Merry Christmas!

I have been extremely busy the last couple of months.  I totally missed posting about November.  We had a great November and a wonderful Thanksgiving with our whole family.  I also turned 39 in November, so maybe that is why I don't want to think too much about it :)

We have had a wonderful December so far as well.  The kids, Nero and I took a long weekend and went up to Michigan while Brian was working.  It was great to have some relaxing time at home when it wasn't a holiday.  I even got a chance to go see my Grandpa Krotzer.

We also had a chance to go to the lights at the zoo at the Toledo Zoo with Grandma Linda and Grandpa Butch.  Isaac wanted to see Santa so he and I stood in a long line and when we were about the 3rd family from seeing Santa he decided he had to use the bathroom.  I told him that I didn't think we had time to wait in line again.  He was very mature about it and said "That's okay, I already told Santa what I wanted."  We had luckily gone to see Santa the weekend before when the kids and I went shopping the weekend before.  I was very proud of how mature he was. 

Mackenzie has made a big change as well.  She has always gotten easily scared at movies and hasn't cared to watch them in the theater.  Even watching them at home she has to be able to run out of the room and hide in the hallway for a while.  When we were visiting Midland, "Big Hero 6" was released.  I asked the kids if they wanted to go see it and to my surprise Mackenzie wanted to go.  Issac spent the time in at Grandma's house and got some alone time with Grandma.  When we were back at home she and I went to see "Penguins of Madagascar".  She seems to be perfectly fine at the movies now, which I love!

Finally, and most importantly, Brian and my newest niece and nephew decided to join us all early.  They were born on the 18th.  Unfortunately they haven't gotten to go home yet.  Adriana is in a NICU in Saginaw and Gabriel is in a NICU in Ann Arbor.  Both are doing great.  Adriana is off all machines and there is talk of her going home this weekend.  Gabriel has only a feeding tube and that seems to be mainly precautionary because he had some damage to his esophagus after he pulled his initial feeding tube out and they tried to put it back in.  They think that Gabriel will be able to try eating on his own this weekend or early next week, once they are confident his esophagus has healed.  I have gotten to see Gabriel, and he is truly one of the cutest babies I have ever seen.  The NICU in Saginaw is a little more strick about visitors, so I have only seen pictures, but she looks equally adorable.  I can't wait until they are home and I can hold them!

Here is Adriana:

 

Here is Gabriel.  It is a little dark because he was sleeping and we didn't want to wake him:



Christmas has been great so far.  We aren't finished yet.  Brian and I got to see Michael and Gabriel on Christmas Eve and we are headed up to Midland tomorrow to see the rest of my family.  We spent yesterday with Brian's family.  The kids had a blast hanging out with their cousins and their new toys.  While we were waiting for everyone to arrive we had a little dance party.  Here are a couple of shots:

 

 

This morning we had Christmas at our house.  Mackenzie got a new purple bike and Isaac got Skylanders Swap Team from Santa.  Just what they asked for : )  In the picture below Isaac has his new spy gear on.  His cousin, Carson, had asked for a spy suitcase for Christmas.  The first one I ordered got damaged (by Isaac) and Isaac got it for Christmas.  It was a big hit with both of them.

 

Mackenzie's bike looks big, but we went to a bike shop and tried it out and she can touch the ground, just barely and she peddled it a bit and it seems to work well.  Plus it is great since we shouldn't have to replace it for a while.  It even has gears!  Isaac spent much of today playing his new Skylanders game. 

I will post some updates after our final Christmas celebration.  I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!