Our Home Ice!

I heard it was supposed to be below freezing for a few day so I thought I would try making an ice rink for the kids. I have tried several times over the course of my life to accomplish this feat but have never had any real success. Well I started last night after dinner by spraying part of the driveway with water. (Our hose leaks so I don't have to worry about it freezing which was one of the biggest problems I've had in the past) before I went to bed, I had spayed three layers. This morning I added another two and by the time Sophie took her nap at 11, the ice was ready! Connor thinks it is the best thing that ever happened to our driveway. He and I played hockey for about half an hour and he stayed out to play more while I made lunch. Laura thought it was neat until she fell down twice. Now she says she doesn't like the slippery. Some of the ice is melting where the sun is hitting it but most of it is holding up pretty well.

Yes, We Are Still Here!

Not a lot has been happening around here lately. We were all sick after Christmas and it took a while for everyone to get better so we laid low for a while. We did go to the children's museum on day. some of the Silvertip players where there. It was really nice. they let the kids try on their REAL hockey equipment and signed autographs. The also had a kids size floor hockey set up and carpet skates for everyone to try on. Connor was so excited. he had to bring all his own gear! He wore his jersey and helmet and packed his gloves, stick and the carpet skates that he had received for Christmas in his backpack. he had a great time and played hockey for the whole hour. He wast he last to leave when it was all over. Laura was terrified of the whole thing and was much happier to go with Gramma to the art room and do crafts. Sophie has been sick again this past week with a fever. She was very lethargic, clingy and fussy. Thankfully, she seems to be all better now and is back to her normal cheerful self! She has a few new tricks. If you ask her to "clap clap" she claps her hands. She also will put her hands up on her head if you say "So Big". If she wants attention, she'll do these over and over until you start talking to her! She has started saying "Mama" and "Dada" and when she cries she cries for "Mamamama".

Catch Up Time!

What a busy time of year! We had a great Christmas. Patrick's brother and sister-in-law were here from Maryland. It was nice to visit with them. We hadn't seen them for over a year. We went to Christmas Eve Mass at 7pm with Mike, Jeani and Josh. The kids were really well behaved (Connor fell asleep and slept right to the end). Laura loved the baby Jesus in the Nativity scene. We had a quiet Christmas morning at home. We opened presents and had breakfast. It wasn't a white Christmas but it did snow. In the afternoon we went over to Ryan and Cari's for the Simmons family Christmas. There was lots of food and lots more presents.

On the 27th was the Middendorf family Christmas (my mom's family) it was at the Church hall because the family is so big now. I think there were close to 50 people there and a few didn't make it. Mom and Dad, Diana, Mary and Brock came to our house for a visit before the party and we had a nice, though short, visit. Mary stayed at our house after the party. Emma, Patrick and Elizabeth made it down for the party and were going to come over for dinner the next day but the all got sick and headed home early the next morning instead. Jason and Kelly came over for a last visit that Friday. We took the kids to the Children's Museum. Jason and Kelly hadn't been there before and I think they enjoyed it even though it was very busy while we were there. They stayed for dinner and left around seven. Mary helped me clean up and pack suitcases. Connor wanted to be zipped into the lid of the suitcase. It was quitecomical because he actually fit. We all had a good laugh! We left early the next morning for Mom and Dad's. We spent new Years with Mom and Dad. Emma and Patrick were felling better and came up for dinner on New Years Eve. Their little Elizabeth, who is 2 months younger, is bigger than Sophie! She is a real cutie and has the cutest little smile. We had a great visit. Mom had to work most of the days we were there which was too bad but it was nice to be there all the same. We came home on the 3rd and all got sick. The kids seem to be doing better today so hopefully it will be all over soon.