New experience to honor the New Year!

We did fondue with our children and grandparents tonight.  We had beef and chicken...and it was a hit!  Teddy wants to do this again tomorrow!

We only had a couple pieces of flying chicken as they carefully pried it off the hot fork!  Hopefully, no one will get sick from touching their eating fork to the raw meat.  And, yes, I'm probably the only one who thought about that each and every time they picked up a new piece of meat.

On the thirty-first of December...

we made our way through fog...

to visit the fun Lego place.

Unknowingly, we made plans to drive in and use our passes again...and so did MANY other families!  The place was packed out for the 1,000 balloon drop at noon to celebrate 2011!  "It's for the kids!" the announcer said.

The kids got to play "Creationary" the Lego form of Pictionary.  This was Alisa's birdhouse.

"It was too hard."

Little cups of bubbly for the little celebrators.

We celebrated the coming of the New Year...earlier today...so we don't have to stay up till midnight!  We know it is coming.  We will see it tomorrow morning...it's been a busy day! 

Her opinion on the matter...

Teddy didn't like the smell of Alisa's new lotion, "It is too strong.  Don't put it on around me," he told her.  "Well, that's your opinion.  In my opinion, it smells very good.  It is my gift and I like it and I will use it! 

Your opinion is your opinion and my opinion is my opinion. 

 It really doesn't matter," stated Alisa.

I had to laugh.  Everyone does have an opinion about everything...don't they?  The problem?  It is not always necessary to share your opinion on every subject...because...often...it really doesn't matter!  Opinions usually get in the way and cause problems...sometimes...it is best to just keep them to yourself...

unless you are ready to hear an opposing opinion on the matter!

**I wish I could include the audio of Alisa's voice...a tad sassy with a touch of matter-o-factly.  I did have to remind her of the kindness factor...and the fact that ladies don't always have to run their mouth on every subject either!  Another teachable moment brought to you by our little loves.**

On the thirtieth of December...

A 7:30 am run to the gas station for milk...and a little treat for my helpers.

An 8:00 am little playmate while his Mommy and sissy go for a check-up.  Curious George and a remote control car equals FUN for a busy, two year old!

I felt like the world's meanest mother!

Aunt Sara committed herself to taking the kids sledding over her Christmas vacation. 

The only problem...Alisa was still not feeling well.  She sobbed when they all walked out the door.  We have passed the fever, chills, headaches, and all out yucky feeling from one sibling to another.  Still some more sharing to be done, I am sure!

On the twenty-ninth of December...

waffles for breakfast,

playing games together,

movies on the couch...and in our jammies till noon...ahhh-gain!

For my friend...

guess who is going to be the shortest female in our family!?  Still me from the looks of it!  The skirts are just two pieces with an elastic waistband.  Ash has a pin that looks like the flower on Alisa's headband.  She is not into lots of frills.  Grammy taught us how to make the flowers.

A pitstop for them and a delivery for us.

We packed a booth at Beef-A-Roo and enjoyed a quick chat and lunch.  We will take any opportunity to see family!

Thanks, Uncle Brad, for being the delivery driver and timing your pitstop for our town! 

"Grammy and Grampy, Mom is making us wait till Dad gets home to open presents from you. Wish you could make her obey you...you sent the presents to us, right?!"

All dressed up and Mom wanted a picture...

Is that too much to ask?

Apparently...it is!

So...we will just go with it!

And enjoy the personality that comes through each shot!

It is what happens...most often...when Mom wants a picture!

On the twenty-eighth of December...

we're still enjoying our days off...sleeping a little late, playing with new toys, eating whenever...

Today's observations

Sick boys do not eat much.

When Moms multi-task, an occasional thing will get burnt.
If you have not been responsible for cooking a big meal in a couple days, you may end up cooking the same thing you made last Monday...which your husband finished as leftovers for his lunch...this Monday.
Being lazy is easy after the holidays!

On the twenty-seventh day of December...

look who's sporting a fever.  At least, he waited till everything was done! 

 "But the ice cream will feel good on my throat!" was his reply when we asked him if he could make it through a DQ visit after church last night. 

Now...it is going on 10 am...and there is not a peep from him...yet.

On the twenty-sixth day of December...

we went to church...then napped.

On the twenty-fifth day of December...

Joy To The World!

The day started with biscuits and a pot of coffee! And presents with our children. Once again, we kept it simple. The children picked out such thoughtful gifts for each other and for us! They had fun shopping, wrapping, and sharing.

My Old Navy guys!  Teddy was glad Dad didn't have to go to work...it was his last question Christmas Eve!

We headed over to Papa and Grandma's for breakfast.

We, girls, wore our Christmasy socks!

Beds for the girl's American Girl dolls...made by Papa and outfitted by Grandma. Teddy kept the wheels turning on his remote control jeep. Dad and Mom enjoyed watching all the fun.  Looks like I needed another cup of coffee!

After a dinner of turkey, we Skyped with James and Lindsey who were enjoying Christmas together after being apart for almost a year!

A finale to the day...pie...and then packing up to go home.

Christmas Eve at Papa and Grandma's house

Time with Grandma-Great!

Time with cousins and aunts and uncles...the girls got baby dolls and Teddy got a Nerf rifle...both gifts entertained the adults!

Our children requested that I leave the tree lights on in the livingroom.  They wanted to sleep in their rooms, rather than under the tree, because the lights are too bright.  Here I sit again by the tree...the snow falling outside, Eloise At Christmas is on t.v., and a cup of hot chocolate...I'm tired...but just needed some "down time" before going to bed.  We almost had a catastrophe earlier.  We left Chevy out of his cage when we went to Grandma's.  As I sat talking with Grandma about the fun of the last couple days...it dawned on me...kid's gifts on the china cabinet (edibles do not go under tree!)...we left Chevy out..."OH NO! I gotta go, I gotta go home...NOW!"  I quickly left to go save the gifts that were picked out, wrapped, and labeled for each of us.  There stood Chevy wagging his tail with an "Uh-oh, I got caught!" look.  One package suffered...but it was from "Santa" and I was able to detect what was inside.  Thankful for gas stations that are open on Christmas Eve!  Two packs of Bubbalicious gum...gone...and a little fuzzy white dog is still among the living.  I am waiting for the purging to happen any time.  I got home in the nick of time...two other packages were on the floor with the felt drum candy dish.  Thankfully, the children had cleaned that out already...save one or two pieces...and they were still inside.  The excitement never ends here.

However, it may have been halted if our fuzzy white dog had had more time to open the rest of the treasures from Princess Pea and Santa on Christmas E---ve---!