Snow Day!

On Monday morning we were sitting around trying to think of something fun to do with the kids on Tuesday (Jon's day off). I said, "would it be crazy to take them to the snow!?" And of course, Jon was up for it! He loves taking the kids on adventures and never backs down from the challenge. with help from my sister, I was able to pull together enough snow gear for the kids. I called my dad to see if he was up for going with us, and thankfully he was! We found a Snow Park off the side of the road and got out to play. The kids did amazing! Of course, there was the occasional glove mishap or the face-plant in the snow, but they did good. They loved Grandpa pulling them around on the sleds.

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas this year was a lot of fun! There is something special about seeing Christmas through the eyes of kids ... so precious! The kids were really in to Santa this year. We had a 3-day Christmas celebration. On Christmas Eve Eve, we went to church and then out to pizza. Afterwards, we went to look at Christmas lights (a holiday favorite for the kids!). Many nights in December, I packed the kids up in the car and drove around looking at lights and listened to Christmas music. Then we spent Christmas Eve with my parents - our traditional Sugo dinner.

Ready for Christmas Eve service at church

I love Christmas dresses - so pretty!

Homemade apple pie - YUM!

Mom and me

We woke up early on Christmas morning to get everything ready for the kids and to get breakfast started - Monkey Bread and hot chocolate (another family favorite!). Jacob woke up first and we let him open his stocking stuff. It was full of lots of goodies - play money, Wall-E, coloring books, candy, Buzz Lightyear flashlight (which is all he wanted this year!) and a puzzle. The little kids finally woke up and Christmas morning officially began! Everyone was super excited and ready to rip in to all the goodies Santa had brought. We opened stockings, had breakfast and dove into the presents.

I made the kids tie blankets this year. Megan loved her's, calling it her "new cozy blankie"

Dylan with his Buzz camera

Megan and her new baby

Jacob playing with Ryan's new talking bbq. Ryan was scarred of this at first (which was funny!), but warmed up to it quickly

Ryan playing with Jacob's Super Why Computer he got from Grandma and Grandpa A. (it was nice to see everyone sharing so well!)

After our gifts were opened, the kids played for hours with everything. I love getting new toys! We snacked all morning on junk food - gummy worms, beef jerky, Whoppers, Almonds and more Monkey Bread. Then the kids took a nap while we got ready to head over to my parents house. Once we got there, it was another round of presents with my sister and her family. With eight kids, ages 8 and under, things got crazy!!

Our family

The Kids - Megan, Ryan, Nathan, Jacob, Olivia, Matty, Derek and Dylan

We had a wonderful day, surrounded by family and good food. On New Year's Day, we're getting together with Jon's side of the family to celebrate Christmas together. Then it's time to organize all these wonderful and fun new toys!

December ... where did the month go??

Whew! It's almost Christmas, how is that possible!? December has flown by! It's been a busy, but fun month.

Here are the kids at my parents house while Jon and I got out for some Christmas shopping.

Hanging up our stockings!

Ho, Ho, Ho! Starting to decorate our tree!

NONE of the lights worked! Arrggg! Jon was a trooper trying to fix them for me. He finally got a few strands working, but we'll need to replace lots of lights for next year.

Daddy and Jakey

Mommy and one my favorite presents!

Jacob putting the angel on the top of the tree!

Dylan - so cute!

We went out to dinner to Red Robin with Grandma and Grandpa A. after Jacob's preschool Christmas program. It was SO much fun! The kids did great and it was wonderful to spend another fun day with Jon's parents.

Ryan diggin' the onion rings - no surprise!

Grandma A. and Ryan. I love this photo!

Santa Baby Megan!

Megan and Ryan - these two have been little buddies lately. The other day Megan asked me to go get her night-night (her blanket) upstairs, but I was right in the middle of making dinner. I told her to ask Ryan if he'd go with her. She did, but he said no. I said, "Ryan, help Megan get her night-night," and he said ok. So off the two of them go upstairs and come running back with her blanket. Megan was so excited and then she turned to Ryan and said, "thank you Ry-Ry" and gave him a hug and a kiss! So adorable!! I almost started to cry, it was so sweet!

Megan has also taken a huge interest in being a "little mommy". She started changing her baby's diaper the other day and she's also feeding her baby everything she eats. It's been really cute! Good thing she's getting a new baby for Christmas! (a doll that is, not an actual baby!)

Lots of fun memories this month and lots still to come! We've got a busy few days coming up... cookie baking and decorating, Christmas Eve service at church, dinner, looking at lights and of course Christmas day! I can't wait!

Merry Christmas!!