Article for the Timber Lake Topic

I was contacted by Kathy Nelson, the owner of my hometown newspaper in South Dakota. She asked if I would be interested in writing an article for their Christmas edition of the Timber Lake Topic which was also their last edition of 2009. The article was asked to be about my feelings on the "True Meaning of Christmas." It was very fun to write this article which was one of 5 submitted stories. I also wrote a full page article for the Topic back in May of 2009 about the "In's & Out's of Autism" to which I received a ton of positive feedback and well wishes. I am always up to write anything for the Nelson's!

This is the picture that accompanied the story I submitted. It was origionally taken of me in 1982 with Santa! (aka Albert Kougl) .

(Below is the article)

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What is the true meaning of Christmas?

Is Christmas about playing “Mary” in my Church’s Christmas Program when I was 5 or being an angel with silver garland on my wings all the other years of Sunday school? Is Christmas about the mini pink piano keyboard I could not live without when I was 8? Is Christmas about the Moreau Grand Boom truck that hoisted Grandpa Wayne and I up 2 stories to decorate his big tree in their front yard every year? Is Christmas about receiving my “own” telephone from parents when I was 13?

I could go on and on. Eggnog…homemade ice cream…pipe cleaner candy canes…oyster stew…Christmas carols…snow tunnels… hot cocoa!! Is that what it is all about? Those are the memories I have! Those are the memories I hold true. The memories I laugh about. The memories I cry about too. My innocent years have past. The simple days long gone.

With three boys of my own…I hope to instill the importance that this time of year brings. They WILL learn all that “I” did about this special time of year. I will ensure that they have wonderful memories when they are my age and beyond.

It is hard when views get clouded by “40% off SALES”… “Pushy people in lines at Walmart”… and the Latest & Greatest things that kid’s HAVE TO HAVE this holiday season! Lord I have heard all about the things that my kids CAN NOT live without this year!

Why do people say “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Holidays” and hold doors open for others this time of year? Where is that courtesy year round? Does everyone have the ability to show courtesy, love and compassion year round? I think so. NO…I KNOW so!

I met a remarkable man over a decade ago that told me something that put my Christmas holiday in perspective. These are the words from SANTA. Maybe he was the real one…maybe just a helper? None the less…he gave me some words that I have been saying to myself and my children ever since…

“Remember, teach your children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center. I am but a humble servant of the One that is. I bow down to worship the Lord, our God.”…Santa

Thank you Brookings, SD “Mall Santa” for not only reminding me the true meaning of Christmas but for also giving me something to live by and something to instill in my children. That does not mean that pink pianos, Barbie Dream Houses, Egg Nog and Sledding do not have something to do with this time of year. However, I believe it is very important to remember that “Jesus is the reason for the season” …but I cannot resist a “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” as I am holding open a door for another!

PS: Dear Mall Santa…My boys have not always been good this year but neither have I. They brush their teeth, say their prayers and know about celebrating the Lord’s birth. Tysen wants a Nintendo DS game, Ryder wants a remote controlled car and Kannin wants anything “Blues Clues or Sponge Bob.” If you were looking for something for me…I am looking for a cure for Autism. I know I may be asking a lot…so I would settle for a Happy & Healthy year ahead for us all. MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy Birthday Jesus!

Oh My!!! We have a TEENEAGER!!!

Tysen turned 13 on December 5, 2009!! YES...A TEENAGER!!! How is that possible!?!?

Tysen @ 2 years old!!

Ryder REALLY wanted to help Tysen open his presents. Here he shows off his new PS2 Game and new shoes.



Tysen checking out his Guitar Hero III for his PS2.

We met Grandma & Grandpa at McKenzie River Pizza for a fabulous supper and then home for cake. Tysen picked a Chocolate-Chocolate-Chocolate cake. Mmm it was fabulous!!

Tysen Wayne Kraft 13 years old!!!

Build A Bear Day

We went to Build A Bear on November 24th, 2009. Grandma Carol took all the grandkids as a treat. It was actually a really fun day. We missed not having the out of town cousins (Tristan, Sidney, Helaina & Izabelle) from Kansas City here. Grandma Carol traveled to Kansas City a few weeks later and treated them all to a Build A Bear outing as well.

Standing on the Build A Bear circle taking the "Build A Bear" Pledge.

(L-R) Nicki (Kannin's Hab-aid) holding Kannin, Hannelora, Cozette, Sebastian & Ryder

(Back) Amber holding Bjorn & Sara (soon-to-be sister-in-law)

Nicki & Kannin "HOPPING" to the next Bear Station

Brother-In-Law Isaac with Willes. Isaac recently proposed to Willes' Mommy Sara so he will be our new little nephew! YAY!!! Grandma Carol in the background.




Kannin picked a Fuzzy Bear and here he is placing a heart "IN" his bear.

Ryder giving his Polar Bear a quick shower and a brushing.

Kannin showering his bear.

Ryder picked a a Batman outfit and named his bear "Buddy."

Kannin with his bear named "B" and Ryder with "Buddy."





The whole crew... Kannin in the front on the circle, (L-R) Amber holding Bjorn, Analise, Willes, Cozette, Hannelora, Sebastian & Ryder D. (Back) Sara & Isaac.

After Build A Bear...we all went to Matt's office and made homemade pizzas. Above are Matt & 2 of his brothers prepping pizzas. (L-R) Nathan, Isaac & Matt.




Willes shows off his "Builder Bear" while waiting for his pizza.

Mmmmmmmmmm...Pizza!!!!


Final Results...Ryder Batman "Buddy"



Kannin's Grizzly Adam's Bear "B"

Before Christmas we went back to Build A Bear and used some giftcards we received and picked out some Pajamas complete with slippers. So Cute!!!

For Christmas Ryder received an Army outfit complete with Tent for "Buddy." We loved the Build A Bear experience. Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!!!

South Dakota Trip Part II

While in South Dakota for the weekend of the Birthday for my grandparents...we also had an EARLY Christmas with the Pearman's and the Reede's. Grandma & Grandpa Pearman are heading SOUTH to Mesa for the winter and the Reede's will be in Lemmon with the Reede/Hausauer families. What an amazing weekend we had. I cherrish the time I have with my ENTIRE family.

The Cousins: Dillon Reede, Haylee Bohnet, Ryder Wald & Kole Reede...watching "Santa vs The Snowman in 3-D.

Dillon & Kole Reede in Grandma Kris's bed watching a movie.

Grandpa Roger teaching Haylee to play Chess. He taught Tysen several years ago.



Grandma Dorothy arrives from Mobridge. (L-R) Grandma Dorothy and Grandma Marge catch up .

Our EARLY Thanksgiving/Christmas Dinner. Mmmmm!

Matt opens up his Birthday present from my parents...a basketball rim for our hoop to replace the old one...that SOMEONE broke this past summer!!!

Oh My Goodness!!! Tysen gets a cell phone from Grandma & Grandpa!! That must mean he is ALMOST a teeneger!!




Melissa & boys (Kole & Dillon). Kole LOVING his Remote Controlled Helicopter from us.

Kannin sporting his new hat from Grandpa.

Ryder sporting his new hat and a bit of a black eye! Yep...Kindergardener had to defend himself!!

We gave Grandma Marge some new cookware for her new house that she and Grandpa Leo purchased in Mesa, AZ.

Grandma Dorothy & Dad...LOVE this picture!

Melissa showing off her beautiful wall hangings.

Boyce cuddling up with his Denver Broncos Tie Blanket that I made for him for Christmas. I loved that he covered up with it all weekend!

Dillon mastering his Helicopter we gave him.

Kannin cuddling up with his Godfather Boyce.

Haylee fixing Grandma Kris's hair. SO SO SO CUTE!!!

Typical Teeneager...noise & chaos can't wake him!!!


Right before we left we took an entire family picture and a picture of the grandkids... (L-R) Macy Bohnet, Grandpa Roger, Haylee Bohnet, Ryder Wald, Tysen Kraft, Grandma Kris & Kannin Wald. What a GREAT weekend! I really wish I lived closer to family!

South Dakota Weekend Part 1 (Nov. 09)

We all planned a Birthday party for my Grandma Marge and Grandpa Leo. Their Birthdays are one day apart...but by a couple years. (Nov 4th & 5th) We all got together at the Cafe in Timber Lake to celebrate with supper, cake, gifts and lots of friends. Grandma turned the big 70 and Leo 74. Mom & I snuck down to the cafe and decorated in "Rival" theme. Grandma Marge is a tried and true Vikings fan and Leo, a Dallas Cowboy's fan, so the party was Vikings -vs- Cowboys!!


We were all waiting to shout "Surprise" as they walked in! It was a great turn out!!


Grandma's gift table had a Viking's blanket, her gifts and also held the cake..."Vikings-vs-Cowboys" Thank you Melissa for supplying an amazing cake. It was SO delicious!!!



Leo had a little "Cowboy" table as well with his gifts and balloons!





The GREATS!!! All of the Great Grandkids. (L-R) Kole Reede, Dillon Reede, Tysen Kraft holding Macy Bohnet, Haylee Bohnet and Ryder Wald. Kannin was missing because him & Matt stayed at my parents house. Kannin had a bad bloody nose before we left which wiped him out. A very stressful thing for a little guy with Autism.



Grandma Marge in full Viking's attire!! This may have been the picture she used for her Thank You Cards!! So cute!!





My neice Macy. TEETHING...she chewed on the EMPTY beer bottle for an hour and LOVED it!!

Some of the partygoers...(L-R) Jiggs Biegler, Tom & Betty Strewlow, Janal Biegler, Lisa & Jess Schlosser and Bob Jackson.

"Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday Marge & Leo...Happy Birthday to you!!!"

Macy Bohnet...one year old

Little Viking Princess...Haylee Marie Bohnet

Ryder trying to SCARE Father Kevin.

Elias Biegler...I THINK!! He was in disguise!

Elias Biegler Sporting his Viking garb. I just KNOW his Daddy will LOVE to see this!!

No one thought we could get him to put it on...but he did with a little coaxing from grandson Elias...Jiggs sported the Viking's Crown!

Happy Birthday Marge & Leo! We can't wait till next year!!!