Toledo Zoo Lights

Saturday was a beautiful day. The high for the day was 66 degrees. It was wonderful. We decided to take the kids to Cabela's and the Toledo Ohio Zoo to see their Christmas lights. We couldn't believe how warm it was. The lights were very beautiful. I think the kids favorites were the lights syncronized to music. It was amazing to see.

After we left the zoo we took the kids out to eat. As we got back into the car it started to sprinkle and by the time we pulled out of the parking lot it was pouring buckets. We felt sorry for all the people that were still at the zoo in the rain with no where to run for cover. By the time we drove the 40 minutes home, the rain had already been in our area and melted all the snow -about 8 inches. Then the wind started to pick up and went all night long. Today Matt had to spend some time on the roof fixing a few shingles. It sure is amazing how the weather changes so quickly.

Merry Christmas!!

Today was a great day! The kids were very agreeable and we all enjoyed each other. They definitely were spoiled by Santa, their parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles! It was a lot of fun watching the girls open their gifts and seeing their faces. They all got everything they wanted plus the things we felt were needed. This morning when we woke up Clarissa, we mentioned Santa had come and she quickly said, "Santa is downstairs?" It was so cute for her to think he was still at our home.

Later in the day we had the opportunity to have dinner with Tom and Michele. They took a much needed break from packing to enjoy the kids. We can't believe that they will be gone in less than a week. We sure have enjoyed all the time with them.

Christmas Eve Traditions

One of the traditions we have done for Christmas is to give the kids matching pajama pants on Christmas Eve. We have done this tradition for about 8 years. Since we have added the girls to our family dynamics, I make the boys match and the girls match.

The past couple of years we have added the tradition of exchanging names within the kids. They sure have a lot of fun deciding what to get each other. The ones that end up with the girls have a lot of fun because the girls get so excited about anything and we currently don't have nearly as many girl toys as we do the boys ones.

We had a lot to get accomplished today, but it was a very enjoyable and memorable day.

Gingerbread Houses

We decided this year to begin a new tradition, making gingerbread houses on Christmas Eve. The boys were very excited about choosing which type of candy they would put onto their houses. The planned to make 6 to 8 houses. One for everyone with the girls sharing with Matt and I. While making up the dough, I quickly realized how much molasses it would take to make 4 batches-2 small houses each. (Thanks Michele for giving me your extra molasses.) I mentioned this to the kids and I was surprised that they were okay with only making 4 houses total. They quickly decided on the pairs they would work in.

Everyone enjoyed working with their partner. We did notice Abby had a hard time understanding that she couldn't eat all the candy! We had a wonderful time, what a great memory. They can't wait to eat them up in a couple of days.

Cookies for Santa

After working all morning cleaning the house, we got busy making cookies for Santa. We were all surprised when Matt walked in early and was able to help us. The kids really enjoyed deciding which cookies we should make. This year we really cut down the amount of cookies we planned on making. Well we decided to make 3 types, Chocolate Crinkles, Peanut Butter Blossoms and Secret Kisses (my favorite)!

I have to tell you that I really enjoyed making cookies this year. I think the reason being is that I didn't make tons, we did it in one day and I had the kids help.

I also didn't want a lot of cookies around the house for Matt and I to eat. =)
(I thought we had more pictures taken, but I guess one is better than none.)

Sledding: 4-wheeler style

The boys have been so excited for the first big snow so that Matt could pull them around the neighborhood on the back of the 4-wheeler. They had a blast!

I have always known that I have seven children instead of six and watching Matt play outside with the boys proved it! He had them spinning cookies like pros before they were finished.

Visiting Santa

We had our Ward Christmas party last Saturday and one of the traditions they have always done is to have Santa come. This year was so fun with the girls. When Clarissa got up to Santa, she was a little intimidated when she realized that she could sit on his lap.

Anyway, Clarissa told Santa she wanted Princess underwear. Matt quickly added to that by saying "this is her encouragment for potty training". It was so funny. It reminds me when Danny was about that age and all he wanted was a candy cane. I love it when they are so innocent and ask for very simple realistic presents.

Court of Honor

Danny has been working really hard to advance in Scouts. On Friday, he was awarded his Scout and Tenderfoot rank and two merit badges, Citizenship in the Nation and Forestry. Danny is continuing to set the goals high for his brothers to follow. I am sure that he will achieve the goals that he has set for himself.

December Pack Meeting

This month for pack meeting the cub scouts did skits. I thought this is one you might enjoy. This is the Webelos group, Jake and two of his friends. Pause the music player at the bottom of the page to hear the skit.

Our Christmas Tree

Our tradition for the past 8 years has been to put the Christmas tree up the day after Thanksgiving. This is the second year in a row we had the opportunity to cut down our tree. A family in our ward was so sweet to offer to have members of the ward come pick out a tree and cut it down. The only thing missing is snow. It was a beautiful day, the kids got warm wearing their jackets

Once the tree is cut and loaded on top of the car, the real fun for the kids begin. They love pulling out their different ornaments we have made or collected through the years. It is fun just listening them reminisce. This holiday brings so much joy and makes tons of memories. Even Abby got into the spirit of decorating by playing with the lights. So cute!

We have been so blessed this year and continue to have so much to be grateful for. We love and miss you all and hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Remember to stop, take a breath and enjoy the day, everything doesn't have to be perfect.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had Tom and Michele over for our last Thanksgiving together. They will be moving to Savannah Georgia at the end of December. We have truly enjoyed having them be apart of our lives. Here are some fun pictures of dinner and the clean-up. I forgot to get pictures of the prep.

Making Noodles with Dad

Monday night Matt came home and dinner was in the making. When he learned I was making Chicken Noodle Soup, he told me he would love to make homemade noodles. WOW! Did I hear that correctly? Matt has always been a great helper when I need him, but rarely does he want to take on a task like this. He was enjoying himself so much, the next thing I knew he had involved all the boys in his project. As I was doing other prep for dinner, I thought I better capture this moment on camera.

The noodles were delicious. A lot better than store bought egg noodles!

Thanks honey for making dinner more enjoyable and involving the kids. I figure it must have been the trip that revived him since he was able to have some 'me' time. That is a reminder for me how important 'me' time is for everyone, Moms and Dads alike!

Krazy Kart Pack Meeting

Matt and the boys loved this pack meeting! When else are you able to push each other around on a cart and be crazy? Each cub scout/dad team takes turns pushing each other through the course. When they reach the end, they quickly switch places and trace back to the starting line. After every boy has had the chance to do this they get to do it again. This time the steering wheel is changed and when you turn right, the cart goes left and vice versa. It is a lot of fun to watch these boys drive the cart as well as pushing their dads around the course. Here are some pictures I took, trying to catch the craziness.

Family Fall Pictures

We tried so hard this year to get some good family pictures outside. It seemed like nature was against us. Either it was raining or we had the sun against us. We developed a couple of these, but they didn't turn out so well, but we thought we'd post them anyway. Maybe next year. =)

Ouch, Tears & Stitches

Basically as soon as Matt left for his fishing trip, I spent the evening in the ER with Clarissa.
About 6 p.m. Friday, November 14th, Clarissa fell and sliced her forehead open. I couldn't believe it. I was home with all the kids and within two hours of Matt being on an airplane I was panicking as I saw that Clarissa had just injured herself. I took Danny with me so he could hold the towel to her head in the car. I had Jake stay with the other kids. Thanks to Tom and Michele for coming over to stay with the kids while I sat in the ER with her.
When they numbed her at the hospital, they used a cotton ball with medicine and just taped it to her forehead. Yeah, no shots!! When they were stitching her up, they placed the blue sterile hospital towels around her. The one they placed on her face had a hole in it so they could see the wound. The doctor couldn't believe that Clarissa was watching her stitch it up. We calmed her down be asking what color of popsicle she wanted when she was finished.
Four hours, 2 stitches and $100 later, I brought Clarissa home, gave her some Tylenol and put her in my bed. I was told to watch her every 2-3 hours through the night so I figured since I was already dead on my feet, it would be best to have her in my room. She did really well through it all.
On Thursday, November 20th, Clarissa went back to the ER to have her stitches removed. Overall, she did fairly well. She was a little freaked out when she saw the nurse holding little scissors near her face. We reassured her that she wouldn't feel a thing and it would be just like when mommy trims her bangs. That seemed to calm her enough for the nurse to do the two little snips and all was done.
(The pictures were taken on Sunday evening and on Thursday at the ER.)

Matt's Steelhead Fishing Trip

Matt (I) had a wonderful time with his dad and brothers this past week. We were able to take some time to get together to fish, laugh, bond together and eat delicious food! The Rogers bunch had to show everyone else how to catch a fish the first day! After that everyone started catching up because the guide put us on the slow holes. It was a much needed break and a chance to clear my head. I am glad the kids were good for Angie while I was gone. I also got to stay with my brother, Colin, and enjoy seeing his home and family. I think I am the luckiest guy alive. I am surrounded by people who care about me and my family.

Here are some great pictures of Bighorn Sheep we saw along the way.

I also shot a quick movie of us in the jet boat. The first part is us traveling down to the lodge on the first day. The second part is when we traveled back up a small water fall. Notice the narrow space in between the two rocks we went up.

NICU Fashion Show & Silent Auction

We had a wonderful opportunity to help out with the Annual NICU Fashion Show and Silent Auction. This was our first year helping out, but it was the Fourth one for the Family Advisory Board (FAB). I was able to make some hair ribbons and Christmas cards to auction off.


Our family was able to wear clothes from Lands End and show Abby off at the event. It was a lot of work, but the outcome was great. During the show, there were 2 videos shown. The first one shows the babies while in the NICU and the second one shows them now. The videos were made by a FAB member. Thanks Billie for doing a wonderful job on these videos, they definitely are tear-jerkers. It is amazing to see what progress these little preemies have made. Enjoy the videos!

Please click pause on the media player at the bottom of my page so you don't have two songs playing at the same time.

Then . . .

Miracle 2008

and Now

So Amazing 2008