The Day After Christmas

We got together at Grandma and Grandpa Rottier's for dinner tonight. It was a lot of fun to have the whole family together again. I really wanted to get a whole family photo, but forgot...now I will have to wait until Dave, Heidi and Elin come back up again, and hopefully Baby Girl Rottier will be here. (Jake calls her Cinderella and Anna decided just today that she should be Taylor). I think Dan and Noelle are calling her some cool off name that they will obviously (or hopefully I should say) use! As you can see from the one of Elin, I think we clearly overstimulated her with our energy!!!! Calli was a funny little thing, walking everywhere and fending for herself, even against the big kids! (that would be mine!) Anna got a really cool I SPY game from the Bauman christmas, we all played it, Calli was even into trying to find the hidden objects! It was very enjoyable!

Christmas Day

Christmas started pretty early in our house...around 6-6:30ish. Anna was the first up and I missed it, she was out there before I was. Mike said her first comment was, "Look, Santa left the bibles open so we could read them". After about 20 minutes of waiting with no movement, Mike turned on the train w/music. It took about 7 seconds for Luke to come out (I video taped so no pic) and about 10 seconds for Jake to come out. It was great! We did stockings first then presents. The first present was to all of them (Lincoln Logs). At noon we went to my parents house for fun. The cousins were a blast together!!! Crazy madness I tell you! Finally around 3:30 we got to Mike's parents house for our final party. The kids were already wiped out but still had enough in them to enjoy the entire night! It was great to see Elin, Dave and Heidi again. Our 3 kids got remote control cars from Uncle Steve and Aunt Katie...so the photo of all the kids in the kitchen is that whole madness! We had a wonderful day. The kids were OUT when we got home at 10 pm. They didn't even budge when we carried them in the house!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

We sort of have a tradition going on. We get Santa's snack ready (and the reindeer too). Then, we read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, then we say prayers and wish Baby Jesus a Happy Birthday, then it is off to bed. We usually only set out our bible to Luke 2, however, the big kids are WAY into using their bibles, so Mike also got their bibles out this year. Now we wait in eager anticipation for the kids to wake up tomorrow morning. We also added some track to our train to make it fit with all the gifts under the tree! We pray that everyone has a safe and very Merry Christmas! God bless and we love you all!

All ready for Christmas Eve Candle Light Service...

We only had one Christmas tonight...that is a first for us! We went to the Bauman Christmas for a bit then it was off to the candle light service at church. I am happy to report that the kids did well. I did have to take Luke out briefly but was able to return by the time we lit candles!

If you can't beat it, have fun!

Have I mentioned that I really hate snow? My kids do not share my feelings at all! (which is a very good thing for them!) I decided to shovel off the back porch and the lower patio. Everyone came out with me. I knew it wouldn't last (the happiness that is!) There is always drama (usually either my daughter or our dear baby...errr, I mean Lucas). I think we are pushing 20 inches of snow, I really think it is more, as it has been snowing for what seems like forever! It's not enjoyable and not really all that drivable anymore! We haven't finished Christmas shopping but have called it quits due to the weather! Another storm warning until tomorrow sometime...6 more inches in the forecast! Oh joy! Deck the halls, right!? The snow in the backyard is up to the big kids hips, but they can usually don't sink that far! On our hill that we use for sledding it is up to my bum! Not kidding! Too bad there wasn't someone here to take a photo of that! It had to have been quite entertaining to see! No sledding for now!

Can someone please make the snow stop?

O.K. most everyone knows that I pretty much hate snow in the first place...but this is just stupid! Friday we got something like 16 inches. And today, I can't even venture a guess as to what we have! Our roof is covered and the "smart" builder put our vent pipe for the bathrooms on one of our sharpest peaks that is not accessible. So, Mike had to try and get that uncovered yesterday...well it's covered again today, and there's no way I am letting him up on the roof to try again! The snow is up to the 3rd step of the deck. It's a real treat! And, our church isn't closed! Guess we will be doing a whole lot of praying as we try to snowmobile our way over there! Merry Christmas!

A Kindergartener's Santa Letter...

Translation: I want a present, I made cookies, I made milk, I made carrots. (this is Anna's first letter to Santa)


Translation: I want a present. I want a hair maker (whatever that is!) Yes I have been a good girl. Santa Claus I want a book. (this was the actual list I suppose!)
Just had to share with everyone since it was too cute!

Let it snow!

This all started at 4am. Mike was actually snowblowing at 8:45 and that is how much fell! He was not so pleased about having to snow blow while it was still coming down in sheets, but he needed to get to the hospital! On that note, please pray for Grandpa Rottier, he isn't feeling 100%. He is having surgery sometime today, we don't have a time.
Anna was pretty devastated that school was cancelled, her party was supposed to be today! Luckily the schools were prepared, and all the teachers told students that if there was no school their parties would be at the end of the first week back at school! We are supposed to get another "storm" tomorrow! Oh goody! I guess that means winter is here to stay!