Go Pack...

A few weeks ago we got together with some good friends to watch the Packers in one of the playoff games.

Lexi and Maddie doing a chest bump after a touch down...The girls..It was a later game, so the kids got their pjs on and all six fit in our king size bed to watch a movie.We were also celebrating Maddie's birthday!Kiddos in their Packer gear.Luckily we get to do this again for the Super Bowl party!

Dress up time...

Will -
Having a big sister can have its disadvantages. One being that your big sister wants you to play dress up with her. You at first refuse, worried that your parents might laugh at you, but she is very persistent and promises you many things if you just play with her for a little while. You reluctantly agree making your mom promise she will not laugh at you. This promise is made is made by me, but not easily carried out. When you came down those stairs in that wig I just about lost it. :) You were a good sport.
Love - Mommy

Cousins...

Several weeks ago I met my cousin Jenn and her two kids at my Grandma's house for a visit. We didn't get to see each other at Christmas because Jenn is a nurse and had to work, so we planned a little get together so the kids could see each other. We hadn't seen Ella or Brayden for a few months and had a nice visit. Brayden is growing so fast and just has the best smiles. I could have played with him all night. Ella is talking so much more and her and Will had fun playing together. For once Will was older than someone else and Ella was copying what he was doing, including teasing my cousin Bill...so cute. Unfortunately Lexi had to miss out on the visit because she was running a fever. :(

Football Fun...

We got together with good friends for the two big games this weekend. Even though we are good friends and only live two miles from each other, with December being so busy we needed two days to catch up. :)

Alec and Lexi

Todd and Jenny brought the brandy slush...Todd had some before he got here. :)

Will provided the entertainment..When the game was over, the kids played a little WiiAyden playing peek with his teddy bear...Todd's driving is so bad that he now wears a helmet...

On Sunday for the game we went over to their house.
My little Packer fans..

Alec and Ayden...

Ayden cuddling with his buddy Rick...

New Years Fun...

After traveling quite a bit for Christmas, we decided just to stay home for New Years. We went out for dinner and then rented a movie and played games with the kids. We took these pictures before we got into our jammies for the night in case we fell asleep before midnight..which did happen. Will was out at 9:15, I was out by 10:00, Lexi made it until 11:30 and Rick was the only person to stay awake until midnight. He did wake me and Lexi up, but we didn't want to blow the horns and wake Will up. We were all back sleeping shortly after midnight..lol.

Christmas Pictures...

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas. We tried our best to enjoy the holiday despite the huge obvious void we all felt. I was really sad that our church was having service on Christmas Day instead of Christmas Eve, but a wise friend of mine at work that suffered the loss of a loved one told me that sometimes new traditions take the "sting" out a little and she was right.

We made what I hope is a new tradition and combined mine and Rick's immediate families for a night of snacks, games and cards. The kids and their excitement for the holiday was contagious and they really helped make it a little easier. I love Christmas and know mom would have wanted us to enjoy it so I really tried and held my sadness for when I was alone at night. Visiting your mom on Christmas day in a snow covered cemetery was really hard. I must have said to myself a hundred times, I just can't believe she isn't here..just can't believe she is missing Christmas. Luckily we had great family and friends to share the holiday with.

The kids got spoiled and loved every minute of it. Below are some pics from our two day celebration. I didn't take a whole lot of pics Christmas Day as it was a hard day, but snapped a few in the morning and have several from Christmas Eve.

Lexi and her new apron.

Dad and Miley

Will

My niece Taylor Brother-in-law Jim and Will

We got my sister's dog Lenny a new tie for Christmas.I myself can't eat "rawdog", but I had to take a photo of it since my mother-in-law made it so festive. :)

Lexi and TaylorMy babies...Lexi and Grandpa...Lexi got a new game where you had to wear these bands. Someone had to place a card on the band without you seeing it and then you had to ask questions until you figured out what card was on your head. We had lots of laughs with this game.

Will, my nephew Kal and brother-in-law KyleLexi, Leighten, Will, Taylor, Kal and KyleLeighten and Taylor

Lexi and Grandma Joanne

Will and his new chef set

Playing "31"

Caught this funny pic of dad. My sister-in-law Jackie was giving him a hard time about winning...This picture was taken Christmas Day at Rick's parent's house.

My niece Leighten, Lexi, nephew Kal and Will