Days with the Dorans

How we really look... It's that time of year again!!  I've spent almost all day playing catch-up on my blog because after THIS post I get to order my blog book for 2015.  So here they are... Our Top Ten Memorable Moments of 2015 according to Jeff and me... (and you can read more about each event because I've included links... just put your mouse over linked words and click for more!) The Doran Kids meeting Cousin Jack 1. JACK PAUL IS BORN! Words cannot express how happy I was when Jodi delivered Jack Paul. We also got to see him be baptized up north.  What a joy he is and I'm also excited because I know in 2016 one our our "Top Tens" will include his little brother! Practicing at the Eye Doctor 2. ALI JANE GETS CONTACTS! It was not an easy process but Ali now wears contacts most of the time.  They were great for rainy/snowy soccer games and tumbling. Now both Mom and Daughter wear contacts! Gosh I Miss Him  3. SAYING GOODBYE T...

 New Year's Eve was AWESOME!!  It was Low-Key (which I've found is our style) and I was surrounded by my favorites!  My folks and the Gerkens came over for some yummy food and football but left before the ball drop. When they left, Al brought down her new Karaoke machine and we had some fun!  It was funny hearing everyone sing and we decided we needed a stage, so up on the furniture we went! Even I played along which was fun!  Joe Cool wouldn't sing which bummed me out but at least he hung out with us.  We were watching the count-down shows which made me realize that I really am getting older... I didn't know who most of the celebrities or music groups even were! Yikes! I think the kids are now more up to date on things than I am (which is scary).  This picture of Ali makes me laugh it was the 'mic drop' at the end of her song.  Jeff went to sleep (on the couch) after our little concert (about a half hour before the ball drop) but t...

After our trip to Saginaw (and seeing LONG lines when we went to see the Peanut Movie with Seany), we were excited to finally go see the new Star Wars movie.  We LOVED it!  Well... I loved it!  It was great to see some of the original actors and I loved that the new awesome Jedi is a GIRL! Whooo hooo!  The kids all liked it too (though Sean slept for about the last 45 minutes of the movie on my lap- which I was happy about since I'm always cold).  Jeff thought it was "OK" but I think we'd all agree we're excited to see the next Star Wars movie (whenever THAT is due to come out).  My guess is Sean will stay up for that one!

I love my work people and it is tradition for my Capricorn friends and I to get together for a lunch at Olga's to celebrate! Hours go by so fast with these friends!  Three snackers baskets (we almost ate all three) and a shared brownie dessert later it was time to go but I'm glad we got some pictures.  Since this is an annual thing, I figured I should document because that's what I do!

I really can't believe that my baby girl is 11! Where has the time gone?  The night before her birthday, I was up wrapping presents and putting streamers outside of her door so she'd wake up surprised! While she could have opened up all of her presents that morning, she chose to open just one and wait until family came over later to open the rest. Ali blows me away sometimes with her kindness and sweetness (though that isn't her ALL of the time- ask Zach).   She really has a huge heart that can get her in trouble sometimes too (big hearts can be broken).  I'm just so proud and thankful for her!!!! She and Zach can be best friends one minute and worst enemies the next.  That being said, Jeff and I have commented quite a bit this break on how well our kids have gotten along.  They haven't played with any school friends (we've been so busy) but they sure have enjoyed each other!! Ali usually has a friend party but things were so nutty that we p...

 We had a wonderful trip to Saginaw on the 26th which has been when we've gone up the last few years.  We usually also go up on the 22nd to celebrate Grandma's birthday but this year we couldn't because the kids and I had school on the 22nd and then they had rehearsal for the church Christmas program that night. BOO! We were able to celebrate with Grandma and the Doran family too!  Jeff's sister is still in the midst of a divorce and could not make it back with her boys.  The Doran cousins all had fun though! Grandma got the kids great gifts that they couldn't wait to play with so they didn't.  Z loved his.  He always plays with the army stuff Grandma has and he got all sorts of army stuff including grenades that we kept finding in front of us! (INCOMING!) Joe and Al each got a Lego set and Seany got some fun Paw Patrol guys!  Of course we put Seany's stuff together right away too.  The house was actually quite quiet with everyone pl...

 My brother was having a Christmas celebration with his in-laws family this year so asked if we could get to my parents by 10:00.  We said we could do it and we did (albeit a little bit late since that is my style).  THEY didn't get there until 11:00 though!  Gordie had thrown up (perhaps left over from the night before when he ate chocolates that were meant for my mom).  The kids enjoyed opening presents and giving presents to each other (all from the Dollar Store, of course).  This picture was obviously NOT from the Dollar store but was a cute one of Al and Maddy so I put it in here.  The kids all played together with their new toys and had a great time.  I got Danny some random gag type gifts which were not cheap but they made me laugh... A giant Star Wars Pez thing (since I remember days when we were young playing Star Wars) and this Hulk Hat that lifts up his hands.  Danny was VERY afraid of the Hulk when we were little. ...