Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa's

Saturday morning after Christmas, we headed to Greg's mom and dad's house in Shelbina for Christmas with his family. Unfortunately, due to the winter storm, Greg's sister and aunt weren't able to make it to town so Greg's grandma postponed her Christmas until the next weekend. We had Christmas at Greg's parents house with his two brothers and their families. When we left our house, we had to travel north on our gravel road in order to travel back south because our road was drifted full to the south of our house! As we got further east, we saw less and less snow, but by the time we got to Shelbina, it was snowing there! We had a great time visiting with the family. Greg's cousin and her kids as well as his aunt and uncle came to visit, so we got some good talking in. We also spent several hours Saturday afternoon playing Phase 10. The first game, Marshall sat and watched. The second game he wanted to play! He did a great job! In fact, Sunday morning, he wanted to play and was trying to teach Maggie!

Sunday afternoon before we left, we went to Greg's aunt and uncle's house and visited with their youngest son, his wife, and their baby. We hadn't seen him since he was born in June! It was great to finally get to meet the little guy! He is a cutie! We couldn't visit long because Morgan was supposed to have a ballgame in St. Joe later that day. However, shortly after we left, we got a message saying that his ballgame had been cancelled. So, we got to come home and hunker down for the night!

Maggie anxiously waiting to open presents!

Morgan acting goofy!

Marshall with Mason after opening one of his presents!

Grandpa opening one the presents the kids bought for him.

Grandma with one of the gifts the kids bought for her!

Christmas Day at the Farrell House

Christmas morning began at 6 a.m. in the Farrell house! We got up and opened presents and then set to playing with everything. Since there was a snowstorm going on outside, we weren't going anywhere and no one was going to come to us! The kids got lots of new clothes, toys, and games so we spent the day trying on stuff and learning the new games! Both boys got Lego sets, so there was a time set aside for putting them together! I prepared a turkey dinner for that evening, and we sat down and ate together and wrapped up the night getting ready for our trip to Shelbina on Saturday to celebrate Christmas with Greg's family.

The kids in front of the tree prior to opening presents.

Morgan with one of his new Star Wars action figures.

Marshall with a new book behind his fort of presents!

Maggie with her new Nintendo DS.

All three kids with their new Nintendo DS game systems and games.

Christmas at Granny's

On Christmas Eve afternoon we went to my mom's house (Granny) to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family. Both of my brothers, their wives, and their children were there, along with my Aunt Gayle and her guy, Uncle Randy. My sister-in-law's parents stopped by later on in the evening. We ate finger foods, played games, opened presents, and had a GREAT time! Unfortunately, when the storm hit, we had to break things up and head home. Everyone except for us was unsure of if they had power at home or not, as some power in Cameron went out during the evening due to the winter storm.

Aubrey, Emma, and the corner of Johnathan dancing to Taylor Swift. You just can't capture the excitement with a still picture!

Our family prior to opening presents!

The grandkids!

Snow Storm

Well......this morning was the first time I have been out of my house since Thursday afternoon. I came to work Thursday morning after it had snowed on Wednesday. When I left home, I had to travel north in order to travel back again south. During my trip to town, I was thinking that I would be lucky if I made it back home again Thursday after getting off work. After a quick "business" meeting with my partner later in the day, we decided that we should close early Thursday and all day Friday. We left the daycare at 1:00 to head home. Needless to say, I think I got home as late as I possibly could and still make it to the house. Our road was drifted full! We spent the rest of the day Thursday and all day Friday at home together. Both nights we played Phase 10. Let me just say that Marshall Farrell is probably going to be a card shark! He LOVES that game! We had so much fun playing together!

We didn't see the road grader go by until Friday during the night! On Saturday, Maggie and Marshall both had basketball practice in Gallatin. But, because it was so cold, only Greg got out to take them. Their practices were two hours apart, so they each went separately and Greg came back to pick Maggie up when he brought Marshall home. We spent the rest of the day at home! How cozy!

Sunday morning, we had planned to get out and go to church. However, the thought of braving the bitter cold (though it wasn't as bitter as it had been) just didn't sit well, so we ended up staying home again all day. Morgan had two ballgames (one makeup and one regularly scheduled) in St. Joseph and since they were in the evening, only he and Greg went. Maggie, Marshall, and I stayed at home!

This morning when I came to work, I was amazed at how much snow there is! The state highway coming to town is virtually one lane because the west lane is filled with drifts! When this snow begins to melt, we are going to have one big sloppy mess!

I do have Christmas pictures to post, but our internet connection at home is slow so I keep putting it off! I will get to it sometime!!! ;)

Hanging Basketball Goals

A couple of years ago when Greg was working on a rec center, he was fortunate enough to be given some discarded retractable basketball goals. Our school district became the proud recipients of the regifted basketball goals. On Wednesday and Thursday, a work crew was able to installl the goals! Below are pictures of the process.

Getting a ladder extended to the rafters.

Another shot, showing the ladder braced on a piece of lumbe sitting on the bleachers
A picture of the backboard hanging down.

The work crew admiring a part of their work!

Another shot of the work crew and the gym.

School Christmas Parties

Tuesday the kids got out of school at 12:45 for Christmas Break. On Monday and Tuesday, the kids had fun days at school. All day Monday, the kids did Christmas/Winter themed crafts and games and on Tuesday, they got to watch Christmas movies and then had their classroom parties. Below is a picture of Morgan.

Morgan in his classroom. The sixth grade had a primo party with pizza, pop, hot chocolate and karaoke. I almost busted into song myself!!!

Christmas at Papaw's House

On Sunday, December 21, we had Christmas with my dad and his wife, Lori. We were there with my brothers, Chris and Cory, and there families. We had a great time. Below are pictures from the day!

The look-alike cousins, Maggie and Aubrey!

Morgan with his brain-teaser puzzle.

Dad, meticulously opening one of his presents. He will not tear the wrapping paper!

The grandkids, the daughter and daughters-in-law got Snuggie blankets! Don't we look warm!