Seventh and Eighth

Yesterday my day was filled to the brim, so I wasn't able to blog. But I'll tell you about that later. Monday. You know how Mondays are around here. The boys worked in the morning and everyone was late getting their morning chores done. So we decided to do school after lunch instead of the morning. I got some laundry done and stuff like that. :)

Brooke got to open her gift. We are saving the movie for a girl party... which we hope to have soon! She was coloring/writing in her books all day. 

We didn't do an activity this day. Our day just kind of got crazy and time ran away from us. 

The boys played hockey in the evening and we had Becca and Taylor over for a visit.  I snuggled the baby extra lots for the both of you. She misses her grandma and grandpa!

Then came Tuesday. Of course you already know that Ker had a eye appointment today. Her, Mikey and I were all out of the house by eight in the morning. 

We left Mikey to visit with his big sister and nephew during the appointment and then we all headed into town to do some shopping together.

Mikey was so chill sitting in the cart. He was quite happy until the last five minutes. Then he decided that he had had enough of this shopping adventure. 

All in all, he did very good. Many people stopped to watch him because, well you know Mikey. I think he enjoyed the attention. :)

Meg was nice enough to help us get get good deals, and she pushed one of our carts. She is the best!

These two. Silas was kind of scared of Mikey at first, but by the end, on the ride back to Henry and Megan's, they were holding hands. I wish I had gotten a picture of it... but you will just have to take my word for it. So adorable! I have a feeling that one day they will be best friends!

We picked up some goodies for the kiddos on our way home. 

Eli enjoyed his while sporting this hairdo. I am not sure how his hair got like that. And I didn't ask. :)

Jaden had to wait till we got home to open his gift. He immediately got to putting it together. And of course you know how much he liked it judging by how many times he showed it to you while were were video chatting. ;)

When I took this picture I asked him not to fake smile. Apparently this is a very real smile.

After we had our supper of doughnuts and pizza pops, (we are trying to be healthier in the new year...) I went curling with Josh and his team. As I already mentioned to you we lost... bad. Our night ended up just being all about having fun playing the game. And we did that well. :)

We were happy to chat with you again this morning. I speak for every one of us when I say that we miss you! Have fun shopping today!! ;)

Sixth

I am currently typing with your almost - nine month old son on my lap. Of course you know how difficult this is, especially with this kid. Every once in a while he tries to face plant into the keyboard to eat the keys on top of constantly getting his hands free and trying to grab them.

Gotta love him! ;)

Of course, who wouldn't love this face?

We were at Dairy Queen eating a meal after church when I took this. He may or may not have been extra happy after having a couple bites of ice cream... he loves ice cream by the way. And french fries. But I would never feed my baby brother those things.

I took a couple pictures with my phone, because I didn't want to pull out my camera in the restaurant. Here they are in all their blurriness.

We were able to get out of the house on time this morning! Though some of the little kids did not get their hair done (I only realized once we were inside the doors of our church), and Jaden ended up getting into his boots without any socks on. I guess there were a few mommy things that we forgot to do.

As I already said, we went to DQ to eat after church and then headed home to enjoy our Sunday.

Elijah got to pick his gift today. I kinda cheated with him and sneakily made sure his name was drawn  He has been quite sad about not getting his gift day after day. I couldn't stand those sad brown puppy eyes he was making after his name was not picked anymore.

He shared his chocolate with everyone. And asked if he was allowed to get his binoculars dirty. He has been doing a lot of drawing in that little book!

Things are going good here. This week promises to be a busy one, and I think we are ready for the change of pace.

Missing you!

Fifth

Today was cleaning day. The poor house needed it so bad.

As we were working Jaden asked me in an excited voice "Are we cleaning because mom and dad are coming home?!" (I have no idea why on earth he would think that! ;). We told him how many days, and he said "Oh, thats a lot.". He keeps telling us all the things he is going to tell you when you get home. 

Today's gift receiver person was Mikaya. She played with this all day.

We had these friends over for the afternoon and supper. We played spoons and dutch blitz. 

(I won't tell you who won dutch blitz cause that would just be to prideful of me. ;)

We had a good time. 

I am sorry that I have not been taking many pictures. I will try harder to take more. 

Missing you both so much.

Fourth

This day was our last relax day before getting back to some normalities. Nathan picked hockey for today's activity, so we played with Josh (Happy birthday Josh!).

He liked his chocolates by the way. :)

I didn't take any pictures because, well... I was to busy playing.

Zach FINALLY (as he put it) got his name picked and these boys were able to play their game. It is never a good idea to know what your gift is... or you could possibly end up hassling your big sister every two point five seconds to see if you can get her to skip the name picking process and just let you have your turn. ;)

The day went well. (Except for when Michael puked in my hair... but I got over it.)

We were glad to be able to video chat! It made you seem not quite as far away.

Chillin' Dillon lived in the house for a couple of hours (until I saw bunny fur floating around that is.) Eli played with him basically the whole time. He built him a little fence with chairs, to keep him close I think. :)

Have a grand excursion day! Excited to see pictures and hear stories!!

Third

Being the eve of New Years, we partied hard and stayed up to late. It is possible that some children will need naps today... Even the biggest ones. :)
I was certain that Mikey would wake up at some ungodly hour just because I stayed up so late. But, he slept for twelve and a half hours, not including the pre-bedtime nap that he took. *my sanity thanks you Michael*

Speaking of Mikey, after I feed him his bottle in the mornings he always sees this picture of the both of you beside the bed and has to stare at if for a few moments.

Caleb and Zach were babysitting for Josh and Rebecca today (or, should I say yesterday), so we waited to do Jaden's activity till late afternoon, while *Kerri MADE supper!!!!!* 

The kids were happy to be able to eat her food again. ;)

Joey got to open his gift today. That smile tells it all. 

2016. Wow. It is hard to believe that another year has gone by.

Did you have a good time experiencing the Mexican new years party? I can't wait to see pictures of that. :)

Love you!

Second

It was Eli's day to pick an activity. He originally wanted to play a game, but when we got to the game cupboard the only ones that he was willing to play were way over his head. So we came to a compromise, he and the little kiddoes played with play-doe while the rest of us played a "big kids" game. In the end I believe that was what he would have rather done anyway.

Jesse's name was the one drawn out of the hat to open his gift. He was very happy with his new watch, "Just what I was hoping for!" I believe were his words.
I forgot to mention that my name was drawn yesterday. I am currently sporting my new nail polish colors, and the hair product... mama, you know me!

The boys played hockey twice today, and the little kids also were able to get some fresh air as the weather here has warmed up a bit.
Mikey stayed inside and played the piano. He is still been very happy and I chased him all over the house today just trying to keep an eye on him.
He has now mastered climbing up the stairs, little stinker, and I was busy carrying him back to his toys from there countless times.

I hope you were able to play in the ocean today. We miss you already, but hope that you are having a great time.

Dear Mom and Dad...

Tonight as I walked along the snow covered road and looked up at the cloud covered sky, I thought about you. I thought about how neat it was that, though you are basking in the warmth of the south and I am chilled in the cold-th of the north, we can still see the same sky. The same moon, the same stars.
I stood there in the stillness for half a second until I realized just how quiet it was and had a mini panic attack because I thought the cows had broke through their pens and were back with their calves. It seemed like they all got together and had a meeting, deciding to be quiet for a few moments to scare the wits out of me, because soon the chorus of moo resumed. What a beautiful sound. Especially at night when you really don't feeling like chasing cows in your pjs.

I hope Mexico is as wonderful as it always is. It was so foggy here this morning that I had to wait until the afternoon to run my errands. The trees are once again weighed down with hoar frost. I was going to take pictures of the beautiful sight, but somehow did not get to it.

We are still taking full advantage of the holidays, keeping the time we spend working to a minimum. The kids like this plan.

We had pancakes for supper today. Because pancakes are yummy and because I want to win best sister of the year award, and because Kerri said that I should make them (and... you know, I always listen to Kerri! :).

*Notice Joey's "funny face"*

Mikey has been a good little baby. He is happy. 

Yesterday he tried to crawl up the porch stairs. I put an end to that really quickly.

Since we didn't have any activities lined up for today, Ker and I had a nail painting party with the girls.

Mikey supervised. And tried to grab the nail polish when we least expected it.

All in all. First day went great!

Hope you are having fun... cause we are!! :)