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.