Nick's Farewell

We had a small gathering of Matt's family for Nick's farewell as my family had spent the weekend at the waterpark as our last moments with Nick. We mostly just hung out, ate great food and talked. We did take the opportunity to celebrate Brooke's b-day with extended family as it is only a few days away. Nick spent a lot of time torturing his cousins with tickling and wrestling. They all wanted to get in as much as possible as this is always something they really look forward to and will miss a great deal.

Wilderness Resort

We went to the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells for a little get away as a family before Nick left. Uncle Judd and Nanny Jen, Grandma Gretchen, Andi, Jimmy and Brooke, our family and Kelsey. It was a great weekend. Lots of relaxing, playing games, swimming, sitting by the pool. It was good to get away from the "normal" routine and just focus on enjoying one another's company. Good memories stored.

Nick's 21rst Birthday

His own cherry pie, corned beef, carrots, new potatoes, soda bread were amongst the items Nick requested for his last birthday at home for two years.  He said if I kept saying that people would think he was on death row or something.  Since corned beef is his favorite, Nick did find a way to trick me into making it twice in one week.  I didn't even realize it until it was already cooking and too late to go back.

The Girls and Grandma Gretchen

All three girls just love spending time with Grandma Gretchen. The only problem we ever have is when I get to spend time with her as they usually steal her away the very second she walks in the door.

Playing in the Snow is so FUN

The best time to play in the snow is when it is fresh and Daddy is shoveling as he piles it on top of us!

Update #2

After reading my blog Andi discovered a very important update that I missed.  Andrea, Jimmy and Brooklyn bought their own house and moved out of our basement in July 09.  They live about 1/2 hour a way.  It is nice to have them so close and they have made their house so cute - it fits them perfectly.

Christmas morning

We were home again on Christmas morning this year.  It was really nice to have the whole day together to open presents and then actually have a chance to play with them.  Nick thought the girls start time of 7-7:30 am was much too early and took most of the am to wake up completely.  Elizabeth and Cierra both were excited to get American Dolls - Kirsten and Addy (respectively).  Rylee was just happy.  Their favorite present however, hands down, was a homemade blanket from Nick.  He made them huge fleece blankets to wrap themselved in and to help comfort them while he is gone on his mission.  They didn't let them out of their sight for the first 3 days and still now they are never far behind. 

Christmas with family

Grandma & Grandpa

Jimmy and Brooklyn

Matt and James

many of the cousins

Uncle Greg, Nick, Dana & Rylee

Elizabeth

Grandma Gretchen, Uncle Judd and Nanny Jen

As it turned out we had 3 Christmases at our house this year. The first with was my family, then Matt's and then our own. Could not feel more blessed. A great time with all.
I don't have the greatest pics but am trying to stay up on the blog so until I get with Andrea and raid her camera it is what it is.