Oh Dear, Another Year

My birthday came and went without any big bang this year. It fell on a Monday. Between working late and Riley's ballet, I knew there wouldn't be much time for celebration. We had birthday brownies (and ice cream) the night before. 41! I don't think I will ever get used to being in my 40s. I try to keep it all in perspective and remember it isn't this world we are living for anyway. Just trying to make every day count.


    

Frosty Fun

We got a couple more inches of snow the morning of December 30th.  The kids had been under the weather the last few days with the flu.  They were feeling better today and wanted to go back outside to play.  Our original plan was to make a snow family with one snow man to represent each of us. We quickly discovered that our plan would have to change.  The snow was light and fluffy and would not pack.  We had to get some water and make the snow wet just to pack enough together for one small snowman. After multiple costume changes later, we were able to represent our family in snow!

Steve-"The Window Cleaner"

Jana-"The Beach Lover"

Cole-"The Drummer"

Trent-"The UD Fan"

Reed-"The Baseball Player"

Riley-"The Princess"

I guess it really wasn't a "Once in a Lifetime Experience"

I entered the contest again this year for courtside tickets at a UD basketball game.  The entire reason for entering was so I could take Cole this time.  I didn't think it was possible, but I won again!  We were really excited.  Unfortunately, the game was the same day as the Suchland Christmas party.  We decided that we had time to go for the first half before heading to New Bremen.  We got to the arena early and enjoyed watching them warm up.  The Flyers were playing Murray State-a team that has had a lot of success already this season as well as the last couple of years.  The Flyers hung tough though.  They were down by a couple of points when we left.  We were glad to be able to pass our tickets off to one of Alex's friends and his wife so they could enjoy the seats for the second half.  We listened to the rest of the game on the drive home and to New Bremen.  The Flyers won!  Go UD! 

 

 

Snow Much Fun!

Well, we didn't have a white Christmas, but the day after Christmas brought a blizzard to the area. We roughly received about 8 inches of snow over the course of the day. With wind gusts up to 40 mph and white out conditions, I made the decision to stay home. When the snow was winding down, Riley began to ask to go out and play. Reed was napping, so we bundled up and headed out. Because it was SO cold, we were only out about a half hour, but we had a blast.  We even made Riley's first snow man.  Ha!  I got her inside with promises to come back out after Reed was awake.

Several hours later, Reed was begging to go out but Riley was fast asleep.  Steve and I took Reed out for a while.  It wasn't long before we saw Riley looking out the back window pouting.  We bundled her back up and enjoyed the snow for a while together.  Steve even built them a snow fort.  After a mild winter last year with no snow, it was great that the kids got to experience it again.

All Wrapped Up!

We had the Suchland family Christmas party in New Bremen on Saturday, December 22nd. We had a lot of fun as always and filled up on great food. On Sunday, December 23rd, we took pizza over to Grandpa and Grandma Howell's and spent some time with them. Christmas Eve day was spent baking and getting a few last minute things done. We went to church at 4 pm. After church, we came home and had dinner and watched a movie together which is our Christmas Eve tradition. Once again, Christmas Day started bright and early in the Howell house. I think the kids asked at 5:40 a.m. if they could please get up. (They later said they had been up a while before asking.) Santa was good to them again this year. Riley's favorite by far is her new vanity. Reed and Riley also got a two screen dvd player for the van which they were pretty excited to receive. Reed and Trent received a soda stream and supplies. (I guess now that I don't drink pop or buy it any longer, they had to come up with another way of getting it. Ha!) Trent was thrilled to receive his iPhone 4s. Cole most liked some video games and more drumming equipment. Unlike years past, this year we were home alone on Christmas. The kids spent most of the day playing with their new things. Later in the evening, a short visit was made to Grandpa and Grandma Howells to wish them a Merry Christmas and tell them about what Santa had brought. All in all, Christmas 2012 was great!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas