Days with the Dorans

 Had a great time saying goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020! Opted for a chill night at home and the Jodi(e)s came over (Didn't get any pictures of the Gerkens and only this pic of me and Jodie). I love easy!! We let the Bigs invite a friend (the Littles were cool hanging with them). I didn't realize but Joe invited a second friend who I suspect likes Al (and she likes him). He didn't spend the night though so that was actually a good thing! ;-) We played games with and without the teens, had yummy food and the time went by fast. The Gerkens left early because Jack and Huey are so little (kicking myself for no pictures because they're also so cute!!).  At midnight we toasted to a new year and no one was remotely tired. The kids had "wine" (sparkling cider) and we had... well whatever we were drinking.  I told Jeff to find a bottle of red with a cool name and he brought this home. Not only did it score in taste, it was also super cool. It had...

After a year of a microwave that didn't work and using an old one that we had in our dining room... we finally got this beauty! I absolutely LOVE it!!! Not only is it beautiful, it's SUPER quiet and the popcorn feature senses and works like a dream. All is right in the Doran universe again! Thank you Home Depot~ (last of it's kind so we had to install it ourselves... well... we hired someone ourselves).

 We had a great Christmas in Saginaw but it wasn't on the 26th as usual. We had it the following Sunday since all the big Doran kids had it off work.  Unfortunately, Mary and her kiddos were sick so they weren't able to make it but the rest of the Dorans were able to be there. It was great seeing Trisha and her mom seems to be doing a bit better and is almost strong enough for chemo! After some yummy food (as always), we opened presents. Al and I got birthday presents too! Grandma got us awesome gifts!! Here are more pics of everyone opening up gifts: For her big gift, we got her tickets to see the Blue Man Group with all of us (plus dinner of course). I can't wait!! She was excited. I feel like the best gift is when we get time together. I wish we lived closer but thankful for the time we have!  With Joey getting his record player, they had a GREAT time going through old records and Joe got a bonus gift of some awesome old record...

 How is it my baby is 15!?!?! Time has gone by so fast and I just love who Ali is and who she is becoming. She seems to be more confident and secure and I am just in awe of her! She woke up fairly early (maybe because she knew there'd be presents ready for her). She opened up two things and then waited for the rest of the things until later. Unfortunately, we found out that Maddy was sick. I know she was bummed and so were we. Ali had chosen to see the movie Frozen 2, mostly I think because it would have been Maddy's choice (which was super sweet). With Maddy and Steph not able to come, we called up Al's old dance sister, Amber, who was able to join us on SUPER short notice! Crazy was that she had a Carmen San Diego shirt she had gotten for her back when she did that number. It was great to have the girls together again like old times. I miss Julia! We need to get together soon! After the movie (which half of us REALLY liked and half didn't~ Al and I w...

We got to the Drapals fairly early to spend time with the other Drapals and we had a nice long time with them which included awesome gifts (ONE SO GENEROUS WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT), fun games, and naps! Sean tried to go sledding (despite no snow) which was hilarious. I didn't take any pictures really but I did take video of that that you can see HERE . After the younger Drapals left, we had a delicious dinner, movie, and were ready for bed. It was another WONDERFUL Christmas!

It was early in the 5s when I got the first wake-up call and told them to wait until 6am. When they came back at 5:40, we gave up and headed down. I thought teens were supposed to sleep in! When we got downstairs they were sitting on the couch, waiting to do stockings. The Littles slept in Ali's room as is tradition but Sean told me his eyes opened a little bit "just to check Santa Tracker." He said when he realized Santa was in the US, he went to bed. Sean is telling me that it was Zach who went down first but "of course I followed him. And minutes later, Joey came, then Ali, and our parents." (I love when he's in here to blog). The opening of gifts was great and took over an hour because it was nice and slow. Everyone took turns and gave lots of hugs and thanks.  Marty was going nuts! He LOVES unwrapping presents and I think helped everyone as some point. He got some good things too! It was a good Christmas for all of us! I put together a ...