Christmas Letter 2021

Happy Holidays!  I hope this letter finds everyone happy and healthy.  Health is something we have learned to not take for granted the last few years.  I thought 2020 was going to be the year I wouldn't want to remember with Covid but I can honestly say from my professional teaching standpoint that 2021 has been worse on the school year!  We have students out all the time and it definitely makes it difficulty to keep up on everything and make sure kids are getting what they need.  However this too we pray will pass and I have faith eventually we'll get to our new normal!

We moved to a new home at the end of March.  We upgraded a little bit on size but mainly location.  We are a block away from the grocery store, church, and school!  It's been so nice to be able to walk to all those places on nice days and to not live on the two busiest streets in Seneca!  We are doing some updates.  We poured a big patio to go along with all our shade trees in the backyard we are looking forward to spending some time entertaining outdoors next summer!  The basement is the next project!  It's unfinished and we plan to put two bedrooms downstairs. Currently Ava and Will have to share a room but will each get their own room when the basement if finish and Liv will move out of our room across the hall!  Needless to say ALL of us are highly anticipating this project to get finished.

Ava is in 5th grade this year at SPPS.  She is on the same floor as mom and it might be too close for her liking!  She does have me for a teacher this year for science class.  We are both getting through it! Ava is continuing her piano lessons, started 5th grade band this year and is playing trombone, did softball this summer and decided to do soccer again this fall.  She also got her first taste of overnight camp when she attended Camp Tekawitha in July.  She did get homesick but said the other day she does want to go back!  We are starting down a new path and she has joined a club volleyball team that will travel to other towns and play in three tournaments early next year.  This Christmas season she also participated in a production of the Nutcracker and was a Chinese Dancer which she is really enjoyed.  She did give us a trip to the ER this year for stitches on her upper ankle.  She tripped in the garage and cut it on a tool box.  Ava continues to get praise from her teachers of her kind heart.  She is starting to be a big help to mom with little sis!  If I had to guess I would say she grew over 3 inches this year.  I can't believe how fast time goes!

Will continues to keep us on our toes.  He is happiest when he is outside competing.  He regularly tells us he hates our new house because we don't have a basketball goal and he continues to use his big brown eyes to try and manipulate his mother...which a lot of times works.  He played "real" baseball this summer which he loved!  He did swim team...which he didn't love but mom loved because it wore him out, and he did soccer this fall.  Wrestling season just started for him and he's hoping to do some tournaments in January and February if the schedule allows.  He made his First Reconciliation in November and is highly anticipating his First Communion in April!

Liv has been an absolute blessing this year.  It's crazy how having a child later on in life and after you have already gone through it twice can feel and be totally different.  Watching her brother and sister interact with her on a daily basis and seeing their appreciation for one another is such a blessing.  She brings so much joy to all four of us.  She is getting use to being drug around to everything and is really going to be in for it in January but she is such a trooper!  She is growing so fast, she was definitely our first "walker" starting right around 11 months and keeps up with all of us very well!

Jeremy had another successful year at the Seneca Corn Mill.  They have taken on some new projects and keeping busy with all the different things they do.  He continues to enjoy is work and the challenges it brings. Since 2020 he completed another junior high basketball season, a junior high football season, another Legion baseball season and took on a different coaching role this fall changing to Freshmen boys working at the high school level instead of junior high. So far he has enjoyed the change and the new challenges it has brought.  He is still on the Seneca Fire Department so there are weeks where I feel like we never get to see him but for the most part he enjoys it all!

For the first time in my teaching career I am doing the same thing for the 2nd year!  This has been a blessing since I have had a new little one running around and I am trying to keep up all the events the older two bring to the table.  Most days I feel like I never sit down but I truly love all the blessings and gifts God has given me.  

We did go to Colorado in July with 17 of our closest friends!  We left Liv at home with Grandma Drag but there were 21 of us in one house!  Ten adults and 11 kids.  We had lots of fun and made some great memories that hopefully will last a life time.  We are so blessed to have such great people surrounding us and supporting us year round!  

All 11 kids standing onto of the mountain at Winter Park.

21 of us total!  We had a great time!

We are looking forward to seeing family and friends over the holidays and continue to thank God everyday for each other and all our blessings.  My brother had twins in 2021 and Jeremy's brother had his first baby so getting everyone together this season will be lots of fun!  We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Lake Granby, Colorado

Liv's Baptism

Dropping Ava off at Camp!

Will and Jeremy were soccer champions again!

Will took two friends to KSU Football game to celebrate turning 8!

Liv with Great Grandma Davis

Ava meeting the twins!

Liv and the twins messing in grandma's kitchen.

Ava celebrating turning 10!

Catholic Schools week - Career Day

Catholic School's week Team day!

Stallbaumer summer gathering!  Brothers holding their daughters!

Will won grand champion at the county fair on his Lemon Cookies!

Boo at the Zoo in Manhattan

Liv was spoiled on her birthday!

Liv meeting the twins.  She wasn't too impressed!

Once again the 9/11 stair-climb was done on their own but Jeremy participated with some fellow firemen by running 3.43 miles.

Liv with her birthday cake!

Christmas Letter 2020

Wow!  What a year...

Not even sure what to write about 2020 but definitely know I want to document it.  It started on a high note.  The Chiefs winning the Super Bowl was a time of huge celebration...unfortunately we did not attend any parties because we were home with the stomach bug!

On March 13th we celebrated Ava's 9th birthday, not knowing the world was literally shutting down. My spring break at Axtell was just starting,  never in my wildest dreams did I think I wouldn't get to say good-bye to my students in person.  Remote learning began and it's a time I never want to return!  I am not sure if it was worse as a parent or a teacher, but it was not ideal.

This summer we managed to get in pool time and both kids played ball.  Jeremy and I helped coach Will's team.  GOD BLESS all primary teachers...trying to wrangle 12 six year olds with bats and balls while pregnant was interesting!  Ava and Will both did swim team, this was Ava's second year and Will's first year. They both improved every meet and enjoyed it.  They both participated in Junior Golf this year and had a lot of fun with it.  We were so grateful the kids had these normal activities to do during a time filled with so much uncertainty and anxiety.  

In July we braved the pandemic and took the kids to South Dakota.  My parents went along with us.  We stayed in a VRBO that we felt was "away" from others enough to be safe.  We had a great time!  We did Wall Drug, Bear Country, Reptile Gardens, Deadwood, and of course Mount Rushmore.  The kids really seemed to enjoy the trip.  It was very important to me that we get this trip in as a family of four and I am so glad it happened!

Jeremy continues to work as a manager for Fairview Mills in Seneca at the Seneca Corn Mill.  It was a challenging year for everyone that manages people dealing with positive cases, quarantines, and anxious employees.  However he continues to enjoy the job and does so great maintaining the respect of his co-workers.  He coached JH Football and basketball again this year.  I believe this is his 7th season doing basketball!  He also went back to helping coach Legion Baseball this season.  He is still on the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department so his free time is usually taken up by these obligations but he continues to enjoy them all.  They did the 9/11 Memorial Stair-climb remotely this year so he did not travel to KC.  It wasn't the same experience but still a good experience.  

I, again, had a job change this year.  This was not the ideal year to change positions but when I made the decision to go into teaching a few years ago, the goal was to eventually be at Sts. Peter and Paul with my kids, and that is where I landed.  I loved Axtell, so it was hard to leave, especially as I never got "closure" in the building, I would not have left Axtell for anywhere but SPPS.  It took a lot of deliberating and praying on God's timing of everything.  A job change, new baby, and pandemic was a lot to consider!  However a few things played out in my favor and I accepted a 5th-8th grade science teaching position.  I was nervous about middle school but so far it has been an enjoyable experience and I feel I am where I belong!  I feel so blessed!

Ava is in 4th grade now.  She participated in her first 4-H Fair this past summer. Not a regular Fair and it literally rained on the parade!  She also tried something new and tried out for a virtual play.  She very much enjoyed the process and hopes to do it
again soon!  She participated in softball this summer and decided to try soccer again this fall.  She hoped to do volleyball and got to do some practices but due to COVID never had any games.  She's looking forward to basketball again in January (fingers crossed).

Will or William (some days he thinks he likes that better) continues to keep us on our toes.  He is full of energy and if he's stuck at home...which was a lot of 2020...he is usually driving me crazy.  He does better in the open air where there is less to break.  He finished up his first wrestling season last January with a 1st place finish.  He played baseball this summer and soccer this fall.  I think maybe we managed to stay out of the ER again this year with him (hope I didn't just jinx that).

Liv Irene arrived November 28th, six days before her due date.  Through most of my pregnancy I doctored in Seneca but had to switch to a Marysville doctor and delivery location during the final month. I am SO GRATEFUL for all our healthcare workers.  I can't imagine the stress and pressure they are feeling during these crazy COVID times.  We are blessed in our small rural areas to have the doctors and nurses we do.  We are grateful for all of them that helped safely bring our beautiful bundle of joy into our lives!

Jeremy and I both contracted COVID in late October.  We had mild symptoms, but it landed us in isolation for 10 days and put our kids in quarantine from Oct. 23- Nov. 16.  They missed 3 weeks of in-person school and participated in remote learning.  I taught 4th grade math two years ago at Holton and it was a challenge then, however trying to help Ava with it every night proved to be even worse!  

2020 has definitely brought a few punches, but God continues to bless us beyond measure and we are so grateful for our family and friends.  We are ready to feel free to gather with our loved ones again and branch out and see some people we have not connected with for a while.    

Will's first wrestling meet in Marysville.

Holton meet!  Cousins - Gavin and Ethan also competed and Will won his weight class!

Mahomes hair - 2020 style of the year!

K-State Men's Game in February - Ava and Reese

Will and his best buddy Cooper at the KSU Men's game.

March 13th - Out to dinner with friends.  We were all supposed to be in Hutchinson watching the NC girls try to capture the KSHSAA 3A Title.  It got cut short due to COVID hitting the USA.

Mass online in our jammies - Church was closed (along with in-person school)

Celebrated Ava's birthday with friends in the summer.  They all tye-dyed their own t-shirt.

Father's Day 2020 - Dad had a Legion game.

Swim Team @ Seneca - Ava's 2nd year Will's 1st year.

Family Vacation to Mount Rushmore!

Mom's first day at SPPS - everyone had to wear a mask.

2020 9/11 Memorial Stairclimb - Seneca Style

Will's 7th birthday party - his whole class and then some.  Chiefs theme!

Halloween costumes - no trick or treating due to being quarantined.  They had lots of people who collected candy for them.  They did well despite not being able to go door-to-door.

Meeting Liv for the first time.  No one was allowed to come to the hospital but dad.  The kids had to wait until we came home on the 29th!

Christmas Letter 2019

Happy Holidays!  I hope everyone has had a great 2019.  It was another quick year with lots of memories made in the Stallbaumer home.  Jeremy wrapped up another successful season of Junior High basketball in February.  His team once again claimed the OTL Title.  They had a very successful year and it was a great class of 8th grade boys to work with.  Come April, Ava made her First Communion.  It was a very special time for her and she continues to thrive in her faith.  To conclude my very first year of teaching, Jeremy and I went with some of our closest friends on our first all-inclusive vacation.  We went to Cancun, Mexico and stayed at Secrets the Vine Resort.  We had a fabulous time and created many memories we will cherish for years to come.  We feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to take this trip.  Summertime brought on the first year of swim team and another year of softball for Ava and Will got a small taste of T-ball.    I am afraid to type this out but I believe 2019 did not bring on any stitches.  I really hope I didn't jinx myself because there is still time.  This past fall Ava took on a new sport and learned the basics of volleyball.  She got to play on Sunday's with some of her classmates and she made HUGE improvements throughout the season.  Will got his first taste of competitive sports this fall while playing soccer.  He played and Jeremy coached his team.  They won the Kindergarten age division and Will did very well and scored lots of goals.  He comes by his thirst for competition naturally and isn't as modest as his mother would like him to be.  Jeremy did not help coach junior high football this season.  He took on a new role at work towards the end of the summer that brought on more responsibility so he opted out of football coaching to make sure it was a smooth transition.  He did complete his third 9/11 Memorial Stairclimb in September and this time just the two of us went and the kids stayed behind with grandma.  We made it to a Royal's game as a family and also did a K-State football game, sadly we only made one K-State game this year.  Will is starting to follow in his father's footsteps with sports viewing as well and has started to enjoy watching games on TV thankfully it's been a fun year to follow the Chiefs.  Last spring I got the opportunity to apply and interview for a teaching job closer to Seneca and landed in Axtell teaching 5th grade.  So far it has been a good year.  I feel like I may have gone from the newest school in the state to one of the oldest schools structural wise but Axtell has many great features despite the age of the building and I am enjoying the job.  We count our blessings daily and continue to thank God for our health and happiness.  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed 2020!

Secrets the Vine Cancun - Celebrating 11 years of marriage, no more daycare, and my first year of teaching!

Kindergarten Champions

First year of swim team!  She enjoyed the experience!

Christmas Letter 2018

Happy Holidays Family and Friends!  As I sit here and reflect on 2018 all I can think about is how blessed Jeremy and I are for our health and happiness.  Two thousand and eighteen started out like all other years but has repeatedly shown us how valuable life is and how each day is a blessing.  In the middle of June I got a wild hair and decided to e-mail the State of Kansas to see what it would take to renew my teaching license.  I was not thinking I was going to be in a classroom anytime soon in front of students. I was thinking I was going to have to go back to school myself.  After a whirlwind of events I started my first teaching job in August as a 4th Grade teacher at Holton Elementary.  This definitely threw a big change in our day to day operations at the Stallbaumer household but we take it one day at a time and I greatly appreciate how Jeremy and the kids have adapted to our new normal and encourage me to follow my dream.  I have truly enjoyed being in the classroom and feel I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing.
Jeremy continues to work at the Seneca Corn Mill - Fairview Mills and this past year coached Junior High football and basketball at Sts. Peter and Paul.  This was his first year for football.  He was the assistant coach for football and was the head coach again for basketball.  The head football coach assists Jeremy with basketball so they have the same coaches for both just in different roles.  They do an outstanding job at, in my humble opinion, and have had success this year with a good group of 8th grade boys.  Jeremy still volunteers for the local fire department and participated for the 2nd year at the 9/11 Memorial Stairclimb event in Kansas City.
Ava is having a big year in 2nd grade.  She made her First Reconciliation this month and is gearing up for her First Communion in late April.  She has grown up so much this past year, both physically and in maturity.  I can hardly believe it sometimes when I look at her.  She makes us proud every day and keeps busy with piano, sleepovers, and played softball this past summer.  She also joined her brother this past summer in the stitches club.  She jumped off a chair on the back patio and caught the metal end of the folding chair with the corner of her eye.
Will continues to go, go, go.  He couldn't be outdone by his sister and has made two trips for stitches this year.  Again he did it when mom wasn't around.  He is still anxiously awaiting his turn for organized sports.  He feels he has done enough spectating and is more than ready to participate.  He has a smile that can light up a room but can also make you feel the most frustrated you've ever felt all in the same minute.  His new thing is he loves to dance, typically it's a touchdown dance or a victory dance but all the same he loves to show off his moves.
We hope everyone had a great 2018 and wish you many blessings in 2019!

Christmas Letter 2017

I hope this letter finds everyone happy and healthy.  The Stallbaumer family had a wonderful 2017.  No major changes this year, everyone got a year older.  For the kids, that's of course a much bigger deal.  They are growing fast and have both developed their own personalities.  Ava is loving 1st grade.  She does well in school both academically and socially.  She keeps us entertained with her dramatics.  There is something major going on in her world everyday.  This past spring she started piano lessons.  I have been quite impressed and she's doing well.  I hope she sticks with it!  Will started preschool at SPPS this fall, going two mornings a week.  He doesn't love it but he doesn't go kicking and screaming either.  He prefers to be doing anything outside that requires lots of energy.  Jeremy is still working for J-Six Enterprises at Fairview Mills - Seneca Corn Mill.  I am still not sure what he does but he comes home dirty and tired so I guess he's got some responsibility there.  I still work full-time for Eisenbarth Plumbing doing all their accounts payable.  I have been volunteering as much as I can at the kids school and keep things going at home.

In March Jeremy and I went with 4 other couples to Nashville and had an amazing time.  We left good friends and came home great friends!!

Still not sure about the fish!

Fishing - Ava caught the most she was proud!

T-Ball - Ava is in the front row 2nd from the right.

Jeremy coached Post 21 Legion Baseball again this year and had a successful season!

Mini family vacation to KC to Royal's game and Schiltterbahn water park!

On September 10th we traveled to KC and Jeremy participated in the KC 9/11 Memorial Stairclimb.  He, along with 342 other fire-fighters, climbed 110 flights of stairs.  The same number of flights that were in the World Trade Center.  It was supposed to simulate finishing the climb for those 373 that lost their lives in the 9/11 attack.  It was beautiful and moving tribute we were honored to be apart of it.

Jeremy with the group from Seneca he climbed alongside.

Ava, Bella Haverkamp, and Will at the first K-state game of the season.  We had an extra ticket that day so Ava got to bring a friend.  It was Bella's first KSU Football game and I think they all had fun despite the heat!

First day of Preschool at SPPS - Teacher is Ms. Debbie Ford

First day of 1st Grade - Teacher is Mrs. Allison Hermesch

Soccer - Ava's team got 2nd place.

Family photo with Willie at the Kellen and Devon Sherlock's wedding.

Standing on the shore along Cape Cod half way through a 22 mile bike ride.

The Dragastin adults went to Cape Cod & Boston to celebrate mom's retirement
and mom and dad's 40th Wedding anniversary!

Jeremy and Justin got to check an item off the bucket list and caught a game and Fenway Park!

Ava was Belle from Beauty and the Beast for Halloween

Will was Leonardo the Ninja Turtle for Halloween

We continue to be blessed with good health and thank God everyday for that.  We continue to pray for our friends and family that are fighting ongoing health battles, especially Jeremy's God-mother/Aunt Shirley who has sarcoma and our nephew Gavin who goes head to head with Type-1 diabetes every day/hour/minute.

Once again, I reflect back on the year, and go through our Christmas card list, and think it has been a while since I've seen so many people and would love to see them soon.  I am grateful for social media to keep up on pictures and what's going on in peoples lives, however nothing beats sitting in the same room with them!  I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a blessed 2018!

Love,

Brooke Ann