First team duals of the season. Nicollet hosted a team triangular with MCW and USC last night and split the pair of home duals. All 3 boyz picked up the win in the first dual and Nicollet won the dual 39 - 21 versus Martin County West. United South Central was a little tougher. Dalton lost to a junior at 125, before Tanner picked up the 1st 6 team points of the dual with a pin at 130 (Tanner finished the day with 2 pins and 12 team points). Tabor received a forfiet in first dual and then lost by pin in the 2nd dual after leading by 4. Overall a great night of wrestling for the Raiders, these boys have come a long way from last season and you could see the improvement from last weekend tourney to these duals. Shakopee tourney for today was canceled do to a few snow flakes, plumetting temps and 35+mph winds (sitting in computer room and can't see the mailbox at the end of the driveway, not good). But at least the TV and computer still works. Next week the Boyz have a Triangular with River Valley and LeSure/Henderson on Tuesday and Mankato West/Rochester John Marshall on Thursday and then they are off until Jan 6th.

An Update from the chair

Well I finally have a hard "Raider Blue" cast on. Big improvements over the last 24 hours. I went to work for a couple of hours. I have a whole collection of hardware to help me get around like my walker, electric scooter and wheelchair at school. I am still stuck on the lower level at home but its a goal to see the kitchen by Sunday. ( did you hear that boyz you have until then to CLEAN) I will be in this cast until Dec. 30Th and then I will have another shorter cast for another 3 weeks. Then its walking boot and PT to find out what type of range of motion I will have in my ankle. Sounds like the weather is going to take a turn for the worst! Come on 12 to 16 inches of snow for us. The boyz have a big Dual tonight Vs. MCW and hoping the Raiders can pin a few kids.

Advent ~ Days 7 - 9

Day 7: Make recycled wrappings!

We made a lot of these little envelopes that we put our beeswax ornaments into and are planning on tucking those in sweet gift boxes.

We also made a ton of gift bags. Some out of book pages and some out of calendar pages. Tutorial is here.

Day #8: A soapy project! This one we didn't get to. It is the first one that we have had other things going on that day. Instead, we went ice skating! It was CRAZY fun and we are all thinking now of getting lessons (after Feb, of course). What an addictive sport!

Day #9: Making paper crafts with friends.

Paper bits were flying at my house when our friends came over for some cookies, hot tea, and paper crafting. We made Waldorf Stars, paper ball ornaments, and I got to learn a new way to make beautiful snowflakes! It was a blast!

Advent ~ Days 4 - 6

Day 4: Breakfast with Santa at the Station. Here is the Chief reading 'Night Before Christmas' to the kids before breakfast. :)

After breakfast each kid got to sit on Santa's lap and pick a toy from 'the workshop' (ie: the turnout tables. lol...) which they thought was the BEST THING EVER!

Day #5: Make beeswax ornaments:

These turned out beautiful!

Day #6: Pick our Christmas tree with daddy!

The kids were thrilled that we were going to a tree farm this year. It has been a while as we have bought them from places that source locally instead of cutting them ourselves since we have been up here. Don found this beautiful little tree farm right in the city and we got to pick our favorite from hundreds of beautiful trees, and take it home.

Shocking as it was, in the two years since we have cut our own tree, Alex is now able to cut, carry, and put the 8 ft tree on top of the car all by himself. I was stunned! My boy is getting so amazingly big!

Stay tuned for more Advent Activities very soon!

Well on Saturday we got Tamara out of the house for the Raiders season opening wrestling tourney at Lakeville North 16 team individual. It was a good start for the Raiders versus some very good class AA and AAA schools. Tanner was 2-2 on the day for a 6th place finish at 130lbs, Dalton was 1-2 and lost to a sophmore in the final seconds at 125lb and Tabor was 1-1 at 215lb. So we have the 1st win and lose out of the way for all 3. Dalton will be wrestling varsity all year as the #1 125 pounder, not bad as an 8th grader, but he also saw plenty of varsity action last year at 112lbs so he is not intimidated wrestling kids older than him. Tanner is a very aggressive wrestler and some times that can come back and bite him. In the 5th place match he was up 6-0 with 45 seconds to go and instead just riding out the clock he went for the takedown and got stuck in a headlock and got pinned. Something he will be able to work on at the 6AM practice on Monday. Yes the boys practice and lift weights before school 3 days a week and then practice technique after school 5 days a week. Next up is a home dual with MCW on Friday and a 8 team tournament on Sat. in Shakopee. Tamara get her hard cast on Tuesday, which should give her much better mobility, as the soft splint doesn't give her much protection.

Advent ~ Days 1 - 3

Our first three days of advent have been wonderful! I love having these scheduled activities to do each day. It makes for some really great memories!

Day #1: Put up lights with daddy

We added 4 blue lights and one green light to honor the officers who were murdered last year at this time. It is a small supportive gesture during a hard part of the year without those men and women in blue.

Day #2: Journey to Bethlehem.

If you have never done the Journey to Bethlehem experience, I highly suggest it! It is a live action play that you are invited to take part in. Become part of a family who is on their way to seek the baby Jesus in his manger on that day so long ago. Hear the angels sing his praises and see the gifts of the 3 Kings for yourself. An amazing experience!

Day #3: Making wool felt hearts for the Christmas tree.

Just a simple blanket stitch around a felted sweater heart with some fun buttons thrown in for flare. But what a cute ornament they make!

Happy Holiday Season folks! More to come!

It's Advent time again!!

Our advent list for this year includes:

1. Put up lights with daddy
2. Journey to Bethlehem
3. Wool Felt Heart ornaments
4. Breakfast with Santa at the Station
5. Make beeswax heart ornaments for the tree
6. Pick out Christmas tree with daddy
7. Recycled wrapping projects
8. Make snowglobe soaps for gifts
9. Paper star and ball ornaments with friends
10. Watching Christmas movie with popcorn and a treat
11. A surprise outing!
12. Go shopping for mommy with daddy
13. Zoo lights with hot cider
14. Paper hearts and bake something yummy!
15. Gingerbread houses
16. Paper snowflakes
17. Popcan gifts for friends
18. Special chocolate
19. Skating at the roller rink
20. Fantasy lights with hot cocoa
21. Christmas cookies for the neighbors
22. Fruit and Nuts dipped in Chocolate
23. Wrap gifts with mommy
24. Have a gnome bonfire with s’mores
25. Open Stocking!

Tomorrow, the fun begins!

Last years advent list, just in case more inspiration is desired.