It's been too long...

I have started to post many times over the last few weeks, but realized that I don't have any pictures! I have either not taken any, or used my sisters' cameras. So here I sit, wanting to write things down that I want to remember that have happened the last few weeks. So pictures or not here I go!

1. I was extremely blessed to have both of my sisters and their families in town for Christmas: that equals 10 grandkids from 1 to 8 1/2 - only 3 of them being girls - and 7 adults in my parents small house. Thankfully they have transformed their old garage into a fabulous playroom with LOTS an LOTS of toys for them to keep themselves occupied (for the most part).

2. Also with that blessing is continuing a tradition. Instead of getting gifts for everyone, my parents get babysitters for the grandkids and all the adults get to go out to a movie or show and a fancy dinner. We saw the play Mamma Mia! a few years ago and saw the movie Blindside this year. It is sooooo much fun to sit and have adult conversation with adult drinks and adult food, surrounded by some of your most favorite people! This year God had different plans than what we did. We had babysitters (4 fabulous girls that entertained and had a blast with our rambunctious kids) and pre-bought movie tickets for Blindside at the Sherwood Cinema. Unfortunately, that was the day that McM got 4+ inches of snow in just an afternoon. It took us almost 2 hours to do a normally 20 minute drive and then the road in front of us closed and kept us from making it to the movie. See this post about the fun that my sisters and I had in the truck while being stuck in between places... Oh, we were being SILLY!!! Luckily we were given directions to a little Bistro that ended up (I think) being more fun than any other place we would have gone. Good food, good wine and excellent company in a cozy Bistro was just what God had intended for us. And we ended up seeing the movie anyway, just in McM...

3.There were so many blessings this year! I am so blessed to be able to have both sets of my grandparents living very close by and every year we get together with them and all of the extended families! My mom's side of the family is HUGE - there are a total of 50 of us in 4 generations. My dad's side of the family isn't as big, so it isn't as crazy when we get together!

4. For New Years we all caravaned up to my sis' in WA. It was a bigger house but it was a BIGGER HOUSE! Harder to keep track of kids, it was louder and yet quieter... The guys all took the 7 oldest kids to Home Depot for their free kids program where they get to build a calendar. After that they all went to Cabella's, which is just down the road. Later that day all the girls went to one of my favorite places to shop, Shipwreck Beads. It is the Costco of beads and I could spend hours as well as lots of money (that I don't have)... 2 hours later we all walked out of there with beading crafts in our future! From there, all 17 of us piled into 3 cars, went through drive-thru for dinner and went to Fantasy Lights Show about 25 miles away. The day ended with 10 very tired - and yet wired - kids and 7 adults probably just as tired!

5. SCHOOL STARTED AGAIN!!! I think that I was more excited for January 4th to come than C or J, although J said that he missed his teacher and couldn't wait to see her or his classmates!

6. Family has all gone home; Mom and Dad have a quiet house again, my house is a mess. Back to the daily grind of school, Cub Scouts, church, etc. [insert audible sigh here]

So, Blessings this New Year to you and yours, Prayers that this coming year will be even better than the last!