This picture only happened after 2 mall visits, a very long line followed by a holding area, dead camera batteries, an argument with an elf and two very whiny children (and possibly two whiny parents). I'm lucky I even have this picture. It was a rough day and Jim and I are not gonna talk about it. Merry Christmas!!!

LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!

My kids love snow! When we got our last big snow fall, they spent over two hours playing in it. They grabbed buckets and shovels and had a ball. I just kept thinking that we were on the beach in Florida playing with sand toys just 2 months ago.

This year we invited my cousin Becky, her husband Dave and their way too cute daughter Emily over for our gingerbread house decorating night. We set out a ton of candy and frosting and let the kids go crazy. The had fun making their house just right.

Jen mad a hearts out of mini candy canes on one side and a very elaborate design on the other side. I think her house weighed 5 lbs by the time she was done.

Jimmy slopped on a ton of candy and was very proud of his masterpiece when he finished. He was also crazy nuts after due to the self induced sugar overdose.

Emily ended up decorating her house all by herself and made sure all of her candy was put on in just the right spot.

Julie had won yet another set of tickets from a radio station-this time to a Piston's game. Jim and Julie took the boys and had a blast. Jimmy had never been to a basketball game before so he had no idea what to expect. Even though they were nosebleed seats, the boys had fun.

You have to get your picture taken in front of the big shoe - right?

Before the game had started the boys warmed up with a little basket throwing.

Jimmy's been to a Red Wings game , a Tigers game and now a Piston's. We just need to get him to a football game.

HALLOWEEN 2010

Since it's December 18th, I decided it's about time to post our Halloween pictures. Better late then never - right? A couple of days before Halloween we found out about Tillson Street in downtown Romeo that decorates above and beyond for the holiday. Just about every house had extreme decorations - some converting their house into an inane asylum, a pirate ship, a cemetery and a zombie ball room. Shawn and the boys came and froze with us.

This house actually borded up allof the windows and doors.

Every year Julie and Scott have a pumpkin carving party on Devils night. By the end of the night, we usually have almost 40 pumpkins carved.

We have a really good system down by now. Scott will usually have the miserable job of emptying out the freezing cold insides of the pumpkins while everyone else starts carving. It takes all night- but definitely worth it when you look at the yard at night.

My little pumpkin carving princess.

Uncle Jimmy and Madison

Jimmy knew right away that he had wanted to dress up as Batman- there was no question. Jenna however had a very difficult time as usual. For whatever reason, they now make very inappropriate costumes for girls, and you can guess what my daughter would like given the choice. I had to talk her into this pirate costume, but it wasn't until an employee told her there was an entire section of accessories to go with her costume that she made up her mind. So we got some earrings, a sword and an eye patch and we were on our way.

Every year we make our first stop at Grandma and PaPa Doptis's house. We show off our cuties and visit for a while until it's time to head over to Aunt Julie's for trick-or-treating.

Best buddies Jimmy and Lanie. She made the cutest pink kitty!!!

Jimmy, Spencer, Kaiden, Jenna and Lanie

The kids enjoyed going door to door for only a short time. It was very cold and all they wanted to do was go back to the house and play with everyone.

Later we always meet up with Shawn and the boys over at Grandma and PaPa Thornton's house. We stay until the sugar kicks in and head home.

For not wanting to be out much, they sure did snag a lot of candy this year.