SLEDDING

Yesterday when Loren got home from school, we jumped in the van and went sledding!

Haley thought that it would be cool if Loren could pull her up the hill...didn't work out so well!

WHEEEEE!
We had so much fun! We finally had to leave when my fingers were so cold, they were about to fall off!

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

HALEY'S 10 HOUR PROJECT

Haley had to do another 10 hour project for Geography. They could choose anything as their project as long as it was something from Central America. It took her 16 hours and a few tears to make it. She made a Mexican Wrestling Mask. It was a long process since Haley nor I sew. She did it all herself and got a really good grade on it. Her teacher said that no one has ever made one of these for his class before. He was impressed, I was impressed and Haley was so proud. HOOAH!

A REAL LIVE SNOW GLOBE!

Brennan loves snow storms because it gives him an excuse to go play on his machine. I know that when he goes out, he wont come home for a long time. He doesn't just do ours, but he does all of the the neighbors.

This was a beautiful snow storm. It snowed and snowed and snowed. I love it. I love it until my girls have to drive in it.

Ems got off work at 3:20 and didn't get home until 6:15! It usually takes her 1/2 an hour, so as you can imagine, we were worried sick! I was so happy when she came home. She was pretty stressed.

It looks like we live in a real live snow globe! It's a winter wonderland!

This is Haley at work. Either Brennan or I go with her to do her rounds when she works at night. (one day a week) She has to deliver a few residents their medicine and she doesn't like to be outside alone . I like going and spending time with her so I don't mind.

Haley loves her job!

NEW YEARS EVE 2008

New Years Eve was fun this year. The girls all invited friends and we invited the Bergers and Jeff & Shelly. (they missed out on the picture moment because at 11:30 Kasey really needed her bed).We played "what if", Bunko, and Farkle. We had a lot of fun! Our bed sure felt good when we fell into it! At midnight, everyone went out and banged pans (we really know how to party at the Bateman's) and ran around the neighborhood making sure the neighbors knew it was 2009! We made breakfast. Everything was still fine and dandy. Then Brennan cut his finger really bad on a can lid. Lyssi broke Brennan's new recliner, (Ems fixed it this morning) Next, I don't really know how this happened but I knocked over the griddle that we had cooked the bacon on and grease went everywhere! It was horrible. All over the counter, all in the drawers under the counter, all over the floor, and down both of my legs and into my shoes. It was the messiest, greasiest mess! Bad things happen in 3's right?, so I think we are good. But it really was a good night and I know that 2009 will be a good year!

Loren doesn't get to have sleep overs but we made an exception tonight. She was thrilled. They went to sleep around 2 am. I'm nuts!

2009, HERE

WE COME!

CHRISTMAS DAY AT COUNTRY PINES

I think we started a new tradition this Christmas. Our girls work at Country Pines. My sister Shelly also works there and had to serve them lunch on Christmas. She said that they would love it if Brennan would come play the violin sometime so he decided to go play Christmas songs while they ate lunch. The residents loved it and they loved seeing the girls. We all sang a few Christmas songs with them and Brennan played alot. They even talked him into playing Orange Blossom Special even though it wasn't a Christmas song. He played all the traditional ones and a few Elvis. He was hit! I think we will go do this every year.

They work with the sweetest people. My girls have really grown to love them.

CHRISTMAS

Christmas at Gramma and Grampa's is always fun. We have lots of people and presents and tons of wrapping paper. It is total chaos but we love it!

Our girls got everything that they ever wanted. Right girls? Loren was really excited this year. Her and Kasey were anxious for everyone to go to sleep so Santa could come. They slept on Gramma & Papa's floor.

We got to sleep till 6:30. The kids had to stay in bed till we got back over there. Brennan and I went home to sleep in our quiet house.

We had a fun day! We only had to go thru the mountains of garbage once because I threw away $30. Found it.

Loren made Papa a car. She made it out of card stock and was so excited to give it to him. He loved it just as she knew he would.

Everyone was here. Clint, Mindy and Taysen, Susan and Lindsey, Shelly, Jeff and Kasey , Todd and Dianna, Brennan, myself and our girls, and mom and dad! What more could we want!

The end of a wonderful day and a wonderful Christmsas season! We had a blizzard tonight. We got about 7 or 8 inches of snow in an hour. Lyssi & Haley went in to work for a couple of hours and had to dig their car out. We definately had a white Christmas!

CHRISTMAS EVE

********* LOTS OF GRANDDAUGHTERS! ********

I think that we are so blessed to have 4 girls who all still love their mom and dad. They are fun and funny and so dang cute. Gramma bought cute jammies. She always gives them a book and jammies. They act like they don't know what is in the present.

Christmas Eve is always so much fun. We go to Gramma & Grampa's and hang out. We eat, sing Christmas carols and of course, the girls all get to open one present from Gramma & Papa. Can you guess what that present might be?....Jammies!

Brennan breaks out the violin whether he wants to or not. I think he really does enjoys it.

We all love spending the evening with each other. In years past, we all slept over but Brennan has put his foot down and we go home and sleep. (Just Brennan and I) and have to be back before the kids can go in to see what Santa brought. This year, everyone slept till about 6:30.

Gramma's tree is so pretty. They can never not touch

Having fun together!

Cousins are fun. I'm so glad that my girls know cousins! Family is a good place to be!

Taysen is adorable. Completely an angel baby! It's fun having a baby around again.