Trying to Catch Up...

As you have probably noticed, I've gone off the radar for awhile. Ok, for a long time. I have one word for you.
Life.
Guys, life really does happen and it's like a wild rollercoaster ride!

January was so busy! Nate and Virginia were here for almost two weeks... That was amazing! After they left, I received a text from them asking me if I'd be willing to fly back to Haiti with them at the end of the month. It took some finagling, but I got everything worked out so that I could go! (More on this in a later post.) Anyway, before I left for Haiti I had to scramble around trying to get as much done as possible. Then, two days after I got back from Haiti, all the youth from our church hosted a Parents' appreciation supper. That was so crazy, but so fun! (More in a later post.)

Please excuse my scrambled blogging. I'm just trying to get caught up, for goodness' sake! 😱

We hosted a Grice family gathering at the Masonic Home where my Grandma lives. Since Nate and Gin were here, we wanted the rest of the Grices to be able to see them and meet Patrick.

Grandma loved meeting her two newest great grandchildren!

Oh, yes! Can't forget our Little John! Grandma got to meet him too.

This thing... 

Four generations...

 They were comparing babies. 😂

My cousin, Devin, brought this chicken game. It was loud, but the kids loved it!

It was so nice seeing all the Grices again!

We got together to have our annual ugly sweater sugar cookie decorating contest. Boy, say that ten times fast!

Since it was my birthday, I got to be the judge. It was such a hard decision! I chose the Llama cookie for its ugliness and the decorator's ingenuity. 

Nate decorated this one just for anyhow. Interesting, huh?

I turned 26 this January. True story. I certainly don't feel this old!

Mom found these Kinder eggs at Hyvee for me. It was so fun having them again! They brought back memories of Ireland...

 Anna gave me this giant chocolate!

Four generations

The littles love their new baby brother, but he isn't too sure about all the love.

Patrick has a million expressions!

This winter was so cold that the ice stayed frozen for a long time! Ice skating was a very popular activity.

Little charmer

Aunt Carol got them matching outfits! Cute little dudes!

Sunset on the way home from work...

I got to try alligator!!! It was actually really yummy!

Abi and I love popcorn. So do the mice. As I was cleaning one day, I found this stash on the books in our bookcase. Embarrassing.

Our dear friend, Iris, turned 93 this January. We all gathered for a party of strawberry malts, cake and gifts. Iris was so blessed! If you think of her, please pray for her. She has deteriorated a lot these past several months. Sadly, I don't think we'll have her with us for much longer. 😢

Patrick. The definition of cuteness.

New Years Day

We had another big family breakfast at Gram's on New Years Day. This time, Ry and Nate were there! It was wonderful to be altogether again. That's something we don't get to do very often.

It was a pretty sleepy party since we had all been up past one that morning. Unfortunately, none of us got to really sleep in since we had to be at Gram's by nine. But we survived! 

It reached -22 below on New Years day. I think the temps ended up beating the record low temperatures for this area. 

I've always wanted to try throwing boiling water in the air to see if it would vaporize. When the temperatures got so low, Sam and I decided to try it. I didn't think it would actually work!

Nate and Virginia wanted to make us a southern type breakfast. It sure was different deviating from our traditional family breakfast, but both of them are awesome cooks, so everything was delicious!

Cheddar jalapeno biscuits 

Fruit smoothies

John is quite the little chunk!

Then... we did our family gift exchange. That's always so much fun!

Katelyn adores little John!

Nate and Virginia Came for a Visit!

Nate and Virginia visited us over New Years. To our excitement, they stayed for two weeks this time! For most of our family, it was their first time meeting Patrick.

Our Christmas cactus was beautiful this year!

Poor little Patrick wasn't used to the cold.

Gin made us some really yummy shortbread cookies.

This thing...

Grandpa and Grandma and all the grandkids!

Alaina got to hold Patrick

These little cuties... 😍

We hosted a New Years Eve party. 

It was -20 New Years Eve... We set this pop out on the step to get it cold. Within an hour or less, it had turned to slush!

We played Mad Libs for a little while.

Then, we played Catch Phrase till nearly midnight. It was pretty exciting! Some of us got so worked up we were almost yelling. 😂

Counting down the last few seconds of 2017...

So precious...