Back to our normal

Well, Christmas is over.  It sure was nice, wasn't it?  We had so much fun with my mom and dad and were so sad to see them leave.  As sad as I am to have Christmas over, I'm a little bit excited about getting back to a normal schedule, again.  I'm also hoping to get us all back to good health.  We just can't seem to beat the various illnesses going around.  Right now, we all have colds.  It's definitely been the mildest of all of the ailments, but I can't wait until we are back to our old selves.  It's exhausting!

So how was your Christmas?  Ours looked a little bit like this...

On Christmas eve, we went to a special service at our Church then came home for Chili, which my parents made.  It was so good.  I use the exact same recipe, but mine just isn't as good.  There's something about not having to cook something that makes it extra yummy.  We ended up skipping the hot chocolate tradition I was hoping to start, because both of the girls had a cold, but hopefully we can do that one next year.  They opened their pajamas and one book and it was time to snuggle down for a good sleep.

I don't know how they did it, but they were up with the sun...actually before the sun.  We made waffles and read the Christmas Story, then it was time to open gifts!  To say the girls loved it, would be an understatement.  Rosie couldn't get enough of all of her new toys/clothes and Kiki was an A+ gift unwrapper.  Seriously, she was a pro.  Everyone seemed to be on the "good list" this year, because there was an abundance of gifts for everyone.  We had a great time.  Some of Rosie's favs were her basketball goal, her pink guitar, a build-a-bear penguin and Mrs. Potato head.  Kiki seemed equally excited about everything, but REALLY loves her remote control puppy.  It was a big hit.

Eating Christmas Waffles on special Christmas plates 

The first gift! 

Kiki takes unwrapping very seriously.

Sometimes you have to put your whole body into it.  

Papa opening presents! 

Mark's new KU hat.  

We had a big Christmas lunch/dinner (that I'm still full from) and finished the night off with a walk and a Hallmark Christmas movie.  It was a great day!

Here are a few other pictures from the last few days...

Our recent photo shoots have not been turning out.  I hate to point any fingers, but the kid on the left is to blame.

They sure love each other!

Kisses

And hugs! 

and more hugs! 

Our family #1 

Our family #2...Yes, your eyes haven't failed you.  Mark is wearing a wooden bowtie.  It's settled, the guy can pull off anything! 

I love all of the smiles even though it's pretty blurry!

Kiki thinks Papa is tops.  She would run, arms open to him, when he entered a room.  This is rare.  

I love these two!  

Photo attempt #1

Gotta love Rosie's face!  

This is actually attempt number 18.  There were many tears before this one got captured.   

Another cute one.  

With all of the celebrating, came lots of eating.  Food was aplenty the last few weeks and that definitely showed up on the scale.  Today, I had to do a health assessment for our health insurance, and needless to say, I'm starting a pretty hardcore eating plan on Monday...maybe Tuesday.  Today, I bought the grocery store out of vegetables and I fully intend on making the healthiest, most nutritious food around. I'm even getting a little adventurous.  I've never cooked a spaghetti squash before, but that's on the menu for next week.  I'll let you know how it goes.

I also started back to Zumba on Wednesday.  I was the ONLY ONE in class.  Luckily, I know the teacher pretty well, so it wasn't completely awkward.  She pushed me pretty hard, so I got a good workout.  I'm excited to get an exercise program going again.

Anyway, like I said earlier, I can't wait to get back to normal around here!  Well, as normal as we can be:)