Christmas Around Michigan

We returned to Royal Oak yesterday after a fun-filled five days traveling around the state visiting family. We began in St. Joseph where we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day with Aron's family. Russell and Sloane had a ball hanging out at Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy's house for Christmas Eve. Their favorite event was chasing cousin Laura's cat around the house. Luckily, the cat also loved this event and teased and taunted the kids into several games of hide-and-seek! Christmas day was spent at Grammy Carlson's house where the kids awoke to find plenty of gifts left by Santa Claus. I don't think they will need another toy until next Christmas!!! Russell and Sloane gave Aron and I a wonderful gift of sleeping in! Would you believe that they did not wake up until 8:00 a.m.!!! Maybe we should purchase a cat for them to chase...seems it did the trick to exhaust all their bundled up Christmas energy! Both kids spent the rest of Christmas day playing with their new toys while the adults were in the kitchen preparing a delicious dinner. It was a glorious day!!! On Saturday, we hopped in the car and headed north to spend two days with my family. The kids arrived at Grammy and Papa's and quickly realized that Santa left full stockings at their house too! So...another round of gift-giving took place. We also had the opportunity to spend some time outdoors in the snow. Since we did not have snow when we left home, the kids were thrilled with the idea of playing in the cold white stuff! Russell had fun riding snowmobiles with Uncle Keith while Sloane enjoyed leisurely rides on the sled. We are truly blessed!!! What a wonderful Christmas filled with loads of memory making! Now that we are home, the kids continue to find lots of uses for their new toys while I am enjoying catching up on some "me" time! I posted a digital scrapbook below for everyone to view our memory making!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas Starts Early!

Russell and Sloane were treated with a few surprises this week. On Thursday, Santa visited daycare and presented each child with a present. They were very excited and thankful for their new toy, but a bit confused as to why Santa didn't give them the gift they asked him for when visiting him last week. I carefully explained that it wasn't Christmas yet and Santa was still working hard checking his list before bringing children their favorite gift. However, Santa knows which toys they will have fun with and he chose carefully when passing out the gifts. Both kids were pleased with this explanation and went to bed that night sleeping with their new toy. Oh how fun Christmas morning will be!!!

On Saturday, my parents arrived! Aron and I had a Christmas party to attend so my parents were gracious enough to drive down to babysit! They also brought PRESENTS!!! Since we won't have enough room in our car to bring back all the gifts after Christmas, they decided to treat the kids to early gift giving. Russell was thrilled with his new art center while Sloane was delighted with a table and chair set along with dishes for her make believe fun! Aron and I were also beyond thrilled with the opportunity to get out for the night!!! Yippeeeee!!! We had a marvelous time catching up with old friends and sipping some excellent cocktails! Thank you Mom and Dad for spoiling us all!!!!!!!

Russell gets his gift from Santa...a Buzz Light Year figure.

Sloane thanks Santa for her new Dora toy.Waiting for Grammy and Papa to arrive. "Mom, how many more minutes?"

Presents!!!

Sloane plays "tea party" at her new table.

Russell is busy with his new art center.

Russell graciously lets Sloane have a turn at the art center.

Memories, Tears, Laughter, and Family

Following Russell's Christmas musical Wednesday evening, we hopped into our already packed car and headed across the state to St. Joseph. We needed to arrive there by Thursday in order to attend Aunt Karen's visitation and funeral. Unfortunately the weather changed from cold, to rain, to snow, to wind, to BLIZZARD! Although the drive was frightening, we arrived safely in St. Jo at midnight! It was a whirlwind weekend. Thursday and Friday were extremely emotional days. We shared our memories, had many laughs, and said our tearful goodbyes. Aunt Karen will live on through all of her nieces and nephews!!!

On Saturday, Aron and I decided to take the kids downtown St. Jo to visit with Santa and check out the gorgeous light display along the bluff of Lake Michigan. We ended up meeting up with an old friend of Aron's and having dinner with his family. Our kids got along great and we all had fun eating pizza and catching up! We are back home now...tired, cranky, and NOT ready for Monday!!! 7 more school days until Christmas Break! Yeah!!!

The Grinch was downtown St. Jo!

So was Elvis!!!

Knock, knock, Santa! Can we come in?

Have you been a good little boy this year?

How about you? Have you been a good girl?

Frosty lives on!!!

Sounds of the Season Fill the Air

Russell's school Christmas musical was Wednesday night. He was so excited and woke up Wednesday morning full of energy for the fun day ahead of him. He was so cute and he did such a nice job singing the songs. Afterward we gathered with other parents for a reception. It was nice to see Russell playing with the friends he talks about so often and even nicer to meet their parents. I can't believe how fast these kids grow up!!!

Ice cream, lights, and OATMEAL!

Yes, a strange title you might say... I have been home alone with the kids this weekend which is always a cause for some excitement in our home. How two small beings can cause so much mischief is beyond my understanding.

Ice Cream: Yesterday we were busy with soccer games, cleaning, and sorting old pictures. After awaking from his afternoon nap, Russell announced that he wanted to go to the ice cream shop for Superman ice cream. I still don't know where this idea came from, but after quickly considering the idea, I agreed that we could go for ice cream if both kids finished all their dinner. Well, that was easy enough! After both plates were licked clean, I packed the kids (and dog) into the car and headed for Royal Oak's famous Ray's Old Fashion Ice Cream Parlor. The entire drive I kept telling the kids that it may be closed considering the bitter 29 degree temperature and lack of costumers wanting to freeze their insides to go along with their outsides. Well strike me down wrong, the place was PACKED!!! Ray's really must be famous! The kids thoroughly enjoyed their Superman cones and happily jumped back into the car.

Lights: Now, we were driving in search of the BEST light display. We found it! There is a house in Royal Oak that every year is lit up beyond words can describe. If you are ever in the area, you must drive by 12 Mile Rd. and Washington Avenue because it is FABULOUS! I parked the car and let the kids walk the block so they could take in every Santa, toy soldier, angel, caroler, baby Jesus, and more... After returning home, the kids melted into bed with bellies full of ice cream and minds full of holiday wonder. I did not have my camera, but will be heading back there soon to snap some photos.

Oatmeal: Sunday morning arrived...I am usually at yoga, but with Aron gone I had to decide what to do today to keep the kids busy and OUT of trouble. Crafts! I set up the card table in the basement pulled out paint, googly eyes, q-tips, glitter, and markers. The kids were overjoyed and followed all of my instructions perfectly. I can't tell you what we made because some of you will be receiving these masterpieces as Christmas gifts :-) As our paint was drying and I was adding details to their artwork, the kids were busy playing in the basement playroom. I became so engrossed in the artwork that I did not notice Russell and Sloane's disappearing act into our pantry. Hmmmm...I began to think that it was a little too quiet in our never quiet home. I opened the pantry to find OATMEAL scattered EVERYWHERE!!! Russell jumped up and yelled, "I'm sorry Mom! It was an accident. Sloanie wanted to see what was inside. I was just showing her and then..." I took a deep breath, closed the door, waited ten seconds, opened the door and calmly asked the two rug rats to go get the broom and dust pan. I have never seen them run up the stairs so fast! They returned quickly and helped me clean up the mess until every last morsel had vanished. Whoosh...let's cross our fingers that I don't find paint all over the basement later!!!


I can't wait to have Aron home again!!! We miss you daddy!!!

Check out Aron's handy work!!! Doesn't our house look great!

Joy to the World!

I have so many thoughts and emotions going through my mind today. I am thankful for my beautiful and well-spirited children and blessed for a supportive and caring husband, however sadness looms around our home. Aron's Aunt Karen is not doing well. She is at home in the comfort and care of her family (including Aron). The kids and I spent time today praying for Auntie Karen, talking about our fun with her at the beach this summer, and digging through family photos where Karen is holding, playing, and caring for all of us. She is such a dear part of our lives. She was at Aron's side during some of the most difficult moments of his life. Now he is with her. Caring for her and supporting her through her most difficult time. I focus now on the positive...Karen's energy for life, love for the beach, and devotion to her family. She is in my mind today and will be in our hearts forever! A teacher once told me about how his father wanted the song Joy to the World to be played at his funeral. His father wanted those who loved him to celebrate life and the happiness that the Lord has brought to all of us. So as my beloved children sleep, I sit here now with Christmas music in the background while I hum; Joy to the World! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.