Christmas 2012

Just a few notes on what our Christmas traditions have been. Of course we have an Advent wreath in the middle of the kitchen table and after normal meal blessing we say "Come Lord Jesus". We then went to Burger Farm and picked out our tree. Kids liked to play in the hay maze that they have there and visit with the animals. They also like the hot chocolate and popcorn. The giant tree gets put up.
Christmas this year was a little different. On Friday the 23rd we went to lunch with Grandma Ellie and Grandpa Mike (mamo and mampo) and Aunt Katrina, Uncle Sean, Aidan and Olivia to Taphouse Grill for lunch. Went back to Grandma and Grandpa house and opened presents and hung out until dinner and beyond playing with toys. That was Christmas Eve Eve as we called it. Christmas Eve we went to Grandpa Larry's house with the Meyer side of the family. Opened presents, played white elephant exchange and were home by 9:00 this year. Christmas morning as always Mom takes your picture on the steps before you can come down and see your presents. Katie favorite present this year, toss up between them all! Narnia, Squinkies, Sugar American Girl Doll Pet, Sweaty Band.... Joey lego guys.... John laser chaser car and trios... Anna reds head stuff! We attended Church at St Gertrude for 11 am mass and went to Grandma Ellie's and Grandpa Mikes for Christmas dinner. The end....

Thanksgiving 2011

We forgot to take our camera on Thanksgiving day, but I took a few pictures with my phone.  We started the day with hiking and a picnic at French park.  This is what now passes for the infamous "2000 mile walk."

This one is of Katie, Joey and John climbing their favorite tree.  John's hiding behind a branch.  Grandma, of course, at ground level.

Anna Marie found a flower near that same tree.  I thought it was real at first, but it was just cloth.

This is almost everyone on the second of two hikes we took.  After following the creek for a small distance, I told the boys to step off the trail into the woods and find their way back to the shelter house.  They did it.

At the shelter house.  Then back home for Thanksgiving dinner...

Deer

Going into downtown Madeira on Miami Avenue there is a deer sign and everyday when John passes the sign either going to school or going to church he yells " Watch out for deer"!

Thunder Storms

The kids were worried about the thunderstorm last night.  Anna came to our room and asked, "What if lightning hits our house?"

"Eh, we just call the insurance company to get the roof fixed," I said.

She looks at me with a concerned look.  "What's the number?"