The Page Is Moving...

Since our family has been through so many changes recently, I've decided to start a new blog page with a new address. If any of you out there still visit this page, I would love to hear from you on our new page. The address is http://www.thekettelkamps.blogspot.com/. This page will be closing in the next few weeks.

The Latest News From The Kettelkamp's

Christmas morning. Jay's first in America.

On our way to the wedding of a dear friend.

Jay enjoying a wedding cupcake at his first American wedding.

Sophia and her cousin Ryan on the dance floor.

Christopher, my sister, Staci and my mom, Helen.

Well, the New Year's resolution to blog more is out the window. I'm not sure where my days go. I started a new job the first of the year and it seems the last thing I want to do these days is be on my computer. Checking my e-mail is even a challenge for me.

So, with that said, here is the latest Kettelkamp news. We recently found out that we are moving. This summer we will be on our way to Springfield, Missouri. Alan has accepted a position as director of the cardiac cath lab at Cox Hospital. The best part about this job is that he will be home most evenings. The worst part is that we will be leaving a great church, two wonderful schools, and some of the best friends we could ever hope to have. It is definitely bittersweet. Alan will begin his new position on March 31st and the kids and I will move there once the house sells and school is out. Please join us in praying for the house to sell quickly. The market really isn't the best right now for selling, but we truly believe that God has all of that planned and under control.

Jay is currently scheduled for two surgeries. He will be getting tubes in his ears and having his adenoids removed in May. Because of constant ear infections and fluid in his ear his ENT doctor thought that would be the best route for him. He also has some hearing loss in his right ear that they are going to monitor. He is also on the wait list at Shriner's Children's Hospital in Cincinnati to have his lip repaired. That will happen in April or May. The facility there is amazing. Alan's father and I took Jay for his initial appointment and were blown away by the care and attention that we received. He will be in the best hands there.

School is going well for everyone and we are deeply involved in Upward basketball and cheer leading right now. I'll try and post some pictures of that soon. And I'll try to make it sooner than later. :0)

Day 6-Princess For A Day

Our last day at Disney was one of my favorite. Sophia and I spent the day together. We started the day with a trip to the Bippity-Bobbity-Boutique in Downtown Disney. It was an experience she and I will never forget. We bought the basic package which included her up-do with a tiara, make-up, a sash, lots of pixie dust, and her very own fairy godmother. It was awesome and Sophia ate it up.

After that we shopped our way through Downtown Disney and had a nice lunch together. Then off to do some more shopping.

You may be wondering what the boys were doing while we were having all of the fun. Well, they were having the time of their lives at Disney Quest. Alan and the boys spent the day there and had a blast. We met up with them later that evening and enjoyed dinner at the Rainforest Cafe.

All in all it was a great day and a wonderful trip. We already can't wait to get back.

Day 5-Pool Day And A Luau

On our 5th day in Florida we spent the day relaxing by the pool and then enjoyed a Hawaiian luau that evening. It was a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed it. We were served tons of Hawaiian food. Sophia got up on stage and learned how to hula. We even got to watch a fire dancer. So cool! There was also a family sitting next to us and they were celebrating an wedding and a birthday. They had ordered a special cake for their celebration and shared it with us. We'll never forget it!

Day 4-Character Breakfast and Magic Kingdom

Okay, things have been a little crazy at the Kettelkamp household. I haven't had much time to blog lately. I'm finally able to steal some time away and sit at the computer for more than a few minutes. I'll try to do better in 2008!

Day 3-Kennedy Space Center

Our third day in Florida was spent touring Kennedy Space Center and that evening we visited the beach. Yes, it was after the sun had set. That in itself is its own story. So we were at the beach in the dark searching for sea shells when we came upon this crab. Alan caught it for us to all get a better look. Sure is a cute looking thing!

Disney Day 2-A Day At The Pool

Here the kids are participating in hermit crab races.


Here are some photos of our 2nd day in Florida. Alan and Chris spent the day at Disney Quest and had a fun father/son day. The kids and I spent the day at the pool. It was great. They resort had a lot of kid friendly activities going on that day that the kids loved participating in poolside. It was funny though...the entire day Christmas music played at the pool. It's so hard to get in the spirit of the holidays when it is 80 degrees outside, your soaking up the rays and you hear "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...".