Ahh...it's over!

All the craziness of the Holidays are over!! What a wonderful time with family and friends! I always love seeing everyone and celebrating Christ's birth, but I'm not gonna lie...I'm glad when it's all over and I can get back to "normal" life! Christmas started for me on Christmas Eve with my dad's family. The 24th is also my dad's birthday, and my parent's anniversary, so it was a busy night for us! We had our annual Christmas Eve dinner...steaks on the grill...MMMM. Then we rushed off to church. We enjoyed the special music and candlelight service with our church family.

My cousins Zach, Shyanna, and Destiny singing at the candlelight service

After chruch, we did birthday and anniversary presents. Bj, Erin, Tim, and I got my parents the Wii Fit for their anniv.

I think they liked it! Erin, Bj, Mom and I stayed up until 3:30AM playing. I take that back...I stayed up until 3:30, I don't know how much longer they were up!

They were playing house. Destiny was 'directing' all of us

Jackson was really good at opening his presents! Smart kid!

I think this was my dad's favorite gift!

My dad and Brian blowing out their birthday candles

Erin eating Mom's Special K bars. We call her THE TRASH COMPACTOR because one day my brother was mad that she had eaten some and there weren't many left for him and he called her a trash compactor.

Christmas moring was spent with my parents, brother, and Erin. around noon, Tim came and exchanged gifts with my family. Then we headed for Ames.

It was a tight squeeze in Tims' little truck!

A pretty picture of Wendi, taken by Addisyn

Michael...as he opens his gloves "what are these for?" Heather, are you SURE you know what you're getting into???

Santa....er...I mean Rick

Scott being a nerd!

Timmy openning up his gifts from me. I got him a webcam so he can see he 3 favorite girls...Taylor, Renae, and Addisyn!

Julie and Taylor. Beautiful girls!

One of my wonderful gifts from Tim! Isn't he sweet???

Taylor jammin to Nana's IPod

Addy being a sugar plum fairy

This little cutie pie made my day!

Rick and Wendi boxing on the Wii. The women DOMINATED the men!

Timmy playing with the girls

Addisyn and I shared a room. She thought that was pretty special!

The bowling scores...see the winner?? Huh huh?? Yeah, that's me!!!

I left from Ames and met my parents in Des Moines for another family Christmas, this time with my mom's family. We stayed at a gorgous hotel, Staybridge. It was great to see family who live far away. There were almost 70 of us there!! And that's not everyone! We played lots of games, sang our tradional '12 Days of Christmas' and had our "H" gift exchange. (we all had to bring presents that began with the letter H). Sunday morning we worshiped together and had our own "church service" with different ones speaking and leading in songs. It's so wonderful to be part of a family who loves the Lord!!

Sunday I left right after lunch, ran home, unpacked and repacked in 5 minutes, and was off again!! Sunday through Tuesday was our annual Winter Retreat for our youth kids. It was a fun time, but SO tiring!! Teens wear me out! Here are some pictures from our Super Hero Banquet, and Silly Bowling

Our first place winner...Lindsay as Captian Underpants

Oh the drama of 7th grade!!! These girls were having a melt down moment, so our youth pastor joined them

When I got home from retreat, I went to my parents' and saw this adorable site when I walked in! New Years was spent at my cousins' house with my family and Tim. We played lots of games and were able to stay up past midnight!! I think Tim and I were the party poopers...we were both So tired! Things are slowing down (for now!!) and I am getting ready to buckle down and study hard from my Insurance Licensing Exam. PRAY for me!!