Christmas Card and Letter 2011

Our card and letter to family and friends, sorry to those who did not get one, I only got part way through my address book. :(

 

Dear Family and Friends,

The Riepe family has had a very busy year, the kids are growing and time is going by so fast. This year we said good-bye to my Dad, after an 18 month journey with cancer my Dad was called to Heaven. This has left a huge hole in our family, but we have so many things to be thankful for. Without further adieu here is some things that have been happening around our house.

Alexis is 7 years old and enjoying second grade. She started taking piano lessons this past summer and is in her 5^th year of dance. She just joined the childrens choir at our church. Alexis loves making her own movies.

Olivia is 5 years old and is in her 2^nd year of preschool, she is enjoying her 3^rd year in dance. She also just started with the childrens choir at our church. Olivia loves to help me cook in the kitchen.

Samantha is 3 years old. She enjoyed taking dance classes for about 3 weeks and decided it was not for her this year. She likes to carry around her blanket and baby.

Bridgette is 3 years old and is enjoying her first year in dance. She loves to dance and sing. She is definitely the leader of the triplets and enjoys telling Samantha and Teddy what to do.

Teddy is 3 years old and he enjoyed dance class for about 15 minutes and then decided the door was more fun to play with. Teddy loves to figure things out and just loves to help Dad do anything,

I am enjoying teaching Sunday School at church this year, I teach Olivia's class. It has been a real treat for me.

Don has been very busy at work. He especially enjoys our family time on the weekends.

Our Angel Madeline will continue to touch people, this fall at plaque was placed at the playground at our church with her picture on it letting people know that funds were donated in memory of Madeline to build the playground.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2012!!!

With love from,

Don, Mary, Alexis, Olivia, Samantha, Bridgette and Teddy

The Riepe Family

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School Pictures

Alexis, age 7, 2nd Grade 2011-2012 School Year

Olivia Age 5, preschool, 2011-2012 school year

So Very Sad

My heart is aching as I update this to ask for prayers. On October 4th around 4:30PM my Dad ended his 18 month battle with cancer. He has left a hole in our family.



My Dad and I took a 3 hour ambulance ride to his home he built to retire in (next year) on 9/26/11, I spent 4 dyas taking care of him with my Godfather Mike D. My Godfather (his best friend of 40 years) never left his side and other family members would help out, my older brother arrived on 10/3/11 from Texas. My Grandma was holding his arm, my brother and Godfather both at his side when he passed away. Then they flew my Dad's flag at half staff after he passed away......







My Dad and I on my wedding day 7/7/01





Grandps and his Grand Kids..












Here is his caring bridge : http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bryanmartin

First Day of Preschool!! Olivia

Getting ready for her second year of preschool, Olivia, was much more excited.

She happily danced around the Den.

I had a hard time keeping up with her running into school!!!

Stop and pose for a minute kiddo. :)

WOW she really grew alot from last year next to these cubbies. Look at that grin!!

No crying this time she left me at the door to play with her friend from last year.

A successful first day!! Olivia and her teacher Mrs. Newcomb.

First Day of Second Grade!! Alexis

Second Grader?? Already?? Oh My!! Well Alexis was very excited to go to second grade today. She threw an outfit together this motrning. I LOVE her style. Reminds me of 80s punk rock. :)

Look how grown up she looks.




Another picture Mom??

Look for the bus. And there it is.

OK Mom I am off to school.

Love Ya!!

In case you were wondering what she had for lunch on that first day!!

Alexis and Olivia's Room gets a much needed makeover

Alexis and Olivia have had this yellow/green bedroom theme since I was pregnant with Alexis. I did not find out she was a girl until she was born so her nursery was very neutral.

 

So it was time to update. The girls picked out colors and helped paint. 

 

 

Taking a break for a cute pose.

Closet is done, now to get the rest of the room painted.

 



Time to put the furniture back.

 





 

Olivia gets a nice trundle bed to sleep on. it saves space.

 

A little space between some toy storage and Olivia's dresser.



Better view of the trundle. 

 



The top bed is actually a captains bed. The drawers that used to fit under it are now on the side of the room. Those are Alexis' dresser. We needed space saving furniture when Olivia's crib was in the room.

Better view of Alexis' dresser.

 



I love the window ledge. Perfect for princess castles.

 



 

Thanks for taking a peek at our happenings.

Biking with Kids

We are really enjoying our new bike. Here is a little slideshow/video we made, with video and pictures from Alexis. The words are off at the bottom because I added more pictures and forgot to move the text, oops. :)

Biking with the kids

So last summer all of the kids fit inside the box on my boxcycles cargo bike. Well they all grew so now only 4 can fit in the box. So I needed a solution to go on long bike rides, since Alexis is not that great of a biker, yet. And I found it!! I got a Weehoo i-Go bike trailer, just for Alexis. Now my bike is really styling. We just got the addition to the bike on Thursday and I took it out for a test ride Friday. It is AWESOME, I can feel her peddaling behind me, and I do not notice the extra weight, except on a steep hill, but then I make her help out more. :)





A look from the front!! Alexis is way back there!!

Hi Alexis!!!

At the local Carnival

I love summer

It was a gorgeous day today, so we decided to go for a bike ride. We took our time, stopped for a butterfly, stopped to blow on "wishing flowers", and singing songs. I love carefree days, these are the days my kids will remember fondly, they are growing so fast I am looking forward to spend the summer at the kids pace, I will stop and enjoy the caterpiller crawling on the leaf, watch the ants building thier "hills", sit in the club house of our swingset and imagine we are on an adventure, yes I want to fully enjoy these moments before they are all gone.

A few photos from today!! :)

yep I am advertising for our preschool on my bike, I am part of the preschool committee, and had this geneous idea to advertise on my bike all summer. What's in it for me?? Well nothing besides feeling good about getting the word out about our preschool. Not only do we have a great curriculum, but an excellent teacher!! So if you are in the area and have not found a preschool come check out Little Hands Of Faith.

Thanks for peeking in on us!! :)