Pre-Christmas Festivities

With Christmas only 2 days away and counting it is time to kick the holiday cheer into gear and get some cookie making out of the way. It is also one last time for Ava and Ella to plead their case to Santa about how "good" they have been this year. Ella finally got the courage to actually get close to Santa and talk to him. Santa said the Ella was the quietest child he has ever seen. I know extremely hard to believe.

We got up this morning and the we all started making cookies for Santa. I have never made a cut-out sugar cookie so today was the day. The girls helped me with the dough and roll and cut them out. Sarah and I then made homemade buttercream frosting in 3 different colors. She then decorated everyone and they look amazing. Santa is going to be pretty impressed and I have a feeling leave some pretty good gifts for all of us.

I will not post over the next few days due to the holiday. I hope everyone has a great Christmas and gets the much needed time to relax with family and friends. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Ella and Ava pleading their case to Santa one last time.

The girls licking the beaters off of buttercream frosting.

Ella "helping" mix the sugar cookie dough.

The girls helping. Ava is drinking her hot tea.

Sarah working her magic on the cookies.

The finished project.

Greeting Card

With the holiday season upon I we look to what means the most to me; my family. My wife of 6 years is the most wonderful person in my life. She is the mother of my children and she amazes me everyday with what she can do. Ava my wonderful 4 year old going on 21. Her brilliance lights up my world. I sit in amazement and watch her write, color, and read. She is growing right before my eyes and sometimes that scares me to death that she will not be my little girl very much longer. Ella, what can I say about my crazy 2 year old. Her smile and eyes make me melt. Listening to her talk to her "bun, bun" always puts a smile on my face. To my unborn child I can't wait to see you and watch you grow. You are truly a gift from God.

I hope everybody has time to reflect on what's important to them this holiday season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the McConnell's

Lance, Sarah, Ava, Ella, and Baby McConnell

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Just in case you haven't heard the McConnell family will be growing by one in July. Yep, that's right baby #3 will arrive hopefully around July 3rd. It would be great to have an Independence baby but he or she will come whenever they are ready. The girls are super excited and Ava says she will change on the poopy diapers, Ella all the pee ones, and Mommy can feed the baby. I am guessing I will not get to hold the baby till he or she is about 6 months old. We are excited to get the room ready and the girls are really excited to share a room. We even have bunk beds ready to go. This is a great Christmas present for our whole family and next year is going to be something.

First pictures of Baby McConnell!!!

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, no really LET IT SNOW!

Mother nature decided to give us a dose of snow in 16 inch range. It started snowing yesterday afternoon and didn't stop till this afternoon. Along with the snow game 40 mph winds and blizzard conditions. The weather got us out of school early Tuesday, no school Wednesday, and no school Thursday. I love snow day but hate making them up at the end of the year.
After all the snow was done it dug out the driveway and the 3 four foot drifts all the way down. Usually it takes about 30 minutes to snowblow the driveway. Today it took me 1 1/2 hours. Here are some pictures of the end result and the massive amount of snow. Summer can't be to far off can it? Keep safe.


Looking at the drift from Welter's driveway. Sarah said we should just tunnel to the neighbor's house. Not a bad idea.


Mark and I's snow pile between the houses.

Door on the side of the house. I had to dig out 3 feet of snow.

A Great Break

I hope everybody had a wonderful break and the countdown begins for Christmas. As usual break was spent eating a lot and getting some home improvements done around the house. We went to the Vest's for afternoon Thanksgiving and to my parent's house for evening Thanksgiving. It was great to see Jane out of the house and the kids loved being with her. They are so good and careful with her and give her "light" hugs. After a day of gorging ourselves on every food imaginable Friday my dad and Mark came down to help convert the basement into Sarah's photo studio. We put up a new ceiling and rearranged everything for her backdrops. It really looks nice and seems to be working well. The Truebloods are back up to Mayo for a checkup and get a schedule for Chemo. Sarah and Shawna went with them and it seems to put Mark and Jane at ease to have them with. Also Sarah and Ava went to Princesses on Ice at Wells Fargo Arena. Ava loved it and was glued to her seat the entire time. Stay tuned for a video of her at it. She came home and told me that she cried at the end because she was so happy that all the princesses got married.