Friday, December 31, 2010

Celebrate Life

Connor was born one year ago today

Now he was walking around at his first birthday party
My sister Sheri asked that I bring my Wishes for her Connor Shawn as he marked the 1st year of his life.
"Wishing lanterns will hold your hopes, dreams and wishes For Connor as he moves on to the second year of his life.

The joy that Connor has brought into our lives and Souls and continues to amaze us with his strength and drive to overcome being born with CHD.

Come be with us on this special day!!!!!!" I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

On Christmas Day in the Mornin'...


...before...
 

...during...










...after...


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Post Christmas

(Christmas did come to our house this year)
It came and went so quickly I didn't even have time to post about it - but I will. Never fear. I will tell all about it in a Post Christmas-post. Stay tuned...

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Pre-Christmas Activities

...Christmas has sped by this year...

...so before I forget about everything that took place, like Markus and Max singing at school...


...or all the games we played...
...while friends were over to play...

...and the dozens of cookies made and delivered...

...the pre-christmas eve scrimmage games...

...played against some of the coaches...

...and the boys...


...and the shinny games played at sleepovers...
...I thought I better post about them. So there you have it, in a nutshell.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Old-Fashioned Family Christmas








Almost all of us sisters: Marilee, Lara, B, Sheri & Monet (we missed you Darlin!)

My mom was teaching Todd's daughter Keely how to skate as well.



As old-fashioned as it sounds, the best part about Christmas isn't the presents, I believe it is getting together with family and having a fun time together. Since Monet sent out an email asking everyone to vote on whether they wanted to draw names this year or do something different, the majority came back as having voted for a white-elephant gift giving party at the rink with everyone bringing soup to share. I loved it and thought it was a great idea. I think everyone had a good time, skating the night away, playing hockey, eating yummy soup and getting warm, followed by the white elephant game.

Everyone took turns drawing a number and then choosing a gift and either trading the gift or keeping it. Most everyone took home a gift that they really wanted and no one felt as though they had to spend a lot of money. Sitting around our candlelit warming hut on the day after Christmas—my favorite night of the whole year (after I recover from the real thing)—eating soup with my parents and my children and my sisters and their families, our hut snug and festive and softly lit, suffused with joy and anticipation. Watching the joy on my mom's face as she unwrapped my gift to her: a much needed, coveted watch from her favorite store and a new Christmas CD.

The look on my youngest niece's face when she opened my youngest son’s white elephant gift: a little dolphin that makes noises and lights up and a bag of gummy bears.

My mom gazed up at me with love and adoration, then with tears in her eyes; I watched as she put two of her fingers up to her lips and then turned them to me, my own chest tight to bursting.

That was, hands down, the best Christmas moment of all.



Sunday, December 26, 2010

Stolen!

Remember this cool bike that belonged to Morgen, but Max had been riding since it fit him?

Yes...well it was stolen out of the garage last night.
Day after Christmas: 6 a.m. Yes, you read it, stolen! Right out of the garage. Who does that kind of a thing? Can you say the, the, the GRINCH?!!! Bah Humbug! boo. :(

Saturday, December 25, 2010

It's Christmas!


Love came down at Christmas; love all lovely, love divine; love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign. -   Christina G. Rosetti

Friday, December 24, 2010

In lieu of a Christmas Card



Merry Christmas from Kailey on Vimeo.

My sis Monet sent me this link today in lieu of a Christmas card. Enjoy a glimpse into their preparations for Christmas.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Monday Night Hockey

Sioux vs. Falcons 2-2
Max had a game on Monday night versus the Falcons, I am not sure why the game was scheduled for a Monday night, it just was and it was a fun game to watch. Max scored both of the goals for his team and had a couple more shots on the net.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Connor's Visit

Connor is a cruiser now

He is so busy and crawls everywhere

Sheri had to fly so she let me play with my favorite little nephew

He is getting so big now and loves his mom so much! It is adorable to see him give her big kisses.

Josslyn came over to stay as well as Whitney
When Whitney, Josslyn & little Connor came to visit you would have thought it was Christmas at our house, Markus was so excited jumping up and down and saying, "They're here! They're here! and Whitney came too!" When I told him that Connor was coming over I wasn't sure if Sheri was going to bring Whitney to sleep over or not, since she had school the next day. So when she came Sunday night, Markus was beside himself with excitement. As it turned out they only stayed for a few hours, since Sheri's flight was cancelled due to the storm and she came back to get them and drive home. But we still had fun with them while they were here.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Chance of a Lifetime


For the first time in 372 years...multiple astronomical events are lining up for a rare display of synchronization tonight as a total lunar eclipse overlaps with 2010's winter solstice. The moon appears totally covered by shadow as the earth passes between the moon and the sun, during the lunar eclipse in this Jan. 9, 2001 file photo taken in Kiel, Germany. Today on the first day of northern winter, the full Moon passes almost dead-center through Earth's shadow. The eclipse began at 11:33 am. At that time, Earth's shadow appeared as a dark-red bite at the edge of the lunar disk. It took about an hour for the bite to expand and swallow the entire Moon. Totality commences at 12:41 am and will last for 72 minutes. According to NASA the last total lunar eclipse that happened on the winter solstice was Dec. 21, 1638. The next one will Dec. 21, 2094. So basically a once in a lifetime opportunity.  





Monday, December 20, 2010

Winner, Winner

 



After going to visit Santa Saturday night, the cousins all hit the ice for a little skating party, organized by Tami. Max won a turkey at the rink from the manager, who had a contest to give away three turkeys, by asking questions about skating (hockey in particular) and the first one with the correct answer won the prize. The first question he asked was about the 1980 USA Men's hockey team and Max knew the answer and won.

 Winner, winner, turkey dinner?!!!
 


Sunday, December 19, 2010

Yesterday

 

Max's team played the Bruins and they almost tied...almost. It was an exciting game with Max scoring 1 goal and the Bruin's scoring 2. After the game Morgen needed a ride home from spending the night at his friends house up the canyon. Perfect opportunity to stop at Ruth's for lunch. Markus decided to ride home...


with Max not far behind!

Love those crazy boys.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

A Double Dose of Santa


What is better than visiting Santa?



Seeing him twice in one day!


Markus, Owen, Hannah, Max, Bompa, Luke, Sam, Alyssa and Julianna

Bompa came to visit the children at the ward breakfast this morning and then all the cousins made the trip to visit him at the farm this evening. Just to make sure he heard their requests the first time.