Family, Fun and Lots of Memories!

The Christmas week started off with a trip to Chicago for me.  It was a very last minute trip for a very short meeting.  I made the most of the trip by taking in all of the sites on the walk to my meeting.  I took a picture with "the bean", strolled by Trump Tower, the Public Library, City Hall and so many other cool sites.  It was a very nice downtown, and it was beautifully decorated for the holidays.

 

The girls had no school on Friday, and I had one last day of work.  I was trying to pack a lot of stuff in that day.  Grandma asked if the cousins wanted to go ice skating.  Of course they did.  They skated for nearly 4 hours and were thoroughly exhausted by the end of it. 

 

We woke up Saturday morning to a bunch of snow.  It was the "pretty perfect" kind for building a snow man.  The girls were super excited and rushed outside to build Frosty.  After that, they helped me shovel the driveway.  They are pretty good eggs!

 

Our church had a Christmas program this year.  They do not have one every year.  Kendall was super excited to participate.  Sidney initially opted out, but after attending a few practices and seeing how much fun they were all having, she decided to jump in.  The play was three acts and VERY funny.  One of Sidney's friends, Rose, did an exceptional job in delivering her hysterical lines. 

 

 

 After church, the cousins got together to help Grandma make Krumkake.

We spent the day visiting and enjoying each other.

Before we knew it, the time to get ready for Christmas Eve dinner had arrived.  Sidney decided to make our place cards this year.  She had concocted this idea in her head (or so she tells me).  I think they turned out pretty cute!

After a delicious Lutefisk dinner (can you hear the sarcasm in my voice), the girls each entertained us.  Sidney read a book to everyone, and Kendall played a few Christmas songs on the piano.

Cody was Santa this year, and the girls were his mischievous elves passing out presents.

After opening gifts, we let the BINGO games begin.  This has become a favorite tradition with lots of fun and surprises. 

Christmas day was pizza and present time.  I skipped over the part in which we had zero to no sleep Christmas Eve night.  Kevin and I went to bed shortly after midnight.  Kendall woke up screaming at 3am, because Sidney had rolled on top of her (they were sharing an air mattress while family was here).  After we (or me) got that situation under control, we got about one more hour of sleep until Kendall woke up screaming again because Sidney had vomited on her.  I suspect the vomiting was a result of all the junk food she ate.  By the time we had the girls out of the shower and the bedding in the washing machine, it was 4:30 am.  We all tried to lay our heads back down, but after about 15 minutes we figured we might as well get up. 

Santa had brought the girls each brand new bikes.  Grandma and Papa had bought them each one of those polaroid cameras (just like the "old days").  They were busy taking pictures all day long.  After dinner, everyone drove out to see the lights at Indian Creek.  Sidney, Grandma and I held the fort down at home. 

I took the week off work and have been having a lot of fun.  Kendall and I have been planning her birthday celebration. We have watched a ton of movies, shopped a bit and visited Jump Time.  Kendall mastered the Ninja warrior course several times over.

Sidney opted for the trampolines. 

It was another amazing Christmas.  We count each of these as a blessing and a miracle.  Kevin finished his last day of radiation today.  He continues the immunotherapy tomorrow.  I will admit that there are times we have to be remind ourselves not to let the little things get us down and to appreciate each other even when we are tired or angry.  Through it all, we continue to be thankful for each and every day.  Onward to 2018!