Christmas 2013

***I accidently posted this before I'd written anything. Just thought I would add the commentary so I can look back and remember what was happening in all the pictures. I'm amazed at how much I had forgotten already!! LOVE having this blog to help preserve all the memories.****

 

Christmas 2013  

 We were blessed with a quick little visit from papa about a week before we left for MN. It doesn't matter if they're here for only a couple of days or if we're going to see them again soon, we can never get enough Nana/Papa time. Poor Papa didn't get much time to relax while here. :-)

 

All dressed up and showing her love for her daddy.

This trip we decided to drive through the night to get to the farm which we haven't done since going home last February. I'm not a huge fan of driving through the night in the winter, but we were prepared to stop at any time if the weather wasn't safe. Luckily, God gave us some extra love and we made it to the farm early in the morning. It was odd getting there at about 6 am and having the entire day ahead of us, instead of getting there at 9pm and going straight to bed. I know the kids loved this way better for sure.  

Nat promptly found his spot by the fireplace and took at a little nap. Tessa did not protest. 

Ty made HUGE progress this winter in his ability to stay outside longer than 15 minutes before wanting to come back in!!

The large freezer has always been the favorite spot to change diapers. It's also the favorite spot to drop things behind. Here Nana is doing a little multi tasking it seems.

Cousin Movie night!

My brother did "No Shave November" and then HAD to have some fun with it when it was time to shave it. Can you say CREEPER!!

It was ridiculously cold this winter on the farm so when the weather was above zero we made sure to take advantage of the "heat wave" and get outside and have some fun.

Natalie decided she needed to help Jordan with the fish house he was building. It appears that daddy left behind a litter beverage from when he was helping as well....hmmmm

Not quite sure if she's trying to be a locksmith or a robber.....

Natalie did a MUCH better job of leaving the ornaments on the tree this year.  I love watching my kids play with toys that I use to play with. Ty of course used the old barn to hide his treasures. Can you say HOARDER?

Clearly she was LOVING her first Christmas on the farm!!

Christmas cookies and sprinkles. Enough said.

Cousin time is always at the top of the list of things the kids love about the farm. 

 

One fun treat over Christmas was that Tessa got to sleep in this baby bassinet that my dad slept in as a child!!

 

So fun to watch Mikey lovin on Tessa.

 

Every Christmas we do a white elephant gift exchange. I found these Hulk gloves at Goodwill and was going to use them as my white elephant. After realizing that they made noise AND were an absolute BLAST, we decided we would keep them for ourselves and find another gift for the white elephant exchange. Here Myles and Papa are having a pretty epic Hulk battle. The pictures are just too fun for words.  Best $3 ever spent!

Ty had to jump in at the chance to wrestle with Papa. I can't even count how many wrestling matches have been held in this living room.

 Our Christmas Eve morning tradition lives on. This year Natalie was a more active participant. She may have eaten her weight in gum drops, but who's counting.

After Christmas Eve Mass

 

 No idea what Nat was doing here, but Natalie and Nana decided to play tag right around him.

 Writing our letter to Santa and setting out some milk and cookies for him. That tiny Santa mug is the one I used as a kid every Christmas Eve for Santa's milk. So fun to be able to pass on these traditions to my kids.

They were clearly ready for bed.................. 

Christmas Morning

Dancing with Sophia!!

Tessa got plenty of love this Christmas

 You know....Your typical wrestling singlet, hair bow, and Mickey Mouse work gloves. Nothing odd here.

Not sure who was having more fun here.

The entire time we were on the farm, Natalie followed Mikey around like his little mama and made sure he was "safe". She also did not miss an opportunity to hug him every chance she could. Poor Mikey.

No Christmas is complete without a picture of Ken taking a nap amongst all the chaos. Natalie said, "Uncle Ken sound like a bear mama!" There may be a small snoring issue there....Just sayin. 

Mike, Mikey, and Tessa

A little Christmas night family photo session.

Michael James Zins and Michael James Zins. AKA Big Mike and Little Mikey

Honestly, this boy is obsessed with is Nana. 

 

 Love this sweet dress from Uncle Eric and Aunt Sarah

 My sister-in-law made these for the boys. Could you not die??? Seriously, THE BEST!!!

 Christmas bowling party was a necessity with the temps being so cold. Fun way to get out some extra energy AND make some friendly wagers. I am confident that next year I will not be as cocky with my wagers, as I am clearly not as gifted at bowling as I had imagined I was. Turns out I'm not as good without the bumpers....Who knew.

 

 This dude makes me happier than words can describe.

 New Year's Eve Party at Nana and Papa's!!!

 How has he put up with me for this long? Best dude ever!

Uncle Ken is some kind of special!

Sure wish they liked Jordan a little bit more.....

Last picture of 2013.....Bring it on 2014! The Mitchells are ready for SO MUCH FUN!!

The last thing I got to do before leaving the farm was meet this sweet little love. My newest niece arrived just in time for me to get one cuddle in with her before we had to leave. I'm SO sad we're not closer and the next time we will get to see her she will be 6 months old, but thanks to technology I am still feeling like I'm a part of her life as much as I can be from 800 miles away.