Merry Christmas!!

What a great Christmas! Reagan was so excited she didn't know what to do half the time! Charlie was a bit confused with the whole thing but enjoyed the company - especially the kids!

In the middle of all the presents! We hosted Christmas at our house again this year. There were so many presents it took up almost the entire living room.

Posing in the presents - too eager to open them up!

Alright Mom! No More Pictures!


My parent's bought her a Barbie Jeep! It was a hit! The kids had a blast driving it back and forth - INSIDE the house.

This girl I tell you! She keeps us rolling! She was given some dress up clothes complete with a microphone, pink hair, skirt, etc. - just like her favorite character - Dee Dee Doodle! Obviously, she enjoyed the gift and spent night after night singing AT THE TOP of her lungs and dancing around the house. She kept saying, "Come on - sing!" She's hilarious!


Posing - this is all on her own - we have our hands full! ;-)



Dressed alike - Madison and Reagan were ADORABLE!!

Charlie Monkey - so happy to be a part of the discussion!

Aunt KJ was able to make it home - after some delays at the airport! The kids were so happy to see her!

Using her Motherly Instincts - or lack thereof! ;-) Aunt KJ trying to feed Charlie. HILARIOUS!

My goof of a cousin, Paul, following Grandma's Christmas fashion sense. The turtleneck was a little small but the whole outfit was..... special.


Playing Guitar Hero. It was the hit of Christmas Eve at the Hall's!

Tearing up the house with the double stroller from American Doll! I've never been so happy to have the basement finished!
We hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas! Much love and many blessings for the New Year!

Dr. Papa Graduates!!

My Dad (aka Dr. Dad now) graduated with his Ed.D. on December 16th from Eastern Michigan University! He is officially a Doctor! Who would have thought way back when he had a beer can wall that he would ever become the genius that he is!



Marianne and I made these sweatshirts for his graduation - of course we thought it was the FUNNIEST thing ever. Although the ceremony was cancelled due to the weather, we still had a great time in Ypsilanti we the family! The kids had a great time with their sweatshirts and calling Papa "Doctor". We are so proud of him!!!!

CHI-town's got it goin' on!

Meghan, Sarah and I made the trip down to Chicago this past weekend to shop..... and sleep..... eat and SHOP! We had such a great time! We arrived on Friday night (with minimal directional problems), went to eat the BEST dinner ever at the Cheesecake Factory and went to bed - until 10:30 AM (Michigan time)! That's right - no interruptions - just peaceful sleep. After an EXPENSIVE room-service breakfast we hit the stores! They were packed but full of great deals! We came back home on Sunday afternoon. It was a vacation to remember forever!

At Cheesecake Factory..... for the second time. This time just for dessert!

Picture from the cab window as the cabbie was yelling at me to hurry up and saying, "You're so slow!"

Giving our feet a break and cabbing it back to the hotel.

The bellmen at the hotel said, "I've been working here all season and have seen a lot of cart fulls of presents but you girls definitely take the prize!" We're proud of our accomplishment!

The car was PACKED full on our ride home!
Thanks again Meghan and Sarah for a great trip! And - I swear Sarah, there was only black hats left at Aldo! ;-)