Christmas with the Peine's 2009

This was a weird Christmas season for us. The plan was for my parents to come up December 24-26, then we'd head to Groveland/Clermont for December 27-29, and be back in Gainesville for the remainder of our time off. Instead, I came down with strep on the 23rd and went to the doctor to start antibiotics right away. They didn't work, so rather than celebrating Christmas the morning on the 25th, I was visiting the local urgent care center again in an attempt to get some antibiotics that would actually help me feel better. The kids went to my parents' house Christmas afternoon and Jonathan and I stayed in Gainesville waiting for the strep to run its course, watching lots of movies and attempting to sleep.

Anyways, by the 29th my fever was finally gone and I was feeling good enough to venture out of Gainesville to celebrate with the Peine's.

Getting ready to exchange gifts.

The girls were playing dress up and took Ben back with them. I about fell over laughing when I saw Ben walk out in this little number. He was so funny.

Olivia is awesome with Ben.

The Peine's open presents from youngest to oldest. There are so many now that we do the kids first, then do the adults. Ben's currently the youngest so he got to go first.

Rosemary got a princess sleeping bag from Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Joel.

Watching everyone open gifts.

Working the room.

Matthew's dartboard.

Breanna's bath wrap.

Olivia's bath wrap.

Rosemary got a Build-a-Bear outfit from Grandma and Grandpa. Do you notice Rosemary's outfit? She says she's Mary, I think it looks like she's going to start singing "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" any second, and Jonathan thinks she's in mourning.

The kids got personalized duffel bags for Christmas. Rosemary is actually inside the bag.

And Ben's in his.

All the girls got cute dress up outfits from Grandma and Grandpa.

The grown-up exchange

We exchange names for the adults and each get 2 names.

Jonathan had Zach as one of his names. He got him a Camelbak.

Jonathan got a cool thermometer from his parents...but they broke the rules, neither of them had him!

And he got two tripods.

Jonathan also had his mom. A few months ago, Jonathan went to their house while they were out of town and got their old film reels from the 1960's and 1970's. He took them to a local video company and had them converted to DVD. The photo above was the moment that Janice realized what the gift was.

Checking out the list of videos on the disk.

Watching the DVD with the family.

Christmas Tree 2009 Final

Our tree for the Christmas Season. We only had one ornament casualty and I don't think that's too bad considering how curious Ben is these days. Ben broke one Mickey Mouse by banging it into another Mickey Mouse. The glass Mickey Mouse didn't stand a chance.

And here are a few of the newest ornaments:

Rosemary's ice cream cone ornament she made with my mom.

My 30th birthday trip celebration ornament.

From the Smith House and our Labor Day camping trip.

From the cruise.

From Janice and Richard's trip to the Smoky's.

Christmas Gifts 2009

It felt a little bit like Santa's workshop exploded in our house the month before Christmas. I'd had grand plans to get all the gifts that I was making for Christmas done over the summer, however, painting the exterior of our house made other projects seem less important at the time so I just kept putting them off. As a result, I stayed pretty busy in December finishing up gifts.

Ezekiel and Ian's travel pillows.

Ezekiel and Ian's crayon rolls.

Rosemary helped me make hot/cold neck wraps for her preschool and ballet teachers.

A Minnie Mouse apron to go with Nikki's Disney cookbook.

Baby Catherine's initial shirt.

Bibs for Catherine.

Emma's photo frame.

Mom's trifle bowl.

Olivia, Breanna, and Sarah's bath wraps.

Mom's burlap table runner.

Janey & Dwayne's Wedding

On December 18, our family headed down to Orlando for our friend Janey's wedding. Janey and I went to high school together and were roommates for 2 years in college. We made it to the ceremony just in the nick of time (thanks to Turnpike lane closures and the rain) but had a wonderful time celebrating with Janey and Dwayne. This was the first wedding the kids attended and I must say, they did a good job. Both were quiet during the ceremony and then antsy later, but they were quiet when it counted!

I took pictures during the ceremony, but absolutely none of them turned out. And I have no photos of Janey and Dwayne. Rosemary took one of me with Janey on her disposable camera so if it turns out, I'll add it to this post once I get those photos developed.

Ben was so fun...and so hungry...and so on the move.

Rosemary was quite excited about going to a wedding. We had prepped her beforehand about what to expect and she absorbed it all. On her note to the bride and groom she had me write, "Happy Birthday." I'm not sure she knows the word "Congratulations" so I think "Happy Birthday" was the closest sentiment she knows that conveyed what she wanted to say.

I don't think I've danced so much at a wedding. Rosemary loved to dance and it was hilarious watching her break it down to Boom Boom Pow.

We spent the night at my parents' house. I'd hoped to get a nice pic of all of us dressed up for the wedding and in the rush and excitement it just didn't happen. At least we got one of Jonathan and me afterwards.

Preschool Christmas Program

Rosemary's preschool had their program on Wednesday so Jonathan, Ben, and I went to watch.

Rosemary's class.

Singing (or rather standing there and shaking the bells to) Jingle Bells. Rosemary just stood in her place and smiled...no singing. Since then, she has treated us to solos of each of the songs that were sung that day.

Beside her buddy, Nick.

Afterwards there was a cookie party in her classroom.

Rosemary and Ms. Judy

Rosemary, Ms. Debbie, and Nick

The (HCC) Office Christmas Party

Jonathan and I met up with the Strode's and the Crowe's for the Harvest Christmas Party at Moe's. We had so much fun. Good food, a fun game courtesy of the Crowe's, and a great time with friends.

I was freezing.

And here's what I got Charlie for Christmas. He's started watching The Office and I couldn't resist. It didn't quite turn out as I'd expected since the Jello settled around the mug, but it was still pretty funny.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition - Gainesville

On December 7, Ty Pennington and his crew knocked on the door of a deserving Gainesville family and thus began the craziness that is Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

The volunteer coordinator is a MOPS moms so I was able to volunteer twice during the build. It truly is amazing all that goes into making the build happen. I was one of literally thousands of volunteers.

Rather than park on the roads around the house, we checked in and parked at the old Ford dealership then took a bus over to the site. I spent the first part of my Wednesday volunteer shift right here, helping to check people in. There was more constant work to do here...it really never slowed down, whereas at the site it was feast or famine when it came to work to do. And while I was at the check-in site, the mayor, Pegeen Hanrahan, checked in to go volunteer.

The check-in site.

Our friend, Kent, on the bus over to the build site. I couldn't take pictures the days I volunteered so the kids and I went over one day as spectators and Kent was volunteering that day.

This was Friday at about 10:30 am. When I left on Wednesday at noon, they were just starting to pour the foundation. It's amazing how much gets done. While we were there on Friday, they were finishing up installing the drywall.

Didi, one of the show's designers, came out while we were there, production crew in tow. Kent strolled on by...he's looking all ready to work with his tool belt.

Lots of cameras.

There she is.

Here's a wider shot of the house on Friday.

I volunteered the next day and they were pouring the walkway to the front door and the driveway. It was raining most of the time but somehow they still got it done. On Saturday, Didi was back, as was Eduardo, and I walked right by Paul while I was helping pick up trash in the house. (Ty was at another build site each time I was there so I didn't get to see him, ah, well).

Despite how it looks on TV, the house is really built by the local contractors so it was amazing to see the community come together to make this house happen. It was exciting to be a part of the process, even if it was in just a small way.

UFCCH Girls Night Out

I got to go out with the girls of Campus House to BJ's a couple weeks ago. It was great getting to know these girls better and can't wait to hang out with them again.

And thanks, Kelly, for sharing the Pizookie with me!

Thanksgiving 2009

We spent Thanksgiving with all 17 of the Peine family in Groveland this year. It was such a fun day. The kids loved playing with their cousins and we had a great time visiting with the kids and grown-ups.

The kids were all ready to eat.

What a spread! Everything was SO good.

Janice did most of the cooking. Here she is getting the noodles that she made...her mom used to make them at Thanksgiving too.

So full.

The entire Peine family...17 plus one on the way (Tim and Michelle are expecting a baby boy in the spring).