Pre-Christmas Festivities

With Christmas only 2 days away and counting it is time to kick the holiday cheer into gear and get some cookie making out of the way. It is also one last time for Ava and Ella to plead their case to Santa about how "good" they have been this year. Ella finally got the courage to actually get close to Santa and talk to him. Santa said the Ella was the quietest child he has ever seen. I know extremely hard to believe.

We got up this morning and the we all started making cookies for Santa. I have never made a cut-out sugar cookie so today was the day. The girls helped me with the dough and roll and cut them out. Sarah and I then made homemade buttercream frosting in 3 different colors. She then decorated everyone and they look amazing. Santa is going to be pretty impressed and I have a feeling leave some pretty good gifts for all of us.

I will not post over the next few days due to the holiday. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and gets the much needed time to relax with family and friends. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Ella and Ava pleading their case to Santa one last time.

The girls licking the beaters off of buttercream frosting.

Ella "helping" mix the sugar cookie dough.

The girls helping. Ava is drinking her hot tea.

Sarah working her magic on the cookies.

The finished project.

Greeting Card

With the holiday season upon I we look to what means the most to me; my family. My wife of 6 years is the most wonderful person in my life. She is the mother of my children and she amazes me everyday with what she can do. Ava my wonderful 4 year old going on 21. Her brilliance lights up my world. I sit in amazement and watch her write, color, and read. She is growing right before my eyes and sometimes that scares me to death that she will not be my little girl very much longer. Ella, what can I say about my crazy 2 year old. Her smile and eyes make me melt. Listening to her talk to her "bun, bun" always puts a smile on my face. To my unborn child I can't wait to see you and watch you grow. You are truly a gift from God.

I hope everybody has time to reflect on what's important to them this holiday season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the McConnell's

Lance, Sarah, Ava, Ella, and Baby McConnell

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Just in case you haven't heard the McConnell family will be growing by one in July. Yep, that's right baby #3 will arrive hopefully around July 3rd. It would be great to have an Independence baby but he or she will come whenever they are ready. The girls are super excited and Ava says she will change on the poopy diapers, Ella all the pee ones, and Mommy can feed the baby. I am guessing I will not get to hold the baby till he or she is about 6 months old. We are excited to get the room ready and the girls are really excited to share a room. We even have bunk beds ready to go. This is a great Christmas present for our whole family and next year is going to be something.

First pictures of Baby McConnell!!!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, no really LET IT SNOW!

Mother nature decided to give us a dose of snow in 16 inch range. It started snowing yesterday afternoon and didn't stop till this afternoon. Along with the snow game 40 mph winds and blizzard conditions. The weather got us out of school early Tuesday, no school Wednesday, and no school Thursday. I love snow day but hate making them up at the end of the year.
After all the snow was done it dug out the driveway and the 3 four foot drifts all the way down. Usually it takes about 30 minutes to snowblow the driveway. Today it took me 1 1/2 hours. Here are some pictures of the end result and the massive amount of snow. Summer can't be to far off can it? Keep safe.


Looking at the drift from Welter's driveway. Sarah said we should just tunnel to the neighbor's house. Not a bad idea.


Mark and I's snow pile between the houses.

Door on the side of the house. I had to dig out 3 feet of snow.

A Great Break

I hope everybody had a wonderful break and the countdown begins for Christmas. As usual break was spent eating a lot and getting some home improvements done around the house. We went to the Vest's for afternoon Thanksgiving and to my parent's house for evening Thanksgiving. It was great to see Jane out of the house and the kids loved being with her. They are so good and careful with her and give her "light" hugs. After a day of gorging ourselves on every food imaginable Friday my dad and Mark came down to help convert the basement into Sarah's photo studio. We put up a new ceiling and rearranged everything for her backdrops. It really looks nice and seems to be working well. The Truebloods are back up to Mayo for a checkup and get a schedule for Chemo. Sarah and Shawna went with them and it seems to put Mark and Jane at ease to have them with. Also Sarah and Ava went to Princesses on Ice at Wells Fargo Arena. Ava loved it and was glued to her seat the entire time. Stay tuned for a video of her at it. She came home and told me that she cried at the end because she was so happy that all the princesses got married.

A Free Friday Night

In a rare occasion Sarah did not have pictures on Friday night and we were left with nothing to do. We decided to go out to eat with the girls and get a birthday present for Ava's party on Saturday (Preschool friend). While heading out to eat we heard about the fire works at Jordan Creek and decided to go. It was great, a little cold, but good. The fireworks were awesome and really close. They fired them off in the lake and the parking lot. We had a great time listening to Christmas music and just have some good family time.

Me and Ella. Notice that Ella is holding her leftovers from dinner. She ate them the next morning.

My girls.

Ava took this picture all by herself. Pretty good. She might have a future in this.

Ava's Song

Last Friday Ava was trying to write a song that she was singing but couldn't figure out the letters. I told her to tell me what to write and I would write it down exactly like she told me to. Here is the song that she came up with.

Sleeping child we are at church.

Well, we can, child we will get ready for the night.

Well we, you should eat dinner.

Because its all most time for bed.

What are you doing in my paint?

What my kids I, I want its all right.

It's almost time for the big kids to go to school.

But we can put this baby down for a nap.

Not sure what it all means but she was really wanting to get the song down on paper. Maybe you will here her sing it on stage in the next few years.

Ella's Photo Shoot

While Ava was at Preschool Sarah decided to take Ella out for a photo shoot, and based on the pictures she did a really good job. She took her to Walker Johnson Park and without Ava there she was very photogenic. Sarah told her to give her attitude and she put her hands on her hips and smiled. Truly a model in the making.

Those dark eyes will be the death of me.

Beautiful smile

This is her attitude pose.

Click here for more pictures of Ella.

Halloween Weekend

After the roller coaster of a week things are starting to get back to normal. Jane is home and resting and starting the healing process. She has one heck of a scar that I bet all the grandkids will love to see. Our girls got their trick or treat overload as they went Friday in Urbandale and then up to Ames on Saturday. Friday in Urbandale was awful. It was cold, wet, and windy, but they powered through and got their fair share of candy. We had our yearly tradition of going to the Welter's to help them pass our their candy when we were finished. Saturday we headed up to Brett and Anna's to get candy with Sylvie. It was a way better night and the girls had a blast with their cousin. It was amazing to see tons of people going from house to house. It was a couple of big nights and the girls were ready to get home and go to bed. When it was all said and done we have a grocery sack full of candy to go through. Sarah got home on Sunday so our life is trying to get back to normal.

Me and my princesses.

Ella the witch, Ava the princess. (That is so their personalities.)

Ella, Cousin Sylvie, and Ava.

Click here for more pictures: Halloween

Dancing video.

Here some video of the girls dancing to the music of Glee at the neighbors, both of our favorite show. I will post more Halloween pics hopefully tomorrow.

Roller Coaster of a Day

This is by far the most emotional day I and my family has ever been through. After the good news the surgeon came out and said the the lung was full of cancer an he was not sure that he could get it all. He tried. He succeeded. He succeeded in removing the whole left lung and all the caner cells. Jane is now caner free. They did move it up to stage III cancer which means she has to go through chemotherapy in 1-2 months. More updates are on her care page courtesy of Shawna. She is now resting in her own room. She is in pain but cancer free. She is surrounded by her wonderful family, Mark, Sarah, and Shawna. They have been through a lot over the past few weeks but have stuck together and are hopefully seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. There are too many people to thank for the wonderful words, prayers, and positive thoughts. For this we are truly grateful. We are also extremely grateful for Dr. Shen who did the surgery and worked through adversity to remove the whole lung. He is truly an angel on this earth. We still have a long road ahead but we know with the support that Jane has we will make it through. We love each and everyone of you and thanks again from the bottom of our hearts. God Bless.

Lance, Sarah, Ava, and Ella

Great News!!

Just hear from Sarah and we got the news that we wanted to hear. They found no extra cancer outside the lung and they proceeded to take out the lower lobe of Jane's left lung. It is a major surgery but it is the surgery we wanted to have. She will be in recovery for 4-5 days and then hopefully come home. Thanks to all the people out there for the positive thoughts and prayers. It is great to know that people are out there praying for the Truebloods. Check back to Jane's care page for updates from Sarah and Shawna.

Carepages

Shawna and Sarah have set up a Carepages website for Jane. As of right now they are in Rochester, MN at Mayo Clinic talking with doctors about what to do. All ready we have had positives today with surgery upcoming and a good prognosis. Here is a link to the Carepages website for Jane. Please keep her and the whole family in your prayers for continued good news and success where ever it may lie. Thanks to all of you for the kinds words.

To see Jane's Carepage click here.

Thoughts and Prayers

First off, if you haven't heard the news about the family, Jane (Sarah's mom) was diagnosed with lung cancer last Thursday. It is small and they are working out options at this moment. It was a shock to all of our systems and we are working to process the news. Jane is a very strong woman and her and Mark along with the rest of us are going to get through this. It is amazing to see and hear the kind and loving people that are out there giving their thoughts and prayers to all of us. It has made this a lot easier. I have not been that religious of a person but it is amazing what a traumatic event can do to change all of that. I have not cried and prayed so much over the past month then in all of my life. There are too many people to thank that have helped Sarah and I through this. People are willing to do anything to help and for that we are thankful. Please look back often for the good news updates and also of the girls. They are helping Sarah and I get through this. Please continue to pray for Jane and Mark and the process that they are about to go through. With all the good thoughts and prayer we are going to come out on top.

God only gives us what we can handle. With that I know that we can handle this and beat it.

Thanks again.

Lance, Sarah, Ava, and Ella.

God Bless

Breakfast with a Princess and a Trying couple of weeks.

Last weekend Sarah and I took the girls to Jordan Creek Town Center for Breakfast with a Princess that benefited the Children and Families of Iowa. It was a time for the girls to meet all the Disney Princesses, get their hair, make up and nails done, and get breakfast from Panera. The girls had a wonderful time getting autographs and pictures with all the princesses. I on the other had about had an anxiety attack with hundreds of little girls, their moms, and grandmas running around and standing in line. Sarah got me through it and it was a fun time for the girls.

On a side note please keep our family in your prayers. We have had a very trying couple of weeks and with news tonight we are needing thoughts and prayers more then ever. This next few months will be a very trying time for us and we love all of you out there. Please keep in touch.

Ella getting her makeup done.

Ava getting her hair done.

The girls with Jasmine.

Snow White and the girls.

Ava and Ella with Cinderella.

Preschool and Dessert

Looking at the class pet. A bunny named Dutch.

Picture of the first day of school.

Helping cut the bananas for our dessert.

It is amazing that as I look at the calendar it is almost October and the first quarter of school is almost finished. Crazy where the time goes. Ava has been at preschool now for 3 weeks and she loves it. Sarah and I had a conference with her teacher on Friday (that is the first time I have been on the other side of that table). The teacher was very impressed with how personal and comfortable Ava was around kids and adults she didn't know. She does a great job listening and raising her hand in class. Sarah and I are very proud of her.
After a trying weekend Ava and I decided we needed to make something. Sarah saw something on Rachel Ray that looked good and easy to make. We call them upside down banana monkey bread. Ava helped me make them and they were absolutely delicious. The bananas tasted like candy when they were done. Here is the recipe:

Upside Down Banana Monkey Bread
Pour honey into the bottom of each muffin tin
Put 1-2 slices of cut banana in each tin.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar
On top of banana/honey put one Pillsbury dinner roll (from the can)
Place in oven at 400 degrees until biscuit is golden brown.
Over turn muffin tin on to sheet pan and enjoy

J-Hawk Football

I took both girls to the Urbandale football game last night. Sarah had pictures so the girls and I walked up and went to the game. I don't know if they enjoy the game and atmosphere or all the food and drink from the concession stand. It is always a fun time at the game and even better when we are winning. Ava and I started going to games 2 years ago and some father/daughter bonding and now Ella is getting in on it. The pictures below are from the game last night.

It Has Been Awhile

For all of the people that look at my blog I am deeply sorry that I have not updated it in over a month. This as been the busiest month and a half in my life and a believe also in my whole families. We have a thousand things going on at one time every single day. I will give you a quick update and promise to post pictures tonight or tomorrow.

I have been busy with school and football. Football has seem to takin' a life of its own. When I get home at night it seems I am ready for bed at 7 and have no motivation for anything else.

Sarah business has become extremely busy. She has 4-5 shoots every weekend plus 3-4 during the week. It has become very productive but very busy. We are starting to think about remodeling the basement and making it her permanent photo studio. We are both tired of living in her studio now. She still loves taking pictures and we only see business increasing.

The girls are always busy. Ava started Pre-school last week and goes three days a week to Meredith Drive Reform Church Pre-school. She loves it and wishes she could go every day. On Thursdays she has Pre-school and dance. So on those days I speed from football practice to dance so Sarah can go home to fix dinner. Ella is being her typical self and half the times annoys the daylights out of Ava and the other half loving her to death.

That is our fall in a nutshell. Please pray for Sarah and I's sanity for the next 4 weeks until football is over. Hopefully I will be able to post more then once a month. Thanks for staying with us.

Ogden Fun Days

Sorry for not posting in the past week. We have been super busy around here and it doesn't look like that is going to end till, well I have no idea when it will end. Sarah has been super busy with her business. She has had 6 photo shoots in the past 3 days. We have been traveling back to Ogden the past 2 weekends, for Fun Days and this weekend for a family reunion on Sarah's side. Last weekend was the annual Fun Days for Ogden. The girls with their cousins, Brady and Hunter, were on a float with Grandma Jane and Grandpa Mark. This is Mark's last year as mayor of Ogden, which he has been for the last 18 years. Jane wanted to make it special so she designed a float for the mayor and his grandkids. The girls had a wonderful time in the parade waving and throwing candy. We also went up town where they had just as much fun. We will be gone Monday- Wednesday of next we as we are taking the girls to Omaha. We are looking forwad to this as it will be our first offical family vacation, just us 4. See you all when we get back and make sure to look back for pictures of the big vacation.

Science Center and Spaghetti Works

Today we got up and took the girls to the Science Center for the morning.  They really enjoyed themselves playing with all the experiments.  I am not sure who had more fun the girls or us.  It was a great time and Ava even got on Channel 13 News at Noon.  Channel 13 does their weather every weekday from the Science Center and all the kids who are there get to be on TV.  After the Science Center we took the girls to Spaghetti Works for lunch.  It was a beautiful afternoon and we set outside to eat.  Ella said Hi to everyone that walked by.  Now it is off to the swimming pool this evening.

Click to see more pictures from the Science Center.

Ava on News Channel 13 weather.

Sarah and the girls at the Science Center. Who is having more fun?

Big Weekend

It was a very big past weekend. Sarah had her very first wedding shoot of her cousin Tim and his wife Tammy. I think she enjoyed it and now has to make the decision if she wants to book two more weddings later this year. Here are some pictures of hers and also a video of the girls dancing at the reception. They loved the whole thing and enjoyed all the dancing.

The End of an Era

Well our little girl is all grown up.  We switched her crib into her big girl bed.  She could not wait to get into and after the fiasco of getting the bed (don't ask, long story).  It was somewhat sad seeing our little girl finally getting bigger.

On a side on Ava is having Bible School at Luthern Church of Hope and is loving every minute of it.  It is from 9-noon all this week.  She comes home excited and singing all the songs they learned.  It is inspired us, especially me, to start going back to church.  I see how much Ava loves learning about God and the messages of Jesus that I want to get back to hear the message.

Ava and Ella playing in the bed.

Cy tired after watching us put together the bed.

Ava loving her sister.

All tucked in.

Ava Swimming Lessons

Ava had swimming lessons last week. It was amazing to see the progress from last year to this year. She started swimming by herself to her teacher and jumping off the board and kicking to the surface with no help. Enjoy the video of her swimming.

Big Fall

Well it finally happened in our house. Ella got stitches last night. She fell from the top step outside head first onto the concrete. When she got up she was covered in blood and had a gash on her forehead. Sarah and I took here to the ER where she received 3 stitches on her forehead. She didn't a great job getting them and didn't move a muscle during the entire ordeal. She just sat there and talked to the nurse and doctor while they were stiching her up. Afterwards she got a brownie and some Dora bandaids. The top picture shows her laying in the ER and the bottom is of her this morning. The stitches stay in unitl Saturday and she will be good to go.