Sledding before the storm

On our way to the big sledding hill in our town. The girls were so bundled up we couldn't get buckeled, (dont worry we only had to go 2 blocks) They thought they were pretty cool getting to sit in the back seat.
As soon as we got there Kurt was pulling Tori and he let go of the sled and away she went. She was flying and at the bottom tumbled over face first in the snow. Needless to say she was upset and wouldn't go do by herself again.
Alli loved it and kept saying more, more, more.
We went pretty fast and had some bumps, but they laughed the whole way down.

We are so glad we did this Saturday morning. Around noon the wind started (we had a foot of snow Friday) and we were in for the blizzard. Today (sunday) we are having -33 degrees windchill, and are forecasted for a high tonight of -11. The wind is howling outside and it looks like the Artic outside.

We are getting so excited for Chrismas.

Schrock Christmas

Our Schrock Christmas was another great year. The kids had so much fun playing with each other and opening their presents. We all decided next year with one more boy in the group, it will be beyond crazy. We had a great dinner, wonderful presents, and even a little entertainment. The girls sang Christmas songs for us.

This is the crazy mix of Schrock great-grandkids.
Alli 22 months
Jacquie 3
Max 18 months
Makala 5
Kaylie 6
Tori 4
Malorie 7
coming in Feb. baby boy Liedtke.

Bank Chrismas Party

Kurt's Bank had their family Christmas party
First you got visit with Santa, both girls went up and told him what they wanted.
We had our breakfast of fried sugar doughnuts in the lobby.
Then we to see Bolt with the rest of our breakfast of popcorn and soda.
Alli even watched about 45 minutes of the movie without moving, of course she ate about 1/2 a tub of popcorn.

Tori " I want a talking dollhouse and rollerskates."

Alli "Elmo"

Influenza

If you don't know the difference between "the stomach flu" and influenze. Tori could tell you.
---I will never call throwing up flu the flu again.
---3 days of very high fever (101-104)
---1 hour in the doctors office.
---2 1/2 hour ER visit
---two blood tests
---a chest x-ray
---a tube up the nose

that is all Tori had to go through to discover she had the flu.
And yes she had the flu shot, but this is a strand not covered.
The ER visit was Tuesday night. and now today I think we are finally on the road to recovery. Her high temp today was 100.2
We have been crossing our fingers that Alli would not get it and no signs yet.

Tori was very brave and only cried a little with each test. she was very scared when new nurses and doctors kept coming in poking and proding.

Let's hope it is over.
I have only left the house twice in the past 5 days. Monday went to work for 2 hours and tonight went to target for an hour.
Thank goodness I have a MOPS mom's night out tomorrow.

Iowa winters

Well here we go again. trapped in the house. It is not that bad, but everything is cancelled today, so will not be venturig out anywhere. Tori is also getting over a little sickness, so I will probably really be nuts by tonight. She didn't go to school yesterday, but did have a nap, so I actually got something done then.

Potty....... Alli is trying it out. Yesterday she was on the potty every 20 minutes, she knows when the timer goes off to head for the bathroom. we are trying again today, but she has not went in the potty yet.

tori had her holiday school program last week and it was wonderful. You will have to take my word for it because very sadly, our pictures did not turn out and the video tape was ruined. I am hoping I can get the video from another parent.

Remember now as everyone gets busy with their holiday plans to slow down and enjoy the season.

The Elf returns.

Alli is talking like crazy. She now repeats everything she hears. And most of it is very clear. She is now infatuated with Elmo. She constantly wants him on the TV, even if she is not watching. Her ears are finely intuned for the Elmo's World song.

Eia is back! Our santa's helper elf returned to us Thanksgiving night. If you don't know what I am talking about you have to check out "Elf on a Shelf" You can buy them at Hallmark stores and they are greatest way to bribe your children from now 'til Christmas.
He watches you all day and fly's away to the North Pole every night to tell Santa if you have been naughty or nice and returns to your house by morning. He comes to a different spot each day, so he will see you everywhere.

It is so cool to see an innocent 4 year old truly believe in the magic of Christmas every morning.

First Snow!!!! Saturday afternoon it started snowing and didn't stop untill Sunday night. It was a beautiful snow and great for making a snowman. We were bundled and out by 9 am. The girls were very anxious. It was warm enough and no wind so we got to stay out about an hour. Let's see if I am this joyful about snow in two months. NO WAY!!!!

All bundled up sooooo cute.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had the whole traditional meal. I do have to say I was pretty proud of myself for pulling it off. I just don't really want to do it again for another year. G-ma, G-pa, Aunt Kimmer, Gracie and our friends the Oumittee's were with us the celebrate the special day.

Darn it! I only took a few pictures.
Here is Alli and Soren entertaining us all with a little karaoke. They loved that they could see themselves on the screen.

At the end of the evening they were all watching a movie in Tori's room. The little ones only stayed there for about 1 minute.

I did not make it out in the wee morning hours shopping, not enough ambition this year.

I need my mom and Travis to get me motivated I guess.