I'm Back

Hi everyone.

I know it's been forever since I last logged on. I really didn't mean to be gone this much but somehow I've been able to find all sorts of things to do instead of blogging. Not a lot has happened since you last read something from me...the Holiday season came and went and 2010 left us in favor of 2011..but other than that not much else going on.

A quick recap on things goes as follows.

We ate ourselves silly over Thanksgiving down in Lesterville. SD and then I got up at oh freeking early the next morning to celebrate the "unofficial" holiday that is Black Friday. I snabbed some really good deals and set a new personal best shopping time of just under 3 hours. Of course I also had a few gifts that I didn't need to buy that day so I guess since my list was shorter it should take less time.

I managed to get all my shopping done in time for Christmas and even got gifts wrapped early too. That I consider my Christmas Miracle. Truth be told I hate wrapping gifts. I'd much rather toss them in a gift bag and be done with it but the kids do like ripping open paper so wrap I must.

We spent Christmas Eve down in Yankton with the Schwarz side of the family. We left that afternoon and came back that evening. Everyone had a blast and I ate way too many sweets and candy. The kids also decided that Santa should have meat sticks to go with his cookies and milk this year. Carolyn made sure that all was right for Santa and she even had daddy go online to track Santa's progress.

Later that night after we came home and the kids were in bed I helped the loving husband put together Andrew's gift. We got him one of those arcade style basketball hoops games. It has 2 baskets and 4 toddler sized balls and a 60 second shot clock. He absolutely loves it and spends lots of time shooting baskets. He has beaten me more times than I care to admit but of course I have been known to outscore him a time or two. Please note this is NOT a toddler/preschool toy..this is a game that can be used by anyone with enough coordination to make (or attempt) to make a basket.

Matthew finally got the Nintendo DSi XL that he' always wanted. I gave into "mommy guilt" due to the fact Carolyn has one and Andrew got a Fischer Price iXL which is a portable gaming system for his birthday. Poor Matthew had to borrow either Carolyn's DSi or Andrew's iXl anytime he wanted to play a game and fights broke out when someone did not want to share.

Having personal gaming systems for the kids makes for an easier drive and a few days after Christmas we all piled into the van and headed over to the big bustling metropolis of Chamberlain, SD for what has become our annual Rezin get together. I get a couple of hotel rooms and we meet Mom and Dad for an evening of fine dining (Al's Oasis) and endless entertainment. The kids enjoyed swimming in the pool and this year I packed a couple of board games so later that evening the Grandparents could have "grandkid time". So far this has been a much easier way to celebrate Christmas with my folks. We do plan on going out to Rapid City in February.

Well I think that pretty much covers the past few months or so. Super exciting as you can tell. Other than what I've written about nothing much has changed. I will be trying harder to update my posts on a more regular basis. I also got my camera fixed and will try and put photos up at some future date.

Have a happy 2011!!!