We hope enjoy Martin's photo shoot.
God's Blessings,
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Martin's Photo Shoot
We picked up a Martin Luther bust at one of the Concordia Publishing House tent sales. Ever since we have been putting accessories on him for every holiday. Stefani decided he needed a photo shoot. Here is what we have so far.
Martin saying, "Happy Thanksgiving!".
Martin saying, "Merry Christmas!".
Martin saying, "Brrr, it's cold out here!".
Joshua and Stefani
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2010
Christmas Eve often goes by in blur. We have two services one at 7:00 pm which is more traditional and one at 11:00 pm that is a carol service. The services were well attended with a grand total of 122 people.
Our annual Christmas Eve picture. This one was taken after the first service, when Stefani was still awake.
Christmas Day there is no church. Which means we get to spend some much needed quality time together. This year we had a lazy morning with a large brunch. After we ate, we set up Skype with Joshua's family to open presents. We ship each other our gifts before Christmas and then open them via webcam. It works out well for us. After that Skype session we set up another one with Stefani's parents. We just got in a little visiting since we were going to make the trek to St. Louis to see them after Christmas.
Christmas Day evening we headed for dinner at Mary Kay and Don's house. We had so much delicious food! It was great visiting with them, their son and soon to be daughter in law, and their neighbors.
Merry Christmas,
Joshua and Stefani
Christmas Day there is no church. Which means we get to spend some much needed quality time together. This year we had a lazy morning with a large brunch. After we ate, we set up Skype with Joshua's family to open presents. We ship each other our gifts before Christmas and then open them via webcam. It works out well for us. After that Skype session we set up another one with Stefani's parents. We just got in a little visiting since we were going to make the trek to St. Louis to see them after Christmas.
Christmas Day evening we headed for dinner at Mary Kay and Don's house. We had so much delicious food! It was great visiting with them, their son and soon to be daughter in law, and their neighbors.
Merry Christmas,
Joshua and Stefani
December 2010 (thus far)
December is a busy month around here. With Advent comes two services a week, which means two sermons and two services to plan.
The first Saturday in December Moran Iron Works puts on a winter event for the town. There is a huge bonfire, Santa, and fireworks. We took two carloads of youth to the event and then went back to church for pizza and games. Everyone had a good time.
The week before Christmas was a busy one. We had the children's Christmas program on Sunday. There were about 35 kids that participated. Stefani helped by running the music so the other music techs could watch their children and grandchildren participate.
Speaking of church music, as many of you know we do not have an organist. This means our music for service is all digital. We had an ancient laptop to play mp3s, until recently, when the church purchased a new computer.
It will be nice to have a reliable computer for the music.
On Monday, we had a couple from church and their young son over for dinner. It was good food and good conversation. This inspired us to decided to try to have one couple from church over for dinner once a month.
Tuesday was the 456er's (the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Youth group) Christmas party. We watched Linus tell the Christmas story, played games, made crafts, and ate pizza. The turn out was great with a total of 9 kids.
The cupcake design for the 456er Christmas Party.
Wednesday Stefani went to visit a lady, Robin, from church whose ankle was basically reconstructed. Usually, it is Joshua doing the visiting, but Stefani had a feeling she would be need some company. While she was there Stefani was introduced the delicious recipe of Bugles dipped in melted white chocolate with an m&m stuck on it. Robin sent Stefani home with the ingredients...
And here is the final product. We ended up taking them to St. Louis to share.
That evening we had a game night with the High School Youth. We played Wii, Funglish, Sequence, and Uno. And what party is complete without pizza.
As you can see Christmas week was busy! We wouldn't have it any other way. (Ok, maybe we would like to spend it on a beach sometime.)
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
The first Saturday in December Moran Iron Works puts on a winter event for the town. There is a huge bonfire, Santa, and fireworks. We took two carloads of youth to the event and then went back to church for pizza and games. Everyone had a good time.
The week before Christmas was a busy one. We had the children's Christmas program on Sunday. There were about 35 kids that participated. Stefani helped by running the music so the other music techs could watch their children and grandchildren participate.
Speaking of church music, as many of you know we do not have an organist. This means our music for service is all digital. We had an ancient laptop to play mp3s, until recently, when the church purchased a new computer.
On Monday, we had a couple from church and their young son over for dinner. It was good food and good conversation. This inspired us to decided to try to have one couple from church over for dinner once a month.
Tuesday was the 456er's (the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Youth group) Christmas party. We watched Linus tell the Christmas story, played games, made crafts, and ate pizza. The turn out was great with a total of 9 kids.
The cupcake design for the 456er Christmas Party.
Wednesday Stefani went to visit a lady, Robin, from church whose ankle was basically reconstructed. Usually, it is Joshua doing the visiting, but Stefani had a feeling she would be need some company. While she was there Stefani was introduced the delicious recipe of Bugles dipped in melted white chocolate with an m&m stuck on it. Robin sent Stefani home with the ingredients...
That evening we had a game night with the High School Youth. We played Wii, Funglish, Sequence, and Uno. And what party is complete without pizza.
As you can see Christmas week was busy! We wouldn't have it any other way. (Ok, maybe we would like to spend it on a beach sometime.)
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Team Ketelsen Official Jerseys
The front of our official jersey.
The back of our official jersey
The song and inspiration for getting jerseys made....
Must of Done Something Right
by Relient K
We should get jerseys cause we make a good team
But yours would look better than mine, cause you're outta my league
And I know that it's so cliche to tell you that everyday
I spend with you is the new best day of my life
Everyone watching us just turns away with disgust
It's Jealously, they can see that we've got it going on
I spend with you is the new best day of my life
Everyone watching us just turns away with disgust
It's Jealously, they can see that we've got it going on
And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know your more to me than what I know how to say
You're OK with the way this is going to be
This is going to be the best thing we've ever seen
If anyone can make me a better person you could
All I gotta say is I must've done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must've done something right
I must've done something right
Maybe I'm just lucky cause it's hard to believe
Believe that somebody like you'd end up with someone like me
And I know that it's so cliche to talk about you this way
But I'll push all my inhibitions aside
It's so very obvious to everyone watching us
That we have got something real good going on
And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know your more to me than what I know how to say
You're OK with the way this is going to be
This is going to be the best thing we've ever seen
To let you know your more to me than what I know how to say
You're OK with the way this is going to be
This is going to be the best thing we've ever seen
If anyone can make me a better person you could
All I gotta say is I must've done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must've done something right
I must've done something right
Maybe I'm just lucky cause it's hard to believe
Believe that somebody like you'd end up with someone like me
And I know that it's so cliche to talk about you this way
But I'll push all my inhibitions aside
It's so very obvious to everyone watching us
That we have got something real good going on
And I'm racking my brain for a new improved way
To let you know your more to me than what I know how to say
You're OK with the way this is going to be
This is going to be the best thing we've ever seen
If anyone can make me a better person you could
All I gotta say is I must've done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must've done something right
I must've done something right
All I gotta say is I must've done something good
I came along one day and you rearranged my life
All I gotta say is I must've done something right
I must've done something right
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani.....Team Ketelsen
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thanksgiving 2010
Our Thanksgiving plans changed about a week and a half before the holiday. After about 4 months of unemployment Stefani's dad got a job. With the new job came no time off. We decided to take the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with Joshua's family for the first time. After many phone calls and discussions the plans were set. We loaded up the car and headed to Ohio on Thanksgiving day. Joshua's family from New York was to join us, so it was decided to have Thanksgiving dinner on Friday night to give everyone a chance to travel. The weather, however, decided not to cooperate and the folks from New York could not make the trip.
We had a great dinner with all the trimmings. Joshua encouraged Stefani to share the tradition her grandpa's oyster stuffing with the Ketelsens. Stefani also made green bean casserole and gravy. Everything was delicious!
The trip was short, but we enjoyed visiting with everyone.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
We had a great dinner with all the trimmings. Joshua encouraged Stefani to share the tradition her grandpa's oyster stuffing with the Ketelsens. Stefani also made green bean casserole and gravy. Everything was delicious!
The trip was short, but we enjoyed visiting with everyone.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
Chosen Conference 2010
We took our Senior High Youth to the Chosen Conference. The conference took place in Gaylord. We stayed overnight at a hotel which cuts down on the stress of driving back and forth.
The theme of the conference was "Stand". It was about taking a stand for one's faith. The message was good and sparked conversations.
The stage.
Hawk Nelson performing.
During a retelling of the paralyzed man being lowered through the roof they had a guy being lowered on a stretcher.
The kids had a great time and so did the adults!
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
The theme of the conference was "Stand". It was about taking a stand for one's faith. The message was good and sparked conversations.
The kids had a great time and so did the adults!
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
November Trip to St. Louis
Stefani made the long trek to St. Louis during the beginning of November. She enjoyed the wonderful weather and the leaves still being on the trees.
Stefani's first stop was to see her best friend, Carolyn. She had a rough month and needed long over due visit.
Next up was visiting the folks at Andrews Academy. It was so much fun catching up with her former co-workers. She also got see how tall her second graders are getting! They are 4th graders now! My how time flies!! After Andrews, it was time to visit Stefani's Grandma Marrah. She recently had knee replacement surgery and was homebound. Stefani also got bonus visits with her cousins Katie, Cynthia, and Mandi.
Friday was spent with Stefani's parents. After an afternoon of shopping together they headed to dinner with one of Stefani's friends, Sarah, for a mini baby shower since we missed her original shower. We had fun catching up. We can't wait to meet baby Sheppard!
Saturday, Stefani ventured to the Concordia Publishing House tent sale. She found great deals on books and Bible study supplies for Joshua. It was definitely worth the drive from Northern Michigan. After scoring book deals, Stefani went to dinner with her best friend, Christine, and her daughter, Alyssa. They enjoyed having a girls night out.
Alyssa at our dinner out. She is growing up so fast!
Sunday was Salem Lutheran's annual Sausage Supper. Stefani decided to volunteer to help out and visit with the folks from her home congregation. When she was finished she bought 3 take out meals and headed to her grandparents' (Gavisk) house. They had a good food and good visit.
On Stefani's last day she went to the Zoo with her best friend, Carolyn, and her son, Noah. The weather was perfect for a day outside.
Noah looking at the tortoises. He is walking and talking now. I can't believe it!
The tortoises!
Stefani really enjoyed visiting with everyone and catching up.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
Stefani's first stop was to see her best friend, Carolyn. She had a rough month and needed long over due visit.
Next up was visiting the folks at Andrews Academy. It was so much fun catching up with her former co-workers. She also got see how tall her second graders are getting! They are 4th graders now! My how time flies!! After Andrews, it was time to visit Stefani's Grandma Marrah. She recently had knee replacement surgery and was homebound. Stefani also got bonus visits with her cousins Katie, Cynthia, and Mandi.
Friday was spent with Stefani's parents. After an afternoon of shopping together they headed to dinner with one of Stefani's friends, Sarah, for a mini baby shower since we missed her original shower. We had fun catching up. We can't wait to meet baby Sheppard!
Saturday, Stefani ventured to the Concordia Publishing House tent sale. She found great deals on books and Bible study supplies for Joshua. It was definitely worth the drive from Northern Michigan. After scoring book deals, Stefani went to dinner with her best friend, Christine, and her daughter, Alyssa. They enjoyed having a girls night out.
Sunday was Salem Lutheran's annual Sausage Supper. Stefani decided to volunteer to help out and visit with the folks from her home congregation. When she was finished she bought 3 take out meals and headed to her grandparents' (Gavisk) house. They had a good food and good visit.
On Stefani's last day she went to the Zoo with her best friend, Carolyn, and her son, Noah. The weather was perfect for a day outside.
The tortoises!
Stefani really enjoyed visiting with everyone and catching up.
God's Blessings,
Joshua and Stefani
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