Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours!!!

Well sorry this is so belated. It has been a crazy month in our family. About 2 weeks before Christmas Megan started a new job (full time) and this was a huge adjustment for the whole family, since she hasn't worked full time in 10 years. She is really loving it though.

Then came Christmas. Of course the battery to the camera was dead Christmas morning and we didn't get any presents shots. We spent Christmas Eve at home with Megan's family and the kid's (and mom & dad) got a Nintendo Wii from Grandma and Grandpa. Which was the big hit, of course. The kids voluntarily went to bed about 9:00 (which NEVER happens except Christmas Eve.) Santa came about 12:00 and Pat and I had just fallen back to sleep when we were woken up by Patrick and Connor to open presents. I thought I felt like I had just fallen asleep and something didn't seem right, so I rolled over and saw that it was 1:00 AM and about died. We of course were mean and made them crawl in bed with us and go back to sleep which only lasted until 7:00. They were very happy with their gifts from Santa, Mara got a cell phone and Mp3 player. Patrick got a huge Hot Wheels track that takes up most of his room and a "real" dart board that he can play with dad. Connor got a "real" skate board like Ryan Sheklar and spy gear.
So I guess all in all they were good kids this year.
After presents we headed over to Megan's mom and dad's for the Scott family Christmas and then to Pat's mom and dad's for the Ellison Christmas. The kids received ski passes from Grandma Carol and Grandpa Larry this year, which have been a blast.
As you can tell we had busy but wonderful Christmas and are very fortunate and blessed to be able to have spent it with our families.

Then came New Year's which all together was very uneventful. Megan's Great- Grandma was very ill and she was traveling back and forth to Lansing to be with her and the family. New Year's we all went to the cottage and relaxed, played Guitar Hero and Wii sports with Grandma Carol and Grandpa Larry. No one made it to midnight though, which is very unlike us. We love New Years. We spent a couple of days at the cottage and on New Year's day we lost our Great grandma (to Pat and Megan) and Great - Great Grandma (to the kids). Grandma G.G. (as we called her) was 91 years old and an amazing woman. Even when her body was shutting down and she had barely any pulse or blood pressure her mind was so sharp it was unbelivable. She lived an amazing life and was a very lucky women to be able to know and watch grow 5 generations of her family. We love you G.G. and we miss you dearly.

Well, sorry for no exciting pictures and just a lot of rambling, but here is a bit of an update on our crazy life. Next week starts the fun wrestling season. Check back for fun updates on the boys and their wrestling tournaments.

Patrick is 8!!!!!

Patrick is 8 years old today. HOLY COW!!! Where does the time go? He is such a fun, lovable, big hearted little man. We are so lucky to have him in our lives. Patrick is our child with the BIG heart. He will do anything for anyone and always is the first to take care of someone hurt. Unless he is the one hurting Connor ;).

Pat and I can not believe it has been 8 years since God has blessed us with him and we look forward to watching him grow and seeing the plan God has in store for our little guy.

We hope you have a wonderful birthday and we love you buddy!!!

Winter

Winter is finally here. The kids our loving it. This weekend we have some friends staying with us and the kids have been outside as much as they can tolerate the cold. They get all bundled up (including Trixie) and head outside. Then come in for hot chocolate and to get warm until the next trip out. Last night I let them go out after dark. we turned on the flood light in the back and they had a blast. They stayed out until about 8:00 when I made them come in. My kids love to be outside and play as much as possible whatever the weather. Next weekend we are going to start skiing. Pat is getting out the equipment and resetting the kids skies to fit this year. More pictures of that to come. We can't wait.

Connor's Kitchen

I just thought this was a cute picture. Connor got this kitchen set for his birthday last year and always loves cooking up great "plastic" meals for Pat and I. The kitchen was open tonight with "Thanksgiving left-overs" as Connor said. So he made us some turkey sandwiches, potatoes, and his favorite pumpkin pie. Thanks Connor, daddy and I always love your wonderful food creations.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Well, we had a great Thanksgiving. We went over to my Aunt Ann & Uncle Kyle's house in Marne. Most of the Scott family was able to make it, except for the Chicago group. We had a ton of food (as usual) and played "Scene It", "Trivia Pursuit" and as always watched the Lions. It is always nice to be able to get together with family and just relax and eat. We all have so much to be thankful for and are a very blessed family. I hope everyone else had a lovely day and enjoy this wonderful holiday season.

Happy 10th Anniversary Pat!!!

Happy 10th Anniversary Pat!!! Tomorrow October 18 is our 10 year anniversary. Holy Crap!!! That means we have been together for almost 12 years now. We were barely 16 when we started dating, we were such babies. I think back to when we were engaged and everyone thought we were crazy. Many people I am sure didn't even think we would make it this long. But we knew what was right and knew how we felt and you can't put an age on love, I guess.

Now three kids later and many stressful, blessed, and wonderful moments we have shared, we are still together and still very much in love. Pat you are an amazing husband, father, and friend and I can't wait to spend many more years with you. I could live without hunting season though ;).

*by the way sorry for the picture, but the camera charger is missing and I haven't been able to get any new pictures downloaded.

First Day of School

Well it's official they are all in school full time. This is a big year of changes for our family, not only is Connor starting Kindergarten (and mom will not have any kids home :)) but the kids are going to public school. They have been at Our Lady of Consolation for the past 5 years. Pat and I needed to make the decision to transfer Mara, due to her health and learning issues so we decided to transfer the boys also. So not only are they at a public school, they don't have to wear uniforms, and they get to ride the bus. I have drove them everyday to and from school always. They were so excited, and a bit nervous, but were really looking forward to a great year.

They all got to school and after a few tears (okay, so I cried) everything was fine. Yesterday I was cleaning and trying to finish laundry and my wonderful husband asked me why I was cleaning yesterday. He said, "You have waited 10 years to be at home alone, why don't you clean tomorrow." I of course responded with, "Exactly, I have waited 10 years and I am not spending my first day cleaning." So I went and got coffee with my grandma and we went a did a little shopping. It was wonderful.