Winter Fun

As we headed into February, the pond became the place for the kids to hang-out. Ice skating and hockey became the pass the time of choice. When we took the Christmas lights down, we decided it would be fun to put them up around the ice skating rink. The hours the kids spent on the ice were incredible. There were no major injuries and that is even more incredible considering sharp blades, hockey sticks, pucks and lots of kids. There were kids vs. adult hockey games, skates vs. boots and whatever other combination the kids came up with. It is great to see kids out exercising without even knowing it. As they skated, layers were often shed and food was needed to refuel. Ken was often called upon to drill holes so they could go ice fishing--considering he had 2 knee surgeries the kids knew ice skating wasn't really an option. Who knew a silly old pond could be so much fun!!

A New Chapter

This Wednesday marked a new chapter in my life. I will give you a preface on how this chapter developed. About 6 months before our chaos began, I said to Ken, "For the first time in my career, I feel like both of us working is detrimental to our family." Our valuable family time was spent playing catch up. We were not enjoying our kids they way we should--Don't get me wrong--we loved the baseball and basketball, the dance and everything we were running to. But that was the problem--we were always running and we were not able to enjoy the little family time we had.

So, when Ken accepted the job with Oshkosh Corporation, we decided to make some changes in our lives. I am going to stay home to try to make everyone's lives a little less stressful, make sure the kids are adjusting ok, and continue to get our house in order. Our house looks fairly put together on the surface, but please don't open too many closets or go in the basement.

As I start this new phase, it take some time for me to adjust as well. I will hopefully have time for exercising a little and keeping you up to date on Ellis lives. My last post was in February and soooooo much has happened. Thank you for your patience--It is good to be back.

The New Furball

We have added a new member to the Ellis house. Jordyn did researched and has wanted a critter for quite some time. After listening to her constant chatter, we decided that it was time to take her seriously and begin to think about getting her something that she really wanted. She spends so much time going to Jake's events and she is wonderful with Jackson--she really needed something just for her. The house also seemed a little empty.

So last Wednesday we went to just look. I really had no intention of buying one until March. Well, we got there, and there were 3 of them. One of them was a bit older and 2 were about 8 weeks. She held them both fell in love with them. But, like I said, I had no intention of buying one and we left them there. Well, that is all she talked about the rest of the night. She woke up the next morning saying, "They were so cute Mom.." and she was so right. So during the day on Thursday I called Ken and got the plan in motion. I called Petco and asked if any were left, and the one she really like was the only one left. I asked them to put him on hold and we would said that we would be there that night.

So, we went to Jake's hoops came and then...we were going shopping to find me some jeans. I knew I could get her shop. The shops I wanted to go to just happened to be right by Petco. As hoped and expected she asked, "Mom can we go see the guinea pigs, Please." I said, "Fine, but I don't want to see any tears when we leave." Heartless I know.

We got there and the lady I talked to on the phone happened to be there and played along wonderfully. Jordyn held him and said, "Oh Mom. He is so cute. I wish I could bring him home." And I had to string her along just a bit more and said, "Jor you know what we agreed on." Then she said, "Mom can we come back next week to see if he is still here?" I had to stop it. I said, " I don't think we will need to do that." There was this long pause and she asks, "What do you mean, Mom?" I responded with, "If you already have one, we probably don't need to come back."

The look on her face was priceless and I have tears just typing it. The tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "I can take him home?" It honestly probably has been one of my most favorite moments with my daughter.

For thinking a guinea pig would be boring, the boys have been quite excited to have him home, too. Jake has even agreed to be his sitter while Jor is at dance on Mondays. They get up early in the morning to play with him and are really enjoying him. I think I even saw Ken laying on the floor with him today. It has only been a week, but things are going well and I think Brownie is pretty happy in his new home. I know Jordyn is happy and that makes me smile.

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)