Frank & Stang Christmas Gatherings (See What I Did There?)

Another Christmas Season is in the books with the Frank and Stang families!

Christmas Eve at the farm...what a crew!

The 9 cousins reenacted the Christmas Story.

Roslyn was pumped to be MARY.

And they did a great job.

Grandkids always love wrestling with Papa.

Carrine was a trooper, despite having strep.

Andray and Easton - the boys!

Andray loves his new farm equipment.

By the time gift opening rolled around Carrine was DONE and DONE!

No fun to be sick on Christmas Eve!

Thanks to Carrine's Godparents for the awesome gifts though!

Absolutely PRICELESS photo of Roslyn opening her Frozen Barbie Dolls of Elsa and Anna!

Exactly what she wanted - thanks Gma and Papa Stang!

Andray's Godmother spoiled him with Super Hero toys.

And Roslyn's Godmother got her the Frozen clipboard that she wanted...

along with the fanciest Cowgirl Boots ever!

Who would've known they make Frozen clipboards...THANK YOU!

Christmas Eve was a success at the Farm...

FRANK CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

Thankful my family was able to celebrate Christmas this past weekend down in Redwood Falls.

Our 1st Christmas with Baby Louis William!

Grandma and her GIRLS!

Papa and his BOYS!

Love this lil' guy soooooooooooo much!

Andray was so excited to hold Louie this weekend - his first time holding him!

I'm thankful for the time I got to spend time sledding with the big kids.

Brought back a lot of memories sledding as a kid and resting on the top of the hills looking out over the valley.

Mom and Dad's land is just breath-taking, even in the winter!

Was a perfect morning for sledding and exploring in the woods!

This huge fallen tree ended up being the "perfect jungle gym!"

Lounging away.

Isa Lu is growing up way too fast!

Andray had fun entertaining Louie!

Amazing how babies are always the center of attention!

Best Christmas gift ever - Louie's first "Louisville #11 Jersey!"

One glance at his legs and we already know he's going to be a football player ;)

These two "peas in a pod" were beyond pumped to get their singing/light up Elsa dresses!

Can't wait to go to Frozen on Ice in April!

Even Santa Claus made a "late stop" in Redwood Falls on Saturday morning!

The grandkids sure are fortunate!

This might be my most favorite photo from the weekend.

After church and lunch everyone went downstairs to watch the Vikings game.

I had laid Carrine down for her nap and snuck into the kitchen.

I overheard Roslyn say to my mom, "Grandma, I just LOVE looking at your Christmas tree."

Simple times like these are just precious between a Grandmother and her grandchild.

Never give up HOPE...here's to a blessed and promising New Year in 2015.

What a Christmas!!!!!

Christmas Eve Day we woke up as a family - the kids were beyond excited to open gifts and rip off the last circle on the Christmas Countdown chain!

Our kids were truly at the BEST ages for Christmas this year!

Meet Carrine's new baby doll...Miss Louisa!

Meet the newest Elsa and Anna girls in town!

Thanks to my talented co-worker who made these hats for the girls.

They were a hit!

Andray loved his Duke hat - as well as his Batman city.

The big kids were a great help cleaning everything up...

But of course we had to make time for a CELEBRATION!

I can hear their giggles and laughter still!

Roz helped get everything for Santa on Christmas Eve night.

Homemade cookies, chocolate milk and grapes for the Reindeer (we ran out of carrots).

And of course some good reading material for Santa..."Santa comes to Minnesota!"

I will forever love Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day morning we were lucky enough to wake up to gifts from Santa and proof that he had come to our house!

Looks like Santa left a trail of cookies and grapes near our sliding door!

Santa was good to us!

Andray was the first one up in our house "early" Christmas Day morning.

Nothing better than waking up Christmas Day in your own home with the kiddos.

Very thankful for yet another memorable Christmas!

More celebrations to come in the next few weeks!

Christmas Eve is Here!

Christmas Eve is here! So bummed our lil' Carrine tested positive for strep throat last night, but thankful to be home with my family for the next 5 days!

Love this trio more than anything.

Roslyn's homemade gift for us.

Back away ladies - He's All Mine! ;)

Can you believe Jake taught his students yesterday at school looking like this? :)

Our last day with Chucky the Elf this Christmas Season...he will be missed!

Do you want to build a snow man?

Was at urgent care and Walgreens from 7-11 pm, Carrine was a trooper.

Just hope the antibiotics kick in fast!

Andray's work...

"If I saw Jesus I would bring him some 'clows.'  And I would say 'let the Lord be with you."

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Magical Week of Christmas is Here!!!

Ah, the waiting and anticipation of Christmas is finally here!

Our kids are at the PERFECT ages for Christmas!

Truly - this is a magical week for us!

Well, we found out Sunday morning that Carrine is still deathly afraid of Santa!

This may be the best photo Jake has ever taken!

Truly PRICELESS!

The big kids were so excited to sit by Santa.

Andray was so sweet - he got off the sleigh and said, "Mom, I still don't know what I want Santa to bring me."

Carrine was just fine waiting in line to see Santa and she was waiving at him and saying, "Hi Santa!"

But as soon as we were right next to him she shook like I've never seen before.

Ah, I felt bad for her. So when we walked away she said, "Bye Santa!"

Apparently Santa is OK when we're 30 feet away!

Throughout the magic of this Christmas week, we continue to remember the

REASON FOR THE SEASON.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Can't wait to celebrate Christmas with our families this week!

Bitter Sweet...

Well, it was officially announced on campus this morning that yesterday's Commencement Ceremony will be my last at St. Cloud State University in the near future.

I have an incredible opportunity to work from home starting January 5th. I will be home full-time with Carrine and home when Andray and Roslyn get off the school bus.

Yesterday's commencement ceremony was incredible from start to finish - talk about bitter sweet!

Even the "Elf on the Shelf" made it to our sound booth for commencement!

The TV production was top-notch yet again!

Halenbeck Hall was literally packed to the rafters.

Talk about a rush of emotions when the Pomp and Circumstance music starts playing and you see those graduates file into the gym.

Truly, commencement is the best event to be a part of on campus.

I'm so thankful for the incredible people that I've worked with at SCSU in Athletics and in Records.

My boss had these flowers waiting for me at my desk this morning, very thoughtful and appreciated.

I will officially close my office door on campus for the last time next Friday, Jan. 2nd.

I don't think it'll feel real until Jan. 5th when I start this new chapter of my life.

I've been on campus at SCSU for the last 15 years - nearly half my life.

Once a Husky, Always a Husky!

Tears were shed when the official announcement was made last night after commencement was complete and this morning in the office. But one consistent "theme" has been relaid to me by my co-workers, "You can't buy your time back with your kids - you'll never regret staying home with them."

And I know they're all right.

Life is a roller coaster - enjoy the ride!