Merry Christmas...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I know that we did, it was a fun filled four days. We went up Wednesday night to stay with my parents. On our first night there Lexi, Will, mom and I slept by the Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve we had a nice dinner and then went to church. When we returned from church our family opened our gifts to each other.

My sister and her family...

Jim, Taylor and HeatherThe grandkids...Lexi, Will and TaylorLexi and WillLexiWill modeling in his new suitDad and mom opening their new present from my sister's family and us...a new T.V. for their bedroom.Mom and LexiDad normally gets jewelry for mom every year. Below is her present from this year.

Will in his new Buzz Lightyear outfit complete with wings and gloves...LOL I think this was his favorite present.

Rick humoring me... :)

On Christmas Day morning we went out to Rick's mom and dad's house. With the nasty weather and the back roads not being plowed, it took us double the time it would normally take to get there, but at least we got there safe. Rick's sister and her family went in with us to get Rick's parents a new recliner. Below is mom Joanne testing it out.Cousins - Lexi, Leighten, Kal and Will Breakfast on Christmas morning always consists of chex mix and Christmas cookies.Jo and Ron

Kal displaying his new hunting jacket.Lexi and her new WebkinzLeightenWill digging right in... We spent the afternoon on Christmas Day at my Uncle Mike and Aunt Sue's house in Wittenberg. Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so I didn't get any pictures. Ugh!!

Merry Christmas!

Cookies, Santa and more...

This past weekend we stayed at my mom and dad's house and my Grandma brought over some cookies and frosting so the kids could decorate cookies. (Thanks Grandma - I am not quite on the ball this year) My mom had bought some aprons and hats after Christmas last year for the kids to wear while they decorated. We all got such a laugh after they put them on. In this picture they have the wrong hats with the wrong aprons, but you get the idea. Will walked around saying in a deep voice, "I'm an elf, I'm an elf" He said his elf name was Marty. LOLThe kids with my great Aunt Verna.The kids and their Nana.

Again the aprons are mixed up...wish I had a picture of them with the correct aprons on. Will looked so darn funny in that elf hat and apron.We also went to see Santa on Saturday. Will was quick to give him a hug because he was worried about his actions from the morning and moving to the "bad list.". This past Thursday Will had his first Christmas program at his daycare. The kids did a great job. Will wasn't all about singing in front of a crowd, but he at least stood up with the other kids.Will and his girlfriend Abbie. Aren't they adorable together?Lexi's Christmas concert was a week ago from last Thursday. It is always so dark at hers that I can't get good pictures with my camera. Sorry Lex...Mom and Dad came down to watch her sing also...The week before (yes, I am behind on blogging) we had a SNOW DAY!! Rick and I were even off from work...it was an awesome day. We spent a little time outside even though it was terribly windy and cold out. Rick, Lexi and Will making a sled full of snow balls to throw at me.Miley was the only smart one..she stayed inside. It was too cold and windy for her to roll around in the snow with us.

After we came in from the cold we enjoyed...what else? Hot cocoa.This last picture was taken this weekend. Lenny, my sister's dog was over for a visit. He is always so straight faced and stern looking. He was a bit hot and waiting for Will to share his snack so it looked like he was smiling. Everytime I look at this picture it makes me laugh, so I thought I would share since we all could use a good laugh this weekend.

Happy Birthday Dad...

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday dear dad...

Happy Birthday to you!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, complete with some snow and icy roads this week. We went from some above normal temps to 20 degrees today and the final sign it is beginning to look like Christmas? When I am getting pushed around at the mall tomorrow trying to fight the crowds and waiting in line for 2 hours to see Santa. (well not me..but the kids.) At least the decorating is done. Started on Sunday and finished everything by Wednesday.

Stringing up the lights....The stockings were hung by the chimey with care...The kids did a great job trimming the tree...Now on to shopping, wrapping and cards.

Happy Thanksgiving...

Our Thanksgiving began Wednesday night immediately after work. We were packed already on Tuesday night. We got home, loaded up and left to meet Rick's family and my sister and her husband for dinner in New London. From there we went to my parent's house to set up camp.Thursday we were invited to Rick's parent's house for a turkey/ham lunch. Joanne once again cooked a delicious meal large enough to feed an army.

Leighten and Will Ron, Jo and BrendaAfter dinner - everyone was VERY full..

Lexi, Kyle and Kal Peighton and Brylie MacKenzie and LeightenJackie where she belongs...doing dishes. :)My sister and her husband joined us at our in-laws this year.Will and his cousin PeightonPilgrim Will On Thursday night we went back to my parent's house for a dumpling dinner and to gain another five pounds.

On Friday we put away all of my mom's fall decorations and Rick spent a better part of the day putting up the lights on the house. (I untangled and handed)

The title of this picture is "Where is Jim?" LOL

Mom dragged dad out to the woods to get a tree for her deck. Once it was on, she realized it took up half the deck and dragged it into the front yard for display. He was really happy about that. :)

While we were all decorating, the kids kept themselves occupied by playing in the sand (the area for the new garage next spring)Miley decided it looked like fun and started digging too.Ugh...messy dog.

On Saturday we went to visit my Grandma and help her put up her tree.

Will on his way to Nana's house.My Uncle Mike and Aunt Sue helping put the tree together.
I got the privilege of putting the lights on.
One set went out when I was all finished. Darn lights...Rick helped me find which one it was. Looks like he "one up'd" you again Jim :)

All set for Grandma to decorate with ornaments.Will found a dancing Santa to keep him occupied at Nana's house.My cousins Bill and Brian keeping Lexi entertained with a ball. Although this picture shows them beating each other up. Lexi had to stand in the middle and try and get the ball. I know the picture doesn't show it, but they are like 7 feet tall so she didn't get the ball too many times. LOLLexi and Nana

Sorry Maggs - you missed the lasagna at Grandma Hamm's house again.Lexi helped Nana by taking out the little figurine bears from this cabinet and replacing them with Christmas figurines.When we got back to my mom and dad's house, Lexi helped Grandma decorate "Lexi's Tree".

Now, to decorate my house...