Happy Birthday Grandpa McDaid

We weren't able to go up to Grandma & Grandpa McDaid's house for Christmas Eve like we usually do (in fact it didn't seem like Christmas because of that) but we were able to make it up to Grandpa McDaid's (86th?) birthday party today after Nathan's hockey game. It was a small crowd but it was still nice to see everyone that we missed at Christmas. Here is a picture of some of the grandkids with Grandpa McDaid.

Nathan M., Allison, Great Grandpa McDaid, Nathan D., Josee, and Cameron

Happy New Year!

We spent New Year's Eve up north, warmed up the garage, and had a tiny party with a few friends. We ate, talked, listened to music, ate, danced, played Guitar Hero, ate, and even played some 21 (Blackjack to those of you over 18). Here are a couple shots from New Year's Eve in Bitely.

Allison trying out the pedicure kit she got for Christmas...We all had a chance to kick back and relax and this is how Allison chose to do it. Val, Brett, and Curt playing Guitar Hero World Tour on New Year's Eve.
Allison making Zoe wear a hat (as usual) on New Year's Eve.
Passing the time playing 21. If the kids were older we would call it blackjack :-) Whatever you call it, it was fun and helped pass the time until midnight.
New Year's Day was spent watching the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks in the NHL Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, a little football, a little sledding, and some serious lounging. I love New Year's Day just for that reason!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

We didn't get to cut down and decorate our Christmas tree on the day after Thanksgiving as usual. But we still couldn't go to a tree lot or use a fake tree...Heidi wouldn't allow it. So we visited the tree farm the following weekend and picked out the perfect (aka crooked) tree.

Nathan, Allison, and Heidi next to the tree we picked out...
Decorating and eating pizza, our little tradition...
Even Zoe got into the Christmas spirit...

After running all over the state in the worst weather I can remember, we had Christmas at the Weiss'. Unfortunately, we missed Christmas Eve at Grandma & Grandpa McDaid's due to the ice. But Brian McDaid still stayed with us Chrismas Eve and Christmas morning which was nice. Bubba, Papa, and "the girls" came over Christmas Day to play with all the presents. And we had Christmas with Mom, Ken, and Brian yesterday. Now that all the parties are over we can try to find our house again and start to get back into the usual routine.

Nathan with his gift from Santa - mini hockey nets (the goalie set was from Allison). He didn't even wait to finish opening presents before starting a game.
Allison with her gift from Santa - a Hannah Montana electric guitar.
Breanna, Kelsey, Nathan, and Allison McDaid

Happy Halloween!

We were lucky enough to have some great weather for trick or treating this year. Allison dressed up as a Hollywood Starlet in a pink dress fit for a walk down the red carpet. Nathan was going to dress up as a football player but changed his mind at the last minute when he found a mullet wig at the Halloween USA store. He ended up being a cross between Joe Dirt, Larry The Cable Guy, and Billy Ray Cyrus... complete with sleeveless flannel shirt and tight-rolled jeans. Cousin Breanna came over to join the kids for trick or treating wearing her poodle dress. Even Zoe got into the spirit wearing her Superman costume. The kids got mostly treats and a couple trips through the neighborhood haunted houses. We've all eaten way too much candy. There was a parade at school to see everyone's costumes and parties with games in their classrooms. Here are some shots from the day.

The costume parade at school...
Classroom party...
Abbi, Danni, and Ally
Nathan, Breanna, Allison, and SuperZoe
One more shot of the costumes before trick or treating...

Happy Easter!

Just when we thought spring had arrived, Mother Nature dumped a load of snow on Easter weekend. But all was not lost. We went to see High School Musical On Ice on Friday, celebrated Zachary and Reygan's birthdays at Bounce Party on Saturday, and the Easter Bunny left baskets and hid eggs for an Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday...

Nathan, Allison, and Reygan after the hunt...

Our annual Easter photo of the kids on the deck with Zoe (nice snow...)