Happy Newish Year

Since January isn't quite over, I feel like its still ok to post my Christmas pictures. We had a whirlwind week of Christmas this year. A bit different than years past, lots of driving and packing and unpacking and packing and unpacking...but still lots of fun. Our first stop was to Savage to stay at my parent's new house. We all celebrated my Mom's ##th birthday with a fun night of bowling and dinner. 

 I'm pretty sure Jacky is the cutest little bowler to ever set foot on the lanes. Can you believe those teeny tiny bowling shoes????

 Our two bowling beauties.

 Jack is a natural at every sport. He did great despite his small stature.

 Papa Jack put $20 dollars on the table for the person who got the last strike of the night. Deal was, with every strike you had to wear the Thompson Family Christmas Hat until someone else got a strike.

Erin looked the best in the hat, but I'm the one who went home with $20 in her pocket. Just sayin'. 

Christmas eve was spent just having fun at Gramma's house. Monkey pile on Livie!!!

 And the most amazing thing happened Christmas Eve night....Celia lost her FIRST TOOTH! I've never ever met a kid who got a visit from Santa AND the Tooth Fairy in the same night. Special memory.

 4 out of 6 of Gramma & Papa Thompson's favorite presents in front of there tree.

 Uncle Jeff and Uncle Chris bundled all the kids up for some fun on the pond behind their house. Plans are already in the works for a family boot-hockey game next year.

 Christmas morning we got up early and headed over to Skubics. We had fun getting to see all the cool stuff Jack and CC got...including Jacky's chainsaw!!!! Every two-year old needs a chainsaw.

CC donned the Christmas Hat and showed off her new American Girl Doll, Kit.

 "Somebody" might have also given Jacky a hockey stick. Who the heck would give a two-year old a hockey stick.....

  After a yummy Christmas brunch we loaded up and headed to Hibbing to see the Maras family. We had a nice quiet Christmas dinner with Chris' parents and then headed to the Chisholm Inn and Suites for a couple nights.

Sorry Chris, if you're man enough to wear the antlers, you're man enough to be in my blog.

 December 26th we got to spend the day with Jenny's little boys Victor (2) and James (4). It was a beautiful day and they had a fun time outside with Tony jumping on the trampoline and building forts in the snow.

We also got to spend the day with Joanna and Tim. Before Tim met Joanna, he lived on Chef Boyardee and Jack's pizzas. Tony's gift to him was a giant can of beefaroni direct from the Con Agra store.

 Jojo's favorite animal at the Omaha Zoo is the sloth, so my two kids thought this stuffed version would be the PERFECT gift for her?

 We were delighted to meet our "dog-niece" Stella. She was so much fun and Tony loved her right away. I think the feeling was mutual. We miss sweet Rigby, but Stella is a great addition to the family.

It's always a Maras tradition to take pictures of our families in front of the Christmas tree.

 The two that started it all.

The Nebraska Maras family that just keeps getting older and older. 

 A very rare picture of all 6 Maras grandkids....together at last.

 Next we headed to Canyon and spent a couple nights out at Joanna and Tim's place. We had near perfect winter weather and enjoyed a full day outside. Drew and Tony wasted no time building their fort in the trees.

Stella had just as much fun outside all day with the kids!

It was a very momentous day for Tony when Uncle Tim agreed to teach him how to drive his four wheeler. Luckily they came out of the woods alive and we did NOT have to write Tim a really big check. Whew. 

But perhaps the MOST FUN OF ALL was the Sauna. Chris, Joanna, Tony (reluctantly), Lizzie and Drew took a long hot sauna and then jumped in the snowbanks. The pictures aren't great and I'm sorry you can't hear all the whooping and hollering. It was hilarious and Tony has declared he will take saunas EVERY time he visits from now on.

This picture of Stella pretty much sums up the week. Exhausting.

So back to Nebraska we came. The kids had another whole week off of school...

...And Miss Olivia became the proud owner of a Nebraska Learner's Permit. Watch out! She has been driving on the weekends with Chris. So far so good. As much as it breaks my heart to know she's old enough to drive, I cannot wait to have another driver in the house. Olivia also managed to get all A's, including two honors classes, before the Christmas break. Good job Liv - all your hard work has really paid off!!!!

Once back in school, Tony again qualified to participate in the school Geography Bee.

 First their were 18....

 ...and then there were 2...

...and then there was one. Winner winner chicken dinner. Tony won the Geography Bee AGAIN!!!! He just took the qualifying test today and we will await to hear if he goes on to the State Geography Bee in April. Way to go Tony!!! Woot! Woot!

That's it. Update complete. We have a vacation in March to Saint Augustine, Florida where my parents will be spending a couple months. You probably won't hear from me until we get back...until then!