Winter Break

So with the holidays on the weekend, and the unknown weather, we decided to be lowkey this winter break.  We had vistors to us instead of us doing all the traveling. We did visit local spots like Timbercreek for lunch

I discovered filters on FB messager..so the kids had fun while we waiting do our food. 

So i took no pictures, but my sweet friends from work surprised us with a happy house warming gathering. The kids had friends to play with, i had friends to chat with and catch up with. It really warmed my heart as it was the 27th which is never a good day. I know they didn't know it, but everything happens for a reason. 

We spend a lot of time hanging out in the living room with the fire place. it was nice to be able to just sit and play with the kids. It something we did a lot of with Josh the last year or so, but the last few months I've just not had the energy to play games.  Both the kids are at the age that we can really play a lot of games. It's been fun!

We also spent a lot of time outside. The kids were able to hang outdoors almost every day. They played in the snow, sledding or "skating" on the driveway. I'm so happy they could be running free. The new house makes for fun hills and new play areas. 

 We traveled on day to see the lights in Pewaukee. It's been a tradition that started the year Josh and I were dating. Back then we went to dubuque, but now we found a closer one. It's one of the few holiday traditions that i was able to get done. It still took us forever to see them, but we got it done. We also visited with my sister and family  since we arrived before dark. 

Bella took all the pictures this year. I'll spare you the 100 she took! 

We always go to the trains 

and the nativity 

We were able to have a play date with our friends. It was great to let the kids run around and play. We hadn't gotten together in while so everyone played hard!

They were detectives 

They helped me to use up food that had been bought for the holidays. Some how i ended up with a lot of extra food in my house!

Grandpa and Grandma Judy stop in for a short visit. It was great to see them and exchange gifts with them. The visit was much too short and Max is waiting for Grandpa to return to help him build his new toys. 

Christmas time

 Christmas was different this year. It wasn't bad and nothing bad happened, but it didn't seem like the holidays either. Josh wasn't never that big into the holidays either, but he always went along with all the stuff I wanted to do. I think sometimes I did more and a big production just because he was kind of grinchy. The one thing i did this year was put up decorations outside and got some deals on ones for next year. He always said it was pointless when we lived on the farm since no one could see our house, then at the trailer he wouldn't do it for he same reason and because there wasn't a good spot to put them up. So this year, i got light up deer on the day after thanksgiving. I totally forgot a picture of them. Unfortunately they suffered from the snow, as they weren't in a good location. I"ll find a better place next year.
So when we moved two years ago, i knew that some traditions were changing. This was mostly due to the limited traveling we would be doing on Christmas eve and Christmas day. Last year we were surprised by some wonderful people and had 4 days of Christmas. I knew i wanted to tone it down this year. The big gift was the new house.
The kids wanted to be part of the children's mass so we planned on that. My family decided to have christmas in my new house, so we knew that would happen christmas day. The rest just fell in to place.

We celebrated christmas with my aunt. It's our once a year gathering at her place. The kids love going there and hanging out.  Dar watched the kids for a bit so i could finish up some shopping and pick up a few items that i needed. 

Auntie Tori, Reed, Cooper and Dylan come over to visit. its fun to see all of them able to play together. 

 Grandma, Tim and Uncle Ben came to town. Grandma  went with us early to church to get good seats for mass. This was happy Max. 

Glad i got a picture before church started. Bummer for no baby Jesus, but happy for smiling kids

My sweet Angel.  

This would be tired and then cranky Max. He wouldn't be a Shepard and instead passed out on my lap. slept all the way through church, then got really grumpy until we got home. 

Picture in front of our tree :)

Got one with Grandma too! 

 

The kids got to open one gift.. Bella got a new hat and the family got Finding Dory Operation. The kids had a blast playing with Uncle Ben

We finally got a fire in our fireplace!

Stocking holders could' hold our stockings So i should have gotten a picture before they were filled

Early morning opening of gifts. Small area means it looked craizer then it was. 

Putting new toys together

Bella got a snow cone maker.. so a fire and snow cones ;)

The tree after.. i totally forgot a before shot

We put uncle ben on snowcone duty with bella. 

working on building his new tractor set. 

Grandma, Tim and Uncle Ben left for other family members. We had about 30 mins of downtime before Nana, Aunt Tracey, Uncle Andy and crew arrived. 

a very full tree

the stocking...then things got crazy!

The one with the broken ankle

We can to guess which bag was ours via the pictures

aftermath!

We did appetizers for food and it went over great. My island was full!  The kids all played wii together while Andy helped me get the shelves out of the trailer house. It was nice relaxing christmas, which is what I needed. 

Annual family picture

Aunt Livy showed up and visited with us for while. It was os nice to see her and meet Jordan.

Then this happened. It doesn't happen very often but xmas day he was tired enough to sleep in his own bed. 

As witnessed it was a good holiday. lots of smiles, laughter and presents, but it was lacking... lacking Josh to share it with. Being in the new house which is still kind of bare didn't help either. As time goes on i think it will work out ok, but this year i'm ok with it just being ok. My happy children are what matters most.