Dreiling Family Reunion 2010

My grandparents, Katie and Merf, my mom, my aunt and uncle, Nadine and Randy, and of course, Billy, me and the girls

Brynn and Kaeleah

my mom, my grandma, my grandpa, and my aunt, Nadine

A couple of weeks ago, we headed out to Lake McConaughy, NE for the Frank & Catherine Dreiling Reunion. Frank and Catherine are my great-grandparents from Victoria, KS (my grandma's parents). We get together every 2 years to celebrate their lives and the entire Dreiling family.

Unfortunately, not many people could make it from my family, but we made the most of out it. We really missed all of those who couldn't make it. Overall, we had a great time eating, visiting, and of course, playing horseshoes. It was great to see everyone and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing everyone again in two years! (Above are some pictures of just my family. My camera died that afternoon, so I didn't get a lot of pictures).

I've missed you, Blog!

So, it has definitely been awhile since I have posted something on my blog. Life always seems to get in the way. Whether it's work, kids, cleaning the house, etc., it's always something. Now, I don't like using "I'm too busy" as an excuse, but the computer is always the LAST place I want to be when I have a free moment. I always tend to feel a little guilty when I can be folding clothes, playing with the girls, or doing something more important. Well, that's enough of that!

As I sit here typing, I realize, this is just as important. I need to document our life events and keep my family and friends up-to-date will all of our news! So, I'm recommitting myself to at least a weekly story. So let's get caught up, shall we??

This past year has been eventful. With so many changes, it's hard to list all of them. As of today, we are all doing really well. We are all happy, healthy, and excited that summer is finally here! We have been very busy so far, our weekends just seem to fill up faster than we would like, but that's the norm and we love it! Here are some pictures of some of the things we have done thus far.





The Russell family intends on having a very fun summer. We're heading to Des Moines this weekend for my niece's dance recital. Next weekend we're heading to a family reunion. We have so much planned, we just hope the summer doesn't fly by like it always does. I'm so glad that I took the time to write again....it feels good to catch up. :o)

She's Obessessed with Shoes!

She's definitely a girl. Brynn has recently developed a little bit of a shoe fetish. Ha! I remember being a little girl and being excited about one day being able to wear high heals. Well, Brynn doesn't care what shoes she's wearing, she just likes shoes. She'll wear Kaeleah's shoes(which makes Kaeleah mad), my shoes, and Billy's shoes. The funny thing about her wearing Billy's shoes is that they are almost as big as her. They actually resemble skis when she's wearing them. We love watching her try and walk with Billy's shoes on because eventually they will start turning outwards. Once they do that, she's done.

Brynn is also conviced we can wear each other's shoes with no problems. She'll try and stick Kaeleah's shoes on me, my shoes on Billy, and Billy's shoes on Kaeleah. Brynn will attempt to stick our foot into the shoe, look at it, and say "pretty"(yes Brynn, mommy's shoes ARE pretty on daddy - hehe).

It's so funny to me how "girly" Brynn really is. She has developed a great love for shoes at a really early age(ugh). I can only imagine how this love will eventually turn to clothes, make-up, and all of the girly sparkly things her sister seems to love too. Billy is just overjoyed with all of the girly things in our home. Ha! ;o)

A little behind.....

Ok, ok, I'm so behind, it ridiculous. It seems that I've been a little too busy this summer. I apologize for not keeping you all up-to-date with our Russell activities, but I honestly have not had too many spare moments to sit down and type or post a story.

Here's are a few little updates, just to keep you all informed:

Kaeleah started school this week at Bell Elementary(her brand new school) and she absolutely LOVES it. She's just amazed on all of the new things they have in the school. They have all automatic hand dryers(no more paper towels), all automatic toilet flushers(elimating germs), REAL plates and forks at school(this one I had to laugh, I guess her old school only had plastic utensils and plates), and her classroom, gym, music room, and art room are just spectacular, according to Kaeleah. She realized the second day of school that all of the students had the exact same fears as her, so she is adjusting perfectly. So far, so good.

Brynn is getting bigger by the day. She still doesn't say much. She knows what she wants and what we are talking about, but she has no desire to verbally communicate with us. We tell her to say a word, she looks at us, and shakes her head "no". I guess I'll just enjoy it while it lasts. If she's anything like her sister, we are in BIG trouble. Kaeleah talks enough for the both of them. Brynn does know all of her body parts, she knows actions to all of the songs I sing her, so I know she can do it if she wanted too, she just chooses not to. Typical.

Billy and I are still doing well. We're both extremely busy with work and house stuff. We're still slowly working on getting our basement together. Hopefully by the end of this year I will be organized and everything will be out of boxes. It really is a never ending process, isn't it!? We got our fence up, our front yard landscaping in, our patio furniture is up, we just need a play set for the girls and the rest of our landscaping done in the backyard and we will be all done with the outside of the house. Eventually our house will be complete.

Anyways, I just wanted to post a quick little note to let everyone know we are all still alive and kicking. Stay tuned for more Russell news!

Joselin Faith Froelich

Joselin Faith Froelich made her debut into this world on July 17, 2009. She was born at 12:43 pm, she weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz. and she was 21 inches long. I was so happy that I was in Hays visiting, so I could meet her right away. Joselin has tons of dark hair, long fingers and toes, and she's almost a spitting image of her older sister, Afton, when she was born. Congratulations Clint & Savanna! You are so blessed to have 3 beautiful daughters! Enjoy them!

The Froelich Family ~ Marissa, Savanna, Joselin, Clint, & Afton

Auntie Jill & Joselin :o)

Grandma & Joselin

Brynn was not very happy when I held Joselin, she was just a tad bit jealous. Brynn was curious about her though. She's probably wondering why her babies don't look or cry like that. ;o)

Knights of Columbus Tournament

This past weekend was the annual Knight of Columbus Tournament that we go to every year. Billy plays with my uncle Randy, my cousins, Ryan and Travis, and some other guys from Hays and Victoria. This is a fun tournament to go to because I get to see my family! So I always try to make the most this tournament.

This year was a little different. Instead of spreading the tournament over two days, they did a one day tournament. The guys got 1st again for the 9th year in a row!! As you can see, they got really dirty getting the job done. LOL.

While the boys were playing their softball games, we fans dealt with the extreme heat but overall it was fun. I will admit, I've been spoiled in the past years with just having Kaeleah. She would usually find a friend and play so I could watch the games. This year was totally different, Brynn had other plans for me. While I chased her around, I caught glimpses of the games and was able to take a few photos here and there. Having little ones makes it hard to enjoy a softball game, but overall, I had a blast. I can't wait until next year!!


The Schoenchen Team & Billy hitting another bomb!


While the guys played the girls entertained themselves.


Brynn & Laylah. As you can tell it's hot, Brynn's hair is curling up again.


Kaeleah, Lexi, & Katelyn.


Passing the time in between the games. Billy, Travis, Tia, Katelyn, Laylah, & Cherie.


Kaeleah & Lexi dancing. Nolan spraying Laylah and himself.


Billy


Ryan & Travis


Billy and the team.

4th of July

I know I'm a little behind on our news. I'm trying to keep up, but these summer months are just getting the best of me. :o) Here are some pics from The 4th of July. We had Billy's family over for food and some fireworks. It was pretty laid back, so the day was nice and relaxing.



Jake, Brynn and Madison watching the fireworks.



Watching the fireworks.

Jake and Eden






Kaeleah and the kids racing to get the parachute. :o)