Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We were invited to an "adult" get together, but like normal we were behind on looking for a babysitter. With such late notice I had no luck finding one.

It ended up being OK though, we had a fun and relaxing night.

Matt picked up Chinese food and sparkling cider (or kid wine like the boys like to call it). They LOVED it.

Cheers!

Nolan the guzzler.

Matt also picked up this beautiful bouquet for me. He wanted them delivered, but I was working at school all day, so I missed both times they tried to drop them off at the house.

He asked me what I thought of the idea of him sending flowers to his merchandiser's wives to thank them for putting up with all of the hours their husbands put in and to show how appreciative of the guys he is. I told him I thought it was a great idea. Little does he know - I was jokingly telling someone at work about it and saying....yeah, nice of him to order them flowers....what about MY flowers for putting up with all of the hours he works?! ;) Little did I know, he had bought me some also. He never seizes to surprise me. Serves me right. What a guy huh?! Don't tell him I was complaining... (yes, he reads this) ;) Aren't they beautiful?!

The night was spent playing some Wii fit, Guess Who with Jacob and Nolan, and one of our new favorite games - Rummikub with Connor, etc...

Jacob and Nolan love to snuggle with, touch, and kiss my belly right now. They are always lifting up my shirt.

Jacob and Nolan went to bed about 10ish and Connor tried to make it up until 2010 and was all pumped for it, however at 11:30 he all of a sudden hit a wall and said he was going to bed. ;)

Matt and I both made some New Year's resolutions. I am going to work very hard at mine. It would make for a very pleasant 2010. My words for the year are Cherish, Patience, and Now.

Happy New Year everyone! May you have a blessed year!

Papa John and Yaya left yesterday morning after playing with the boys for a little bit.

Matt and I spent most of the day cleaning and putting away, while the boys played.

Today we had Christmas with my mom's side (we missed Christmas with my dad's side this year). It's always nice to see everyone. The kids had a great time. There's always good food, dirty bingo, cards and games.My cousin Katie is also expecting and we're only due a couple weeks apart. How fun would it be to be in the hospital together!

The boys and I are looking forward to having this week off (too bad daddy can't be off with us). We don't really have any big plans, but we'll have a ton of fun. Connor is student of the week when he gets back to school, so he's excited to get going on the projects we have to prepare for that.

We have Christmas with my family this coming weekend. What a great way to end Christmas break! Hard to believe that New Years is already coming. It seems like a few months ago only that I chose my word of Gratitude for 2009. Wow, time really goes by way too quickly. I have so much to be grateful for and am so blessed.

Merry Christmas 2009

Merry Christmas! I cannot believe we have been waiting and anticipating this day for so long now and it is finally here.
I love Christmas!

Connor was up at 6:45 this morning (way too early since Santa's helpers didn't get to bed until about 1:00am finishing up few last minute things). He was so excited!, however we had him come snuggle with us for a little bit so that Jacob and Nolan could sleep a little bit longer.
When they woke up they were SOOO excited that Santa came. They opened up their presents from Santa (They are into the Pez candy and dispensers right now and got a ton of them, new toothbrushes, candy, etc.... Nolan wanted something Dora and Santa brought him a Dora puzzle and a new camera. Jacob wanted something Thomas the Train and Santa brought him a Thomas puzzle and then an electric drum set. Connor asked for only the game Don't Break the Ice after we vetoed the DS, and he was so excited to get it. He also was sent on a hunt to find his new bike from Santa. He saw the Fleet Farm tag that was left on the bike - silly Santa, so we had to explain our way out of that one. Did you know that when Santa brings something for a kid that the kid maybe didn't ask for, but Santa thinks he or she would enjoy - Santa puts a tag on it from a store so that the kid can exchange it if he or she wants to. Connor thought it was a good idea, thankfully!). We ate breakfast, opened a few of our presents, played, opened a few more presents, played, etc.... We got the boys some spy gear, shovels, golf clubs, Legoes, Connor a Rubix Cube that he's been dying for, Nolan a Nerf gun to keep up with the ones his brothers have, a parking garage for their cars, again...very spoiled boys.
We took Papa John and Yaya to our infamous sledding hill and went sledding for a little while. The boys had a blast. Nolan, was unbelievable for only being 2- he loved going down by himself. I stood at the top of the hill the whole time and took pictures while laughing at everyone!

We came home had a great meal (Connor reminded us to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!), and then went to the movie theatre to see Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakel.

After we put the boys to bed, Matt got out the Wii Fit that we got and entertained us for awhile.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

Connor's class put on a play with the third graders. He was a sheep. My mom and dad and Matt were able to go watch it. Matt taped it, so that Jacob, Nolan, and I could also see it.

We are definitely excited about our white Christmas that we are going to have. Matt's been out snow blowing and shoveling quite a bit already.
The boys and Matt went outside and built a snowman. They had a blast. We had to improvise for his arms and his nose. They couldn't find any good sticks, so they used the butterfly nets and we didn't have any big carrots, so we used a corn dog! We enjoyed some hot chocolate when they came inside.

CHEERS!

Papa John and Yaya came down for Christmas Eve. We alternate every other year with spending the holiday with my family and Matt's family. Matt's mom was going to come down yesterday, but the weather was not good for driving. We will get together with her another time.
We had a nice relaxing afternoon and evening opening presents (the boys made a haul from Papa John and Yaya - race track, walkie talkies, fireman and policeman costumes, erector building set, another Wii remote and numchuck - to name a few), eating, and visiting. Matt, the boys, and I went to 10:00 pm mass, it is always so beautiful. The last couple of years the boys have slept through most of it. We put them in their pajamas so that we can just put them to bed when we get home.

We got the house ready for Santa before we left for church because we figured they would all be sleeping. The boys put out cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for his reindeer. We had to be sure to say good bye to Elfie. Santa takes him home when he comes to our house. Connor got a little teary eyed about Elfie leaving. He left Santa a picture he made at school to take back to the North Pole with him.
Waving good bye to Elfie (he hid on Connor's windowsill - in front of Mauer - the last night because Connor was so bummed about him leaving).

Dear Santa....

Mailed:

Received:

(Thank you Santa!) ;)