off we go!

We had a great time in Michigan seeing everyone for Christmas! we made it home Christmas eve to prepare for Santa's arrival. the girls had a great time the next morning. it took mike only hours in the cold to set up their new trampoline =) they were very greatful and spent nearly 3 hours bouncing yesterday. today we are getting ready to depart on our second leg of vacation. we are trying to catch a C-5 out of the base here at noon. the plane will drop us off in New Jersey. i am just hoping we can get home somehow. once this whole winter break is over, i will post some pictures of what we have done, and believe me, its alot!

some pics from recent good times!

Anya and her candy cane reindeer from the school's Breakfast with Santa.

Asia didn't really want to take this picture. He was a good Santa!

L to R: Zach, Anya, Amy, Adam, Grace, and Ana (all the kids who decorated gingerbread houses, except Asia)

Asia took her gingerbread house decorating very seriously!

Asia's completed house.

Uncle Brandon's new dog, Bentley. Asia made him look at the camera for the picture.

Thanksgiving

our thanksgiving weekend started wednesday. we left dayton just before 2 and put up with crappy ohioian drivers for nearly 3 hours. lucky us, we hit the 275/96/14 interchange right around rush hour. as soon as we got to grandma and grandpa's the girls just had to play in the snow (mike had an itching for a snowman too)!

Thanksgiving day we woke up and watched the parade, of course! Then we headed off to Aunt Jean's house for thanksgiving with the Otte family. anya and asia really like playing with heather and keara. boy were they pooped after that day!

Friday morning we were up early for some Black Friday shopping. i dont know if it was worth that much lost sleep, but it was kinda fun. we had dinner that night with my mom and dad, grandma sue, grandma and grandpa charnesky, brandon and allison, and eric and jasmine. it has been a while since we had all the family together. it was nice. one day i may even post about the hilarious pumpkin vs. sweet potatoe pie tasting. it was alot of fun sticking an ice cube down brandons shirt too! uncle brandon was very impulsive and gave the girls an early christmas present- a dual screen car dvd player, it made the car ride home alot smoother! Thanks uncle brandon! we drove home that night and made it in around 1 am.

Saturday was thanksgiving with mike's mom and dad and three brothers and families. I have to say that no matter how good the food is, the third thanksgiving dinner in a row just isnt as easy to stomach. mike really liked Jen's mashed potatoes and i need the recipe for the stuffing. that way i can eat more when i am ready to eat again! here is a shot of all of the grandkids (we are up to 7 now)

L to R: Ian, Asia, Madeline, Anya, Juliet, and Will

It was a long weekend. Maybe we will be up to do it again around christmas. here is just a cute shot of Asia