Embracing Michigan

So we decided if you can't beat 'em join 'em.
Since we live in this winter wonderland, we decided to take advantage of the outdoor activity. Some good friends build an ice rink in their back yard every year, and Lucas wanted to learn to skate. So we headed over there today. We borrowed some skates, that were a little big, and he headed out. He took some hard falls, but within 10 minutes was cruising around on his own. He has never put skates on before and I was totally impressed.

Whitney is taking ice skating lessons and has a test tomorrow so she is practicing, or supposed to be at least.

Here she is doing some posing

so Lucas made it from one end of the rink to the other without falling down and doing alot of gliding. He skated for about an hour and when we left he said it was fun and wants to come back.

Next was sledding

So in the continuing effort of embracing the outdoors, we took the kids to this huge hill close by to go sledding. It was about 16 degrees outside, we knew it wouldnt last long. It was a blast, although the hill was packed and you had to watch out. Climbing the hill after your "ride" was the hardest part.

It just plum wore Whitney out, she snuggled up next to Zeke by the fire and was out.

Dear Friends

Whitney, Makayla, Lauren and Riley (the lone stud)

A new tradition that we started is visiting with our oldest friends from Brownsburg when we are in Indy after Christmas. The moms of these kids, I met when Whitney was less than a month old. We started our own playgroup, babysat each others kids, cooked together, etc. Then moved on to second kids and helped raise them up also. I however, stopped there, the rest all had thirds and in one case, she ended up with twins. My good friend Dana is so kind when I am in town, b/c we pretty much invite ourselves over. Tough in the winter with 12 kids in your house, but so fun to see them all just fall back into hanging out even though they rarely see each other.

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.