SNOW DAY!!!
We had our first snow day today as a family with a child in the elementary schools. Of course everyone was still up bright and early (I thought maybe at least some of the kids would sleep in). So we had PBS going while Bryan was trying to get out of the house early, you know Santa's helper never gets a day off! Once Bryan was off, the kids did play nicely together so I was able to get some stuff done, then after lunch the kids got to watch a move while I went out to do the first round of shoveling. After I came back in, got Joseph up from his nap, and fed him lunch we all bundled up again to go out in the snow. The girls had fun running around in the deep snow, I did another round of shoveling and Joseph helped me!
Eileen showing me her snow angel.

The Joseph, Eileen and Olivia on the drive way running around.

Olivia, Joseph, and Eileen, Joseph was not too sure about all this snow!

He did like pushing the shovel though, except when it got stuck-then he would get frustrated and put his hands on his face. His mittens would be full of snow making him cold, so he would start to cry-poor guy.

Olivia trying to get over one of the snow banks by the house!

Except for all the shoveling (three times since 11:30) we are having a fun day, the snow flakes have been huge! Sitting inside our nice warm house looking out it feels like we are inside a snow globe. I just always worry about Bryan out there in this mess! He called and he is busy, none of the side streets have been plowed and UPS has not set a curfew for the drivers...I guess we will see him when we see him tonight.

St. Nick came on December 6th
(Grandma's real Birthday)

Eileen and Olivia were thrilled to get new lip gloss! Everyone got some candy, a book and an activity book.

Joseph with his cookies (he got these rather than candy) that came in his Melmo (Elmo) tin that he loves to carry around.

This weekend we went to get our tree, it was soooo cold the kids didn't enjoy it quite as much as last year! Olivia was so cold she refused to have her picture taken, look at trees, actually we had a hard time getting her to walk! By the time we were tying the tree to the roof of the car both Olivia and Joseph were crying because they were so cold. So while Bryan and Mark (the owner of the tree farm) tied the tree on I blasted the heat on the kids and rubbed Joseph's cold, blue hands! (I guess were not quite over his circulation issues!).
While we were out there Joseph was in great spirits, he ran around and kept hitting the trees yelling "Tree! Tree! Tree!" to every tree!


Joseph has graduated himslef to the booster seat from the highchair, he eats so much better now. It is really amazing, I don't think he has thrown any food since the big move.

Happy 60th Birthday Grandma!
On December 1st (yes, that was the day of the horrible snow!) we celebrated Grandma's birthday as a family. We all went bowling, the kids had a blast as did the adults-many of us couldn't recall the last time we bowled and then others of us were feeling a bit competitive!
Uncle Carl helping the kids keep their rotations straight. Uncle Eric taking his turn.

Grandma and her youngest grandchild

Joseph trying to hide behind the game thing

All the grand kids wishing Grandma a very happy 60th Birthday!

After we left the bowling ally we went back to our house for snacks, dinner and cake!

Uncle Carl, Olivia, Grandma, Grandpa and Missy getting ready to open gifts.

Grandma looking at her picture book and telling Eileen about all the pictures.

Joseph had had enough of the party, but not the garlic bread!

Grandma blowing out the candles with the help of her grandchildren

Grandpa is always good at helping his grand kids get some cake!

Lori and Missy watching this kids devourer their cake!

We are so blessed to have such a kind, giving, supportive, patient, loving woman in our lives and we all look forward to many more years of learning from her amazing example of love and selflessness. Thank you and Happy Birthday Michele, we love you!

Wedding Day!!

All of the girls in the wedding party went to have their hair done the morning of the wedding. I went in for the first shift (and after over an hour!! of her putting up all my hair-yes I know I need a hair cut!) the flower girls came in for the second shift. Gwendolyn and Olivia appeared to be undecided on the whole beauty parlor thing (not very comfortable with it while it was getting done but very happy with it once it was done!). Eileen on the other hand LOVED every minute of it, I think she is wondering why we don't do this more often.

Gwendolyn getting her curls, when she first got in the chair she needed to hold Jen's hand-you would have thought she was giving blood not getting her hair done!

You can see Olivia was not loving the process either, but she sat still and ate fruit and got out of the chair as quickly as possible!

And Eileen! Sat there the whole time getting her curls, check her out with her orange juice and big smile! I think we have our little "girlie girl".

Sigan and her flower girls, they all had their hair curled (Eileen thought that it was perfect that her hair was just like Sigan's, the bride, and she the most important one!)

A shot of Olivia from above, the crowns were beautiful!

I LOVE this picture! It came out dark but it is the girls looking down on Sigan getting her formal portraits taken.

The flower girls pre-wedding

Mike going over some last minute details with the girls.

The girls loved going upstairs to look down on everyone.

My handsome boy!

Jonathan got his hands on my camera right before the wedding, people if Jonathan is near keep your cameras close to you!

I don't have any pictures from the ceremony since we were all a little busy. I didn't get to see it but from what I hear the flower girls did a great job, I am so glad that not only were they able to do their part but they LOVED every second of being in the wedding! Bryan did a great job on his reading, and I was good until the end when I briefly forgot that I had to recess out of the church and was in "mommy mode".

After the ceremony was over Olivia was done! She did not want to have her picture taken or even be at Church anymore...Thank God Auntie Krista was there to help us!

The girls with the gifts they brought to the alter, Olivia with her Indian Corn, Gwendolyn with her pumpkin and Eileen with her wheat.

Our family, would have been a great picture if Olivia had been in a better mood-oh well, this is our family!

Olivia (and everyone at the wedding) loved the band, the music was great.

Papa and Joseph

Jonathan and Sigan during their first dance.

Olivia dancing with Rocco and Marcello

Thanks again Krista and Carl for helping us out, we couldn't have done it without you!!

Joseph was so funny, he just stood there with his Elmo and watched the band (you can see him on the floor up by the band). As soon as the music started all the kids were on the dance floor,
except Owen, he joined the band!

Joseph enjoying some water before he hits the dance floor again!

Jonathan and I

It was a great weekend and a beautiful wedding, but I know the marriage will be even better!

The Rehearsal

Bryan giving Jonathan his "engagement" gift, nothing like waiting until the 11th hour!

Jonathan and Papa sharing a moment before dinner.

Mike and Jen dining with Papa.

The happy couple!

Jonathan and Sigan were able to shock my parents with a beautiful drum from Alaska! They also got Sigan's parents an amazing paddle decorated with the Northwest Indian art in Alaska.

Here we go again!

We had a lovely Thanksgiving in Madison with the whole clan in attendance! We had a long visit (9 days!) that began the weekend before with Jonathan's Bachelor Party. The guys all went to Brian's house for Italian Beef, snacks and drinks then off to play hockey! This I do wish I could have been there to see, Jonathan and his friends all played hockey in their younger days but Brian and Bryan...not so much.

Jonathan got his hands on my camera and took a few pictures of himself prior to going out! He put them on my camera so they are fair game!

After all those fun and games we had the whole week to hang out (less those who had to work).
Joseph trying as hard as he can to wait for Papa to get treat ready! Papa was one of those who had the week off, so we all got special treat every night! Here Papa is making molasses shakes for everyone!

Mike, Jen and Gwendolyn came in early in the week as well and we had a nice little Birthday celebration for her.
Jen opening her gifts.
Papa just loves to make dessert for those who will enjoy it, chocolate pound cake with fresh berries and fresh whipped cream-Joseph ate all of mine!

Pictures from the week.
Jonathan a cup of coffee into his day.

Joseph trying to hit Aunt Jen up for some of her fruit.

Mike playing "Go Fish" with Gwendolyn and Olivia

Benjamin, post hair cut!

The grand kids. Olivia (3), Gwendolyn (3), Eileen (5), Joseph (1.5)

Flower girl practice, we had the girls practice at home a few times so they would know just what to do!

I love this picture of Gwendolyn and her pumpkin, so serious!

When I get a chance I will add pictures from the rehearsal and wedding, blogger is being funky right now. I can't get it to add pictures and I have to get Olivia to school so I don't have time to wait for it to get it's act together right now.