Days with the Dorans

As we wind down 2009, I've been thinking about the year's highlights and low lights and decided to write a year in review... We got a new ride (Dodge Caravan) after our old mini-van died. It has all the bells and whistles (although I didn't want that- it was no additional charge) including two DVD players. We have even let the kids watch the TV on trips- (this was the one thing I DIDN'T want in a car... oh well- never say never...) Last year was the beginning of the infamous car-stops with our Ali Jane... Happy to say that I don't think that we will see these (at least because of her) in 2010. We also began patching her eye and her eyesight did improve... until perhaps our biggest blessing of 2009 came and we became lax on wearing it... glad to report we're back to wearing it regularly again... I became a (biological) Auntie for the first time when my brother and his wife had their first child, daughter Madeline. It has been such fun to watch my little broth...

I can't believe that Ali Jane is already five! Since Sean hasn't been feeling well we had a small gathering for her birthday- no kids really (which means no new germs!) The good thing about having so many sibs - every day feels like a party! Ali Jane was so excited to pick out her special cake for her fifth birthday! It was so very cute and tasted even better! The only problem was in the excitement of looking at it, Zach smooshed one of the pretty flowers... I think that when you are a Christmas baby, your family tends to go overboard when it comes to the gift department- at least that was my experience growing up, and I'm finding I too want to give more for her having her birthday so close to Christmas. The boys put all her presents under the front room Christmas tree and there were quite a bit considering the small gathering that we had! When I think back, I can't remember much before Ali Jane was born... I can't remember Jonasen without hi...

There is nothing quite like the excitement in your children's voices on Christmas morning... the fireplace screen had been moved, the stockings filled, the cookies and milk enjoyed and presents left and we heard all about it from voices that couldn't contain their joy. Jonasen was THRILLED that Santa remembered his Glo Doodle. (Even though it was made so cheaply, it didn't work after a few hours... thankfully Santa brought some other cool things too!) And Ali Jane must have been more nice than naughty because she too got exactly what she asked for... PRINCESS BOOKS! In fact, Santa brought lots of books for all the kids which is good. He must know that we are a family of readers! Zach was much more into the present thing this year, but I am not sure how much he understood that Santa was the one that brought them... He did get his train. It was one of the first things that he opened and when given another present to open, he would say, "No thanks!" So swee...

I always have loved being a Christmas Eve baby. I have such fond memories of my parents giving us the play-by-play of what was happening the day of my birth (what time they went in the hospital... what the doctors were saying and when...) We always visited our wonderful relatives in Hamtramck - which is a great Polish community. I loved my birthday- and still do- (and yes- my folks still talk about what happened 34 years ago... and at 6:38 when I was finally born.) After the family service at church, (we go to the family service- though I can't wait until the kids are older so we can go to candle-light services again...) we went to dinner with my parents and my brother and his family. It is so fun to say his "family" since he and his wife have added their new addition- and Ali Jane is THRILLED to have a new cousin who is a GIRL! And Zach- well... that kid can't get enough of babies! Sean hasn't been feeling well, but we went out anyway. He slept through church ...

We had a great time celebrating Christmas with Grandma Doran and the Doran cousins up in Saginaw! We were sad that Jeff's sister and family couldn't make it. The date for the celebration changed a few times, but we were glad to be make the trip and had a wonderful time. In past years, we've stayed the night but with our dog, Pele's, cluster seizures always happening in the middle of the night, Jeff thought it best not to go away for too long. (He did have a seizure Christmas night, but thankfully came out of it...) It was Sean's first trip to Saginaw (or anywhere really for that matter...) He was a great babe the entire time! We have been so blessed with this little man! The kids had a blast opening presents and Joe got a cool gift from Grandma Doran that the kids loved playing with. Grandma Doran has a knack for finding the coolest gifts. The big cousins and the adults played Guesstures (a gift we gave) - which is a fun charades-type game. It was a lot of ...

For Christmas we got all of the teachers (and 'bus teacher' as Jonasen calls her) gift cards. He made cards for everyone and after a while it dawned on me to take a picture of what he was doing. This is a child who did not like to draw last year and didn't even want to write his name! I let him be and we just continued to read stories each night and turn off the television. I must admit I was a little worried because being the son of two teachers we were sending a little boy to kindergarten who didn't like to write his name and wasn't reading at all. I had always preached developmentally appropriate practices and poo pooed those gimmicks that raved to teach preschools to read and write knowing what I had learned from years of schooling and teaching about how children learn to read... (but what if I was wrong... what if my kids weren't going to get an 'edge' on all those other kids-) I know that what is most important is having 'good' kids, no...

Every year since Jonasen was born, we have taken a family Christmas picture for our cards. I love getting pics of other people's families too. I actually have a photo album that I have kept over the years and it has been such fun to watch the families grow older (and in number sometimes) over the years. (I think everyone should do this!) For us getting that picture is always an adventure. My mom comes over, sets up the tripod and we pray for the best but expect... well... at least for one that will be decent enough that we can slap it on a cheap Costco card and call it a day... I have MANY of these outtakes that I posted on Facebook - but because this blog would be VERY long if I included them all I picked a couple of my favorites. Jonasen and Ali Jane did quite well and Sean even stayed awake... (for a couple pictures at least!) It was our Zachy who was the interesting one this year and I wouldn't have it any other way. In a way I think the out-takes are even better th...

We had a mild start to winter, so when the snow fell, the kids were over the moon! We didn't get a lot of snow and it was very windy- too cold to go outside. Recesses were indoors and we sat inside sipping our hot chocolate. Today was a bit warmer and the kids were so excited to make a snowman. Unfortunately, it wasn't good packing snow so they did the next best thing... went sledding! They went again and again but Sean and I enjoyed watching them from the warmth of the house. Jeff said they had a blast and found it quite funny that Zach kept falling down over and over. (He's wearing some of Joe's hand-me-down boots that may be a little too big and size 12 mos. snow pants that may be a little too small.) It was cold outside so they didn't put up too much of a fight when it was finally time to come in. Their red little cheeks warmed my heart! Welcome Winter!