Weekend Waterpark Fun with the Witciks

Early each new year, it has become tradition to meet our dear friends in Wisconsin Dells to spend a weekend together.  It's the perfect mid-winter getaway that doesn't require taking all the kids on an airplane. 

The weather is always tricky---last year it was a snowstorm, and this year it was an ice storm (so icy, in fact, that William did not have to miss a day of school, because school was already called off due to the treacherous roads).  The drive got long, thankfully the kids were able to rest.

The resort we stay at has 4 indoor water parks, so there was plenty to keep the kids entertained.

These lily pads were a hit!

The Husband and Audrey enjoying the indoor/outdoor hot tub.

Nora and Ellie.

Audrey being silly (and Mike and Baby Eric in the background).

William had an especially great time this year.  He was tall enough to do lots of the 'adult' slides.  I could not believe how brave this kid was....and he could not believe how much his old mother screams going down slides!!!

The adults and children alike seem to enjoy the water fun.  We take turns watching kids, because everyone enjoys a scary water slide ride, right?!?!

 

We not only had tons of fun in the waterparks, we got to meet the newest Witcik!  Baby Eric definitely gets my award for best baby EVER!  

 Ellie and Audrey making the most of their time together.

Second-born children unite!

The girls with Baby Eric.

Baby Eric was very loved on by our 3 kids!!

Always necessary to get a group shot---check out these silly faces!

We had so much fun hanging out and catching up, Witciks.  Can't wait to see you again soon!

Celebrating Christmas

 Christmas landing on a Tuesday this year allowed our Christmas celebrations to be spread out over a few days. This makes for more rested children and happier parents!  

Our first celebration was The Arola Christmas. My mother-in-law is one of six children, so it's a big family!  Uncle John and Aunt Kathy hosted it this year in Duluth.  There was a great turnout, including the three babies that were born in the past year.  So fun to see them all together!!

 Here is an attempt at a group photo of the 'little' kids.

The Husband, Mummi Sylvia, William, Audrey, and Nora.

We hosted the Kennedy/Umhauer Christmas celebration at our house on Christmas Eve.  We decorated gingerbread houses, ate great Italian food, and a plethora of desserts.  It was awesome!

Auntie and Grant with the kids, making paper snowflakes to decorate our huge tree.  It was Grant's idea to introduce the kids to this lost art....and they loved it!

Here is some of the gingerbread makers hard at work.  There was a prize for the 'crowd favorite' gingerbread house, so the stakes were high!

Mimi showing the creative side she claims not to have!!

The finished products!  William won the contest, using his power of persuasion.

Auntie and Grant, their house was a very close 2nd.  Look closely and you will see smoke coming out of the chimney, a snowman, and a reindeer pulling a candy cane sleigh.  

Jeremy and the cutest little Santa, Mason!!!

Larry, Ashley, and Barb. These 2 women created a smorgasbord of desserts for us to enjoy!!!  (We are a family of dessert-lovers!!!).

Auntie, Grandma Iris, and yours truly.  Somehow I missed the memo we were supposed to be dressed in Christmas colors!

Some of the cake pops made by Ashley.  They were not only festive and perfect, they were delicious.

The Husband, Nora, and my father.  This is one of my favorites!

Audrey and her favorite Grant.

Nora waiting to open gifts from Mimi and Grandpa Bob.

A rocking chair!  She was so excited!

Audrey and Grandpa waiting their turn to open.

Auntie and William.

 The Husband was pretty excited about one of William's gifts from Mimi!!

 We had a quiet Christmas Day, just us.  

  

We waited...and waited....and waited....for this little girl to wake up.  William and Audrey were so patient, waiting until 9:30, to open Santa's gifts!

William unloading his stocking.

Audrey and her stocking contents.

 We celebrated the day after Christmas with the Skaudis Family.  

Mummi Alice and Grandpa Jeff.

 Uncle Eddie, Nell, and all the kids.  These 2 look extremely comfortable with 6 kids...I wonder what their future holds?!

We always need a silly-face picture!

 William and Cousin Bradon.

Watching Mummi Alice get her gift...a new recliner!!  She was really excited!

 Santa usually makes a stop at Mummi Alice and Jeff's house.  They have a special connection to the North Pole!  Here is William with Santa.

 Audrey and Santa.

 Nora was thrilled to see Santa, and could not wait for her turn to sit on his lap!

 Alice and Jeff with all their children: Darin, Wade, Marjia, and Eddie.

 I hope your Christmas was as blessed and memorable as ours was.
Best wishes for 2013!!

Preparing for Christmas

 I adore the magical time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It's happy and busy and full of meaningful family traditions.  Despite having 2 kids down with pink eye, followed by 2 kids with "the pukes" and one mother with a sinus infection (we have never, ever, ever been that sick) we had fun getting ready......

We decorated Christmas trees.

We saw The Nutcracker and loved it!

These 4 were in the Christmas pageant at church.

William performed in a Christmas program at school...A Beary Merry Christmas!

We went to Bentleyville to see the Christmas lights and Santa.

 The Husband cut the best Christmas tree EVER!

 We decorated Christmas cookies.

All in preparation for a very Merry Christmas!

Quotable Quotes

The kids are so entertaining. Unfortunately, I don't record enough of their thoughts.  Here are a few notable remarks from the past week.

Audrey:  "Mom, you wanna know something....William is working on a BEARD!"

Nora:  "I gonna be A PUPPY when I grow up!"

William:  "Mom, you're the best cook ever.  You should be on the TV with Paula."