Weekend of Fun

Valerie and family came down for a day this weekend. It was so fun to see them, play nerf gun wars, watch a movie, go sledding, play playdoh, play games, and just be together.

Merry Christmas

We started the holidays off with a dinner with friends. Thankfully Matt was able to make it for the dinner. He was on call Christmas Eve, had to work all morning, no trauma came in during the afternoon so he was around, only to get called back in right after we finished the program. We were so happy he was able to be there.
The bird, named Rockie, was wonderful. Good cooking Troy.
The table was overflowing with goodies and crazy boys.
Another crazy boy.
The kids found their costume while the dishes got done, and posed for pictures.
Mary and Joseph, Adam is a stand in since Ike was getting a little tired at this point.
Angel, Mary, Joseph, and the best baby Jesus ever.

The awed Sheppard.
Two of the three Wise men.
Third wise man giving his gift.

Our friends then headed home, and before Daddy had to leave again the boys opened their first gifts.

Mom had her first failure of the gifts, Andrew’s pjs ended up being super huge, big enough to fit mom, and he was so upset. It was still 5:30 at night so I thought, we’ll go and get him another pair before it all closes. By the time I got five kids in winter attire to go outside in the single digit temps, loaded up in the car, and braved the snowy roads to get to the store it was 6:15 and the store had closed at 6. We both cried all the way home, I had hit my limit at this point and knew I had a long night of wrapping ahead of me since Matt wasn’t around.

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Once home, I got the boys bathed and in bed and started wrapping. We were all so tired and upset we forgot to set out cookies and milk, but no one noticed the next day.

Thankfully, Matt made it home and helped me wrap the rest of the presents.

Gracie had a hard night, fighting an upset tumming from all the sugar Mom ate to get everything done this Christmas Eve. I was up with her off and on all night. Her shirt tells the truth.
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Morning finally came, and Matt had to round and help cover the OR’s if there were a lot of cases.

The boys were so good waiting to hear when Daddy would be home.

They ate candy.

And looked at their stockings.

We got the best call of the day just after 7 saying Matt was on his way. I made a quick breakfast of eggs and bacon, then the fun began.

Our house is now fully armed, and they know how to use them.
Target practice, blow up the picture for a better look. At least their not shooting each other, right.
Not for long though.

We hope you had a very merry day.

Watch Out

The Hoodlums are out and about.

You don’t want to mess with them, trust me.
Especially the youngest one, Scarface, he is trouble for sure.

And if you happen to live by or know this wonderful lady, give her a hug for me and wish her Happy Birthday. I love you Mom, I feel blessed to be your daughter, honored to be your friend, and happy to be loved by you. You are the best! I hope you have a wonderful day.

Many Hands Make Little Work

I have been looking forward to having the big boys home for the holidays all month; I know call me crazy, I missed the big guys. I missed their little hands and all the help they give.
They helped decorate this. We had it done in no time, and after Andrew looked at the box then at our house he said, "Mom, this box is false advertisement, they have way more candy on their house than we do on ours."

Then they helped making these beauties.
And these.
With the help of Dad, since I hate making those cookies, love eating the dough though.

They helped stir and taste this.

Stuffed these.
Licked these.
Shoveled this, in -35 degree weather even and then crying when he had to come in and leave the rest of the work for Dad since the little guys hands hurt to bad from the cold. (Note to readers, we didn’t force him out there, he was super excited to help his dad and wouldn’t stay in, even when informed how cold it was.)
This morning we will wrap this beautiful tray of homemade caramel, and then the little hands will be my delivering boys while we take the goodies around to friends.

Wouldn’t you want them home for two week for all their help as well?

Finally another picture of Gracie, thanks Uncle Dan and Aunt Janie for the outfit, I had to add a sweater to it, since our church wasn’t canceled and it was so cold outside.

Good Morning Life

Good morning world! Here, in the upper north, we are waking up to this...

12 inches of snow in the last three days

Temp of -11 degrees

And wind chills of -40 degrees

Heres what happens to your windows inside your home when the weather is that cold. Yep friends that is ice on the inside of my front window (try to look past the kid who woke up way to early on this cold morning).

I hope you are staying warm and finding someway to enjoy this first official day of winter.

A Couple More Pictures

Just wanted to share a couple more of Gracie pictures, because she is so darn cute.

Gracie's 1st Photo Shoot

My friend Brooke, took these amazing pictures of Gracie, now my only problem is picking one to use for my little ones birth announcement.