Happy Birthday Mom

My mom's birthday was January 14th so the girls and I decided to surprise her. The kids and I made her a birthday cake ( Jason frosted it) then the girls and I headed to GI to surprise her. Jason and Carter stayed here and put Hailee's new bedroom set together. We got it for her for Christmas but we had it stored in the garage and thesnow was packed so tight around the garage that we just now were able to access it because some of the snow melted. She (my mom) wasn't surprised because my dad told her we were coming. We had a nice time. I made dinner last night (kind of) my parents bought some chicken strips but I made mashed potatoes and corn to go along with it and then we had cake and ice cream for dessert. Today we went to Sams Club and Hy Vee, Hailee loves going to Sam's on Sunday because it is sample day (the girl is very passionate about her food). We headed home around 3.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM

I LOVE YOU VERY MUCH

YOU ARE THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD.

Hailees newspaper debut

My Girl Scout troop and I are conducting a coat drive for the city of York. We are collectine new and gently used coats from the community and the on the 31st families will be able to come to our church and pick out a coat at no cost. It is a really good cause but holy cow I am busier than I can remember being. I sent out like 1,000 fliers and have drop boxes at five different locations. As well as the York News Times did a story on it and wanted a cute picture to go along with the article. She had me take a picture of Hailee in her Daisy Uniform and wear Jason's coat. Here are the pictures I took and let the editor decide which photo to use. I don't remember which one she used for the article.

We celebrated our Christams on new Years this year. IT was actually a really good time. We left on Thursday around 1 for Grand Island. Travis and Cassie arrived a while later and the kiddos were anxious to open their gifts. The kids were very happy with their gifts and I was so impressed with my munchkins and how appreciative they were. There were LOTS of thank yous and I love yous. Hailee was really excited to hand out the gifts she "bought", or thought of is a better way to represent them. She did a really awesome job at picking things out that her loved ones would enjoy. She got daddy a husker memorabillia book, pappa a new husker flag for his pole, Carter a light saber, Brooklyn a soft dolly, gramma a new Opal ring( it matches the earring and necklace set we bought her last year) and mommy a new outfit that is really cute, she already has good taste. We did a countdown at 8 for the little ones with grape juice in plastic flutes and cazoos. They thought it was fun. The adults satyed up and played the Wii and drank some refreshments. We kept watchig the clock because we all wanted to go to sleep but wanted to make it until midnight to ring in the new year; at around 11:35 we said enough and went to bed. We are so lame. Travis and Cassie left on Friday. We stayed and lounged around, ate, and watched TV. Later that night we headed over to Big Pappa's for a dinner. On Saturday my mom and I went shopping, it was wonderful. Jason went out and got a haircut (much needed) and also found a new pair of tennis shoes while Brook was napping (thanks Papa for babysitting). We headed out around 11 or so on Sunday to prepare for Monday. We did have a really good time and it made up for the "weird" actual Christmas.

Mettenbrink Family Christmas

Brooklyn really likes her candy canes that is wht she is eating in the picture
Santa with my neice Andee

Hailee and Andee with Santa

again

Brooklyn didn't like Santa muchMy Grandpa played Santa at our Christmas party. My mom put little gift bags together for him to hand out to the little ones. All the little one except Brook thought it was pretty cool. Hailee figureed out that it was "big Pappa" in the Santa suit so we told her that Big Pappa was one of Santa's helper and she weemed pretty satisified with that answer. That was a big relief for her to be satisfied and not press the issue any further and ruin Santa for everyone.

Snow Days December 24-27

look at all that snow

the snow came up as high as the porch
he decided to switch and walk on the sidewalk that Jason had cleared instead of walking in the snow

Carter falling into the thick and tall snow

I am very behind on posts so I am playing catchup. We had a weird christmas, I can not think of any other way to describe it so that is what I am calling it. The kids opened up their gifts from us around 10 am and they were pretty excited adn happy with their loot. On Wednesday night Brooklyn didn't sleep at all which is just not like her so at about noon on Christmas Eve I took Brook into the ER and she had RSV with a double ear infection so she was a sick unhappy little girl. They sent her home with $100 worth of prescriptions. About two hours or so after the medicines she started to feel better so we packed up our things and decided to try and head to Grand Island for our plans. We got maybe two miles on the highway and it was absolutely white, we could not see a foot in front of us so we turned around and went home. It was really disappointing not being able ot make it home for the Holidays but we did try and make the most of it and rented a movie and a Wii game since we were gonna be snowed in. On Christams day we sat around and watched movies, drank hot chocolate, and played games as well as I made everyone but Carter's favorite meal of Beef Stew and homemade rolls for dinner. On Saturday we were all pretty tired of the house and going a little stir crazy. The snow plows finally came and cleared the roads about 3 so we headed to good ol' Wally World and then got something ot eat. The interstate had been closed so there were so many stranded people. The hotels were all full and people were worried about sleeping in their vehicles, it was heartbreaking. There were families with little ones and Jason and I's hearts went out to themad and offered them a place to stay. They didn't end up needing to becasue the Interstate opened up around 6 that night. By Sunday we were ready for the weird weekiend ot be over with.

Brooklyn has recently learned how to climb up the stairs and thinks she is preetty cool.

Yes, she is actually coloring

all of my kids really like to color so Carter had his coloring book and crayons sitting out so Brooklyn grabbed them and started to color. She really mimics everything they do.

Brooklyn's new trick

pay close attention to thee eyebrows

Exploring

We put up the christmas decorations right after Thanksgiving and she was so good. I put soft cuddly decorations on the botton where she could reach. She would play with them and cuddle with them, she loves soft things but didn't destroy things like Carter did and still does. We were actually able to put wrapped presents under the tree for the first time in 3 years because Carter would not leave them alone until now. Brooklyn unwrapped a little bit but not enough that we couldn't keep them under the tree. Having lots of presents under the tree helped make it feel like Christmas. She like to explore things but listens when you tell her "no."

she is such a beautiful happy baby, she is such a precious blessing

what that you say, don't touch this

Her scrunchy excited face that is the cutest thing ever