Another sad day

We have had another loss in our lives. This time it was our beloved dog Aspen. She suddenly became ill Saturday morning. Late in the morning she tried to move and fell back down, so we knew something was wrong. I called the emergency vet clinic and we took her right away. The vet called at 4:30, just as Kurt was walking in the door from work and told us that Aspen went into cardiac arrest and they were unable to save her. It has been such a shock for us all. Aspen was perfectly fine just that morning, playing fetch. I suppose maybe she knew her time was short as she has been very affectionate lately and always wanting attention. She brought a lot of happiness to our lives and will be missed dearly. Our home is surely not a welcoming now. It was always nice to come home and have that big, sweet girl waiting by the door to say hello and give sloppy kisses.

On another note, today was a bad ice storm. School was cancelled, so Bode and Emma got to stay home and play. We are getting ready for Christmas. The house is decorated inside and out. We actually have two trees this year! I never dreamed we would have room enough for that! Kurt is working dillegently on several projects in the house. He is finishing the basement for a craft/play room and is painting our bedroom. He takes on too much, but I think he enjoys having so much to do sometimes.

December 2007 already!

Wow, where does the time go? It seems like just a few days ago, the school year started and now here it is December already. Lots of news from the Hantelmanns! We bought a new house in October! We never imagined being able to have a home like this, but God certainly blessed us! We are now in Altoona and Brianna will be able to go to Southeast Polk High School like she has been hoping for!

Brianna is doing well in school. She keeps working hard. She played volleyball in the fall and is now playing basketball. She seems to enjoy it.

Bode is now one! His party was fun. He sure loved his cake! He is crawling all around and into everything, so we are extra watchful!

We have all gotten settled in to the new house. Brianna loves her room with its huge walk-in closet. Aspen loves our big back yard and all her new furry neighbors. Our house is twice as big as our old one, but somehow we have managed to fill it up quite nicely!

Winter is definitely here now. We had a lovely ice storm over the weekend. I only say lovely because everything looks so pretty when it is covered in ice. The temps have been in the 20s and even teens at night, so our fireplace is sure nice in the evenings!

Bode is home today with a fever (102.1). He had is 12 month check-up yesterday and so we think the fever is just from all 5 shots he received! Poor baby. He was pretty fussy, but seems glad to be home with mama (as he says) and loves when dah gets home. He says anna a lot, and I am not sure if that is Brianna, but he adores her! He also barks at Aspen (even with her!) or pretty much any furry four-legged creature.

Thanksgiving was tough this year. We have always spent Thanksgiving with Kurt's dad. We sure felt the void this day especially. I know Christmas will be tough, but Brianna gets to be with us and Bode is old enough to enjoy it, too. We will be spending the afternoon at Emma's parents' house with much of the rest of the family.

We hope everyone is doing well and wish you all a happy holiday season.

Pictures are: new house, Bode checking out the stairs, Bode enjoying his birthday cake, Bode with Grandma, Brianna, and his cousin Asher on Bode's birthday, and our aluminum tree!