Snowball fight and other games!

For the last couple of years (we debated this year how long we've been doing this) New Year's Day has been a day to get together and play games. For almost the whole day (this year we got together from 11am to about 9pm).  Last year, Ginger came up with some Minute to Win It games so the kids could play with us.

The snowball fight was so fun, we did it again this year.

We played boys against girls.

Basically, you have several minutes to throw snowballs at each other.  Whoever has the most snowballs on their side at the end of the time loses the game.

It was fun to watch because it is gets pretty intense when you're actually playing.

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt.  Notice Hudson in Ginger's arms.  She may have hit him in the face when she was throwing snowballs.  If it makes you feel better (because of the crying kid, and all) the guys won.  Even when I joined and it was 5 to 4, they won the second game too.

Then we moved on to "adult" games.  We played 7 wonders for most of the day, although others joined us for a couple of hours so we also played Wits and Wagers.  Did you know that the Happy Meal is the same age as I am?  I did, so we won 3 tokens!  We also "graze" from a buffet of food all day (notice Joe in the background!

It is great fun and a day I looked forward to because I remembered how fun it was the year before.

Playing with blocks

I don't even know what these alphabet blocks are actually called.  But they are great for many things.  You can lay them all out flat and make a road.  Or you can build a tower, turn it on its side and have a tunnel.

Here is Michael going through the tunnel.

They are good for making funny faces through.  But you have to find the right letter.  Punch out the "D" and you're good to go.

As long as the photographer can get the right angle and flash on you instead of the block!

It's hard to get a regular pose out of John because he likes to make funny faces if he knows you are taking a picture of him. the "8" also makes for a good hole for your head.

Just a couple of block heads! :)

Michael walked around the house with this on his head for quite awhile.

And then discovered that he could climb inside.  He was in the block for a good half hour but I had to keep putting it together because he doesn't quite fit and the back would eventually bust.

And he thought it was great fun when I put another block on top of him.  When that would fall apart he would say, "Again."

Christmas "Activity"

The week I was in Chicago there was much activity in the household.  Here is some of that activity in pictures.

Michael giving Santa a ride around the house.  John had been pulling Michael around but got tired, so Michael was just walking around with the blanket and Mom suggested he give Santa a ride.  So cute!

Lots of rest time and naps happened too.

Chris and John building Legos.  John got several sets with a bazillion pieces each.

Playing one of John's new games--Tumblin' Monkeys.  Ann didn't want to get any monkeys and John was hoping she would!

Playing with Mr. Potato Head.

Playing the "Night-Night" game.  This time we put Llama, Llama, Lambie, and Tony to sleep and tucked them in.

Game night with some family.  We played Telestrations.  And laughed a lot.

Building more Legos.  John can build sets pretty much by himself but likes to have help.

Watching the pizza bake in the oven.

How many french fries do you think Michael has in his mouth?!

Playing Call of Duty.

Playing Mario Kart on the DS.

Playing the Wii.

Copying John.

And trying to get as close as possible! :)

Christmastime is Here

Here are "some" Christmas pictures :)

Getting ready for Santa and the reindeer.

All ready for the boys to come downstairs in the morning.

Riding the motorcycle and sitting at the new table.

Stockings first!

Starting on the pile o' presents.

Michael unwrapped every present and then insisted on playing with it too.  Josh and Daynah had these blocks when they were little and I loved playing with the blocks with them.  I'll post more pictures of the boys playing with them later.

Obviously, putting a bag on your head is what you should do after opening a present.

Michael driving his train through all the paper.

I surprised Mom with the purse she really wanted.

Legos!

And DS games!

Reading a book.  Michael literally had to play with every toy before he moved on to the next.

So intent.  He also had to make sure every single piece of wrapping was off the present before he would look at it.

Again, so intent.  He loves Micky Mouse and these are little figures of all the characters.

My new ornament.

Even the pets got toys.  A turtle figure for Dorothy and Marlin (the fish).

A tug toy for ZuZu.  Although she had it almost torn to shreds before we finished opening presents.

And cat treats for Tabitha and Bucky.