Christmas Morning at Our House

Our annual pic in front of the tree

The majority of us were sick over Christmas this year, so we took it easy the few days before Christmas.  Becki's extended family decided to wait to get together until Christmas Day - assuming that everyone was feeling okay.  The kids insisted on leaving milk & cookies, as well as notes, out for Santa on Christmas Eve.  Will thought the reindeer would like a candy cane too.

We were shocked to wake up at 8 the next morning with no one awake!  Becki started making breakfast and Katie soon woke up.  As the monkey bread was placed in the oven, we asked Katie to go wake up the other 3 kids.  We started opening presents around 9! 

Waiting to open presents!

Maddie received this outfit from American Girl (Bitty Baby) for her baby doll.  She also received an American Girl Doll - she named her Molly.

Will received some Imaginext figures and a 3 ft castle!

One of Alex's presents was this "Oops" eraser from Will.  She thought it was pretty funny!  She also received Kaya - an American Girl Doll. 

Katie decided to use all of her gifts (from us and both grandparents) towards another American Girl Doll.  This Christmas, she received the new historical doll, Caroline.

Matt & Becki both received gifts from each of the kids - thanks to points earned every week at Awana!  Just before Christmas, they use those points to buy items for everyone on their Christmas list.  One thing that Matt (Santa hat was a gift from Maddie) received was a box of tools while Becki received a fun clock for the kitchen.

We ended our morning with breakfast - monkey bread and egg casserole.

School Christmas Program

Alex with her best friend Lily

Katie (middle row on right end)

Will & Maddie's class signed while singing

Katie & Alex are both in Spirit Choir.  They practice every Thursday after school.  It does my heart good to have my kids enjoy singing!

Spotting Eagles

Another year of Eagle watching!  We are so blessed to live in an area that attracts hundreds of Eagles every year! 

The Lock & Dam in Fulton, IL

Hennepin Canal where it meets the Mississippi River

We stopped on Arsenol Island to look for Eagles - Here are Will, Maddie & Alex checking out the canons.

Our last stop for the day was Sylvan Island - we didn't expect to see any Eagles, but the kids wanted to run across the bridge.  Alex enjoyed playing with her camera.

Being Sick Sucks!

We all battled yucky cold/flu stuff over Christmas.  Poor Maddie had it pretty bad.  If she gets sick, she immediately feels it in her chest/lungs.  We were eating pizza one night while watching a movie.  She told Matt that she was full and "could I be done eating".  Matt looked at her plate to find she hadn't taken a bite!!  A little later, we set her up on the couch with her nebulizer.  I grabbed the camera when I noticed her sitting like this...

After I took the picture, I put the camera down and went to check on her - only to find her asleep and the medicine mask out of her hand.  It was one of the saddest, yet cutest things I had seen in a long time. 

I am happy to report that a few days later, Maddie (as well as the rest of the kids) were all cough free.  This is the happy, healthy Maddie that we get to see now!

Sledding

Climbing the huge snow pile!

We had a decent snowfall December 20th - just before school break.  That weekend, we headed to Milan (Camden Park) to sled.  Becki's mom surprised us by stopping on her way home.  She surprised us even more when she got in a sled with Alex and took off down the hill!!

Will & Katie - best friends, worst enemies!  They walked up the hill, hand-in-hand.

Alex working her way up the hill

We actually fit all 4 kiddos in this sled!

Maddie with very pink cheeks!