Thursday, December 31, 2015

Wrapping Up 2015

It's hard to believe that another year has come and gone.  I always like to wrap the year up by taking a look back at some great memories from the past year.
 
2015 started off wonderfully when I took a trip in January to visit Uncle Bruce and Aunt Priscilla in sunny California.  They took me to many fun and beautiful destinations throughout my stay but it was their hospitality and the chance to spend quality time with them that I treasure the most.
 

In February we took a family trip to the Wisconsin Dells.  Hopefully we can find a weekend to return there this Winter, but the kids busy athletic schedules ties up most of our time. 


In March my little Irish lad and lassies celebrated their Irish heritage.


In April the McLaughlin Honey Bunnies were as cute as ever.


In May Careline finished up her elementary school career and Adeline graduated from Maple Tree Day School.



In June Careline and Adeline won the Elks Soccer Shootout.  Adeline went on to win at the district level, earning her an all expenses paid trip to Brainerd to compete for the state title.  At state, this little cutie took 2nd place at the tender age of 5 in the under 7 category.


In July we celebrated the 4th.  Someday they're going to get me back for all these crazy pictures I make them pose for!


In August Adeline made the most of the last few days of Summer at the Splash Pool.


In September Adeline went off to Kindergarten.  She absolutely loves school.  In fact just yesterday she told me that she hopes that she never has a sick day because she loves to learn.  Careline also made a big move in September when she started in the secondary building.  She's adjusting well and pulled all straight A's on her first report card.


Pat and I celebrated our anniversary in October by taking a trip to Colorado.  It was a great time.


In November (and all Fall long) we enjoyed the mild weather.


And finally in December the kids posed nicely for the McLaughlin Christmas card.


We look forward to what adventures lie ahead and are always thankful of the happy memories of yesteryear.

Sunday, December 27, 2015

New On Our Tree This Year

Before we take the tree down I wanted to take a pic of the new ornaments on our tree this year.  Even though today is just the 27th of December, I found out that I was already too late for Buddy's glass baseball ornament (it met its end yesterday during a knee hockey game between Buddy and his friend).
 

 
This homemade ornament by Adeline is especially cute (and Buddy should have a hard time breaking it....but you never know with that kid!)
 


Saturday, December 26, 2015

Their Christmas Wish Came True

On Christmas night the snow that the kids have been so desperately wanting finally arrived.
 



Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Frosty Times Five


There may not be any snow on the ground this Christmas to make a snowman the old fashioned way, but Adeline made a mighty fine family of snowmen using her handprint and her artistic skills.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Baby Bo


My friend Annie invited me over today to meet her sweet baby son and put him through his first photo shoot.  He's incredibly precious and was a perfect little model.



Sunday, December 13, 2015

3rd Place



Congrats to Careline and her Packer teammates for claiming 3rd place today in the Spartan basketball tournament.

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

The Elf (Not On The Shelf)



At work we have an elf who has been be-bopping around the office in a different location each day making sure we're good little state employees during this Christmas season.  Today he was the naughty one....we caught him making copies of his butt on the copy machine.

Friday, November 27, 2015

Daniel The Driver


I knew that my kids are getting older...but come on, how can it be that my nephew Daniel is already a legally permitted driver?!  I'm excited for him to take me out for a ride, but I thought better of it than to have that ride be yesterday during the first snowfall of the year.  Soon though Daniel!

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Hooked On Hallmark



Hallmark is running the cheesy Christmas movies 24/7...and I'll admit it, I can hardly look away.

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

A Hardy Little Bugger


Even though I chopped my day lily plants down to the ground more than a month ago in anticipation of Winter, this bright beauty decided that November 17th was his day to rise and shine.

Monday, November 16, 2015

A Christmas Carol



Grandma Ginger shared her love of the theater with Braden and Careline over the weekend by escorting them to A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie Theater.  They obviously enjoyed the show as I heard them discussing it hours after they returned home.  Thanks Grandma.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Call Me Maybe


Since A) she's turning 12 on Friday and B) we couldn't continue to let her be the ONLY 6th grader at her entire school without a phone...Careline became the proud owner of a new iPhone today.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Loving This Fall!



We have yet to turn our heat on for the first time this Fall and even so it's 67 degrees inside our house.  What a nice stretch of weather!

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Missing Bubba

Today I'll do the same thing I've done every day for the past 8 years...think about my Dad and miss him more than words can express.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Airing Out The Dirty Laundry


How brilliant is Pat's creation?  Using PVC pipes, he built this contraption for Braden to hang his hockey equipment on.  It will surely help alleviate some of the stench that existed from throwing sweaty hockey equipment in to a closed bag.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Apple Orchard


We took our annual trip to the apple orchard yesterday.  Nothing says Fall like a morning at the apple orchard.


How about THESE apples?!


Can't visit an apple orchard without taking a run through the corn maze.


Children and Grandma of the Corn.


Lost in the corn maze with my favorite dude.







Careline insisted I take a picture of the "Siamese" pumpkin with two heads.