Birthday fun

This little girl turned 3 last week!!!

She started off the day by opening presents, which mostly consisted of things pink and princess themed.

We then went bowling and to her favorite place, McDonald's. It was actually very nice at McDonald's. There were no other kids around so Nate and I sat and watched Dylan and Cassie play for almost 2 hours. I know, that is a bit extreme, but they were happy and being good and Nate and I didn't mind one bit just sitting and watching them play. (the first picture above is her in the slide at McDonald's, in case you were wondering)

The kids LOVED bowling!


We were then going to go see a movie, but since we were at McDonald's so long, we decided to rent a movie and take it home. We rented The Polar Express. I love that movie. We need to buy it. So while the kids watched the movie, Nate and I fixed the Christmas tree and re-decorated it. That is right, we re-decorated it. And why? Because during the night when Nate had fallen asleep on the couch after a late shift, he woke up to it falling down (almost landing on him). It was pretty funny. I woke up early the next morning and came into the living and there were Christmas decorations EVERYWHERE. And pine needles too. And water too. The lights had even fallen off, so we had to put everything back on again. This happened to us 2 years ago as well. We don't have good luck with real trees I guess.

So then we had cake which, as you can see in the next picture, Cassie was very excited for...

(she actually was really excited, just took a bad picture I guess)

And here she is trying to show me how old she is:

(please ignore the laundry room/garage entrance in the background)

And must we forget who else celebrated a birthday this month?...........

If I would have known the camera was going to be out I wouldn't have put my pj's on so early. I just love to be comfortable, that is all.

And what did we do for my birthday? I went shopping ALONE.....oh wait, the baby was with me. But that was okay. She was good. Then we went and found our Christmas tree (which was cold, but really fun) and went out to Applebees for dinner. I think my roommates started the Applebees tradition in college and we have kept it up ever since. I never even really liked the place at first, but we just kept on going and now I really do like it. That's all.

Oh, and then we had ice cream with cake that Nate made and then watched a movie. I think. I can't even remember.

It was a great day. And now I am officially 28. I say officially because for most of the year I have been telling people that I was 28. I don't know why, I just really thought I was 28 already. Dang it, there goes a whole year of my life. I think I will blame in on the fact that I was pregnant most the year.

And now, I think I will surprise Nate and shovel the drive way before he gets home from work tonight. There is so much snow out there right now! (or maybe I will just go to bed)

The Nativity and Breath of Heaven

I am sure most of you have heard this combination of The Nativity and the song Breath of Heaven, by Amy Grant. I watch this numerous amounts of time during the Christmas season because I like it so much! Make sure to turn your volume up because the song makes it extra special! Enjoy.

Winter

I think we are in for a long winter here in Michigan, considering the amount of snow that has already fallen and continues to sit on the ground. I really do love the snow and winter season, however, I am already tired of:

1. - Snotty noses

2. - Static hair

3. - Dry skin

4. - Wet pants and socks from the slushy sidewalks, and

5. - Bundling up and hauling 3 kids everywhere I go

We are all much happier if we just observe from inside. (and go out to play in it once in a while)

Bitter Sweet

Well, we're back from a week with family and what can I say, it was a bitter sweet week. It was so good to see everyone and spend time with them, considering the circumstances. My sister is doing amazingly well and her kids seem to be doing alright too. There will be tough times ahead and I wish I lived closer to be there for them. The funeral was in Las Vegas and it was really good (for a funeral). Lots of funny things were said about Casey. He was a great guy. Then we all caravaned up to Alberta and had a viewing and burial. The burial was the hardest, I think. He was buried next to his little boy, Reggie. I bet those two are having a ball up in heaven right now.

We had so many family members crammed into my parents home, and that is how we like it. All my siblings and their families, plus some of my uncles and all their kids. So much fun.

3 things always happen when we go home and spend time with family:

1.- We stay up WAY too late.

2. - We eat WAY too much food.

3. - We laugh WAY too hard.

Such good times. It is always hard to say goodbye and come back to Saginaw. I do like it here, but I am getting anxious to be closer to family. I feel so useless during times like this and wish I could be closer. But last week was the perfect dosage of family to get us through Christmas and the next few months.

And the only photos taken during the week...

Claire and her cute little cousin Morgan.

We managed to squeeze in a Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday before most people took off. Dylan must have been starving because he was guarding that ham like a hawk. (Yes, we had turkey too)

We took a red-eye flight home at midnight on Sunday and I couldn't sleep a wink. There were some Hutterites (like Amish people) sitting right behind me that had never flown before and they wouldn't stop yelling across the isle to each other. And the blasted guy that was snoring in front of us is another story.