Olaf "Summer" dance was.

Thanks to Jake's family and Roslyn's Godmother Rhonda for coming out to support her recital.
Means the world to Roz!

And this little trooper...she's a rock!
Praying for a smooth recovery this week.
Never fun to see your babies get hurt - but thankful she's going to be okay!

Have a great week everyone - yet again...lots to be THANKFUL FOR!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Duke vs. Wisconsin was INCREDIBLE!

Still pinching myself realizing that Jake and I got to drive to Madison yesterday and watch Coach K and the #4 Duke Blue Devils take on the #2-ranked Wisconsin Badgers and Coach Bo Ryan last night for the Big 10/ACC Challenge - was an INCREDIBLE game!

Duke 80, Wisconsin 70 - Box Score
Seven years ago (pre-kids stage), Jake and I were fortunate enough to travel to Durham, NC - to watch Coach K and the Blue Devils in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
I'll never forget that experience.
The kids were excited for Jake and I to go watch Duke play!
Go Duke!
Andray made a sign for us to bring to the game...I swear we don't "brainwash" our kids ;)
The excitement at the Kohl Center was indescribable!
WE MADE IT!
Jake and I got to stand next to a Pacers NBA Scout in line at the Will Call window to get our tickets.
It was meant to be! I got to sit in Row "C", Seat #11!
Got to meet Wisconsin's #15 Sam Dekker prior to the game ;)
Puts into perspective how tall these college bball players really are!
(or maybe I'm just that short!)
Our first glance of the court with both teams warming up!
We didn't stop smiling the entire night!

What an awesome event!

The National Anthem was breath-taking!



Warm ups were so much fun to watch!
Quinn Cook and Tyus Jones (Apple Valley, MN native) - the point guard leaders.

#15 Jahlil Okafor (freshman center stand-out) and #21 Amile Jefferson (junior forward).

Both teams were so focused during warm-ups.

Love this action shot of Tyus - he is absolutely incredible to watch play in person!
So cool that he's originally from MN!

Jahlil Okafor is going to have a bright future in the NBA!
He's a monster on the court!

Coach Ryan and Coach K greeting each other before tip-off!
Without a doubt two of the top coaches in NCAA. 


Pre-game team huddle...the Kohl Center was jamming!


Tyus Jones shaking hands with Wisconsin player prior to the opening tip-off.

Let the game begin!

Duke time-out huddles are so intense!


The ESPN broadcast crew at half court.

Tyus Jones led Duke with 22 points.

Love watching this guy coach his team!


The Duke coaching staff has the utmost "Respect for the Game!"

Might be framing this photo in our basement of Coach K and Tyus Jones!



Was an awesome day/night trip with Jake to watch Duke at Wisconsin!
Looking forward to our next trip to Cameron Indoor Stadium!
Just hope we don't have to wait 7 more years :)


A HUGE thank you and "shout-out" to my fellow SCSU friends Stef and Dean who hooked Jake and I up with tickets -  nights like these make me miss working in athletics!
Another great Duke experience in the books!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

What a Weekend. ..Thankful

What an action-packed Thanksgiving weekend spent with Jake and the kiddos.
Thankful we got to see Great Grandma Stang and Great Grandma Rausch.
So thankful our kids have three Great-Grandmas still with us!
Was priceless watching Roslyn eat next to Great Gma Stang on Thursday.
Thankful for Black Friday shopping with Brenda!
We had a blast in Albertville and found TONS of deals!

Thankful to celebrate our Summer Volleyball Championship on Friday night with this great couple.
I can't even remember the last time Jake and I have had a night out and were able to wake up in our own home without the kids there.
A huge THANKS to Gma and Papa Stang for watching the kids over night!

We remembered a fallen HERO this weekend. Hard to believe Tommy's been gone 2 years already.
Continued prayers for his family, friends and brothers in BLUE.


And I'm thankful for Andray and Roslyn's help with decorating our home for Christmas over the weekend. Every year I underestimate how much work it is to take down the Fall decorations and put up all the Christmas decorations...they helped make it fun.

One exhausting, yet accomplishing weekend spent with Jake and the kids...very THANKFUL!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Chucky is Baaaaaaack!


The kids were pumped to see that "Chucky" made his way back to the Stang household this Thanksgiving weekend.

Below is a video link of the kids on Friday morning finding "Chucky the Elf" for the first time.

Even Carrine can say Chucky!

Beyond excited for the Christmas festivities this month!
Kids are at a PERFECT age for the "magic" of Christmas.