Christmas 2010

We had a very nice Christmas together as a family. We began our Christmas eve day by going to see the Live Nativity in Shawano. Several members of my family were participating. Pat was an animal handler. He led the donkey and the little pony who is the donkey's best friend and won't go anywhere without him. Timmy had a sheep. I think he's happy he wasn't the camel handler as he was kicked by the camel. It took him down but he wasn't injured. That nasty camel also sneezed all over Susie. Was it funny? Sure. But she felt like she needed a shower.

Afterward we came back to our house and had food and family time. It's been such a long time since my family has been together. We all live such busy lives.

Christmas day brought breakfast, gifts, smiles and some hugs and thank yous. It also brought Sammi into our home via Skype. What a miracle that is. She looks so beautiful and happy. She will be home as early as May 3rd, but may extend until June 14th. We'll see what she decides.

Since I do the bulk of the Christmas shopping, I get to be Santa. The children open gifts from one another on Christmas eve. Clint had to work, so he came and opened his before he went on shift.

Christmas morning brought some tired folks to the livingroom. Erin got the coat she asked for already last year. I couldn't find one in her size last year, but I found it this year!

Andrew has been begging for a portable DVD player for a year now. I found one on black Friday and bought it. He was so excited and happy that he came later in the day and hugged me and told me thank you and that he loved me. Was it worth buying? You bet it was!

Tom is always easy to buy for. He loves everything he gets. He got Mariocart which not only excited him but his siblings as well. He also got this Elmo shirt from his dad. Elmo just happens to be Adam's favorite Sesame Street character. Needless to say, Adam was quite intrigued by Tom's shirt. Tom even let him get close to enough to touch Elmo.

We had a great time together. Everyone got exactly what they wanted whether they ever expected it or not. It was a wonderful time to be together but even more wonderful to celebrate the birth of our Savior by reading the story in Luke 2. I love Christmas!

Nichola & Cory's Wedding

We made a trip to Idaho Falls between Christmas and New Year's for my niece Nichola's wedding. We went to the temple on Tuesday evening with her and then again on Wednesday for her wedding. Her sister was supposed to be her escort for the day of the wedding, but since she just gave birth , she opted to stay home. I was asked to be Nick's escort. What an honor that was for me. I also took the few photos that they have outside the temple. It was quite mild when we entered in the morning, but by the time we came out, the temperature had dropped and the wind was fierce. Not the best photo op.

The fun thing about a winter wedding is the beautiful capes that the bride can wear outside. She came out of the temple telling me how hot she was, but it didn't take but one step into the wind to convince her that she needed the cape.

The cake was so yummy. I'm not a fan of the taste of fondant, but it sure makes a pretty cake.

I had to have a daddy-daughter photo. I think the best one is on Kurt's camera.

Isabelle made herself useful after the luncheon by collecting all the beautiful flowers. She's so fun.

I had to have a photo with just Nichola and I. After all, I did what her mom wasn't there to do. She's a beautiful bride. I told Cory that their life will never be boring.

Cami insisted on having a photo with "the princess." I have to admit her dress did look like one you would find on a princess.

Cory was playing with one of his nephews. I clicked a few pictures as he was swinging this little guy around. Watching the two of them makes me think they'll have fun being parents.

No wedding album is complete without the "kissing" picture. They're such a cute couple.

Emerging from the temple. The happy faces say it all.

I'm so thankful that we took the time and made the effort to spend whatever was necessary to be there for Nichola. It wasn't a very convenient time for me, but no matter. It was so worth it! I love that I was able to share in her experience. It means so much to see my children, nieces and nephews make the right choices that will shape their futures. What an awesome choice they made!

Idaho Trip 2010

My newest grand-nephew, Brody. Isn't he absolutely perfect? He was born between Christmas and the wedding making his aunt's wedding very inconvenient for his mom.

Jake apparently wasn't liking the wait outside the temple. He is full of personality. You have to love that hat!

More to come!

Pleshek ABC's of 2010

Applesauce was on the docket for Pat and Heidi in November. 35 quarts later the apples are gone.

Basketball season is upon us. Andrew is playing on a team with 5 or 6 guys depending on the night. Needless to say, he’s getting a lot of playing time. He even sits the Varsity bench and got to go in last week for a minute or two.

College life agrees with Erin so much so she doesn’t want to come home. She will be home on the 19th. She loves BYU-Idaho!

Driver’s ed. is where Andrew is headed in March. There go the insurance premiums.

Early morning seminary keeps Heidi busy. Andrew is also experiencing this joy.

First buck for Andrew was shot on opening afternoon of the gun deer season.

Grandchild #3 is due in March. Cami is hoping for a sister.

High jumping continues in the family as Andrew competed in Jr. High track and field and will again in high school.

Idaho Falls temple in December for niece Nichola’s wedding is our destination.

Joy! That’s the feeling of a great family and wonderful friends like you.

Kennewick, Washington is the mission home for Sammi. She will be coming home in May.

Links to our lives can be found at plesheks.blogspot.com or on Facebook. We’re all there.

Many miles is what Pat puts on with all his travels working for the Green Bay FM Group.

Nauvoo was our destination in August. Cami came with us. That was a treat. She did great being away from Mom!

Officiating season is officially upon us. Pat is busy many nights each week and Erin will earn some college cash doing the same when she’s home during January and February.

Pat is still busy as the stake president. Apparently his title is intimidating to any potential suitors for Erin.

Quiet is how our home was while the Gourleys were off camping in the summer.

Running the high school track program as head coach was a new experience for Heidi. Thank goodness for a great assistant coach.

Salt Lake City was the destination in October for General Conference. We got to see the Bohls and Barretts!

Tom was released as a church service missionary in November. He served for 2 1/2 years.

Umbrellas were needed all summer with lots of rain in Wisconsin. We even had some minor flooding.

Volleyball officiating filled Heidi’s fall. It’s a very nice income for minimal work. Way better than coaching!

(Hoffman) Wood Fiber is where Tom and Heidi spend their Wednesdays. It’s strange to see Tom driving the “Bobcat" but he does it well.

eXtra tall is what I may be buying Andrew. He’s 6’1” at 15 years old. He’s very proud that he’s the tallest one in the family.

Yakima is where Sammi is currently serving her mission. She loves being a missionary!

Zippidy-do-dah! Tom is still involved in Special Olympics. He did very well this year as he qualified for state in all three sports he competes in.

At this time of year, we’re very thankful for the knowledge that Jesus Christ was born and subsequently died for each of us. We’ve enjoyed another year of happiness in our home. We are blessed beyond measure. Some of those blessing come as we keep in contact with you.

May you have heaven’s blessings upon you and your family this Christmas season.

With love,

Pat, Heidi, Tom, Sammi, Erin & Andrew PleshekHad’dflkja;fdkj

My Seminary Basketball Boys

I've got six young men in my seminary class. Four of them play on the JV basketball team at school. I had my camera again last night and as I look at the photos I took, I noticed that 80% of that team is LDS. There are only five guys on the entire team so they play the entire game.


They had a rough game on Tuesday night with very few points. Last night they proved they can score. They didn't win, but they didn't get blown out either so that was a positive.

Perhaps I'll get to take my camera to a girl's game so I can give equal time to Rissa. These guys work hard and they work great together. By the way, they all looked very "spiffy" as they walked into seminary yesterday. I love the "dress up" days.

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas!

I got up very early this morning to put wood on the fire and saw that the snow had begun. We've got a major winter storm moving in and by the end of Sunday night could get about 12" of snow. Then the wind will begin causing all that new snow to blow and the temperatures are promised to plummet. Oh the joys of living in Wisconsin. I love a good blizzard it makes everything so beautiful and I feel so cozy in my house.

A Family of Willing Hearts

A dear friend of ours had a massive heart attack about two weeks ago. They own a family farm where they still milk cows. Their daughter had been helping with the chores but on Friday morning she and her husband left for Utah to take their son to the Missionary Training Center in Provo. Due to the need for help, my husband volunteered to bring Andrew to help with the morning chores on Saturday.

Andrew didn't balk at the thought of getting up at 5:30 to go help in the barn. He said Wayne was kind enough to let him hunt on his land where he shot his first deer so he could repay the favor. Here he is feeding a calf.
When Clare heard that Dad and Andrew were going to help with the chores, she volunteered to go along and bring Cami. When Clare was 11 or 12, she and her dad went every Sunday morning for several weeks while Wayne was out of commission due to a broken neck, to help with the chores. She wanted Cami to have a positive experience in giving service. She also got to feed the calves.

Pat was a farm boy since he was young. He loved getting back to the barn to milk the cows.

Cami got to help feed the cows as well. Since they're really quite large (they must seem ginormous to a little girl), she didn't want to get too close. I admit, I'd rather be at the front end of a cow than the rear end.

Clint went along as well. He spent much of his time in the house visiting with Wayne. When he did come out he made friends with this expectant mother. She let him scratch her and much like a cat, she enjoyed it.

I stayed home to be here when Adam awoke. I was very motherly and made breakfast for my returning servers. I am so blessed to have a family full of willing hearts. Not everyone would like to give service at 5:45 a.m. Not only the earliness of the day, but the unpleasant smell that accompanies that service. My heart nearly burst as I thought about all the wonderful people that live in my home.