New Years Eve

Had a great New Year's Eve. Went over to celebrate with the Peterson's, Trautmann's and Merwin-Olk's. Had some good food great conversation and played lots of games. Great way to start the new year.

Out on the Town

Grabbed the family and went out to Mount Fuji this evening. We don't normally go here but since we didn't come here for the Archer family dinner, we decided to come and enjoy ourselves as we head into the new year. Love this family!

Driving School

Dropped Keara off at driving school this morning. Can hardly believe she's getting ready to get her permit. Pretty sure Zeb will be the one to teach her to drive as the thought of her being old enough to be on the road scares me to death. I think she's excited but like the cool teenager she is she is not showing it.

Our Family

My Beautiful Girls

Archer Christmas

I say it every year but my favorite part of Christmas is breakfast with the family at mom and dads house. I never eat much but I just like the warm feeling that it brings me being with everyone. The kids were spoiled by Grammy and Poppy once again. Had dinner,  play games, ate lots of food and had a marvelous day. Life is good.

A Drawing from Keara

My Homemade Christmas Card from Zeb

Christmas Morning

We had a wonderful Christmas morning. The girls let us sleep until about 7:30am which was nice. We were still tired but we had not choice but to get up and open our gifts. Blessed once again by all that we have. I think Kaylei's favorites included warm pj's, a phone and her new keyboard. Keara's favorite was all of her Captain America stuff and her planetarium for her room. Zeb got a tablet and I got a charm bracelet which we both enjoyed. Once again it's not about the gifts but about the time that we have together and that we are truly blessed and grateful.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was at my house this year. Went to church at Ave Maria which was packed beyond belief. We did not all get to sit together but we did what we could. Unfortunately Keara wasn't feeling well so she wasn't able to join us. Came back to the house and had our usual party food. My friend Judith came over and helped celebrate with us. Always fun to have others join us.  Went to bed saying a prayer Keara feels better tomorrow. 

Family Dinner

Had our annual family dinner tonight. This year we went to Olive Garden. Started out good but by the end we had three kids with stomach aches. Not sure what that's all about but I hope everyone is OK by Christmas Eve

Cookie Day 2015!

Another cookie day in the books. Marathon baking took place today with Kailei, Anika, Khiem and Keara's help. Of course we made the usual goodies nd it took most the day but we had lots of fun. Love, love, love this tradition with my friend Lynn and the kids.  We hope someday that they will do it with their kids as well. 

Theatre Date

Escaped with this handsome man today and went to the theater. We saw A Christmas Story, The Musical. Wasn't all that I hoped it would be but just getting out with my husband and having dinner was great.

Davison Christmas

The Davison Christmas was held today. We all converged at Mitch's house and Lieu and Phyllis cooked up a great meal. The kids of course enjoyed opening gifts and I got a special gift for the big boys in the family who had a lot of fun with the game I gave them. Uncle Mark gave Anika, the Pie in the Face game and and that provided lots of fun. Love this family.

Chinese

Kailei had a little holiday celebration at Chinese class today. Always before the holiday they have goodies and showcase a little bit of what they are doing. So proud of her and her work with Chinese language and dance

This Picture Just Makes Me Laugh

From Kailei

Kailei- ism's

MWCC Christmas

Started celebrating the holidays by kicking things off with our MWCC Christmas. Every year it's been a potluck and we get the kids some goody bags. We missed a couple of the mom's but it gets harder and harder for the schedules to align perfectly. Love these moms and their families.

Washington D.C.

Just got back from a trip to Washington DC. I had a work conference there and got to stay at the beautiful Gaylord Hotel in National Harbor. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. The hotel was gorgeous. Got to go with great friends. And even got to go in and ice house and slide down an ice slide. Now that was very cold but we can check it off our bucket list.

Kailei's Text Message to Me Today

Dance Showcase

Keara has been taking dance the semester and tonight was her showcase. The dance program at CT is fun and enjoyable to be a part of. Took a lot of courage for Keara to get up on stage for the three minutes she was on there but I was very proud of her and I think she had a good time. Appreciated Mom, Dad, Mark, Mitch and family coming to watch her. Who knows, we may even see her on stage again sometime.

Basketball

Kailei decided to play basketball for the first time. She joined the team at her school and her father couldn't have been more proud and excited.  Her Uncle Mark and Uncle Mitch were as well. The season was very short but she did a great job. She's the shortest of the bunch but she's fast and she learns quick. Mark even paid her two dollars for every basket she maid. Unfortunately she only made one basket but that was better than none.  Rumor has it she might do it again next year.  We shall see.

Thanksgiving

Made our way down to Walsh again this year for Thanksgiving. It was a hard decision as to where to go because Caroline was here from Scotland but Zeb didn't want to break tradition. It was kind of a smaller crew this time as none of the aunts and uncles made an appearance but there was a vicious tournament of Nertz that went down throughout the days we were there. Most of the time Keara and I just read a books as there's football on the TV and the game of Nertz is not our cup of tea. We enjoy our books and Kailei and her dad have a blast playing cards. I ate way too much peanut brittle and made myself sick but I guess that's what Thanksgiving is for. It was a great Davison Thanksgiving.

Kevin and Jessica

So mom and dad have been down in Texas for the last couple of weeks while Kevin and Jessica had some work to do in the Netherlands and then took advantage of the time to go to Paris. Tragically there was a terrorist attack right before they went but they decided to go anyway. I won't be happy till their home but it looks like they're having fun.

Snow Day

Today we had a snow day! We haven't had one in a long time. It was so much fun to hear that school was canceled this morning. Started the day by making the girls french toast which is their favorite. Read a book, did some shoveling, baked cookies with Kailei, and enjoyed not having to work.

Adoptween and Lunch for Moms

Kailei had another Adoptween meeting today. I think the topic was superheroes. She loves going and it's even more fun when her friends go. And since so many of her friends did go, the moms took advantage to get together as well. We went to lunch and then we went on a walk because it was an absolutely beautiful day. Good times!

Kailei's Christmas List