Not intentionally ignoring my blog

My dear little Jo cannot seem to get over this cold & fever. I thought she was better this weekend, but alas, on Monday morning, another fever. Maybe she just wanted to stay home - who doesn't??? We had basketball again this weekend & I'm going to download some pics soon. For Christmas, Pete bought me Photoshop, so I can't wait to use it! I hope to start soon, but for some reason, other things are taking priority!! How does that happen?? Ha Ha! I hope everyone has a great week & everyone remains healthy. More from me later....

New word from Josephine

Josephine has everyone in our family wrapped around her finger. Anna & Rosie want to see her first thing and give her so much attention. She is a total Daddy's girl, and she is the best snuggler with me. This morning as she was getting dressed, she picked up a few blocks & said "blocks." Jo only has a few words in her vocabulary that are crystal clear, so now we can add another one. It was so cute!!! One more funny thing that I have to get down on paper (one day when I'm old in my rocking chair, I will find this very entertaining). We were getting our coats on to head out the door, and Jo ran into her room, grabbed her coat & hat, & ran back to us babbling something (probably "ready to go"). It just cracks me up. She doesn't want to miss anything!!

Late night adventures

After we read books, pray & finally kiss the girls off to sleep, it is time to clean up & get ready for the next day (similar to many households, I'm sure!) Last night as I was washing dishes, making lunches, I suddenly found myself wiping down my cabinets. Why I feel the need to do such a task at 9:30pm is unknown! First of all, I had no idea how badly my cabinets needed wiping. In our daily rush, I don't look too closely at my cabinets (only big things catch my attention), but I was looking at them & completely disgusted. I pride myself on being a clean freak yet I had so many little spots of who knows what on my cabinets. That's when I feel like taking everything out of every cabinet & cleaning all night. I refrained & just wiped about 5 of them & decided it could wait until the weekend. That's my goofy update for the day....

Basketball has begun!

The first game of the season and we beat St. Paul (18 - 8)! What a game - I can't believe how many baskets we scored. I am NOT a basketball expert by any means. I almost have no idea of the rules since I never played & don't watch except during March Madness. Rosie played so great and got a basket!!! She had so many rebounds & did some awesome passing. I tried to get some pics, but the gym was very small & I was trying to contain Jo as much as I could. Pete is on call this weekend, so he was at the hospital & missed Rosie's 1st game. He was pretty bummed, but I gave him a play-by-play right after. Next week, we have a super early game at 8am on Saturday. The girls are excited to play again! Go Chargers!

New Year's Eve with the Buelt's

Our neighbor's, Mike & Teresa Buelt, had a very fun party on New Year's Eve. It was just her sister & brother-in-law & their adorable baby, Payton, her parents & us! Actually, Pete took the kids to two parties (3rd grade parents) until 10pm, and then they came over to the Buelt's. They had to see their friends for a bit, and I did not feel like dragging Jo around. I like to keep her on her schedule, and she goes to bed by 7:30. It was not worth it when I could be next door! Anyway, it was wonderful to have a relaxing fun evening with Teresa. She is one of my very good friends and is such a wonderful neighbor & friend to us. She is so good to my kids & is always so understanding when I need help or someone to listen.

On top of it being New Year's Eve, Teresa's birthday is January 1! At midnight, she opened her presents & celebrated 39! I'm right behind you, TT!

Teresa, her dad, Payton & me

Carriage Ride to View Christmas Lights

At the last minute, we decided to go through Tilles Park & view the lights in a carriage. We asked the Gombas' to come with us, and we had a wonderful time. Josephine really was in awe of the lights. Rosie & Gabriella rode in front with the "driver." It was a wonderful post-Christmas activity before we start school & work again. Merry Christmas to all & Happy New Year!

Our good friends, Robert & Tera Gombas. Their daughters, Gabriella & Caroline, are in the same class with Rosie & Anna. We have a lot in common!!

The Christmas Train with Grandpa

I almost forgot one of my favorite evenings before Christmas - watching the kids play with Grandpa's train! It was my grandfather's train, and he gave it to my mom & dad. Dad told me it is 70 years old, and it is in great shape. Anna was the conductor, and Jo was fascinated by it. I love that train & look forward to seeing it every year. Thanks Dad for taking these pics & for letting my kids have fun with the train.

We came over to open presents from my Mom & Dad, and they also watched my kids that day so I could work. They love the attention from them, and of course, we get an awesome meal! Steak plus I did not have to cook or clean up!!!

Anna & Rosie were inundated with American Girl gifts from my mom & dad! If I was still a young girl, I would love it. They got accessories this year - beds, dressers, clothes - all so cute. Josephine really got into opening her gifts too. What a nice evening spent with my parents!