So this is Christmas!

Wow! It sure is amazing how time flies around the holidays! I sure hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that they were able to spend time with family and friends.

The 3 Wise Guys

On Christmas Eve, the Duehlmeier's had their annual Christmas party. Doug and Susan host it every year and they always do such a wonderful job. Despite the crazy snow storm everyone made it there safely, some earlier than others. After we all fed our tummies, we had a special visit from the 3 wise guys who brought gifts to all the unmarried grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the family. This year Bret was able to play one of the Wise Guys. McKinley was so funny sitting on his lap. You could tell she recognized the voice, but not the face. But most importantly she didn't cry. (Santa wasn't the best experience) It was fun to be there with the family hear the Christmas Story, and sing Christmas Songs.

Danny and Bret the Wise Guy

Jayson and Bret the Wise Guy


Bret and Mike the Wise Guys, Ethan and McKinley


McKinley and Dad the Wise Guy


McKinley and Dad the Wise guy again

This year for Christmas Bret and I decided that we wanted to do things a little differently and much to both our parents disliking, we had Christmas for the first time since we've been married at our house first. (usually we haven't opened the gifts we got for each other until about 4 or 5) Although it was very different for both of us, it was nice to be able to do things the way we wanted to do them.

McKinley with her Maraca

McKinley surprisingly enough actually liked the toys we got her more than the wrapping paper boxes and bows. Bret got me my weight set I wanted and I got Bret anatomy flash cards for his i-pod. It was a lot of fun to see McKinley's face when she opened her gifts.. the smile was tattooed on her face for almost 3 days until the lack of sleep finally kicked in.

McKinley and her blocks

Later that afternoon we went to my parents house to open gifts and to talk to Spence. It was really nice to hear his voice and his laugh again. I almost had forgotten what it sounded like. It made me that much more excited to have him coming home in just a couple weeks.

Mom and McKinley

After that we made our way over to Bret's mom and dads. We had made a deal that we would sleep over and open gifts at their house the next day. It was SO nice to be able to do it that way. I really felt like we were able to spend the amount of time we had wanted to spend with them every Christmas without being rushed from one house to the next. Mike and Robyn showed up a bit later and brought the Wii! We had a blast building our characters, playing tennis, baseball, and guitar hero.

Laura and Jay playing Tennis

Mike laughing at Jay and Laura's attempt to play tennis

Christmas this year was really nice, the best part though was that we were able to spend a lot of time with our families and that Bret was able to have the WHOLE week off of work! (hurray for left over vacation days)

Oh I almost forgot... We also told our parents our big news... We are going to be having another baby! Although it was a bit unexpected and I cried the first month I knew everytime I thought about it, I am finally ready to tell people. McKinley and the next baby will be 17 months apart. I always said I wanted my kids to be close in age, but not this close. But now we don't have a choice and we are getting excited to have another baby. The biggest thing I have learned this year... Sometimes YOUR plan isn't HIS plan. Now we pray for a healthy baby.

Baby Ket #2