What's Rick up to?

So many of our posts talk about the kids, but what about Rick? He's been keeping VERY busy...
...finishing our basement,




saving lives,

camping with the Scouts,



teaching boys to swing an ax,

and cooking for the hungry masses. Whew! I'm tired just thinking about it!

I can't hide it. I love my guy. He can do anything.

Birthday Girl

This post is written by Miss Emma:

I had invited like 11 girls to my party, but only 9 of them came. After they gathered at my house, we had borrowed two mini-vans from our friends the Luces and the Dwarzyks and drove to the Bowling Green Mall which has a movie theater inside. We saw the movie "Alvin and the Chipmunks: the Squeakeal."Pictured below is Zoe, Mary, Stiina, Emma, Katrina, Rachel, Leah, Nehal, Mira, and Bella:

While we were driving back from the movie, we stopped by Little Ceasers to pick up a few pizzas. When we got to my house, we ate pizza and then had cake and ice cream. Once everyone was finished eating, I opened up my presents. All but two people wanted me to open up their gifts first. When I was done I said a BIG thank you. Then the parents started coming to pick up their daughters. Nehal stayed a lot longer than when everyone else left because she just moved in two doors down from me. She helped me clean up all the decorations. Overall, I had a lot of fun. I can't wait till next year!

Me getting ready to blow out my candles:

Me actually blowing them out:

Opening my first presents:

Good Ol' Snow

Waaaaay back in the early days of 2010, Perrysburg received its first real snow. Up until that point we only had a light dusting which wasn't enough accumulation for snowball fights or sledding runs.

Bundled in our bibs and boots, we headed off to some baby hills just outside our neighborhood.

The powder wasn't ideal for speed rides, but it was sufficient.

We often had to give each other a good shove to get things moving.

Rick had to teach me the art of pulling up the sled's nose for a faster ride.

Oops!

Later, the boys got industrious and created a small jump.

We're not sure why Emmy chose to wear her glasses. I think they actually made it harder for her to see once they were covered with tiny droplets of melted snow.

Emma and her friend Nahal were a bit cautious compared to Jake and his friend Michael.

Way to work together girls!

Can you believe this is ALL melted and gone now?

Picnic with the Saunders Family

A week just isn't long enough when you have so many loved ones to see. Fortunately, we stole away on Saturday afternoon to enjoy a picnic with the Saunders family. Imagine! A warm, sunny day in January!

Poor Uncle Jared got his ear talked off by Jacob.

Our lovely niece Dani came and introduced us to her special sweetie.

Grandma brought some yummy treats for us to sample. She made a scrumptious banana cake and her FAMOUS lemon meringue pie. Delectable!

I love my nephew Zachy and his Conan O'Brien hair.

I think this Prescott kid enjoyed the warm weather as much as we did.

Daddies always give the best pushes on the swing.

Those Phelan kids are monkeys, just like all the other Saunders grandkids before them.

A boy and a dog: a match made in heaven.

Be careful Little Miss!

Awwww! This one is a keeper!

Not to be outdone by his little sister...

Good work!

Jared Tarzan Phelan

The whole crew. Boy! It's been awhile since we've had a full family picture.

Grandma isn't going to let the kids have all the fun...

Wahoooooooooooo!

Reunion Day 3: Earl Family Olympics

I have a special talent for threading a ball of yarn through my pants in record time. How do I know this? The Earl Family Olympics, of course!

In this game, teams must thread yarn down the tops and bottoms of each player. Once all team mates are connected, out the yarn must go. The first ones finished with this task are declared the winners.

To help the process, the yarn is attached to a heavy metal spoon. Unfortunately for Dusty and her team, this didn't make a difference.

Synchronized walking on 2X4s proved to be quite a challenge. It takes a great leader and obedient followers.

With every step forward, the girls' legs slid further apart.

You laugh now, but wait until YOU try it!

The great thing about the Olympics is that it's fun for both players and spectators.

I think that's Bon's game face.

These boys must be talking strategy for the adult heat.

It's time for the kids to watch how it's done!

Ummmm...these grown-ups can't seem to move forward 5 feet!

Ava climbs high to get a bird's-eye view.

Next Event: The 3-Legged Race (not a hit with some of the smaller contenders).

Who will win? The BOYS or the GIRLS?

Emma and Sarah take the lead. GIRLS WIN!!!

How do the adults fare?

I played a little dirty (notice my grip on Dusty's arm).

Bon deserves high marks for ducking under the citrus trees.

V.I.C.T.O.R.Y.!!!

Now for the final event: Blindfolded Pudding Eating Contest!

Tim was such a good sport.

Medals for everyone!