Frigid Fun New Year's Eve!

We were invited to our friends cabin in Wisconsin to celebrate the New Year with family and friends. Too bad it wasn't warmer so we could enjoy more of the outdoors, but we still tried out a few things with many warm up breaks in between. The men were outside for quite awhile but I think that was to avoid other responsibilities!

The kids snowmobiled for the first time! Ice fished for the first time (unsuccessfully sadly). We played games, had snacks and a great dinner, and just hung out and had fun together. We did make it to midnight; barely!

Dad took each of the kids on their first snowmobile ride! Was short because the wind in your face was too much.

Ed and I keeping warm by the fire! 

 So thankful for good friends with good families who treat us like family!

These kids had so much fun together. Sadly the twins were sick but they still hung with the big kids!

Here is to a great 2018 ahead!

Team party

Tonight we got to hang out with Eddie's hockey team and their families. The Wippler family hosted at their home on Bald Eagle Lake. Sadly it was frigidly cold outside so the plan for skating didn't come tougher well; or for long I should say. The kids did brave the cold for maybe 30 minutes max! We didn't even bring Eddie's stuff but somehow the Wippler's found skates and a helmet and gloves for him. So he froze for about 15 minutes and then gave in. 

 Have no fear, there was plenty of fun to be had inside as well. 

And when you find another wine you like; you take notes...or pictures!! 

Courtney and I drank a couple bottles together...oops.

The Nest!!

We got an indoor and outdoor security camera finally...setting up the indoor one! Not quite warm enough to deal with hole drilling outside for that one quite yet. 

It's Christmas Day!!

And apparently Santa came...

So thankful to make these kids dreams come true on this Christmas Day! Love to see the joy in their face when they open gifts.

When the store wraps gifts for the husband...darn cute. 

The kids love to buy stuff for each other!! 

And Gizmo still loves to open presents too! 

Santa sure came through this year...a beam and synthetic ice for shooting!! 

And we got the kids Xbox One...so had to get the Big Kid a game to play too! 

And he finally got his darn Sound Bar for the TV! And I got a new laptop!! MacBook it is!! 

And apparently Gizmo needs something...he is so discreet! 

So many hockey cards... 

 Hockey is Life!!

heading home

When we stopped at Karen and Doug's to pick up Gizmo, we got to see Uncle Steve and his dog, Fidget! He sure is a young gun compared to Gizmo. 

Gizmo slept the whole way home! 

Christmas with the Knutson's!!

 These little people keep following us around. Rudy and Buster didn't want to be left behind I guess.

We were up and packed and onto Grandpa Kris and Grandma Julie's first thing this morning!! Excited to see everyone and spread some holiday cheer on Christmas Eve. 

Eddie stole the show with Blake first. 

Quick picture with Grandma and Grandpa while everyone was happy.  

 Got a picture of Ed and I with our Godson!!

These two...always challenging us. 

 We had some Panera breakfast and coffee and then moved onto presents. 

Rowan helped Blake with his very first present. 

Amanda and Blakey boo (as Rowan would call him) 

Kids got these cool glasses; and the adults wore them the most I think... 

Us ladies are ready for some pampering!! 

And then there were 3 Grandkids!! 

The big kids... 

 The boys with Grandpa. 

Always messing around... 

and some more... 

Such an awesome start to the holidays. Sad that we have to drive home still this afternoon; but well worth the trip to be able to see all of our families.