Michigan Christmas

It was a great week in Michigan.  Chase got to meet his grandpa Lowell for the first time along with his aunts/uncles, cousins and great grandma Barb and Teresa...and I got to see the 'Deer Camp' for the first time as well. 

 

We did a lot of just relaxing with the family...but had some good excursions.  The first day we got there we opened gifts with the family, relaxed, and had Congress pizza (one of the best pizzas ever) for supper!  I didn't get pics of the gift opening, but got the boys in this hat from Papa!

 

Blake looks like a mini-Aaron here I think!

 The second day there we went on quite the excursion!  We set out to see their Deer Camp - which I have never been to.  It is not on paved/plowed roads so we weren't sure if we would make it to camp due to the amount of snow.  But, we figured we'd give it a go.

While we were out in the woods, we decided to go off a few beaten paths as we were "hunting" for moose as well!  Once we got to the edge of the paved roads, we all climbed into Lowell's truck to travel through the woods (truly...nothing but trees!)

Here we go!!!!!

Thankfully, Chase did a lot of sleeping on the trip!

The good thing about the slow drive in the woods, the kids got to sit up front to hunt for those moose!

 We did make it to Deer Camp --- but not without some times where there were some butterflies in my stomach.  Twice on the trip Aaron and his dad had to get out and dig the truck out of being stuck...not sure how they managed to pull it off.  On our way out of the woods when we left camp, you could see that if there had been just a few more inches of snow, we wouldn't have made it...as the bottom of the truck was grazing the snow as we drove through, so would've been pushing up snow with just a bit more inches! 

To speak in Yooper terms...."WAH!" --- that drive was fun but I wasn't sure if we were going to make it...and with little cell service, there was a tinge of me that thought "What were we thinking...with 3 little ones in the car!"!!

Safely at deer camp...signing the guest book!

The wall of their "trophy's".

 I will say, other than the out house and no shower, I was pretty impressed with what they have going on out there.   It is literally surrounded by woods, with just a shed, outhouse, sauna, and a pole to hang their deer on around them.  But inside, they have TONS of sleeping room, a couch...and they get satellite set up when they are out there hunting so they have all the sports that a group of men could want.  Sounds rough, huh??!!!

Love this pic of Aaron, his dad and the kiddos!

Papa and Blake!

Just about to leave camp...shot this cute pic of Chase awake!

I had to take this pic from my view in the back seat...this is just as we were leaving camp.  I mean, I'm not exaggerating when I say nothing but trees! 

I mentioned we were moose hunting...if you ask Addy we were hunting for "Muffy the Moose". We drove around the roads for a bit before heading back to our vehicle, and we did end up successfully seeing a moose!  I could never tell the story well enough on a blog, but it is a story that will make me smile every time I think of it.

The moose ended up being not far off the path, but Lowell got so excited that we saw one, he jumped out of his truck and opened the back for me to jump out and take a pic with my camera (although it was close enough, we would've gotten an AWESOME shot from the truck!)

Needless to say that startled the moose, so she took off...in which Lowell started running in the woods after it.  I thought for a moment that this seemed a bit crazy --- however I figured Lowell knew what he was doing.  Well, we turned a corner behind some trees and there she was, with her calf.  I got some good pictures, but this is one of the best of just one of them.

Lowell running through the woods after the moose.  If only you could have seen the motions he was doing and heard the noise he was making to try and get the moose to stop and come closer.  Such a great memory in my head!

 I am not one to usually run after an animal, especially a mama with her baby --- but I'm glad that I ran out there with Lowell.  So cool!

Blake didn't want to get out of papa's truck so he got to ride home in there.  Lowell said they had some great conversation.  I just love how much my kids warm up to everyone in Michigan, especially since there is never enough time and we definitely don't get to see everyone as much as we would love to.

 The next day I was able to see some more of Aaron's family at a baby shower for one of his cousin's...and then we headed off to watch our nephew Jeffrey play hockey.  Addy and Chase stayed home with Tam/Ed because the rink wasn't heated.  But, Blake wanted to join us.  So, he got some one-on-one time with mom and dad...a rare thing!

Watching Jeffrey sitting on Auntie Tina's lap. 

 None of the pics of Jeffrey on the ice turned out...bummer!

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Just a few random pics of Michigan!

Miss Holly Sue is getting way too big!

Again, just love how well they warm up to everyone.  They cuddle right into their big cousins!!!

Papa Lowell and Chase!

Tarara Christmas

Man, I hate it when I get out of order!  The Saturday before Christmas, we celebrated with my family :)  I'll just post a few pics of the kids to document the day!



Annual cousin pic!

New sled...daddy looks pretty excited!

 

One of their favorite gifts from grandma...handmade corn bags.  These things are great...warm them up and they are a nice little heating pad.  Can also be cooled.  They are soooo cozy to cuddle up in with your jammies one!

Few more....

And this was basically Chase's position for the day...curled up in grandma Bonnie's arms sleeping :)  He was just at the beginning of a nasty cold with low temp that day.  Poor kiddo!

The day consisted of lunch, presents, and playing outside on the rink my dad makes each year.  I didnt' get any pics because I was the only adult out there so was helping out the kids, but Addy got to skate and Blake played on the ice in his boots!

Christmas Day

We changed up our plans this year for Christmas and we left for Michigan on Christmas day instead of beforehand. Typically we are there and attending Christmas Eve Mass at the church Aaron grew up in.  Since Aaron had a decent amount of vacation between Christmas and New Year's, we decided to head up to Michigan after we woke up at our own house on Christmas day.

This worked out really well.  Aaron's mom doesn't usually have any plans for the actual day of Christmas because we are all in Michigan.  We always celebrate Christmas with Jean and Paul and all of our combined families in January.  So, it was nice to invite them down and know that they were doing something for the holiday on the day as well.

Christmas Eve day we did a few things around the house and enjoyed the company.   You may remember we try and make a family block each year for Christmas.  We haven't gotten around to making them the last few years with the move and such - but we made sure to do the same thing we did the years of Addy and Blake's first Christmas, which was to paint their toes on the block so they can have a little keepsake.

Doing Chase's block.  I love all the spectators...Blake's head cocked to watch and Addy and Paul watching so contently!

How cute is this hat that Jean made for Chase??!!!!!  ADORABLE!

We went to Christmas Eve mass at our church (which is the one I grew up in).  I hadn't been at that mass since I met Aaron, but it was nice to be there and hear some songs that I've only heard played at that church for mass and such.   My parents joined us for church and then following mass we had dinner at our house with my parents, Jean and Paul, as well as my sister Angela and her kids. Shannon was celebrating Christmas with her in-laws :) 

Our little poser!

The best family pic we got...even though it isn't so great!

 When we got out of church, there was a beautiful snow starting to fall.  LOVE.  It was so great driving home just through our little town - we cut through a neighborhood where you could see families gathering on Christmas Eve to celebrate....with that and the snowfall, it truly was such a peaceful feeling (I'm weird, I know!).

After we got the kids down, I went outside to just stand in the snow.  I wish I could have sat out there for a while - I loved how peaceful it was and with the glow of everyone's Christmas lights...perfect!

Our house on Christmas Eve with the snow coming down!

Jean and Paul stayed the night and got to enjoy the morning with us, they headed back up to the cities right before we took off for our long drive to Michigan!  It was a close call --- but all of us ended up on Santa's nice list this year :)

Waiting for daddy to get his "eyes" (contacts) in.  They are sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for the "okay" to come down and see if Santa came!

Some of Addy's presents were a Barbie house and real make-up from Santa.  Along with games, books, a puzzle, movie, some new boots, a Hello Kitty radio/CD player and a few other things (some of that from Santa, some from mom and dad!). 

Blake got a few different Superman/Spiderman things from Santa such as an activity book, a stuffed "Spidy", Superman sweatshirt and a Spiderman radio/CD player.  He also got books, games, a puzzle and a few other things like Addy did!

How cute are his PJ's??!  I love these "old man jammies"!

  Addy's big gift was a Barbie house as mentioned, and Blake and Chase's big gift was a new "truck" to ride around the neighborhood.  Santa thought that since the neighborhood boys always cruise the streets with their John Deere Gator, that the Anderson boys (and Addy...since she hangs with all the boys on the street!) could use this to keep up!!!!  Here's to hoping it provides years of entertainment!

Hanging in their new ride!

 Along with the truck, which Chase will be old enough to use before we know it...Chase also got a new hat, movie, some books, a name plate for his room and a few toys.

Chase likes his new gifts!

 A gift that was from me to the family was some Panther Gear.  None of us had any Pine Island Panther gear and since it was Addy's first year of school there, I thought that would be fun to have.  So, I ordered matching shirts and sweats for us!  They didn't have anything to order in Chase's size, so I had a t-shirt made that had a paw print on it and said "Future Panther" :)

We were "that" family and all wore our new comfy sweats and tee shirts on the drive up to Michigan!

May not be matching Christmas Jammies....but we have matching Panther Gear.  (Check out Addy's beautiful make-up...she dug right into her "real make-up" from Santa!)

After the picture above...we set off for our long road-trip to Michigan.  It worked out really well, but I think Aaron and I have already decided next year the road trip will be the day after for a few reasons.  1 --- there was nothing open to eat at besides gas stations which we forgot about.  We fed our kids cheese and crackers for supper and Aaron joked to them about their special Christmas meal :)  2 --- the kids did great about leaving, but they could've used some more time enjoying their new things, and 3 --- the house was left in a crazy mess since it had all the presents still all over so hopefully we'll have the day to get fully packed and organized so we can get up in the morning and hit the road early! 

It was a great Christmas day, even with the traveling :)

Meeting with Santa :)

We kept up our family tradition this year of going to meet Santa at Hiller's here in Rochester.  It is invite only for the customers...and we are never disappointed! 



 

They have a "toy shop" that Santa sits in, provide lunch/snacks, give a gift to each child, and have lots of things to do while you wait for Santa.  They give you a number, so you don't just have to wait in line for Santa.  While you are there, you can write letters to him, color pictures, decorate Christmas cookies, etc. 

 

Blake was checking out Santa from afar in this pic...he wasn't too sure what to think! 

Next in line!  Addy is staring in at him soooo seriously here.  I wish I knew what was goign through her head!

 Addy could NOT. WAIT. to meet Santa this year.  She got us up at 5:45 in the morning on that morning...asking when we got to leave to meet him.  She's so funny.  She was all about Christmas in every aspect this year....not just Santa but the true meaning of it all.

She knows that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and even made presents for him to put under our tree.  One of my favorite memories from this Christmas is when her and I were driving home one night and it was quiet and peaceful in the car.  All of a sudden Addy yelled out "JESUS"! ----- it took me so off guard I initially wanted to get mad wondering why she would have just yelled that, until I realized we had just driven by a house with a manger scene in the front yard.  She was excited to see Jesus!

That being said - she was very excited about Santa as well.  She told him she wanted a Barbie house and real make up.  Santa told her she was too pretty for real make up, so she truly thought that he wasn't going to give her that gift.  If you ask her now, that is probably her favorite thing she got from Santa this year --- only because she didn't expect it :) 

Addy and Santa!

 

Blake wasn't so sure what to think about Santa in the flesh.  He was a bit scared so wouldn't sit on his lap.  He would talk to him with Aaron holding him.  He told him that he wanted "superman" stuff...which for Blake, basically includes all heros - Spiderman, Ninja Turtles, etc!

The closest we could get Blake to Santa was with a high 5!

Chase got to hang with Santa as well, but my picture turned out blurry.  My mom has a better pic on her camera, and you leave the store with printed pictures of your visit with Santa, so I do have good ones for the books, just not for the blog!

My parents always come with to visit Santa every year, so we got this group shot of us with Santa.  Love all the smiles in this pic!

 

Face "painting" time!

Decorating Christmas cookies with grandma!

I shot this picture while Addy and Blake were decorating cookies.  I think Chase's smile says "Guys!  I just met Santa for the first time and he's pretty cool!"  If you are my friend on facebook...I'm pretty sure I posted this pic with that caption so it isn't new to you!

I am always truly impressed with how much they think of at Hiller's for their "Santa Day".  We always enjoy our morning excursion to meet Santa.  It's a good Christmas tradition for our family!

"The Tree" - Christmas '13

I wish I had gotten better pictures of our Christmas tree this year since it was the first one in our new home.  It sat perfectly in our window so that it was seen when you drive up the hill to our home.  Next year, there will likely be a deck in the way of that view, so this will probably be the only year it will be that noticeable from outside.  I wish I had taken a pic of that!

 

 We decorated the tree the weekend before Thanksgiving.  We typically end up doing it that weekend, because after that, there isn't much time and all of a sudden Christmas is here.  With 2 birthday celebrations in early December and Christmas celebrations starting mid-December, weekends are filled up throughout the entire month.   

 

Getting out the the Christmas Decor!

Addy got the exciting honors of doing the star this year!

Ornaments!

Chase had it really hard that day...decorating the tree tired him out :)

This picture is from Christmas morning before the kids came downstairs...with the goods from us and Santa as well!  It is the only pic I have of the tree in full view!