Sledding

Sophie, Conner, Aunt Andi, and I went sledding today. There aren't any hills at mom and dad's house. so we got a work out pulling the kids. We had a lot of fun.

Aunt Andi and Sophie

Tammy and Conner

Big Sister Party

Today, we went to Rockport. My dad, Steve, Tim, and Byron went to a "Guys Party." The girls and Conner had a "Big Sister Party." Sophie was supposed to go to a "Big Sister Class" today but it was cancelled due to the weather. She was very upset, so we had a "Big Sister Party."

Mom took all the girls and Conner to lunch at the Mexican Restaurant. They brought Sophie a special fried Ice cream and a Sombrero. She didn't want anything to do with the attention from strangers. We all wore out party hats and leis through lunch. Yes, everyone stared. How many times have you gone out for lunch and seen grown adults wearing giant cheeseburgers on their heads??????????????? My point taken.

We then went back to mom's house for cake. Then, Sophie got to open her "I'm gonna be a big sister" gifts. Steph is being induced on Wed. Feb 3rd. They do not know what they are having. Sophie says "a Sister." then she says "a Brother." We will have to wait and see.

Loving her baby sibling.

This is a test to see how closely Andrea follows our blog. I will mention something and say "didn't you see it in our Blog?" She always has an excuse why she hasn't checked it. I think this picture should show up again at her wedding. Did you see this, Andrea?????????

The Big Sister

Conner wishing he was old enough to go to the "GUY Party."

Sophie, Conner, and the Baby all got matching P.J. 's for a slumber party at MeMaw and G-daddy's house.

She also got coloring books, markers, an Elmo movie, and a book of Handy Manny about the "New Kid." She also got a book about being a Big Sister.

Happy Birthday Brady

Today is Brady's 1st Birthday. We hope you have a great day filled with lots of fun. Love you.

Camper

On Friday morning, at 6 a.m., we headed to Lake Zurich, Illinois. Which is basically north of Chicago. We were headed to Camping World to look at a camper we found online. The trip would take the average family 7 and a half hours. Well, we are no longer the average family. It took us 10 and a half hours. Not to mention, most of the country had been hit by snow on Thursday, so the roads were not great. We saw about 100 cars, trucks, and semis off the road, in ditches, down hills, or head on into trees from the snow and ice on Thursday between Evansville and Lake Zurich .

On Saturday morning, we headed to Camping world to meet with our salesman. They knew we were coming so our camper was indoors in the showroom and thawed out. Thank God. I wasn't going to stand outside, in Chicago, in January, to look at a camper. It was exactly what we had been looking for. It was everything we wanted and the right price. So, we bought it. It is a Laredo 5th Wheel. This took way longer than we ever anticipated. We had to look it over, get a walk through with a man to tell us about it, then go in and negotiate things, and buy it. We thought we would go there, buy it, and head home. We were expecting to get home around 8 pm.. We didn't even leave the dealer until 3 pm. Things don't always go as expected. We drove about 3 hours and it got dark and Conner got grouchy and hungry. So, we are at another hotel, looking for another place to eat. Oh Well. It is just another chapter in our adventure book. We will get up and travel the other 7 hours tomorrow. It was the safest thing to do. It is 0 degrees outside and I am terrified of black ice.

We will leave the camper there until spring and Steve will go back and pick it up.

On Sunday, when we left for home, the temperature was -14 degrees and the wind chill was -30 degrees. Yikes. It was cold.

Two Happy Campers

Christmas with the Kelfreich's

Sunday, we went to Michelle, Kelsey, and Maddie's to take them their Christmas gifts. Conner got a set of stacking and nesting balls. They are bright and colorful. He loves them because they have a hole in the middle of them so he can grab them easily and twist them all around. Thanks girls. We love you. Maddie and Conner Conner excited about his gift.

Attempting to open his gift.

Wanting to crawl

Kelsey and Conner

Christmas with the Broekers

On New Years Day Night, we went over to Jamie and Bens to celebrate Christmas with them. Jamie made a lot of great food. We ate, drank wine, exchanged gifts, and played wii. We had a great night. Thanks Broekers for the fun. Hannah and Conner's first Christmas together. Many more to follow. Conner opening a gift.

Hannah showing her Blendy Pens.

Kyle aka"Batman" opening a gift.

Conner got Fridge magnets, and a Catepillar steering wheel with lights, sounds, and vibrations. He loves the steering wheel. It is sooooo....... loud. We play with it in increments, then I hide it for a while. It keeps his interest for a long time. Steve said it must be payback for all of the loud toys we have bought their kids over the past 5 years.

Big Announcement

We have a big announcement. I am getting another Brother. Andrea and Byron got engaged Christmas Eve. We are so excited for the happy couple. We love you both. Welcome to the family Byron.

Initiation into the Payne Family. I have been waiting 7 months to do that.

Payne Family Christmas

Saturday, we celebrated Christmas with the Payne side of the family. We had a wonderful meal and then opened presents. We were all spoiled once again. It was a lot of fun watching Sophie this year. She would open a gift, then want to get it out of the box and play with it before she could open any more. The first gift she opened was from Conner to her. It was a Dora the Explorer lip gloss set. Everyone had to put some lip gloss on before the celebration could go on. She got lots of girly stuff. Conner was once again interested in the paper and bows. He got a lot of toys and clothes. The boy hit the jack pot this Christmas. Everything makes NOISE.

Playing in the Toy Box

Playing Chicken

Payne's

Getting Sophie to stand still for a family photo was quite a trip, so Steph and Tim had to lay down on the floor to get the photo.

Christmas Day

On Christmas Day, we invited both sets of Conner's grandparents over for lunch. We saved a few of his gifts from Santa for them to watch him open. He got a very special visit from Santa Claus himself. He was not real sure about him, but never screamed. There were a few tears. He just liked it better when he could watch Santa from a distance. He did eventually let Santa hold him for a few pictures. We ended the day with Butter Pecan Birthday cake for Jesus. It was a great day.

His new John Deere Rocking chair from Grandma and Granddaddy Payne.

He loves it because it is low enough for him to climb on and pull up on.

Santa ate all of his cookies and left only crumbs.