hanging our with Grandma

The same week Dad and Ann got married, Grandma Anna had a health scare. She thought it was here time to go, but we talked her into staying a little longer:)That grandma, she is a party animal, and doesn't want to miss out on the fun. We told her that if she went now, she would miss out on all kinds of fun this summer, and that did the trick. Thank goodness, we love her so much, and Cherish all the time we get to spend with her. This was one night the kids and I were hanging out with her, and she read stories to Carter and Layla.

Dad got hitched

on January 7, 2011 My Dad, Gregory Romriell, married Ann Meyers. It was the first time we had ALL (me and my siblings) been together since our Moms funeral. We had lot's more fun together this time, but the presance of our Mom was still very missed. It's a strange thing to have your parent re-marry, one of those situations where you don't really know how to act...kind of like a funeral, Just kidding. When people ask me how I feel about my Dad getting married I just say "I'm happy for him, his wife is a really nice lady" which is true, but I have actually gone through a whole range of emotions, and it hasn't all been easy for me to accept. That being said, I am happy for my Dad and Ann, and truely hope they have both found the companionship and love they deserve. They are both such wonderful people, and have so much to offer.
At the wedding I found out the meyers and Romriells have one thing in common...they are both very late...for everything. When the time came for the wedding party to go in the cealing room, Craig and I were the only kids there from my side of the family, and I think only 1 or 2 (out of 9) of Anns kids were there, haha. Needless to say, the wedding didn't happen on time... at all. I feel bad because Craig and I had to rush back to the hotel after the wedding to save Cameron (nephew) from the kids, as a result I don't have any temple pictures. Sad.
After the wedding my siblings, grandpa, uncles, and aunts all went to our hotel and partied. The kids and I made signs for all our family members doors so we could find each other. We swam in the pool, and had a surprise Birthday party for Annabeth. The kids had so much fun with their cousins, and the grown ups stayed up till after 1am talking. It was a great weekend.

extreme fun

There is this really fun place to take the kids when it's to cold to play outside. It's called Randy's extreme, and it's this gym with a climbing wall, foam pit, trampolines, and all kinds of other fun things. We took the kids there the day after Christmas for some good times.

buck up

So, I'm really far behind on my blog! I have so much to catch up the blog on, and so little time to do it. I'm kind of in this place where I don't want to write about what is going on right now in my life, because I still haven't written about what happened 3 months ago. blaa, so here is my game plan...I'm going to buck up. I'll put pictures of things we have done, places we have gone, and if your lucky you might even get a short explanation:) I have LOTS on my mind lately, and it's so therapeutic to write about it, so the goal is to be able to do that again...after we are all up to date and everything:) Hang with me, it will be worth it in the end..maybe.

Christmas Morning

The scene was set. Each ornament carefully hung, and each gift carefully placed under the glowing tree. The Stockings were filled with love, and other treats, while the warm plate of cookies were enjoyed. Everything was perfect, and ready for our children to awake, and fill the house with excitement. Craig and I layed in our warm cozy bed waiting to hear the squills of joy drift into our room as the kids saw what Santa had left for them in the night. We waited...and waited some more. I checked the clock and it was 7:30, so I crept upstairs to get a look..no one stirred. Craig and I got the video camera all set up, ate breakfast, and started to get bored. The kids finally woke up at 9:15! They stayed up so LATE on Christmas eve trying to catch Santa that they just couldn't open their eyes, hahaha.
We took our time opening gifts, and simply enjoyed every minute. My Dad and Annabeth stopped in a little later, and he read the kids a sweet Christmas story. We eventually got dressed and spent the rest of the day with the Hall family playing games, eating good food, and laughing. Life was good

Thanksgiving

This is a shot we got from our Romriell Thanksgiving, and I thought it was too cute to pass, so here it is.

Halloween...way after the fact

I was just fixing to print my 2010 blog book when I realized a couple key posts where missing...because I never wrote them, oops. How could I possibly leave out Halloween? Riddle me this will ya? We had a super fun Halloween this year. We spent it hanging out with grandma Anna, trunk or treating, carving pumpkins, visiting the pediatric unit, and eating LOTS of candy.
We started a new tradition this year. We were hanging out at Grandma Annas house with the Tolman crew when Judy announced to her family that they better go so they would have time to visit the pediatric unit at the hospital. I asked why they were going to the hospital, and she told me about their Halloween tradition. After all the trunk or treating, games, and parties are over they go to the hospital to trick or treat the sick kids. But, the "trick" is that they give half of their candy to the sick kids instead of asking for it. I thought this was a brilliant idea! The kids that don't get to trick or treat still get to enjoy some of the sweetness and fun of the holiday, and my kids learn to give...plus they will only be on a sugar high for half the time:)win/win. I love it.