Snow, Snow and More Snow

No new posts because there hasn't been much going on. It has been snowing a lot and we don't get out much. One day last week I went to help my friend Phia out with a couple of things. When her kids got home from school they wanted to take my kids out in the snow. Not a problem. Well I ended out there with them, not dressed for it at all. But the kids had a good time while they were out there. Megan was pulling them through all the snow in her backyard. Thats not an easy feat. Its at least 60 lbs. It looks like they were enjoying it.

On the way back, Elsie walked with much help. This is Megan trying to help her.
Reid and Nicholas heading down a little hill.

So on the weekend, Uncle Rick came to stay for a couple of days after their sales meeting. Daddy and Rick decided to take them sledding(or tobogganing as we say in Canada). Fortunately the old owners of our house left this oldschool toboggan. It worked perfectly. Here they are getting ready to go. You can't tell from the pics, but it was sooooo cold out there. The wind was really bad. We only ended up doing a couple of runs and heading home. I think the kids liked it though. There were no tears.

I almost missed them in this shot. I love this pic. Elsie has her hands covering her eyes. Rob is trying desperately to steer, Reid is just hanging out and Rick is being a ham, waving.

Here they go, coming from the top.

The pull up the hill is the worst part.

There they are, way down at the bottom.

Today it was actually in the 40's. A whole lot of melting was going on today. Its probably good that we took the kids. I hope that we don't get too much more snow.

Where have I been???????

No excuses from me, just a few new pics to catch you up on the last month.

This was as close as the kids would get to Santa this year. We saw him twice. This was the 2nd visit so they were getting a little more used to him. Elsie wouldn't get any closer at all. Reid actually talked to him, pointed at him and touched him on the nose and then said "nose". Yes Reid, Santa has a nose just like you do. This picture was from our local multiples Christmas party. Don't ask me why this is underlining everything. Can't figure it out, so bear with it. Read around the lines. We went to Nana and Papa's in Canada the weekend before Christmas. This was an attempt to get Nana a picture of her 3 grandchildren together. Not much co-operation here.

It snowed a lot while we were there. We bundled everyone up and took them outside for some fun. I was still hobbling with my broken, healing foot, so Mom got to pull the kids around. The guys were cleaning the driveway.

I think we need to get a bigger sled.

We made it back home after the roads opened at my moms place. We were able to spend Christmas at home with us and the kids. We had a few small gifts to open on Christmas day from us and Santa. It was a nice relaxing day.

On Boxing day we headed to SouthBend to see the other half of the family. Here is a great shot of Aunt Sarah(formerly Aunt RaRa) and the kids. They love their Aunt Sarah. She worked hard to get them to say her name first over anyone else and it worked. Now this weekend, they wouldn't stop saying it. Everytime she walked in the room she was announced. Everytime she left, we had to look for her. It was cute at first. Annoying by the time we left.

So you spend all the money on toys and gifts, and of course as usual, they play in the boxes.

Elsie's turn. Thats something that I am hearing often these days. Reid turn, Elsie's turn. They are learning to share and take turns. Not all the time, but most of the time.

We were able to leave for a day and head into Chicago. (thank you gramma) The kids stayed with Gramma overnight. We went to see the Winter Classic Hockey Game at Wrigley Field. We didn't have tickets, we just went and hung out at a bar with some friends of Rob's from work. It was a lot of fun. Thankfully Detroit won since I wore my jersey.

One of our favorite things these days is trains. Aunt Lisa got Reid his first starter kit for his birthday and then they got more for Christmas. We have a table set up in the basement. Its great that I can just send them down there to play now. They are getting so grown up.

Things are getting back to normal around here now. I am back to work finally. My foot actually feels pretty good. I did my first 12 hr day and it went pretty well. The kids are back to their gymnastics class, playgroup and a storytime at the library. I figure if we have activities planned for 3 out of 5 days of the week it will keep us busy. Then on the weekends we can find things to do together as a family. I think its going to be a long winter with the freezing temps we had this week and all the snow we have.

Our First Real Christmas Tree

The last time that I had a real tree I think I was maybe 10 or so. Probably younger, mom would be able to tell you. Rob really wanted a real tree. We actually haven't had a tree at all for the last few years. Rob had to go out on his own and get it since I am still disabled. He took Reid with him and went out. He ended up at Lowe's getting one. It was really hard to pick out the tree on his own with Reid with him, but I think he did a great job.

Here are the kids sitting in front of the tree before it was decorated. The kids are very excited to come downstairs everyday and turn the lights on. So far we have no broken ornaments. We have the tree in our front room and it is gated so we can keep the kids out. They can gaze at it from the kitchen.

I put all unbreakable ornaments on the bottom of the tree. Here they are sitting in front of the tree posing and yelling Merry Christmas. This year will be fun!!

Thanksgiving Pics

Life is better here. I no longer am using crutches. I still have my big old walking cast/boot but at least I can walk. I am just taking it easy, so I'm still not getting out much. Rob was able to go out of town for work this week though and we are here by ourselves so things are getting easier.

These are a few pics that we took with Aunt Sarah's camera in SouthBend on Thanksgiving. It was a little cool, but we were still able to get outside for a bit. We finally got some snow here in MI over the weekend but it is raining today, so it is all gone.

Here we are at the park. GG, Elsie, Gramma, Reid and Mommy. Aunt JoAn was with us, but took the picture. Getting ready to go down the slide.

Who needs play equipment when you can crawl around on the ground???

Playing Peek!!!

Waiting for Christmas

It has been too long since I posted. I have an excuse once again. It is really hard to take pictures or carry a camera when you are hobbling around on crutches. I go to the DR tomorrow and I really hope to come out of there walking without the crutches. I'll let you know.

We spent Thanksgiving in Indiana. It was a good couple of days and its always fun to see family. This year I got to sit back and watch everyone else do the work. I made up for it by pulling up a stool in the kitchen and drying all of the dishes. I didn't do much shopping this year. I went out to Michaels in the morning and that was enough for me. After supper we went to Target so I could ride around in one of the carts. We had actually gone to Meijer the day before and Rob was dying to get a picture of me on the little cart. No such luck. Nobody had a camera and he left his phone in the car. Oh well. Hopefully those days are over. Nana bought the kids Santa hats at the dollar store. They love wearing them.

They are getting so big. Christmas this year is going to be fun!!!

We are going to go into family withdrawl after tomorrow. We don't have anyone lined up to be here with us. We have had family here or been at their house for the past month. Christmas will be here soon enough.

Recuperating

Just in case anyone is wondering, this is how my recovery is going. I am attempting to sit on the couch with my foot up, but it is difficult with 2 kids and books. They don't want to be anywhere else but there. Oh well, at least I know they love me.

Oh and this picture is about 1 hr after we got home, so I still look a little drugged here.

Belated Happy Halloween and Happy Birthday to Me.

So it has been a busy 2 weeks. We had 3 Halloween events. First we dressed up for storytime at the library on the Monday of that week. That was a pretty mellow party. Then we dressed up for our playgroup on Wed. Reid was just the cutest lion you have ever seen. He wouldn't let you take his hat off. Elsie was Elmo and her hat was off as much as it was on. I think they liked their costumes and had fun at their party.

Reid as the lion.Elsie as Elmo.
Putting puzzles together at playgroup.

Storytime at playgroup. Our leader is Maggie. They were hot by then, so the hats were off. They really like story time, but they also know now that if they sit still and listen to a story that they get a snack afterwards. Snacktime is their favorite part of the morning I think.

On Halloween night we dressed the kids up and went trick or treating to just a couple of neighbours. Then our neighbours across the street came over and we put the fire pit in the driveway and ordered pizza, had some drinks and handed out candy. The kids had a great time. Reid was scared of the big kids with the scary masks on but nothing seemed to bother Elsie.

This is the 4 of us posing in front of the fire. It was a beautiful night, we almost didn't need a fire to keep us warm. It was perfect.

This was our first attempt at jack o lanterns. Rob of course did the scary one, I did the cat. I think I caught Reid about to take the lids off and get into some trouble.

On the Sunday after Halloween it was my birthday. On Saturday I got my big gift. I went out for the afternoon and had a pedicure and a massage. It was wonderful. A very relaxing afternoon. On Saturday night we were heading across the street to the neighbours to watch a movie in the backyard.(I have to get a picture of this to post on here)It is their tradition to watch a christmas movie in the backyard the weekend after Halloween. Everyone wears a santa hat and sits in the yard. But on the way over, I missed the step coming off the front porch and I thought I sprained my foot. I still hobbled over and we watched the movie. On Sunday morning the kids had cards and a gift for me. Some pumpkin halloween lights that we can hang on the porch next year.

Here are the three of us. As you can see I was still icing my foot because it was still really sore. Well later that day I went and had xrays done, and it is broken. In 2 spots. So be thinking of me tomorrow while I am in surgery getting some screws placed. What a birthday present I gave myself, 7 weeks off work.