AHH, the Amish life.

If you ever want to experience how the Amish live, well, not exactly how they live, Shipshewana is the place to go. We must of saw 10 horse and buggies on our way out. If you like crafts, mark this place on your map.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!!!

Hard to believe he is four already. Time does go by fast. Matt started this blog right when Jack was born. He is such a sweet boy and means the world to me. He is always so happy and friendly. It's too bad his poor teeth got discolored from his fall. We call him "Captain Jack Blacktooth" now.

Bunk Beds and Arcades

Yet another one of Jack's favorites are bunk beds. They had two, so each had their own. We went down to the arcade after my parents left and I dominated the skee ball. Love that game. I won Lily a bracelet and Jack this laser gun that made the worst sound in the world. Bad purchase and of course, he loved it.

Jack's 4th Birthday!!

Jack's favorite thing in the whole world is water parks and hotels. So we spent Sunday and overnight in Shipshwana at Splash Universe. Kids had a blast and my parents met up with us so it was a big help. Surprisingly, my parents had a blast also, they even went down on some of the big kids rides. Kinda reminded Matt and I of a Viagra commercial seeing them laugh like that down the slides. Ha Ha. Anyway, after the waterpark, we went to the room and opened gifts, had pizza, and birthday cake.

End of a long day.

It's about 6:30 at night and Jack actually asked to go to bed and is fast asleep. Lily stayed up and loves her Leapster 2 which she is figuring out quickly. She actually is figuring out Matt's DS also. She is such a techy wonder. By this time, I have finished off the wine and getting some much needed quiet time. Another Christmas has gone by, some great memories to keep and stories to share.

Santa got my letter!!

This was the gift that Jack cut out of the paper and mailed to Santa. Mom had already gotten it for him, so we told him that Santa and Grandma talked. He was so happy.

Star Wars Christmas

The Star wars Jedi/Darth Vader kit was a big hit with the big kids also. I liked this picture because it looks like the light sabers are real. The darth vader mask actually has a button that you can push that does the mechanical breathing. And it comes with a cheesy Jedi ponytail.

Merry Christmas

Some happy kids at the Romanin house. I have to admit, Jack is great to watch open presents. He would get excited over a lump of coal. He is so appreciative of what he gets. The night before when he opened a gift from my grandma, he thought the gift was for her. He said "Wow Grandma, you got a monster truck, how cool." He may not be the brightest kid, but the most gracious. We have decided that Lily has been officially "Americanized." She kept asking for more, more, more, and said " Don't I get any more presents?" when it was done." Pretty typical, but she enjoyed all her gifts.

The mystery of Santa, and some dumb parents

Once we got home from my parents we had to set up the cookies and milk for Santa and
the carrots for the reindeers. It was getting late, so we took the kids upstairs for baths then bed. Once we headed downstairs little did we know that one of Santa's helpers (Sophie) helped herself to the cookies. She left the carrots of course. The next morning the kids could not get over that Santa was here. They were more excited about the cookies missing then the presents.

HO HO HO Merry Christmas, and what do you want little girl?

Christmas Eve at Grandma's, and goofing around.

Went to mom and dad's for the annual chicken and noodles supper on Christmas eve. The kids this year were so loving on my Grandma which was sooooo sweet to watch. Last year they were timid of her. Once I told them that she went to school with Santa, they were her new best friend. She got a kick out of that. Lily was being Lily, a ham and wouldn't smile for the picture with Emily. I told her she better not pout because Santa Clause is coming and her tune changed quickly. Matt and I had to be cheeseballs, and Mom got a picture with Emily's "baby."

Christmas with Gracie

On Tuesday we headed to Lily's BFF for Christmas. The kids had a great time catching up and opening some gifts.

Uncle Bryan, his girlfriend, and Oscar

Emily and Bryan made the trek down from Minneapolis on Sunday. The kids really glob onto my brother-in-law, Bryan. He is great to play with them and tolerate the early morning wake up calls (sorry, by the way). Matt got a Nintendo DS for Christmas and the kids were watching Bryan play. For some reason they kept calling my sister Emily, Uncle Bryan's girlfriend. Anyway, Oscar made the trip down here also. Sophie and him get along great, just one scuffle over some bacon, but hey, it's bacon.

Snow day, sick kids, and christmas cookies

The last day of school was a snow day, it worked out ok, since Jack was sick. Lily
wasn't feeling great either. Anyway, I was going to bring like 30 sugar cookies for the kids in their class to decorate for Jack's birthday and ended up not being able to. We decorated the christmas cookies at home and I decided after they licked the frosting about 20 times and reused the utensils that these were just cookies for the immediate family. Lily by the way, had a HORRIBLE hair day, had to capture it because I always do her hair.

Last day of soccer

Well, I don't think Jack is going to end up being a soccer player, we are going to take a break for awhile. I found that if I had Lily out there, he showed more interest. Lily was a good sport, but it's not her thing either. They had fun while it lasted.

Brunch with Santa

Success this year with our annual brunch with Santa at Knollwood. Everyone was healthy, and we actually got some face time with the busy guy (last year the kids were too scared). We had some good laughs with the kids. Both of them went right up to Santa, after many days of prep, and Jack kept saying he wanted a transformer, about 5 times, to make sure he heard him, and Lily just said presents. They got a quick picture and then were given some gifts. When they opened them, Jack received some magnetic blocks and he said " I didn't sit for blocks." We all busted out laughing, kids are so honest. Matt had to explain to them that once you tell Santa that he has to go back to the North pole to make it. Kids are smart.

Jen and Dave

Matt's sister Jen and husband Dave. We went out to dinner Sat. night. It was nice to go out without kids and sit down and talk.

St. Joe, the Romanin kids, and the Grinch.

And in the news....

Jack was really interested in this exhibit because he likes to watch himself on TV. He was also into the space exhibit.

Fun at Curious Kids Museum

On Friday we took the kids to St. Joe in Michigan. The girls loved the face painting exhibit, and Jack and Matt liked the earthquake and dinosaur exhibit.