Happy New Year's Eve Birthday

Yes, as fitting as it seems, Chad's birthday is New Year's Eve. The man of the hour turned 38 this year. Happy Birthday my love! Again, we somehow pulled off the annual Lohman party with success. Friends and neighbors joined in the fun and as usual we all had a great time. Next year let's make sure and have someone else be the photographer. We never get our picture taken together. Love you lots!



Brett & Chad

White Christmas

It was a dream come true for most. We were given a White Christmas! It started snowing on Christmas Eve afternoon and didn't stop until the day after Christmas. Total accumulation for Manhattan was 9 inches! The kids loved it. I enjoyed watching from the window and the feeling of it actually being Winter and the holidays. It was great to watch movies, play games, read, nap, and drink hot chocolate. We didn't travel out much, like most we stayed inside and stayed warm. When the snow stopped Chad went outside to shovel the driveway. The girls joined him for some fun in the snow.


J, Cooper, and Campbell in the path that Chad had cleared. It was really deep!


The girls blocking their faces from the wind.


The girls climbing up the big snow drifts.

Christmas Morning

Christmas is Chad's favorite holiday. We put the tree up the weekend after Thanksgiving, he listens to Christmas music 24/7, we watch the movie "Love Actually" over and over again, and enjoy Serendipity Frozen Hot Chocolate. This year was so much fun, as Campbell's excitement for Santa, gifts, the snow, and fun traditions continues to grow and inquire. It's such a fun age. This year Alexander, our Elf On The Shelf, came to visit and help Santa out. The girls enjoyed finding Alexander each morning somewhere different in the house. Afterwards, they both would open the next day on their Advent calendar and munch on the chocolate.

Christmas morning started at 8:00am this year. Cooper woke up at 2:30am afraid of Santa coming in her room. She had barely gone to sleep at 10:00pm, after we had to write Santa a letter, asking him to not go in her room. Campbell woke up at 5:00am, thanks to the loud snow plow, and slept in our bed for an hour, then went back to her bed at 6:00am. Cooper woke up at 7:00am, but we convinced her to stay in bed until 8:00am. It's great to feel that excitement of what Christmas is like to the kids again. It was a perfect day!

**Notice our matching family pajamas. Alexander, our Elf, left them for us on Christmas Eve night. It was a great surprise.


All the gifts. Before!


Santa left Cooper a bean bag & tennis racquet. Campbell got a tent.


The girls inside Campbell's tent. She even opened her presents in there.


Dad thought Campbell would love an ET doll-she loves the movie. But she was a bit afraid of it.


Cooper loves her new vest.


Campbell opening gifts.


Cooper opening gifts.


Chad wearing his new scarf.


I was excited about my new K-State jacket.


Christmas afternoon. Chad napping.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we go to Chad's parents house and open gifts with them and Chad's brother. This year there was some exciting news in the family as Jeremy asked his girlfriend Beth to marry him. The girls were so excited and look forward to the wedding in July. The weather was frigid and the snow had begun to fall early that afternoon. It was definitely making for a White Christmas. Oma and Opa surprised the girls with a Wii game center downstairs. So we all had fun watching and playing some games. It was a great time together.


Campbell showing off Uno MOO!


Cooper digging in the bag for more "bling."


Oma, Opa, and the girls.


Beth, Jeremy, Ace, and the girls.


Dad & Mom with the girls.


Playing the Wii.

Thanks everyone for a fun Christmas Eve!

Dinner and gifts

My mom and stepdad-Butch came over for dinner and our 3rd Christmas celebration. The forecast called for snow and lots of it, so we were lucky they could make the drive over. It was great to have them here and enjoy a nice warm dinner together. Afterwards the girls couldn't wait to open their gifts. It was great to see them excited. We usually do Christmas at mom's house in January with my brothers and sister, but this year she and Butch were making the rounds since their house was under remodel. We miss the January get together but look forward to all of us meeting at the new house this Spring.


The girls by the tree.


Opening gifts.


Cooper excited! Hotel for Dogs DS game.


Campbell loves her babies.


She loves her new double stroller for the babies.


Mom & Butch opening gifts.


I got a new pair of tennis shoes.


Chad got a new tennis bag.


Grandma & Grandpa with the girls.

Thanks mom & Butch for a great Christmas.

Chad's new truck

After much debating, Chad finally decided on a new vehicle. The lease on the Nitro was up, so he needed to buy the next vehicle. It's a nice ride, not like a truck at all. I think we can do short family trips in this very easily. Of course, I think he's quite spoiled.

Christmas with Friends

We always have multiple Christmas celebrations on the calendar. The 2nd get together this year was with our friends Brad & Michelle. We ordered in some pizza, opened gifts, ate dessert, and just relaxed. The girls enjoyed their new gifts and of course time to play with each other.


Cooper, T, Campbell, & A opening gifts.


Michelle & Brad opening their gift.


Chad was excited for another Blu-Ray DVD.


I was excited about 3 new charms for my Pandora Bracelet.

Thanks Brad & Michelle for another great year of friendship.

Eight is Great!

My niece, Bailey, turned eight this year. I can't believe how quickly time has gone by. One day we are all at the hospital waiting for her to be born and then all of the sudden she is in 2nd grade and almost taller than her mom. She is so funny! Full of "grace" just like her mom, willing to try most anything just like her dad, and full of love and a great big sister to her little brother. It's great to spend each birthday and holiday with her. Happy Birthday Bailey!


The Zebra cake.


Opening gifts.


Ryland wanted to help.


The girls showing off Bailey's new AG bed.


Make a wish!

Christmas Celebrations

Our first Christmas celebration this year was with my dad, stepmom-Marie, my sister-Kelly, and her hubby-Pat. It's always great to get together at Kelly's for the weekend with a birthday celebration and Christmas celebration you know it's going to be fun. Lots of food, wine, and great laughs.

Friday night we stayed up late talking and drinking. Saturday came too early. Noon was the lunch and birthday party. Afterwards, the kids couldn't wait to open their Christmas gifts. After dinner that night, Bailey had dance recital. So we all bundled up and went to watch. As always the show was great. Once we were home and the kids were in bed, it was time for the adults to open gifts. Definitely a much slower pace of things. I was Santa (so no pics of me) and we enjoyed our time together. It was a great start to the holiday season.


Ryland opening gifts.


Campbell excited about her Handy Mandy tool set.


Cooper loves her new Peace pillow.


Bailey modeling her new dress.


Pat got a computer case.


Chad showing off his new clothes.


Kelly excited about her Twilight tshirt.


Dad and Marie always excited about most anything.

Thanks everyone for a great time and wonderful gifts.

Two SNOW DAYS in a row!

Manhattan has had it's share of crazy weather the past two years. We've had ice storms and tornadoes. Usually we don't get a good, nice, fluffy snow. That is until now. The weatherman forecast 6-10" of snow for us and we received 9" of snow. It started snowing Monday night and it didn't stop until Wednesday. School was canceled both Tuesday & Wednesday. Tuesday night the wind roared in and made the snow drift and it caused blizzard conditions. The temperature dropped to frigid on Wednesday and everyone stayed indoors. Tuesday on the other hand was the perfect day to play in the snow. The girls and I headed outside to test out the sled, make some snow angels, throw some snow balls, and we tried to make a snowman (but the snow would not stick). It was great fun and both girls enjoyed themselves.


Does this remind you of the brother in A Christmas Story?
All bundled up they can barely move.


Both girls did well playing in the snow.


Cooper, Campbell, & J. Ready for some fun.