The A Team Week 15b: New Years' Fun

So as I previously mentioned, Eric, Asher, Avery, Emma and I headed up to the UP on the Tuesday between Christmas and New Year's to celebrate the holidays with my family.  We got to Mom and Dad's just in time for family dinner, and enjoyed a little play time before bed.  The next morning, we woke up to the winter wonderland that Christmas is supposed to have.

We spent the morning relaxing and watching the kids play both inside and out.

Asher asked if he could paint and Grandma obliged...brave woman getting out the paints with 3 small boys.

When painting was done, the boys got cleaned up.  Grandma always loves to throw as many of the kids in the tub together as she can!

Avery wearing his cute new construction outfit.  He has worn this a total of three times now, and EVERY time he has a major blow-out in it...starting to wonder if he has issues with the construction business!

The five kids ages 4, 3, 2, 1, & 0.

Aaron pulling Micah & Caleb around in the sled.

Asher & Grandma all bundled up.

Rest Time for everyone.

Aaron has his hands full!

After a fun morning of playing and some good naps, it was time for Micah's birthday party (there wasn't much of a New Years' celebration as we were all in bed by 8:30).  Some family and good family friends came over to join the party and we enjoyed a fun evening together, complete with presents, cake and ice cream.

Micah opening his presents

The big Five Year Old with his awesome rocket birthday cake made by his momma.

Family picture (all but one...but it appears Timmy was a fill-in) - Lighting the candles

Micah takes a BIG breath...

...and lets it all out.

All of the kiddos (& adults) enjoyed some tasty cake & ice cream

Aunt Bonnie entertaining Avery...or the other way around?

When the party was started to draw to a close and bedtime was getting close, Asher got a little sugar crazed and decided that the kitchen table was a boat that you had to ride in from beneath.  He quickly got everyone else sitting around the table to join in his imaginary fun.

Asher in the "boat"

Aunt Bonnie was his first invite to go for a ride.

Then came Rachel

Then came Judy and I.

We all (Aunt Bonnie, Rachel, Judy and I) had a great time riding in the boat with Asher as he told us where to sit and pretended to drive and gas up the boat.  Even Micah and Eric later joined in on the fun...

2 Videos: Asher's Boat

When the boat made its way to dry land, it was time for bed.  We all got a good night of rest and then woke to a new year.  New Years' Day was much warmer than the day before (around 30), so there was fun to be had by all playing outside both in the morning and afternoon. We were even joined by my 2nd cousin's son Mickelson who was staying down the street at his Grandma's and had come over to play with all the boys the night before.

Avery & I relaxing on the couch

All of the kids (& most adults) enjoying a gator ride, while Avery and I enjoy the warmth of the house.

Erika, Mickelson, Caleb, Mom, Asher & Micah

Mickelson, Mom, Caleb, Asher & Micah enjoying Micah's new art supplies

More fun in the snow!

Eventually, I decided that it was time for Avery to experience his first winter as well and enjoy a little fun in the outdoors.  I bundled him up in Asher's old snowsuit (a bit big for him) and then let him enjoy a ride around the yard in  the sled.  He had a great time.

A boy and his pup.

Micah enjoying the sledding hill

Me & my boy

Eric & Asher ready for a ride.

Micah racing them down the hill.

Hudson came out to join the fun too and sported Aaron's snowsuit from when he was a baby.

Asher wasn't really a fan of his first time sledding after he and Eric went down the hill and got covered in snow from some branches in the woods above.

When Avery was starting to get cold, I decided it would be best to take him back into the house but wanted to get a picture of the boys together before doing so.  It didn't work so well and Avery wasn't happy about it.

Ready to go back in the house.

Finally, I took Avery back inside to warm up while everyone else stayed out to play.  Eric, knowing that I rarely get time to spend with Asher alone these days, came into the house as well to take Avery and allow me some time with Asher, so back outside I went.

We stayed outside until the sun had set and then said goodbye to Aaron, Erika and the boys who headed home that evening.  Eric and I were going to go home the next morning because his parents were planning to come to visit us, but then his parents decided to hold off a weekend, so we opted to stay until the weekend.

Avery napping on Daddy

Hudson rocking with Papa.

That evening, after the Klingenmaier crew had left, I decided that we needed some family treat time complete with popcorn and root beer floats.  Since we didn't have any root beer and it was New Years' Day (so the grocery store was closed), Dad opted to head to the local bar to see if they had any...thankfully they did and we all enjoyed a yummy treat.  Asher had never had pop before and thought the float was delicious.  He also enjoyed dipping his popcorn in his float and ate until his he told us that his little tummy was hurting (he really hadn't eaten that much, but I don't think his tummy knew what to do with the root beer bubbles).  I also learned later that Eric wasn't really able to enjoy any of the popcorn.  Unlike my family, who is fine to have a treat for dinner (which we did, save Asher), Eric decided to eat some dinner before feasting on popcorn with us.  Unfortunately we all forgot that he wasn't eating it yet and by the time Eric was done with his sandwich the popcorn was basically gone!...opps!

Asher with his popcorn & float

Asher dipping his popcorn...he even convinced Papa to try it.

When our treats were gone, we headed to the basement to enjoy a little play time and work off some of the sugar before bed,

Avery chillin' with my Real Baby doll from when I was a kid.  They have the same crazy hair!

The next day was Friday and since both Mom and Dad had to work, Eric, Asher, Avery and I enjoyed a relaxing fun day at the house.  We played outside, took naps, visited Grandma at work, made her a surprise birthday cake to celebrate her up-coming 60th birthday, and then went out to dinner with Grandma and Papa when they were back home.  It was another great day.

Eric and Asher playing outside again.  Asher LOVED playing outside all week and especially loved the "warm" chocolate that he received when he would come back in the house!

Undressing all the necessary warm winter layers.

Brothers!

Papa, Asher & Grandma enjoying dinner at the Sidetrack

Asher, Avery and Grandma with her birthday cake...Pineapple upside down cake...her favorite!

Grandma & Avery enjoying a nap together after our dessert.

Avery just relaxin' before bed.

Finally, it was Saturday and time to head back home.  We couldn't do so though without a little more fun in the snow and one more gator ride.  This time, I even got to enjoy a sledding run with Asher while Mom stayed in to snuggle Avery.

Eric & Asher

Eric & Asher heading down the driveway hill.

Possibly one of my all-time favorite Asher & Eric photos!

Papa & Asher

My turn to go for a ride with Asher...as you look at the picture series, notice Emma who is running beside us and trying to get in front of us to bite the sled.

One last gator ride with Papa.

Finally, it was time to head out.  We drove to Menominee with Grandma and Papa following behind and stopped for a late breakfast at our favorite restaurant, where Asher enjoyed a gargantuan Mickey Mouse pancake.  Then we made the rest of the trek home to end our Christmas break with a relaxing Sunday at the house before we all headed back to work and daycare.

Asher dipping his fingers in the chocolate chips on his pancake.

Yum!

The winter wonderland view out our bedroom window on Sunday morning.