Katy opens her FIRST Christmas gift EVER!!!

I apologize for the sideways movie but it is worth the sore neck! A momentous occasion!

A Merry Stoecker Christmas!

Three generations of Stoeckers

Mark & his dad, Chip

Mark wielded the camera most of Christmas Day so here is the lone shot of him, courtesy of Lizzie!

Lizzie is just so beautiful it almost breaks my heart!

Katy had too much new stuff to look at all at once!

Lizzie "helped" Katy open her gifts...

Grandma Dee cried over the new family pictures...

Mike got a video game (surprise, surprise!)...

Mr. & Mrs. Donnie Kaufman's first Christmas!...

Can you guess what Lizzie got for Christmas? (Besides what's pictured here?!? Hint: it rhymes with shmance lessons!)

Katy is more interested in my reaction to our AWESOME gift than in the gift itself...

One of Katy's first Christmas gifts...

Katy knows where you put a tic tac...

Lizzie, glammin' it up in her new hat & scarf...

Beautiful little cousin Emma...

When one baby cries, they all cry. And, apparently, clasp their little hands in despair!

With cousin Emma on Christmas Eve...

My girls in their Christmas dresses on Christmas Eve...

Before & Halfway to After

At the request of some of my boot camp buddies I am posting some different before & halfway to after pictures. One of my friends (who I LOVE more than words can say!) said I just look too good in the picture I posted with my Turkey Trot update from November 28. So here it goes. Enjoy if you can!

5 Years Ago Today

My life changed in so many ways 5 years ago today. I was blessed with an amazing husband who loves and adores me. I was blessed with a father to my son & a father to children not yet conceived but very much desired. I was blessed with a trusting friend who is always there for me. I was blessed with a provider who works hard to care for our family & to bring us the things we want & need.
I may not be the smartest woman in the world (and let me tell you, he is smart enough to back me up when I claim that I am!) but I made the best & smartest decision in my life when I said "I do" 5 years ago today.


I am as happy today as I was in this picture. The joy in my heart is as overwhelming and abundant as it was 5 years ago today. The love I have for this man is even bigger & richer than it was 5 years ago today. When I look at my life & wonder on what decisions I made that could have changed my path I thank Heavenly Father that I made the choices that brought Mark into my life. Being his wife & the mother of his children is so much more than I once dreamed I would ever have.
On a traditional 5th anniversary a gift of wood is given. In the modern "tradition" a gift of silverware is appropriate. When I think back on the five years since the day in these pictures I realize that I lack nothing in my life that I would as for today. I have all the gifts I really "need" & my one desire is that Mark can say the same.

7 Months Already!

Katy my love is 7 months old (as of yesterday) and I can't believe that much time has already passed. She was being incredibly cute yesterday after eating her lunch that I couldn't resist taking a few pictures to commemorate her day!

Katy's Big Day

On Friday November 27th we blessed Katy at my mom & dad's house. My dad performed the blessing & this is a picture of the special girl with her grandpa.

We have had two REALLY awesome missionaries in our area that we have grown to love quite a bit. They stood in the circle while Katy was blessed. It was great to have them there for the special day. Unfortunately Elder Naglis (the blond) was just transferred! We will miss him & look forward to keeping in touch with him when he gets home. (Elder Curtis is great too!)

Here is the family together for a little picture. There are a couple others where Lizzie DOESN'T look like she's in front of the firing squad but Katy has her head on my shoulder & I LOVE that!

By the time we had this picture taken Lizzie had completely lost patience with the whole thing so we are missing her. Other than that I think it is a nice picture of our family & mom & dad.
It was a wonderful time all around & I am so grateful for the MANY honorable men in our family who could participate in the ordinance. And thanks to all the other amazing men who make up the male side of our family. You guys rock too!