Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Big News!

(I'm posting this for Ruth since she's having trouble with the blog.)

So, as everyone knows, Ruth and Brandon Behren's are expecting their first addition to their family! The little bundle is expected to be here September 3rd, 2012! This will be the 4th cousin among the Kackstaetter siblings!

Congratulations!

Friday, December 16, 2011

We started a new blog

Hi everyone!

I just barely figured out how to do something besides just comment... I figured out I was using the wrong email address whenever I would try to post something so it would never let me! Anyways, Jon and I decided to start our own blog that both family and friends can see and not have everyone see what the family is up to if we'd rather keep some things just in the family. It's late and I don't even know if that made any sense. If anyone wants to follow us, we're jonandgracekackstaetter.blogspot.com. Now that I know how to post things to the family blog, we'll try and keep updating everyone here as well and we won't have to tell the whole world if we just want to tell the family something. Love you all!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Our Utah/Idaho Trip

Last week Mom, Rachel, Riley, Carter and I went on a ROAD TRIP! As most of you know already, we had a surprise birthday party for Grandpa where we had Taco Salad and watched Cars 2. Almost everyone was able to make it, except for Ruben and Mariann (baby due any day now!) and Heidi and Johnathan (who are struggling to make ends meet – and we needed someone to stay behind and tend to the animals! *wink, grin*)
After this, we said goodbye and took off to see Jon and Grace! They were so nice to have three grownups and two babies crash at their place while they were giving lessons in Church, doing emergency service for ward members, going to school, and working all hours of the night. Needless to say, we didn’t see much of them.  Riley absolutely loved it there! Especially their cats! One of them would jump inside a box and Riley would push him around – and the cat liked it! Riley also made sure to give the cats proper hugs and kisses before bed each night.
We also visited Trina during this time and her boyfriend – who is very nice by the way. We gave her a perm and got to go shopping at the DI. I was also granted some time to walk (by myself) around Temple Square and see all the Christmas decorations. I’ve never done that before. It was incredible to see the life-like manger scene.
After this, we took off to see Grandma Miller in Logan, and stopped by to see Tina and her family on our way. It was nice to see them again, but it was too short of a visit. At Grandma Miller’s we were served awesome meals, had the warmest (King Size) beds, and a bathroom big enough to bathe the boys. We did some more shopping while there and heard some wonderful life stories from Grandma Great.
Then we left to see Ruben and Mariann. We got lost on our way and doubled our driving time to their place. It was a bit stressful, but we go through it. We had a warm meal of lasagna and homemade French loaves! (Mariann is taking a baking class. Boy, is Ruben lucky! She is an awesome baker!) We went on walks during the day and visited. And in the evening we played the game “Ticket to Ride”. I really enjoyed that one. I wouldn’t mind getting it for Christmas (hint, hint).
Our drive home ended up being 12 hours total while getting stranded in Rawlins after 9 hours. The roads were icy and the truck drivers were maniacs! There were actually about 10 or more trucks that had slipped off the road and tipped over.  But, as you can tell, we made it home safely!
A side story – the night we got stranded in Rawlins we stayed the night at a hotel. Riley needed a bath because we didn’t get the chance to change his diaper earlier in the day and it leaked all over him and the car seat. Poor kid was so cold when I took him out of the car. We stripped him and put him in the bathtub right away. He is so cute when he curls down and sinks into the water. After he got his pajamas on, we gave him a bottle and put him to bed. That night (when Carter wanted to nurse) Riley spoke him his sleep in a sweet, sad voice. “Home? Home…” He was so homesick by the end of the trip. I think he just said what I was feeling by this time too.   
We were so happy to see everyone in Utah and Idaho, but it was time to go home!

Proud of my Family

As everyone knows I've been having problems with my sister-in-law... not you two, the other side. I just recently found out that they put vodka in squirt soda at the wedding, posted it on facebook and then even commented saying that "they were being considerate since there was no caffeine in the soda"... mocking my family and their beliefs. It was even AFTER this that I tried to apologize to her for anything my family "might" have said regarding her dress being too short. (Then she blew up at me for everything else.. long story, and we sat down for a family meeting.)

At the family meeting she exaggerated the story from someone said her dress was short to someone calling her directly slang and vulgar vocabulary. (Of course she could never say who that someone was.) Immediately and without a doubt I exclaimed that my family never would say such a thing. A short dress possibly and I had already apologized for that, but that kind of vocabulary... NEVER.
I'm supposed to have my family apologize to her for commenting that her dress was short (and anything else she claimed happened) but she won't apologize to my family for directly disrespecting them and posting evidence as well as mocking their beliefs?!!! (I know we don't have the same beliefs, but as a true American in a country based on religious freedom I am dead set and determined to stand up for and defend any one's right to have their religion respected.)
No one is perfect, and I'm not saying my family is, but I'm sure proud that I could stand up for my family without a doubt knowing that my family holds unwavering standards that I could stand behind.
I just wanted to let you all know that I love you all and I'm proud of you!!!
Thanks for being my family!!!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Christmas Gifts

Heya! It looks like we've decided about the Christmas gifts. We drew names out of a hat while we were with Ruben and Mariann. (Sorry, Grace. I didn't see your post till today. Otherwise we might have done it at your place.)

Here are the gift exchanges!

Heidi & Johnathan have Christy & Matt
Christy & Matt have Heidi & Johnathan
Ruben & Mariann have John & Grace
Ruth & Brandon have Trina
John & Grace have Ruth & Brandon
Trina has Rachel
Rachel has Ruben and Mariann

I hope everyone feels okay with this. I'm sure it would help everyone if we give each other ideas of what you would like for Christmas. Do not spend any more than $30.00. There is no need to buy anything if the gift is thoughtful and from the heart. We want to make sure that everyone feels like they received something valuable.

Mom and Dad are not included. If you would like to get them a gift, you are most welcome to. Also, (I hope I don't sound like I'm speaking for myself here) I think we shouldn't cap this gift giving on neices and nephews. I certainly would love to give fun little toys to your kids... when you have them. :)

Love you all!
Christy

Thursday, November 17, 2011

I vote Yes!

I think its a great Idea to do Christmas angels! I was trying to figure a budget and it just wasnt working so this would help me out a ton =)

Friday, November 4, 2011

Christmas 2011

Hey Guys! I just have a question for you all. We are moving away and creating our own families. Yes, we want to see each other for the holidays, but we need to figure out what we would like to do for gifts. It is rather pointless to sent checks and gift cards. Say I send a $10.00 gift card to Jon and Grace... and guess what? They had decided to send me a gift card with he same amount. It's just as well if we don't give gifts...

My suggestion this year is that we draw from a hat and give one special gift to the person we get. Sort of like our Christmas Angel thing we did before. This is just a suggestion. Please let me know what you think and then we can go from there.

(Matt's family adopted this because of this very issue. We can't all afford to give each other $50.00 gifts - as much as we would like to.)

Love you all!-Christy

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Happy Halloween ! :)

Welcome!

Hey Everyone!

Mom has been asking for someone to create a family blog for a while. She wants to know what's up and see pictures! I hope that you all will have some time to share bits and pieces of your lives with the rest of us. Please be sure to remain respectful of each other's spiritual beliefs.

As for me, I hope that we can keep the close friendships we created when there was no one else to turn to. We have been through so much as a family and it would be a shame to have these special bonds severed.

I can't wait to see what this blog will do for us!

Love you all!
Big hugs!
- Christy