Every year

So every year I get suckered into entering into the HGTV dream home giveaway. Thats not so bad. It only takes a minute or two each day and doesn't cost anything. The problem is, every year not only do I REALLY want to win, I dream about winning. I mean, it is called a dream home. I start to imagine myself living there or even just vacationing there and renting it out other times of the year. Then I even think that I am going to win. Just ask Todd. Last year when the actual live giveaway was on tv, I was about to get comfortable and get in my pjs to watch it. But then I said, I can't. What about when they come to the front door to tell us we've won? I can't be wearing that. Ok, I know that is a little crazy. But again, can't I dream? So, off I am to go enter. And just so you know, if you do decide to enter too, and for some reason my entries get lost and you do win, I'm coming to visit.

A product and an app recommendation

Two things that I discovered that have changed my life (ok, a little extreme, but I do really like them)- this vacuum and this app.

The dirt devil power air vacuum is awesome on our wood floors. I have been looking for something for a while that was powerful enough to suck up bigger crumbs and food. Well, this is the vacuum. It even picks up cheerios (and we have a lot of those on the floor). We have to be careful not to have any little fingers near it! It does have a cord, but it seems to be long enough to get around our kitchen area fine. We found it at Target for $39.99 which I think is a bargain.

Now my other new love. My fitness pal. It is a free calorie counter that you can access online or download as an app on your phone. You can add friends so you can see each other's progress. It has a barcode scanner that you can use if you have the package of the food, or you can search for something. It is really easy and actually something that I have been using consistently. And, like I said, it is free!

Back to reality

Later today we will be back in the cold and busyness of life. We fly out in a few hours. It has been so nice to be away in sunny Florida. We came down to Orlando last Wednesday to visit Todd's sister Sara and her husband Beaner. His mom was also here which was great and a lot of help (she even watched Simon all day when we were at Disney). We went to Magic Kindom, Sea World twice, saw the school Sara and Beaner teach at, celebrated Beaner's birthday at a delicious BBQ place, relaxed, picked grapefruit off their tree, went to Beauty and the Beast in 3D, and really enjoyed our time as a family. Here are some pictures from the trip.

Too late?

Well, I know my last post was mid December just after Simon's birthday, and since I didn't get a Christmas post out very promptly, I debated even doing one. However, that just seemed wrong. I couldn't skip Christmas. So a few weeks later, here is a brief recap.

We celebrated the weekend before with Todd's family at Three Bears Lodge in Warrens, WI. I've only been to a couple places in the Dells, but I really think this place is just as fun at least in the winter. It was great for the ages of kids- my oldest nephew is 7 down to baby Malachi (my nephew who was born Nov 23)- he didn't swim though! The adults enjoyed the water slides and outdoor hot tub too. Here is the best picture I could get of all the grandkids and Papa and Nana. Sometimes the memory of trying to capture the picture is better than the picture itself.

We then had a week at home that was busy with getting ready for another Christmas. Early in the week, we went to my Grandma's apartment building to visit Santa. Simon even sat on his lap.

That weekend we went to church and celebrated with my parents and Sarah and Kevin (via Skype) with supper and presents. Christmas morning and day were spent playing with new toys and just being together as a family. I had many reminders this year of just how blessed we are. God has given us so much, but the best gift of all is Jesus!

Here are a couple more pictures of the kiddos- they are so cute together.