Fun around the house in the winter time

Molly loves playing outside and is a pretty active little thing so in these frigid temps, we have had to get creative. We set up a tent in the living room and she likes to line all her friends up inside and then sit and have discussions. So cute!

We also brought her car inside and she takes laps around the house. She likes to drive with her baby in her lap and Mike has nicknamed her Britney Spears.

Go Packers!

Mike's birthday was last weekend and in his honor the Green Bay Packers made it to the playoffs. Isn't that considerate of them? To celebrate the whole family got new duds. Go Packers!

Awesome new Christmas present

Mike's Mom and Dad got me a triple crock pot for Christmas. I took it for a spin last Sunday and cooked up three different recipes that all went in the freezer. It was so handy to pop everything in there and then 8 hours later have 8 meals worth of food. This would also be great for entertaining. Thanks Mac and Nancy!

Underneath lid #1 we have Turkey Taco Soup

Underneath lid #2 is homemade marinara

Underneath #3 is Barbecue Pulled Pork

The finished products

Happy 40th!!!

On New Year's Eve the McGill kids hosted a surprise 40th Anniversary party for Mac and Nancy. It was such a fun night and I think we really surprised them. Mike and I talk often about how blessed we feel to each have had such a stable and happy example of marriage in both of our parents and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate 40 years! There are lots of pictures, beware...

The happy couple having a nice dinner moments before the surprise. They had no idea what they were in for!

Umm, can we just talk about the cuteness of this outfit?

She was loving the dance floor.

Our attempt at a family photo.

Mike and his high school football coach, Coach Wilson

Giving a toast

Raise your glass

This is Max Collins. He wrote the movie Road the Perdition and used to write the Dick Tracy comic. He is a friend of Mike's parents and was in the band (Crusin) that played at the party.

Mike's Dad joined in playing the saxophone.

Mike, Uncle Kenny and Cousin Christopher

Good picture.

Mike and Jessica doing their signature swing dance.

Taking Mom for a spin.

Niki and Melissa

Conga line!

Mike and Justin

Chris, Alexis and Jim

Christmas with the McGills

Two days after returning from our 6 days in Wichita we loaded up and headed east to Grandview for Christmas with the McGills. More matching jammies, LOTS more presents and plenty of fun with the cousins. All of this was followed by Mac's famous Mexican food lunch.

Molly totally worships her big cousin Lauren.

Toodee! Molly loves Yo Gabba Gabba and she got a doll.

Dance star Mickey. This was her big present for Grandma and Grandpa. She loves it!

Playing Mickey says.

Lauren getting in on the action. Look at all those gifts!

Coloring with the big girls. Look at her just stare at Stephanie.

Cheese!

Christmas with the Wells

We spent Christmas in Wichita with the Wells. It was such a fun time and the first time that Molly and Oliver actually played together and interacted. We were grateful to have 5 whole days there and Molly was incredibly spolied. Despite being there, I only brought my camera out on Christmas morning. Aunt Annie bought the kids matching jammies and they looked so cute!

New toys!

It was so great to see Great Grandma Duck! She is doing great after her knee replacement surgery and I will always treasure the time we spent together over the holidays.

Gammy helping me with a new puzzle.

Proud grandparents

Kissing cousins

Oliver, Aunt Annie, Mommy and Molly

Reading my new Elmo book with Lumpy

Just waking up...Merry Christmas!

Cool Dude

I'm working on getting posts done for Christmas with the Wells and with the McGills as well as New Year's but in the mean time, here is a funny new video. Whenever Molly puts on either sunglasses or a baseball cap she says "cool dude." It comes out sounding like "O'Douls." She's pretty proud of herself and I could watch this all day long and still laugh every time.