Playing Ketchup...

Anyone who knows our family knows that Ketchup is a very important staple in our home! Life as we know it would not be if it weren't for our good ol' friend Heinz! Oh yes it has to be Heinz...I learned that the hard way many years ago.

Ketchup is practically used with every meal at our house from eggs to chili to casseroles to salads...oh yes even salads!

Just as ketchup is a staple in our home so is laughter and fun... of course mixed with a little fighting now and then...we are not perfect!! We truly have been slammed the past couple of months. Holidays and family, church and friends and just enjoying being together as a family.

Of course now blogging the past month events is making me feel overwhelmed...not to mention the fact that I forgot to take pictures. Seriously I am lucky to remember the diaper bag these days let a lone the camera!!

So here's a little Heugly "Ketchup"...

We officially were successful in finishing our 12 dates again. Some of our favorites included...

Our Annual J, J and J extravaganza!

Jake's best friend John and his twin brother Joe and all of our families get together every year for our annual J, J and J Christmas extravaganza. We have dinner, play games and then the children have a white elephant gift exchange. It is quite the party and would you believe me if I told you that between just the 3 friends there are 15 children!! Let's also not forget the one on the way (No not me)! Baby girl Heugly due in April will bring the group to a total of 7 girls and 9 boys. It is quite the party when we all get together and the noise level...well I'm sure you can guess!

Dinner with good friends

We had our good friends the Geislers and Nances over for dinner a couple of times. My stomach is still aching from laughing so hard! We are very blessed to not only have wonderful family but amazing friends as well. It is always a treat when they all come over!!

Ice cream and movies

Everything is just so much better when ice cream is involved! One of our favorite family activities is to just to curl up on the couch with blankets and watch movies together. Don't forget the peppermint ice cream...a family favorite at our house...pulls a close second...right behind our fav...ketchup!! Ketchup flavored ice cream...hmmmm?

We enjoyed many nights bundled together watching movies...our favorite ELF!! LOVE THAT MOVIE! Always puts us in the Christmas spirit. We also spent a couple of days having a Harry Potter a thon. It was a BLAST!!

Somewhere over the Rainbow

My niece Dakota received the lead in her performing groups The Wizard of Oz. She was absolutely darling and definitely stole the show!! We enjoyed spending the night watching her sing and perform and of course getting ice cream afterwards...I told you everything is better with ice cream!!

Candlelight Christmas

Our family spent the night with Grandma and Grandpa Ellis and all our cousins at this is the state place park enjoying their Candlelight Christmas. This will definitely be a new family tradition! It was amazing. It was freezing yet the kids just didn't seem to mind. We watched a puppet show, sang Christmas carols, learned how to make candles, danced...yes even my boys did, visited with father Christmas and 2 of his reindeer (Alex couldn't figure out why Rudolph wasn't there), took a train ride, and saw a live Nativity. It was a perfect night. My children are still talking about it and can't wait to go back!

As you can tell our Christmas was packed...Family, Friends and yes tons of fun! Christmas just flew by this year. We have so much to be grateful for and truly enjoyed every speedy minute there was. Thank you to all of you helped make our Christmas so much more enjoyable and to all of you who truly enrich our lives! We love you all!!