Christmas in York

Mamo and Bampo went to Pinehurst for Christmas, once they were back to the snow and cold weather, we trekked over to have Christmas with them!! We got new vests, colored spray bottles to play out in the snow with, a mitten tree!! We had a great time visiting Great Ma and Great Pa also!! Addison and Olivia braved the cold and spent some time outside spraying Mamo's snow. We missed playing with Londyn and Sydney this year for Christmas. We are hoping to make it to Wichita for Londyn's 4th birthday in February! Here are a few more shots of the girls playing:

Santa, Snow and Snot, oh my....

Merry Christmas from the snotty nosed Chapman's!! Yep, that's right, we all have had colds, Liv and Ella got it the worst! Poor girls!! But Santa was definatly good to the girls and George had usually good reports for Santa!! We celebrated Christmas in a different kind of fashion this year...a blizzard! Yes, too much snow and way to much wind. I am not sure how the house remained standing during some of that wind. Grammy came early for Christmas, but Cassie and Lou were not able to make it because of the weather. We missed them dearly and it just really wasn't the same! We did make it to church on Christmas Eve, and made it to the movie on Saturday after Christmas. The girls enjoyed hanging out at home with grammy and playing with their new toys. They got a few games this year and are really starting to understand the concept of them. It was fun to turn off the TV and sit around the kitchen table playing games and giggling with the girls. I did notice though their daddy was getting a little competitive with them!!!! :)

Snow Days

We have had 2 snow days this week and a ton of snow and wind to accompany the warmth in the house!! We easily had 10 inches ; however the 50 MPH winds made drifts that were many feet deep. Time to break down and buy a snowblower!! We found lots of ways to be creative and make the time inside pass...Addison proudly displayed her bathing suit while it snowed outside, the whole time complaining that she was so hot! We put stickers on the windows, daddy brought home donuts before we all got stuck inside; Addison played computer games, Ella banged on pots and pans and cooked us up some skillets; daddy shoveled the millions of inches of snow; we made cookies, the girls painted mommy's nails and we finally played outside (brrrrrrr it was COLD); mommy gave us some yummy hot chocolate when we came back in!!!! We had a great few snow days; tomorrow it is back to school and to work!

Happy 10 WONDERFUL Years Tony

Friday Tony and I celebrated 10 years together since the day we said I do. It was a GREAT day spent shopping, laughing, reminiscing, and spending time together!! Both Grammy and Mamo helped out with the girls so that we could have the day to ourselves. It was wonderful and much needed!!

Hard to believe that it has been 10 years, seems like it was only yesterday that I was finishing finals my senior year at Hastings for the fall semester. Tony was adament that I come see him in Sutton; he was giddy and acting funny. He sped all the way from Hastings to Sutton (very unlike him). We got there and my world was on cloud nine!! We have had our fair share of ups and downs, and happy times and sad times. We have chosen to embrace each of our expereinces together; not only does it make us stronger individually, but stronger as a couple. Our love has been tested with medical issues that has stressed each of us to the max, but we know that their is someone else in charge, and all we can do is to pray for comfort, understanding and strength during those times. We don't know what the future holds for our family, but we know that we will be enjoying each new adventure, each new roadblock and each new struggle together...wouldn't have it anyother way. Ten years ago, we never would have imagined our lives would be blessed with 3 little girls; ten years ago, we NEVER thought we would be EVER driving a minivan; ten years ago, we still didn't know what the future held for us...but we sure all enjoy this ride and looking forward to the next ten years!! I love you Tony!! Thank you for 10 wonderful years, thank you for being such an understanding husband, and thank you for being a wonderful father and example to our daughters!!

Thanksgiving...and lots to be thankful for

Thanksgiving is always the time of year that I reflect on the things in my life that I simply could not live without. This year I had a friend who challenged me to be thankful for one thing everyday for the month of November and to post it on my Facebook page. I did it and often found myself having to decide which thing I would publicly declare thankful for that particualr day. My list of thankfulness has grown and I am thankful that I do indeed to have so much to be thankful!! This past year has been one of challenges and one of greatness (you will read more about that in the Christmas letter - if you don't follow my blog regularly).

We had the oppurtunity to spend Thanksgiving with both sides of our family this year. On Thanksgiving day, we spent it with Cassie, Lou and Grammy and in Omaha. We had sucha great time splashin at Coco Keys, but felt a great abscence that the Welsh's were not able to be with us. The weather outside was frightful (okay just cold and windy), but the weather inside was warm, welcoming and a balming 84 degrees at Coco Keys...yes, we went swimming!!!

We also had a great time celebrating with Tony's entire family at the farm in Friend. It is good my children get some "farm life" expereince, because this city girl is not a fan of petting animals or the smells on the farm (except for Karen's candles, and the smell of yummy food cooking). The petted baby lambs, horses, chickens, and who knows what else. They recieved strict instructions NOT to touch the cats though...mom can't handle those!!! We had a wonderful day with cousins, extended family and the company of those we love. The weather was perfect and the girls and Uncle Harold went on search of the perfect Christmas tree to decorate for the birds. We mad peanut butter pine cones, popcorn and cranberry strings on the tree...a great time was had by all. We even got to make smores on the fire (something I am sure my girls will talk about for a while)!!!

Tis the Season

We waited until the weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving this year to put up the Christmas tree and the decorations. I was getting a bit antsy; knowing I had to put lights on the tree again this year (my LEAST favorite thing to at Christmas time). The girls enjoyed looking through the boxes and telling stories and recalling memories. For some reason, Addison can remember everything. Tony is sure one of these days she will be able to tell her birth story; simply because she remembers it!!!

Disney Princess' on Ice

Grammy and mommy took the older girls to Disney on Ice again this year...love to see the delight in their eyes and the smiles on their faces. They were in such awe of the Princess' and sat great through the 2 hour show!! We were lucky enough to have some friends to go with us (so mom wouldn't bore them too much)! Kristin and Keyara and Grammy loaded up in the van with us and off to Kearney we went! Of course, a trip to Kearney wasn't going to be complete without some shopping at Old Navy and Target!! The pictures from the actual show really did not turn out that well; but enjoy the ones of the girls!

Go West Young Ones...

But be careful of the weather! Halloween was supposed to be in Idaho this year with Leo and Madeline. We planned to leave Wednesday afternoon and get as far as Sidney Nebraska; which still lfet us about 10-12 hours on Thursday. When we left, we were well aware of the terrible storm that was developing across Wyoming (the only way we were getting to Idaho was through Wyoming). We left anyway with hopes that the interstate would be open by Thursday morning and the snowful amounts they were predicting would not come true. Let me just say, we must be the eternal optomists, because not only did the snowfall amount come true, it doubled in some areas, and the interstate was closed both East and West come Thursday morning, and Friday morning. Us, and a bunch of truckers stuck in the motel. Thank goodness for Walmart and Cabelas; oh and a freezing cold pool and a slighty warmer than bathtub water hot tub. It was difficult at times to stay busy and take our minds off the weather. Thanfully my mom was with us to help entertain and Tony ended up with some meetings in Sidney and was therefore stuck as well when the interstate back home was closed!! (HE was not planning on being with us in Idaho). Lunchtime on Friday, interstate opened Eastbound and we took off for home...with much sadness on the way, we made it home safely and without ripping out anyones hair!!

Check out what we did to pass the time:

Addison colored lots of pictures:

Olivia, well she was just Liv. She danced, she exercised, she sucked her thumb, and she

made us all laugh:

Ella played with anything she could get her hands on:

And when Tony was with us in the hotel room, he was checking the weather, the roads and looking at the pictures of the storm in Wyoming:

Happy Halloween Princess Style

Despite not being able to make it to Idaho, we had a great Halloween. Since we were not expecting to be home, we had to make a quick trip to get some candy and some other neccessities (check out Daddy)!!

Of course Addison and Olivia had to be princess'. Addison was determined to be Jasmine this year, and I tried to talk her out of it when I could just not find a costume, but she found that tiny little spot in my heart and made it melt; I crumbled and caved and found the costume on ebay!! Olivia was contect with one of the dozen princess costumes we already had at home; and poor little Ella just keeps getting to follow in her big sisters footsteps. She was a little monkey and by far the cutest one!! Our good friends the Caspar's brought their kids over to join in on the fun with the girls. They had a great time strolling up and down the streets in the 60 degree weather!! It was a beautiful night and great time was had by all!!

Daddy told the girls that if they finsihed thier dinner on Halloween night, they could spray paint his hair. Liv ate hers all done and enjoyed spraying dad with a little help from mommy (who probably enjoyed it more than daddy!!)!!

Pumpkin Patch

On Saturday, Mamo and Bampo treated their 5 little granddaughters and their parents to a sun filled day at the pumpkin patch! It was so much fun to see the girls all playing together, to hear the giggling and the continous laughter. Of course the day was filled with smiles and memories, even complete with a few tears. None the less, a great time was had by everyone. We tried numerous times to get some great pictures of the kids; do you know just how hard that really is?? Our kids were exhausted and took naps on the way home. When we stopped along the way for dinner, we realized we head left home without one VERY important thing...sunscreen. Who would have thought...Ella is on meds that make her very sensitive to the sun, her face showed us just how sensitive that medicine is and that you truly must follow docotrs orders!! We felt like terrible parents. She is better now though. So without further ado...enjoy the picture post (this is for you Karen!!)

BodyPump

I have to steal the stage for myself a moment. I am taking my fitness and health goals to the next level. Since the middle of June, I have found a new passion for exercise and becoming more healthy. I have lost almost 30 pounds and would still like to lose about 10-15 more. I was approached by the owners and managers at the gym I belong to about becoming a Group Fitness Instructor. I was very excited at first, and then the more I thought about it, I thought I was not ready for something like this because I was not where I needed to be yet. Well, after some long midnight conversations with Tony and a lot of prayer, I decided to do it. My first certification is in Les Mills Body Pump. If you are not familiar with BodyPump check out this website: http://www.lesmills.com/ It is the original barbell fitness class. It rocks! I had my intial training this past weekend. It kicked my butt in more ways than one. I doubted myself at numerous times throughout the weekend, shed LOTS of tears and sweat and also survived and am on my way to becoming a world class fitness instructor. My journey is just beginning and I hope and pray that you will keep me in your prayers and your thoughts over the next 6 months as I dive more into the final stages of the certification process. Check out the others who are doing this also!! 4 other gals from my gym and the owner went through this training! One other gal and I were the only ones who were new to group fitness instucting.