It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Yes, it is that time again. Time to put up the tree and hang the stockings and of course shovel, shovel, shovel.

Road Trip

What's a road trip without cheesy Doritos.

*************BEFORE****************

**************AFTER*****************

Notre Dame vs. U of U

OK, so it is FINALLY my turn to get to go to a game, and it just happens we were playing U of U....the place where Matt and I both got our BA degrees. ND was supposed to get killed against the Utes, but it turned out to be exactly the opposite. ND totally crushed the Utes: 28-3. Even though it was raining ALMOST the entire time and we were sopping wet, it was still fun to feel the energy of the fans...especially since the Irish were winning.

The Irish color gaurd.

The Leprachaun during the pre-game parade.

The bag pipe concert before the game.

Oh yeah...this was what it looked like at the end of the game....a massive rush onto the field for some celebration!

Happy Birthday to You

This year was a special year for Brandon. He turned 8, which means a couple of things: 1) most importantly he gets to be baptized and 2) he gets a friend party! (we only do them when they turn 8, 12, and 16). So because his real birthday fell on a weekday, we had a little family celebration with donuts and presents, then had his big birthday bash on the weekend. There is not a lot of fun things to do for your birthday in the winter around here, but he chose have a swimming party at a local hotel. He invited friends from school and church, plus he got an extra special treat because his good friends from Crystal Lake got to come and stay the weekend. It looked like the kids had a great time in the pool and later we played a Phineas and Ferb game and of course opened presents and ate pizza and ice cream cake. As Phineas and Ferb would say, "it was the best day ever!" Happy Birthday, Brando! We Love YOU!!!!!!

American Girl Birthday

This year Caitlyn decided that all she wanted was an American Girl doll for her birthday so we decided to make a fun night of it. We drove to Chicago and went to the American Girl Doll store downtown. There she took her time and finally decided on the doll Julie. She is the doll that is suppose to be from the 1970's. The boys were very glad when we were able to leave and go get ice cream at the Ghirardelli shop just across the street. We had a great time...Happy Birthday Cait! We Love YOU!!!!!!

Brandon didn't want his picture taken...he didn't want any proof that he was in a "GIRL" store. In fact he would call shopping there as complete torture! (so dramatic!)

As you can see Parker had no problem and proudly carries the infamous red bag. :)

Because we had to go to the American Girl store on a different day than her birthday, we still had a little celebration with her favorite donuts on the real day.

These are a couple of presents she got from her grandparents and other family.

Firehouse

This year Parker and I took a field trip to the local fire station. We got to see where the firemen eat and sleep when they are on call, and most importantly we got to see a fire truck up close. The kids weren't too sure about the fireman in his big, scary mask, but it was good for them to get to see what a fireman looks like in case there ever is a real fire.