Holiday Letter 2018

Dearest Family and Friends!

I do admit loving Andy bringing in the mail, opening all your cards and sharing with the boys who everyone is and how we know them!  Traditions and stories..beautiful memories such a magical and meaningful part of life!!! Thank you for keeping us in your lists even though  Andy wonders why I can't just be "normal" and make and mail cards... but time... less stress... I just pick this but appreciate all your thoughts!

As a whole family we had a year of fun and adventures and travels.  Declan told Grandma Sue to Never Give Up when they were climbing Squaw Peak in Arizona in April.  There was a lot of swimming and golfing there too!  Summer went fast as they always do with Auntie B and Uncle Sean's wedding, cabin trips and playground and nature park tours! 

Evan has grown into a 3.5 year old with quite the character.  I thought Evan was my quiet independent introverted one, but nope, he talks and talks and talks... in a loud voice... All.The.Time... but he is hilarious like his dad!  He loves swim lessons right now but won't put his "eyeballs in" :)  He is the oldest at my childcare with baby boys but all girls closer to his age to play with!  He plays a great Daddy with all the baby dolls and house they play most often!

Declan went to tball (not fun in his words) but loved, played and enjoyed soccer so much.  He really has loved doing some art classes and wanted to give lots of his creations as gifts this year.  Kindergarten has been going well and his teacher truly is amazing with the whole class and he does enjoy school... despite by the end of vacation being annoyed "Why is everyone asking me about school!?" Ha!

This year I have enjoyed lots of my personal passions.  I have tried to read and journal more this year and think my book total is officially 17!  I love going to book club and helped do one at church.  Being a part of a new MOPs groups at our church has been wonderful too.  I enjoyed the challenge of 80 Days Obsession last Jan-April and I have restarted it but on a 120 day plan to run lots too ;)  After 80 days SPEEDGOLF SEASON was here!  I got in the most rounds of golf ever this summer since having children/not coaching HS girls!  I truly loved my experience going to NY for the US/World Speedgolf Champs and plan and dream to grow little fun leagues in MN this spring!

This holiday season I took little break from  wellness coaching but will be back now more this winter and spring.  Hours spent in journals, reading the Bible and prayer, it is becoming clearer to me how living the gospel involves togetherness, connection.  And those who are blessed and have much, much is expected of them. And I know we are blessed beyond needs and  have to do more for others, and not just myself, my time, etc... I am beyond scared but excited to run the TC Marathon next Oct with Team World Vision for clean water for children in villages and communities.  I can't wait to hear about the child we are sponsoring and share more with my boys.

Andy has spent a lot of time in the racquetball courts this year getting back into regular tournaments.  He has taken home a few medals and just enjoyed meeting new people and running into old mentors from his U of M days.  He has been lucky to work in Europe for 3M almost two months this year in Switzerland, UK and Germany.  He claims he only sees airports, conference rooms, restaurants and hotel rooms to not make me feel too jealous, but I have snooped on his phone and seen fun sledding and sightseeing pics!

Prayers for a  wonderful 2019 year from our family to yours!!

With love, Brooke, Andy, Declan, Evan, Croix, Bouncer and Fuzzy

Dearest Evan, You're THREE years old!

My sweet boy Evan Francis Thrall,  (You say your full name just the cutest, I need to video that!)

You have been 2 and 3/4 long enough, and it has been a whole month since your friend's birthday party, I can't wait to celebrate today at your family party you actually being 3!

You are one very adventurous, creative, independent but lately still cuddly boy!  You love your brother so so much and the two of you really have become such pals and equals... Well, you may beat out your brother in some ways, but shhhh, we won't tell him that yet.  You know all the rules, but love to bend and twist them... but also love keeping your friends safe and announce to Daddy every night he gets home from work.. "Daddy, I didn't bit any friends at childcare today"  (And you haven't in many many months... it is just your routine greeting!)

We have had many adventures the last few months from a family vacation in Arizona.  You still play "Arizona" almost everyday and want to go hiking and camping.  We have gotten in a weekly round of 9 holes of golf and though you spend time on the greens, you want to race down me and be a Crazy Driver!  You got to go to Racine for a weekend with Daddy and grandparents!

And just a week ago you were a fantastic Bubble Boy in Auntie B and Uncle Sean's wedding! This 4th of July Cabin vaca you raced in all the McKinley races, fished and swam for hours, and stayed awake til 1030 to see all the firecrackers... just like we used to call you!  You kept watching for the Packer colored ones and you wore your Packer shirts all weekend to rile up Mama's family!

Right now you love to ask, "Why that called ______?"   You want to know how everything got its name and it is seriously super thought provoking to me!  You have been a little bookworm the last few month too.  I was worried you weren't going to enjoy books the same as your brother and me, but now you'd sit for hours with us reading to you!   You are beginning to love playing games like Go Fish, Sausages, Uno, Pizza Party Dice, etc.  You have your ABC's down and your counting is entertaining every time but getting closer!

I can't get enough of our conversations, our hand holding walks, you helping me with dishes and bubbles, and cuddleys! However, I am ok with the phases of you peeing on trees, obsession with porta potties, laying on my belly and telling me I'm having a baby, or harassing your poor kittes or Croix to pass fast.

But regardless, my always baby, Evan,
We love you for all that are, and all you will become!

Momma

Holiday Newsletter 2017

Dear Family and Friends!!

We hope your Holiday Season was wonderful and getting back to the grind has left your rested, energized and grateful for the life we all are lucky to have!  I know almost two weeks off of childcare was rejuvenating but I'm ready for my littles I missed greatly!  We had a lot of fun family morning outings to Chucky Cheese, Science Museum, and the golf dome.   Staying home fun included sledding, Nerf gun trophy battles, movie/picnic nights, Candy Crush, and coloring time.

2017 was a wonderful year with our boys becoming older and much more independent.  They are the best of brothers with full on forgiving fights (Evan usually "wins"!)  but then protecting each other from Dad's wrestle attacks and Mom's strict food and tv rules.  Evan is very efficient at cutting open packets of raisins and cereal and he has attempted some microwave popcorn once!  Ahh!  He has an amazing sense of humor and keeps us on our toes... Literally too with his working golf ball obsession all over the house!  Though most days he says "I do it myself", our favorite line when he is struggling with something is a LOUD "Need a little help here!"  And of course, he is very aware of his emotions. "I'm MAD... I'm FRUSTRATED".

Declan has become a young man overnight. After starting preschool, he has looked forward to learning, writing, cutting with scissors and reading.  Though his favorite thing to do is conquer games, Nintendo and over break we reintroduced Wii Sports and he legitimately sword duels/jousts Andy and me right into the pond!

Some favorite memories of 2017 include an adult only weekend getaway to Denver, boys trip to Michigan in June, our Fourth of July vacation to Fox Hills Golf Resort in WI, including Bay Beach Amusement Park,  Cousin's weekend at Whiteface, and the Renaissance fair.

2017 was a full year of fitness adventures for me.  I trained and competed in my first Speedgolf tournament, but I became a runner... Something I never thought I would say I was.  I ran the TC10 mile and the Mankato half marathon.  I coached with Beachbody and online wellness challenge groups throughout the year.  Though Beachbody and my wellness tribe will always be one of the biggest components of self care and training for new challenges, I'm not actively coaching this year to focus on childcare, 80 Day Obsession and future speedgolf training!  I am still happy to plug any of my friends and family into my community, Beachbody and support them with any health journey's though!   Andy has gotten back into racquetball and tournaments again as well!

Happy New Year!!!  Here's to 2018!

Love,  Brooke, Andy, Declan & Evan