What Happen's In Vegas... Comes to Illinois!

Or so read a fellow rebel fan's sign at the IL. vs. UNLV game at the United Center here in Chicago.
Uncle Mark flew all the way out from Las Vegas and took Jeff to the game!  They had a great time, AND the Rebels WON!  YAY, Rebs!  It was a quick trip but we managed to pack in a lot of fun and memories!  Including a visit to see Santa Claus! 
Uncle Mark practiced with the kids the night before having them sit on his lap and tell 'Santa' what they want... then he in turn sat on Austin's lap to tell him what he wanted.  Course, all I've heard about all week long is Santa, Santa, Santa... but when we got there, Austin was the only one brave enough to actually sit on his lap.  Maddie cried and barely let Dad hold her next to him.  Jack, took the candy cane, and told him what he wanted from across the room.  Then the whole way home it was Santa, Santa, Santa.... too funny.

It was a joy to have Uncle Mark here for the night!  I never see the kids smile as big or laugh as loud as when their family is near by!  The feeling is mutual.  Uncle Mark asked the boys if they had 'girlfriends' at school yet... I had never thought of asking them that, they're only 6 and 4 years old... but Austin came right out with his decleration of love for little miss Hannah... a girl in his class with a smile that says 'I'm too good!'  He stated that he loves her, but she doesn't love him.  Be still my heart... my baby loves another girl.  And she doesn't love him back!?  What?!  How is this possible.  Well she can just go take her piggy tails and curl 'em!  Hahaha...
Oh Uncle Mark, we miss you already and you've only just left... thanks for coming to see us and giving me the motivation to finally clean my house! HAha  Give Aunty T our love!

Uncle Mark brought the first real snow of the season with him also!  The kids couldn't wait to get out there and play in it.  Maddie ate it more than she played in it.  It was her first time actually 'playing' in the snow.  It was a lot of fun.  Her first snow angel she laid there and kicked her legs until big brother Austin came to show her the way! 

All has been Merry and Bright this holiday season as we decorated inside, and out!  We made Christmas reindeer cookies and mailed off our cards and packages.  Our Elf "Gus" (named after Jeff's Grandpa) has been keeping a close eye on the kiddos and reporting back to Santa on their behaviour.  He's been getting into a few things while he's been visitng... flour snow angels, goldfish fishing... silly Gus!

Even with all this holiday cheer, I've had a hard time getting into the holiday spirit this year.  Been a bit of a scrooge wishing Christmas could just be done already!  Then, just the other day... while driving around with the kids in the back of the van.. I was listening in on their movie.  They were watching Little Bills Christmas.  In the show, Little Bill cries because his Grandma may not make it home in time for Christmas... it just wont be Christmas with out her.  I thought of when I was a kid and my cousin's and I would talk on the phone and conspire up a plan to ask our parents to get us together for Christmas.  It would be all we asked for, every year... for Christmas, I want to spend it with 'the cousins'.  It just wasn't Christmas if we weren't together.  I felt the tears welling up in my eyes and the sting in my nose... pushed over the edge as I listened to Little Bill filled with joy!  Grandma had made it just in the 'Nick' of time!  All was well with the world.  Alas, I realized why it's so hard to feel the spirit... our family is 2000 miles away.  It's just not the same with out them.  OH... how I wish we could 'come home for Christmas'.... thanks to Uncle Mark for bringing a bit of home to us!
We're seriously considering a move back west.  Jeff is exploring his opportunities out there while I'm doing my best to prepare the house for sale.  Should all our little duck's line up in a row in the right time... who knows!?  Maybe we'll be home for Christmas in 2012~?
2012... wow.  Isn't the world supposed to end or something!?  I don't know if I believe that, hope not.  But it may be the year we see an end to the Euro and the USD.... that might be conceivable.  Whatever the new year brings, I hope it finds us all well, happy and healthy!  Can't believe we'll have a 7, 5 and 3 year old!?  Where has the time gone!?  Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmas's and the Happiest New Year!! ♥

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth!

You're never too old to Believe!

Also, we received our photos from the photographer that we had done while my Mom was in town!

Some video's for your viewing pleasure:

Maddie's 1st Snow Angel :)