I'm Back.....

So as I was logging on I said to Jordyn, "I don't think I have done a blog since mid November." Then I open it up and see it was October 9th. For goodness sake--thank you for sticking with me and continuing to see if we are alive. We are and are all doing well. We had a wonderful holiday season and are diving into 2010 busy as ever.

Once again I have no clue where to start. So, I think we will finish you up on 2009 with a few thoughts and then gradually head into 2010. Unfortunalety we ended 2009 wih 2 loses. On the Tuesday before Christmas, Ken's grandmother passed away. We were all very sad to lose her but her last few months had been very difficult. We hope she has found peace and remember her with a smile on our faces.

We also lost Rahja at the ripe old age of 14. She was Ken and my first attempt at parenting and we all miss her. The house just seems a little empty without her. Every once in a while I think I hear her collar jingling.


We had a wonderful Christmas break with family and friends. I will admit it was a little crazy: Ken and Craig took the kids skiing from the 20-22nd, Ken's grandma's funeral was on the 22nd so to Oshkosh and back home we go. Back to Oshkosh on the 24th for the Ellis Christmas. Then to Green Bay for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning afternoon at my parents. Then back to our house picking up Ken's mom and brother's family for Christmas at our house. Bowling and fun with cousins on the 26th, a Basketball tournament on the 27th, a day of rest on the 28th (actually Ken worked in the basement, I packed and tried to get the house in some kind of order) and then off to KC from the 29th to the 2nd. On Saturday the 2nd, we left KC at 9am and drove to Madison so Jake could play in the last 2 games of his tournament at 6 and 7pm. Then home to dump the stuff in the house and climb into bed. Off to work on Monday. Whew Whew... When is our next vacation. Here are a few clips to show you just how much fun we had... This is our trip home--from KC


Through the break we all played hard. The next few entries will show you how much fun we had. Thanks for checking back in.

Christmas Fun

As we headed into the holiday season, things get so crazy. But not so crazy that we forget how much our family means to us. This year was a tough year. We lost my granny, Ken's grandma and my brother-in-laws grandpa. They were always on our minds--bringing us tears and also laughter as we remembered them. But as we hear the sound of laughter, we are reminded what Christmas is about--love and family. We had lots of that this Christmas. My sister's family made it home despite the winter storm and Ken's brother's family made it home from Kentucky.
Jake was excited to see that he was almost taller than Auntie Angie--if we look really close, I think he might have passed her.
Jordyn was excited to get Wii Fit and Ethan was just happy to hang with Jake.

Jake has always like to cuddle with Grandma and Jackson just wanted to see if Uncle Craig got something for him.

We headed to do WI's favorite passtime on the 26th with Ken's brother's family. The battle between the Ellis'. It was fun to spend time with them. It has been too long.

We then regrouped and headed to Clinton and KC Missouri. Read on my friend :)

Winter fun in Clinton, Missouri

So we are off to spend New Year's in Missouri. Well this year we had to change our route. Some of you may remember that my sister's family moved to Clinton, Missouri. This is about 1 hour and 15 minutes from KC. So we waved as we passed familiar places and headed on down to the Heck family home. But we did have to laugh as we noticed that they had more snow than we did in Wisconsin. The kids had a blast playing in the snow and having a sleep over. Then we were even more excited to play in the new fallen 4 inches of snow in the morning. The snow just hung on the trees and it was perfect snowman building weather. Jake so wanted Uncle Rick to get out the snowblower but he didn't--we all helped shovel and played along the way.



Jake couldn't resist just giving Ethan a little push--and over he went. We all had fun playing the old fashion way.


After a fun 24 hours at my sister's home, we were saying good-bye and heading back up to Kansas City. It wasn't so hard to say good-bye because they would be coming to the big city to bring in the New Year with us.

Friends Just Make You Smile

So on the 30th we were all packed back up and headed North. The kids were so excited to see our friends in Kansas City and I will admit--So was I. I had not seen them since our trip to Cabo and the kids hadn't seen each other since our trip in June. Jordyn needed a Lydia fix!! She had been surrounded by boys since December 26th was on testosterone overload. It seemed that all the kids disappeared the moment we got there. They were inseperable. Jake and Landon hung out and played their new games, Jordyn and Lydia did their girl things, Jackson floated between the two and Elaina was sad because she had to work. The adults went out for dinner that Wednesday night as we had done the year before. What a wonderful evening we had. Several of us got a little crazy--I won't name names. It is great to have friends that even when you don't see each other for 6 months,you can pick right back up and feel right at home.

So it is New Years Eve Day. I head off to have a lunch with my wonderful friend Donna. Time flies and before we know it, our quick lunch is 2 1/2 hours long. There was never a pause in our chat as we filled each other in on our busy lives and enjoyed each others company. I was so in need for a nap that day, but I didn't want to let a moment of our time with friends to go to waste. Jeff and Vickie and Dwight and Phyllis opened their home and welcomed my sister's family this year. Family and friends--it doesn't get any better.

The evening was spent at the Parker home. Jeff and Vickie have always gone to Vickie's sister's house, so they came and started the evening with us and then headed out. Again, the laughter filled the house. Wine bottles were opened, the captain was served, the kids drank fancy drinks and yummy smells filled the air.

(more pics to be added later)