The Froehle's: Celebrating Christmas with Friends!

It was a weekend celebrating Christmas with good friends!

My weekend started off on Thursday night with dinner with my HS friends! We went to Barbette and it was so fun to catch up and relax with these gals......we've all been friends since 6th grade and some of us go back to Kindergarden! Melissa is missing in the picture--she got there after the picture was taken!

Michelle, Brandi, Anna, Brooke, Crystal, Me, Jill

Friday night was our annual Holiday Dinner with Luke's college friends! Anne and Paul hosted this year and it was another wonderful night, celebrating! Raul cooked us a delicious meal (we are so spoiled to have Raul cook for us)! These are truly life-long friends! We've prayed together, laughed together (a lot), cried together, celebrated together and the neatest quality about this group is the unconditional love and non-judgement! I didn't get a picture of the guys this year--but these ladies are amazing friends and it's all of our husbands who brought us together in the first place! My parents had the kids for the night-thank you mom and dad for taking them overnight so we could enjoy our night!!

Molly, Tricia, Ellen, Me, Sara, Lisa, Carrie and Anne

Luke in his Festive Holiday suit!

While the kids were in Owatonna they had breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning! Neither of them were very fond of Santa, but Bishop was comfortable sitting on Mrs. Claus's lap (Nora was holding on for dear life)!

Breakfast with Santa in Owatonna

On Saturday afternoon I made some more Christmas Cookies (Peanut Butter cups) and I let the kids help with a few of them. They loved unwrapping the Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and making their own cups by rolling them into balls. After they were done baking they each got to put their own Reeses into their PB cup-it's fun having helpers in the kitchen!

Baking with mom!

Saturday afternoon we went sledding again! Bishop was a little reluctant because he remembered how cold he was last weekend, but once we got out there he had the time of his life. We let him go down the hill by himself and he thought that was the coolest thing. He'd always lay down (which made me really nervous as he couldn't see anything laying down......like another person or a tree)! :) Both Luke and I were always really close by to make sure he was safe! :)

Nora and Luke went down together a few times--she would laugh the entire way down. Nora is quite the daddy's girl right now--she insisted on him holding her the entire time! It's pretty sweet to see her with Luke!

Bishop had his first Christmas concert in church on Sunday. It was his first concert, ever, actually! We got to church really early so we could get a good spot to see him. The church was pretty strict about not wanting any pictures or videos taken in respect of the sanctuary (and teaching the children that respect), so I wasn't able to take any pictures of him standing in front of the church.

He walked up the aisle, came over and gave me a hug and then went and found his spot to stand. He looked around a little bit and I don't blame him, it's a really big church and he had never been to the front of the church before. The girl standing next to him sat down, so he sat down.......then she stood back up so he stood back up. He did great, except he never sang one word! Ha! There were a few motions and he didn't do any of the motions either. I think it was a bit overwhelming for him, but it was cute and a great experience. When they were done he came right over to me and gave me a kiss and then walked out with his class!

Before his Christmas Concert at church

After his concert there was a live nativity scene outside with real animals. It was really cold and a little chaotic with all the kids, but we went out to pet a couple of animals!

Sunday afternoon we celebrated with Bishop's buddies at the Kahlert's. Unfortunately, Leo wasn't able to make it, and we missed him and his family. Santa visited again this year and brought the kids candy canes. It was another really fun day! This time Bishop told Santa he wants a spaceship!