Christmas Round 2

Well, we have had an interesting Round 2 of Christmas time. We had 7 Christmas's to attend this year, all on different days. The first 3 were uneventful. Christmas Eve Day found us at Curt and Kathy's for the Rassi immediate family Christmas. Unfortunately, Curt wasn't feeling well and was not there. It made us quite thankful that it was just a temporary absence. Christmas Day we were back at Curt and Kathy's for the Gramm Christmas. It was a small crowd, but fun to see everyone that was able to make it. The 26th we woke up to several inches of snow. We had Christmas at my parents at 11. We were still able to go and we ate lunch and opened gifts. Then Mike and Brett got called to go out and plow snow as they both are driving trucks for Blunier Brothers this year. So, Tessa and I just stayed at Dad and Mom's and the kids played with their new toys and built a snowman. A little later we had dinner and Kate said that she was too tired to eat and laid on the couch and took a nap. About 7 she woke up and was sitting on my Dad's lap while we were playing a game. All the sudden she started throwing up. After letting her rest a bit and getting all that cleaned up, Dad drove me and the kids home and helped me get them to bed and all our stuff hauled in. THANK YOU! About 12:30, Mike got home from pushing snow and about 1:15 we were up with Kate who was puking again. Thankfully, she has not thrown up since and hopefully she is on the mend. Hopefully, none of the rest of us get the flu! Anyway, we stayed home from church today and are going to miss our final of 7 Christmas's tonight. It is the Kieser Christmas and was going to be the first time in a long time that every single person was going to be at Christmas, so that's a little disappointing, but we also don't want to pass on our germs. I have a new appreciation for snow plow truck drivers, as Brett and Mike are out plowing again today....remember to be thankful for the men and women who clear streets and parking lots so you can carry on with your normal life. Well, here are some pictures of our last few days.

Our little family Christmas

Curt Rassi Christmas

Mike & Phil cutting up the delicious prime rib

Silas and Kate were inseparable :)

 

Gramm Christmas

Max giving me "the eye"

Kate in her new Cinderella dress up outfit

Linc holding Nora, he LOVES babies

Helping Dad shovel off the driveway

Watching a movie and snuggling with their new "Quillows"from Grandma

Jerry Kaiser Christmas

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Building a snowman...creative Grandpa used a broom and made a mound since the snow wouldn't pack :)

Christmas Round 1

Naturally, the blanket basket is the perfect place to sit and color a picture. :)

Arnold Rassi Christmas snapshots:

Uncle Caleb entertains the girls with another of his stories

The readers....they looked up when the flash started to go off.

It is hard to tell in this picture, but Lincoln is sprawled out against Aunt Amanda with his feet propped up on the folding chair....to him, life doesn't get any better than books or pictures and Aunt Amanda. :)

Mel Kaiser Christmas snapshots:

Alissa...patiently playing a game with Kate, long after the other girls had run off

Showing U. Brett and A. Tessa their Christmas gifts

Linc sporting Mike's new work gloves - it's a tradition, every year Grandpa Mel gives all the men 3 pairs of work gloves.

As you celebrate Christmas this season, I pray you are able to enjoy it and keep Christ in it, rather than get sucked into the stress and busyness that sometimes comes with the holiday season. Merry Christmas to all!

Conversations with Kate

Another conversation with Kate:

Carmen: Kate, should I make green beans or corn for supper?

Kate: GREEN BEANS!!

30 minutes pass while I finish making supper. She climbs up to the table to see her plate....

Kate: Mommy, thank you so much for making me green beans for supper. I just really appreciate that you listened to me and you were obedient on the first time. Thank you.

Carmen: You're welcome.

If you are wondering, there are very few dull moments at our house. :)

Christmas Outfits

A lot of weekends, Mike will make breakfast for us in the morning. Sunday morning, the kids were both up and wanted to watch him.

It was Kate's first Christmas program for church yesterday, so the kids wore their Christmas outfits to church. Thankfully, there are no embarrassing stories to share about the Christmas program. :)

Kate all ready to go

Festival of Lights

Friday night we went with Dawn and Janet to the Festival of Lights. Even though the kids had been before, they still loved it. I'll try to attach a video.

When we were done looking at the lights, we decided to go out for ice cream. Mike asked Kate if she'd rather go to Culver's or Steak N Shake for ice cream. She said, "Steak N Chicken." A few minutes later, when we were still driving, she said, "Dad, are we almost to Shake N Sticken?" It may be one of those things that you had to be there for, but we all got a good chuckle out of it.

Thanks Dawn and Janet for making time for us and our kids!!

Cookies

The past two years, Mom, Aunt Lisa, and I have made some Christmas cookies together. I didn't get many pictures, but here are a few.

Kate decorating pretzels

Lincoln's decorating .....

Lincoln decorating

Cookies cooling

Where is Lincoln?

The other night we were at my parents house. We had made some Christmas cookies and were cleaning up. All the sudden we couldn't find Lincoln. We searched every room in my parents house and ended up finding him here.....

I have no idea how he got in there, as he had trouble getting back out. :)

In my/our defense, you really couldn't see him at all behind this table.... ornery lil' stink.

Random pic of the kiddos

Birthdays, Christmas Tree, & More

We again enjoyed our time off to be with family over Thanksgiving. We did our annual fondue supper with my parents and Brett and Tessa and then spent Thursday with the Rassi's and Gramm's. Friday morning, we went and got our Christmas tree. The kids loved "helping" cut it down, set it up, and decorate it.

Paul and Nichole, along with their kiddos, Owen and Hannah spent the weekend with us. Owen and Kate got along really well.

Lincoln wearing Nichole's shoes

Saturday morning we celebrated Rassi birthday's. Aunt Amanda was a willing reader and soon had a lap full. :)

Some pics of our finished tree

Owen and Kate

The 4 kiddos before church