New Years Eve, Happy 09

We spent New Years Eve with family. Actually alot of extended family that we havent seen in quite awhile.

Elee, opening a cracker. Here Whitney and her cousin (well technically like 3rd cousin, but to complicated to explain to them) are loving all the confetti. They proceded to put some confetti in every room of her aunt Marcys house. I am sure they are still finding some and thinking "fondly" of New Years Eve.

Lucas and his favorite person in the whole entire world. If you look closely, can you see the resemblence???

whitneys post

I'm so happy ,but sad in a weird way for it to be a snow day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I't is like 25 below zero. Eany way say HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ,to my peeps and also say whats up to my dogz. Oh and one more thing I need money for my birthday to buy new D.S games!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
love, your favorite person Whitney P.S I really need that MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have we turned a corner????

Ok, so everybody has trouble getting their kids to help around the house. Our home is no exception. Chores are like pulling teeth, up until this week.

I asked Whitney to help gather some of the Christmas decorations from around the house so I could put them away. I said get 10 things, she got those 10 and said "Can I keep going?" Me..." Uh, ya, knock your little socks off girl" After 45 minutes, the table was full and I was on my way to a cleaner house. Two days later with our 8 inches of snow, she was voluntarily outside 3 different times during the course of the day, helping John shovel the driveway, clean off his truck and the sidewalk. Never asked for a dime, never complained about being wet or cold. This morning, she took mine and Lucas' "order" for breakfast and helped clean up when it was done.

I did give her a huge tip for breakfast and a big hug.

Oh, it continues, I was cleaning and she asked if there was anything she could clean for me??? Wow!!!

Maybe this will be something new and ongoing, or even if it just lasts this week, I am grateful for the help and the beautiful attitude she brought with it. What a beautiful little light that we have seen shine in her.

Return to school

Yes, life is back to normal with the kids back in school. We have returned to the life of routines, homework and a normal bedtime. This also means that John and I have returned to the gym which we were both missing.
Our Christmas decorations are still up. Ok, we were gone for 4 days, we ran out of time getting some other things done, I am working on it. I have cleaned out the basement and the kids closets and made a huge donation today that they happily picked up for me. Yeah, tax donation and a clean house. I am a happy person.

Happy New Year to all of our friends. I will post some pics as soon as I get home. We are in Indy now, spent the holiday with family.
Saw some old friends, drove by our old house a little sentimental for us although nothing has changed.

New Nephew

JJ and Kate had a son yesterday. After alot of contractions for the last several days and then getting to the hospital only to almost be sent home, the drama finally ended with the speedy delivery of a healthy baby boy. His name is Jackson. A son to carry on the Hannah name. Jj is so proud, as we all are.
I am a little sad I will not meet him in person until April in Florida, but I will take what I can get.
God is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE had a wonderful Holiday this year. My mom and dad came up and stayed for 5 days. We had lots to do decorating cookies, gingerbread houses, Greenfield village. Luckily the weather warmed up for us. The 9 inches of snow made it beautiful to walk around under the moon casting light for us.
We spent Christmas Eve afternoon at church and then went to a friends house for appetizers and drinks afterwards.
The kids were fairly easy to get into bed on Christmas Eve night. (to bad there isn't that incentive every night)
Santa pleased all in our house on Christmas morning. The kids each got new bikes. He new how desperately there were needed. Although there was still lots of snow the kids were excited. Whitney also got her DS that she wanted and Lucas got few new Wii games. This along with tons of other stuff. So many fabulous gifts under the tree.
We had our traditional egg casserole breakfast after opening gifts and then returned to play with everything after eating.
Trish and Gabs drove up Christmas Day afternoon.
More presents and tons of laughter Christmas night. IT is a snowman war between Trish and I on who gets more each year. She has now started something by "stealing" one of my snowmen when she left my house.
Let the games begin sister!!!
We are truly blessed this year. In Michigan, and everywhere where so many families are struggling, we are stable, happy, healthy and loving life. Many blessings to all your families.