What to do on a cool June day?

Mixing blue goo- I love how Dani can bend all the way down with her legs straight!

The weather here has been unseasonably cool for June the last few days. It is too cold to play in the sprinkler or pool. Today, Joey suggested that we make blue goo to play with outside.

What is blue goo? It is a mixture of cornstarch, water, and food coloring. Today, we left out the food coloring. It tends to give the skin a nice tint that requires bathing. I was just not into giving baths before lunch today, so I guess my kids had to suffer with "plain old goo" rather than the pretty colored stuff. Goo is a very interesting mixture. When you squeeze it in your hand, it feels like a solid, otherwise it acts like a liquid. Here is the information below from the website so you can try it for yourself:

You can make squishy, fun blue goo to play with. Ask your mom or dad to help you. This will be messy, so be sure to do it in the kitchen on old newspaper.YOU WILL NEED• Newspapers• Mixing bowl• Cornstarch (16-ounce [454-gram] box)• Measuring cup • Water• Blue food coloringHERE'S HOW1. Pour a box of cornstarch into a bowl.2. Add 1 1/2 cups (240 milliliters) of water.3. Add about 15 drops of food coloring. You can also try this with different colors.4. Mix it all together with your hands. Have fun squishing!
COOL SCIENCEThe weird goo hardens in your hands when you squeeze it. It feels like a solid. When you open your hands, the goo feels like a liquid. It acts like both a solid and a liquid.

PARENT TIP: SCIENCE
Promote scientific thinking: Have your child develop a theory by predicting what may happen, and then prove or disprove it. After making blue goo, discuss the properties of liquids versus solids by asking your child to describe the differences between how water feels, how cornstarch feels, and how blue goo feels.

I have made this in the house before (during a snow blizzard) but it is much more fun outside where you don't have to clean up! (The water evaporates out of the cornstarch, then you just have cornstarch that blows away!)

If you are having an off day or don't feel well, do what I did last summer and have "mommy's spa day". Whip up a batch of this stuff, sit in the lawnchair with your legs up and let the kids smear it all over your skin. Fun for the kids because they are getting to put gunk on mommy; fun for you because your little precious angels are touching you and you don't have to worry about where they are as you are sitting there with your eyes closed. (Did this last August when I had an ear infection/sinus infection and could barely move).

NOTE: Today, a 16 oz box of cornstarch cost $1.59; that's all it cost to do this project. My kids were entertained for literally two hours and then this afternoon they both took two hour naps! Quite a great investment for $1.59!!!

Prayers for baby Garet

We personally do not know this family. His grandpa is a Methodist minister and that is how I have learned about baby Garet. He has a blog which is http://garethoward.blogspot.com/.
Garet needs a heart transplant. I am hoping that everyone that reads this will pray for this sweet little boy.

If you knew me when Joey was born, you know our story. Due to complications at birth, Joey was placed in NICU. This was the last thing Mike and I expected and it was an extremely stressful time. Joey's story has a happy ending; his lungs needed to clear of amniotic fluid and he needed lights to recover from jaundice. He is now almost five and the best big brother in the universe (so maybe I'm a little biased...)

Anyway, please pray for little Garet.

These are the moments...

Our gymnastic champions, Danielle and Joey. Both began gymnastics in September 2008 and continued through the entire school year (except for the nine week hiatus Dani took with her broken leg). Here they are with their medals from their spring gymnastic performances.

It has been quite a while since I have updated our blog. Since I have gotten on Facebook, I haven't blogged as much.

A few weeks ago, Danielle and I were home alone. I said to her, "I would love to just bottle you up and keep you." She replied, "Mommy, I too BIG!"

So included below are some of the moments from the past few months that I would like to bottle up and keep if I could.

Photos above: Dani playing in our backyard pool, our family with Ronald McDonald at the 2009 Tab Top Pandemonium, Fred Bird upending Joey at the Diabetes walk, Dani covered in shaving cream, chalk, and who knows what else, Joey holding a snake at Tab Top Pandemonium.

Good Friday

We attended the Good Friday service at church today at noon. I had debated going tonight at 7pm, but I was afraid Joey and Danielle wouldn't last and that the church would be packed. Mike took a long lunch hour to join us and all the pews were FULL at noon.

I had mentioned in a previous blog about Mike Lewis, the Jesus Painter and he was at our church for Good Friday services. He did three huge painting; each one completed in about seven minutes! It was intriguing to watch him work. The first portrait shown at the left started as a cross and people standing gazing at the cross. It was truly a blessing to see his work. He has a website http://www.jesuspainter.com/

Happy Easter

HAPPY EASTER 2009! Yes, Joey and Dani have been to visit the Easter bunny. No, Easter decorations have not made it up at our house yet. The Marchand family will be having Easter lunch with us on Sunday, so I have until then to get the baskets and eggs out, right?

This week has already been full of Easter festivities. Monday, the kids and I met some friends at a local historical house where we got to see a puppet show, pet a bunny, visit the Easter bunny (again) and make a craft.

Tomorrow we're off to a local farm where we will visit and pet baby bunnies, chicks, pigs, play in a hayloft, watch a dog show and visit the Easter bunny (again!).

I am quite excited about something happening at our church on Good Friday. We have a special guest coming; Mike Lewis, the Jesus Painter. You can google him and see his work. He does a huge portrait of Jesus in 20 minutes. At 4 1/2, Joey is very interested in art and so I am excited that Joey will be able to see an artist in action. If you are in the area, come on over for church with us at 7 pm.

We had snow a few weekends ago. I was so thankful it was on the weekend. Anyone that knows me knows that I am a summer girl; so thankfully Mike was home to take the kids out to play.

Mike and the kids made a volcano in the basement in March. It is pictured above. I don't know if you can tell from the above photo, but they planted trees on the mountain and also dinosaurs. The volcano is a 2 liter soda bottle. They add baking soda and vinegar and the volcano erupts. The kids really enjoy doing this with daddy.

There was a celebration at Mike's work site last Saturday for the opening of a new research facility. The children had a great time enjoying bounce houses, balloon animals, face painting, and train rides. Joey wanted me to be sure and put on our blog a photo of him with his face painted as a skull.

Joey is in his 4th session of gymnastics this year and Dani is in her 3rd session (she sat one out due to her broken leg). Both of them really enjoy it and are gaining so much self confidence. Here is a photo of Dani hanging from the rings with her instructor by her. We will be taking the summer off to relax, but if the kids want to, I will sign them up again in the fall for the next year of gymnastics. Joey's class has a spring performance in May and I am excited to see that. I do not get to watch Joey in his class because it is the same time as the class Danielle is in and her class requires parent participation.

May Jesus bless you as this Easter season. I hope everyone is able to spend time with their family and friends.

Twilight DVD Release Party

Okay, so I have lived a sheltered life and never been to a "release party" of an item. When Harry Potter books were popular, I watched the release parties on the news and it looked like a good time. All these people dressed up as Harry Potter characters waiting anxiously their copy of the newest book. However, I have never been (1) because although I enjoyed the H.P. books, I didn't want one that bad and (2)these parties are late at night and I'm sleeping!

I had girlfriend time last night and was scrapbooking with BFF Michele. Michele reminds me that the Twilight DVD is being released at midnight. Hey, we're up, we're caffienated, so we decide to go and find a party. We go to Border's bookstore; nothing happening except a lot of preteens and teens standing around waiting. Same thing when we went to Blockbuster.

In case you aren't in the know, Twilight is a book by Stephenie Meyer (she has three more in the series) that has been made into a movie. It is a story about a 17 year old girl named Bella who falls in love with Edward. Edward is a vampire.

FYI I have read Twilight and enjoyed it. Awaiting my turn to read the 2nd book (on order at the library), but no intention of purchasing the DVD; will just rent it and watch it.

Michele and I were expecting to see all kinds of vampire costumes and dark makeup. Instead, I think people were looking at us; we weren't exactly in the age range of the other girls!

To commemorate this occasion, here is a photo of me with a Twilight umbrella and a copy of the book and a photo of Michele with Edward (well, a photo of him anyway!)

Open Mouth, Insert Flip Flop

The weather here has been in the 70s and Joey and Dani have both outgrown their flip flops. So, Tuesday we went to the mall to find some new ones.

We went to Children's Place and the flip flops were $3.50 ea or 2/$5.00. Of course, Murphy's Law is that one child will throw a fit and not want a pair now that we are there.

As we are checking out, the sales clerk reminds me of the price and I decided to go ahead and pick up a pair for Dani anyway because as soon as we get home, I know she'll want some. The sales clerk says to me, "yes, I know how that is. I have children at home myself." She was wearing a loose black top and I say to her, "oh! and you're expecting another one!". To which she replies, "no, I'm just fat!"

I wanted to die right there on the spot. I was so embarrassed and I apologized. Anyway, hope you all get a laugh or learn a lesson from my outing this week.

Bagel Fridays

On Friday, Joey attends a Kids Day Out program from 9:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. After I drop him off, Dani and I run errands. One Friday morning, we stopped for a bagel. Now on Fridays, as soon as we drop Joey off and I put Danielle in her carseat, she says, "Go have a bagel, mom?". So this has become our weekly routine. I extremely enjoy it. This is one of the few times where it is only Dani and I and it is fun to see her little personality shine and how much she is growing into a big girl.

Today, while we were waiting in line for our bagels, she went and picked a table out for us all by herself. (It was two feet from where I was standing). Then, I went to get my Diet Coke and Dani says to me , "I stay here, mom." She stayed at the table and waited for me to get my coke and bring it back to the table, grinning from ear to ear.

Last night while I was at Bunco, I received a phone call from Dani that she had peed and pooped in the potty. She was very excited. This morning when she got out of bed, she peed in the potty. So after grocery shopping and bagels, we took a trip to one of my favorite stores. When Joey was about 2 1/2 years and we were in this store baby shopping for Danielle, he fell in love with a dinosaur bank. I bought it for him. Totally by fluke, the next day we began potty training with it. He got to "feed" the dinosaur each time he went on the potty.

It worked so well for Joey. (Mike and I gave him about $100 in change!) I explained it to Dani this morning and showed her Joey's bank. So we went to pick out a bank for her. Here she is with her new kitty bank that she chose all by herself. As soon as she got home, she pooped in the potty and got to "feed" her kitty! Hopefully, this will continue as I know she is very young to potty train.

I am enjoying my kids being a little older and a little more independent. They can play together now, have conversations now, wrestle (usually initiated by Dani), and walk without a stroller or being held. However, part of me is sad to be leaving the baby days behind. There is nothing better to me than a little cuddly snuggly cooing baby. Luckily, I have several friends still having babies, so I can always snuggle with their little ones.

If you would like to contribute to the Danielle potty fund, please email me for our address! just kidding! Wouldn't you know that I would have children that want money and are not thrilled by the stickers or M&Ms most mommys hand out for going in the potty??!

Danielle Marie turns two!

Dani turned two on February 22. It is hard to believe that our baby is no longer a baby! On Saturday, Feb 21, she had a birthday party at Olympiad Gymnastics, where both she and Joey have gymnastics classes. At the side is a photo of some of Dani's friends that were at the party. (Dani is standing in front in the unitard with the two pink stripes. Joey is to the right of her in the blue t-shirt and what looks like a rainbow on it).

Dani had 15 kids at her party between the ages of 5 months and 12 years. Everyone had a blast going through the obstacle course, jumping on the trampolines, jumping in the block pit, and just running around. We hired a photographer to come for her big day. She took over 300 pictures! Of course, I am not going to post all of those here, but the photos are great and she has a website you can visit to see Dani's party pics. http://www.jillarnoldphoto.com/ look for the tab labeled "Parties". Click on it and you will see something similar to "Danielle's 2nd birthday". Click on that and you will be asked for a password. The password is Dinah.

Bethany and Jacob (my sister Karen's kids) came with my mom and dad to the party and that was a very special treat for my two. The four cousins don't get to see each other much, so it was a very special day that they were able to join us for Dani's party. Grandpa posed with his four grandchildren. Unfortunately, I didn't have the camera in hand when Grandma (my mom) posed with the kids.


One of my best friends has a five month old baby who Dani calls "Baby Chubba". Dani just loves him! She was so proud that she got to hold him at her birthday party. When I tried to take him from her, she said very firmly, "NO!" and held on tighter. Baby Chubba weighs 20 pounds and Danielle weighs 23 pounds, so if you think they look about the same size in the photo, that's because they are!

(By the way, Dani did not come up with this nickname on her own. My friend told Dani that they call the baby "Bubba Chubba" and from there, Dani came up with "Baby Chubba".)

There have been a few warm days here and there and the kids really like to go to the park to play. One of our favorite parks also has a paved walking trails and horses. We take a picnic lunch and enjoy being outside. Here is a photo that Joey took of Danielle and me on one of our park outings:

And now from the retro files....this blue McKendree College sweatshirt that Dani is wearing is mine. No, we don't wear the same size! ha ha This is a shirt that my mom saved from my baby days when my dad attended McKendree College.

Okay, well, I need to go, as usual, and referee (why do my kids fight when I update the blog??). I just heard Joey yell, "Dani, never mess with me!" This doesn't happen at anyone else's house does it??

Thankfully, Mike is a great daddy and will be staying with the children tonight while I go out and play Bunco with the girls!

Enjoy the weekend. We love hearing from everyone!

Joey Meets a Famous Author

Not much has happened since the last time I wrote. I am busy taking the kids to gymnastics, swimming, preschool, and going to MOPS. We are finally pretty well adjusted to our "new" schedule that began in January.

On Wednesday, February 4, our church had a guest speaker, the author Dr. Mary Manz Simon. Dr. Simon wrote a book that I purchased when Joey was a baby. This book is well used and well loved in our home. Some of the pages have had to be taped back in. The book is called "Little Visits for Toddlers" and it is short devotions to do with toddlers. What I really like about this book is that most of the devotions require some kind of action (jumping, twirling, etc) while you are reading it, and it keeps my kids interested.

Mike and I were laughing because this is the ONLY children's book we own that the kids fight over! We let each of them pick a devotion before bed and sometimes arguing and crying ensues over who gets to pick first.

Dr. Simon gave a talk on "Parenting in Pop Culture" and it was very interesting. One of the comments she made was this: Children read emotions even before they read books. She talked about how children are growing up faster in today's society. Even though a preschooler can operate a computer, does that mean that same child will not throw a tantrum? Sometimes, we, as parents, forget that children still go through developmental stages. Dr. Simon stated: Children are not in a race to the finish line. We cannot rush God's timeline for child development.

If you would like to know more about Dr. Simon, her website is http://www.marymanzsimon.com/ and she has a blog http://marymanzsimon.wordpress.com/ . She also has a radio show called Front Porch Parenting.

After the lecture, I had Mike run to childcare and get Joey so that he could meet Dr. Simon who wrote the book that he calls "Toddler Stories". We had brought our copy so that she could autograph it. Below is a picture of Joey and Dr. Simon.

At the end of January, our church started a new service called "Family Live". We went to the pilot service and it was awesome! Think VBS type worship service. The music was all kid oriented and there were about 10-15 preteens and teens on stage dancing. There were also skits and a message by one of our pastors. This service has really stuck in my head and I am looking forward to the next one at the end of February. This service was on gratitude and Pastor Ryan talked about keeping a gratitude journal. We have implemented this at our house and at dinner time, we write down one thing we are thankful for that day. Joey understands the concepts and is thankful for friends, Jesus, God, etc. Dani doesn't always have something to contribute, but her submissions have been those of an almost 2 yr old: her baby, her pacifier... I hope this is a tradition that we can keep up for many years. I think it will be fun to look back later and see what we were thankful for when the kids were small.

The only other thing that has happened recently is Joey woke up Tuesday around midnight vomiting. He was out of commission all day Wednesday. He couldn't believe that he had gotten the flu again. The poor kid is on about his third round since fall. Today, we skipped MOPS because I wasn't sure how healthy he would be. He woke up and was wanting to get out. So it was nice enough we spent some time at the park and grocery shopping. I am keeping fingers crossed that it passes by the rest of us.

I want to leave you with a quote, out of the mouth of babes:

We are sitting at the table getting ready to eat dinner and Danielle farts. Joey says to her, "Did you backfire?"

I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. The things kids come up with!

Until next time, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and we are doing the same for you.

A Matter of Perspective

We got the snow the weatherman had been promising. (The above photo is trees in our yard). I got up with a big sigh hoping that Mike would have the day off work. No such luck! I immediately thought to myself, "if Mike isn't home, that means I have to take the kids out to play in the snow." Big sigh....I am not a winter weather person. I would much rather spend time on a warm, sunny beach...well, that won't be happening anytime soon.

The kids have had breakfast and I am getting dressed. On my dresser mirror, I have posted the following quote:

Forgive me Father,

You gave me the perfect gift of right now,

but I threw it away hoping for a better gift later.

As I read that quote, I realized that was exactly what I was doing. By summer, Joey will be 5 and Dani will be 2 1/2. Do I really want time to go that quickly? NO! So I ran into the living room and said "Hey kids! We're going outside! Let's get dressed." Now, Joey knows I don't like to go in the snow and it is a Daddy activity, so he was pleasantly surprised. We got on snowsuits, snowboots (Joe's are a size too small, they're from last year!) and I even got them to wear gloves!

Dani looked like that kid in the movie "A Christmas Story". She looked like a stuffed tick and if she fell over, well, I don't think she would be able to get back up. She was completely adorable!

Remember how when you were a kid and we got so much more snow and it was so much deeper than it is now? I realized as I'm watching Dani that it is a matter of perspective. The snow is almost to her knees! I don't think we get less snow, I think I am just taller now!

I got a little exercise shoveling the sidewalk and part of the driveway. At least then Dani could walk around. She decided to make the best of the situation by sitting on the front porch and drawing with chalk.

Joey enjoyed digging in the snow, pushing his dump trucks around and just running. The kids were completely enthralled, happy, and not fighting! What a great gift that I almost didn't take advantage of! We were out at least a half hour; maybe longer. I'm not sure how long it took to get those snowsuits on.

Now we're back inside, toasty warm. And guess what? The kids are arguing! Doesn't that just figure??

This week's happenings

This week on January 22, Danielle turned 23 months old. It is exciting to see all the new things she can do. At the same time, I am sad to be losing my baby. I have been cleaning out all the baby items from our house: bottles, bottle warmer, crib mobile, baby food processor - it all has to go! Our home is cozy and we don't have room to store all of our memories. I do have tons and tons of photos. If only I could find more time to scrapbook....

Anyway, January 22 was a fairly warm day so we headed out to what Joey refers to as "Goo Park". In the spring, the cottonwood trees leave sappy stuff all over the playground equipment, so because of the "goo", we now call this place "Goo Park". Dani went down the big slide all by herself. Joey was close behind her going up to the slide to make sure she didn't fall.

Also this week, Dani and I took a trip to the mall. She fell in love with the Elmo underwear. Dani loves Elmo. She uses the potty sporadically right now. I have been telling her that she will be a big girl when she learns to use the potty. She decided to wear her Elmo underwear right away when she got home. As you can see, it makes a great hat!

Yesterday, it snowed. Not much but one time the snow started coming down pretty good. The kids just HAD to get out in it for a few minutes. Joey grabbed a dump truck to push around. Dani decided to try and catch snowflakes on her tongue. In case you're wondering, yes, my children do own gloves. They just opt not to wear them. Plus, they were only going out for about five minutes. It is really supposed to snow later today. We are expecting 3 - 7" the last I heard. I would rather it be 80 and sunny, but the kids do enjoy the snow, so we'll get our snowsuits on tomorrow and go out to play IF the snow really does come.

Last evening (Sunday) we took a trip to the Magic House. It was a private event fundraiser for the preschool where Joey currently goes one day a week. It was so nice. Not overly crowded. The kids could actually try out all the different activities. We have been going to the Magic House every year around this time, so we always have our picture taken in front of the big wall of Skittles. Then, Dani and I really got wild and tried out the electromagnetic ball. Doesn't our hair look great?

Those of you who have known me a long time (like in my college days) know that I always wanted my hair to stand up like this but it never did. Finally! I got the punk look I always wanted!

Here's hoping everyone keeps warm in all the nasty weather that is supposed to be heading our way this evening. Will post snow photos as soon as we get the big storm!

An update for Aunt Charlotte

This post is especially for my lovely Aunt Charlotte who lets me know whenever I see her that I just don't update my blog often enough (unlike some of my cousins...).

Being a stay at home mom, I don't know why I cannot find the time to update more often; I am here all day just watching TV and eating chocolate, right? WRONG! So wrong!

We started a new schedule at the beginning of 2009 and the kids and I are still trying to adjust! We were so used to leisurely mornings,and now we have places to be at least three, sometimes four mornings a week. I know, don't you all feel sorry for us? This is quite a change for me as it means my babies are growing up and have lessons and activities.

So our schedule is now like this:

Monday morning - gymnastics (both kids)

Tuesday morning - swimming lessons (Joey)

Wednesday - usually a free day HOORAY!

Thursday morning - MOPS (mothers of preschoolers)every other week

Friday morning - preschool (Joey)

Let me just say that I am not good at change! This is our third week into our new routine. It is certainly better than the first two weeks that were filled with morning tantrums trying to get everyone out the door.

My favorite incident: I needed to put stuff in the car and warm it up, so the kids stayed in the house. Dani was having a HUGE fit! When I came back inside to get the kids, Joey tells me that he had told Dani to be quiet and she hit him. I told him that was terrible! Joeys says, "So I told her, 'Danielle, in this family, we don't hit! So I hit her back!" All I could do was laugh. He has the basic concept but the urges of a four year old to reciprocate in kind. No harm done and we were soon on our way!

So, let's see. Here are some recent photos. The first is Dani and her Godmother (and cousin)Claire. We went shopping one day when Claire was home from college on Christmas break.

The next photo is Dani with one of her favorite characters, Bob the Builder. Hey, if anyone sees any Bob the Builder stuff let me know. All I can find these days is Handy Manny, which my kids don't watch. When Joey was little, we had a lot of Bob the Builder clothing, shoes, etc. I gave them away when he outgrew them and now I am kicking myself because Dani loves Bob!

Here is a photo of Joey at his first swimming lesson. Joey is standing on the right side waiting his turn to go in. It is taken through glass so it is not that good. Parents aren't allowed on the swim deck during class. I am so proud of him. Yesterday was his third lesson and he was jumping into the deep end, going under, bobbing back up all by himself. His class is three kids and one teacher. They do not use swim belts or life jackets. Yesterday, his class spent a lot of time just jumping in the pool and going under. I do not like to go under water, so I am glad that he is learning how to do this and will not fear it like I do.

Finally, a big step for Mommy. Dani got her first hair trim. She had lots of wispy little hairs everywhere that would not stay put and she was starting to look like she had clown hair. I took Joey to get his hair trimmed (he did not want it cut short, says it keeps his head warm!). While we were there, I asked Dani if she would also like to get her hair cut, and she said yes. So here she is with our stylist, Carol. Dani just sat there and didn't move. Don't you just love the pacifier in Dani's mouth?

We hope all of you and your families are doing well. Keep in touch! We love hearing from everyone.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I find it hard to believe that the holidays have come and gone for another year!

Joey and Dani are lucky kids in that they got to open presents THREE times; once on Christmas Eve with the Marchand clan, Christmas morning when Santa came, and Christmas afternoon at Grandma and Grandpa's house (my parents).

Here are some photos of Christmas Eve with Mike's family:

Danielle checking to see if Uncle Rick has all his teeth. He had just checked her mouth to see how many teeth she had!

Dani cuddling with Aunt Cheryl and Joey cuddling with Aunt Kathy

Joey and cousin Brett

Christmas morning, Mike and I woke our kids up (yes, you read that right!). Joey and Dani are NOT early risers, usually they sleep until 8 a.m. every morning. But, we had lots to do and places to go, so we got them up at the unheard of hour of 7 a.m. Mike and I were excited that Santa came and wanted to see the looks of joy and excitement on our kids' faces. Here they are sitting under the tree right after we got them out of bed.

Some of the presents that Santa brought were a monster truck, pinball game, fishing pole, Cars matching game for Joey; a baby doll, doll stroller, Bob the Builder tool belt for Dani.

Santa brought me a new waffle maker and Mike got a new coffee maker!

After opening gifts, we got in the car and headed to my Aunt Charlotte's house for the annual family Christmas gathering. My dad has a large family and it is always fun to go and see aunts, uncles, cousins, and meet all the new babies! We have a gift exchange there; a "rob your neighbor" kind of game where you never know what gift you will come home with. A lot of the gifts are homemade (okay, so this year, I contributed a non-crafted fiber optic Moose!) One of the most wanted gifts is Aunt Wanda's quilt. Every year, Aunt Wanda makes a quilt for the gift exchange. This year, I came home with it! For all of you that were at the exchange, and did not come home with it, here it is on my bed and it sure is warm and comfy!

After the family party, we went to my parents' house where the kids (and Mike and I) received more gifts!

Grandparents are wonderful! This is where Joey and Dani received the gifts that they were most wanting.

For Joey, an electric train and Dani got the "bike" (tricycle) that she has been requesting since before Thanksgiving!

Danielle had more fun than she could stand for the day, (no naps!) and ended up cuddling on the couch with Grandma.

Mike had the entire week off work -he goes back tomorrow :( and it was a fun time for all of us.

New Year's Eve was spent at home eating popcorn and ice cream! What a celebration! The kids were in bed by 8:30 and Mike made it til 11:00 and I made it til 11:30, so none of us were up to ring in the New Year. Now, to start working on those New Year's resolutions, which I will tell you all about another time...