A Rogers' Dozen

We're taking a different approach to the "year in review" for 2012.  This time you will see the top 12 highlights of the year through the eyes of the various Rogers.

Mitchell is currently in 4th grade with his godmother Mrs. Shermak.  He's lost several more teeth and has 3 more wigglers.  He loves to draw comics.  His top 12 include:

• Going to Camp Torenta
• Having Mom repaint his room over the summer
• Seeing Aunt Ruthie
• The water park in Chicago
• Getting an Air Hog (remote control helicopter) for his birthday
• Going to Camp Kett with the 4th Grade
• Getting to celebrate his birthday early--in the form of a SURPRISE!
• Getting Riley
• Getting his own skis
• Reading the Percy Jackson series
• Having swimming lessons
• Having friends over

Owen is currently in 2nd Grade with Mrs. Castillo.  He, too, has lost several teeth.  He loves playing the Wii.  His favorite 12 are:

• Playing T-Ball
• Having the swimming pool in the yard this summer
• Going to the water park with Aunt Amy and Aunt Ruthie
• Golf lessons
• Reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone with Mom
• Reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets with Mom
• Going to Beach Bums games
• Going to Camp Torenta, especially the Wednesday overnight
• Getting ski boots
• Getting skis
• Getting Riley
• Skiing

Lucy is rocking out in Kindergarten with Ms. Richard.  She loves singing and coloring.  She is still in love with monkeys (current count is 34).  Her top movie pick is Tangled.  The top 12 as she sees include:

• Getting her guitar for Christmas
• Getting her BIG monkey from Santa
• Going to Camp Torenta
• Having a swimming pool this summer
• Going to Beach Bums games and watching fireworks there
• Golf lessons
• Swimming lessons
• The water park in Chicago
• Getting Riley
• Having a BIG Christmas tree
• Getting new skis and boots
• When Daddy went bird hunting and came back with yummy birds!

Riley:

• This great family adopted me.
• A yard to run in
• Bonies!
• When Dad went bird hunting and let me play hide and seek with bird parts
• Chasing chickens
• Chasing sleds
• Chasing skiers
• Pouncing on people
• Pouncing on bones
• Snuggling in the mountain of monkeys in Lucy's room
• Belly rubs
• Licking people

Ken & K8 

• Going back into cooking in a restaurant.
• NOT having to pull 14 hour days in the winter weather.
• Going to a Jake Owen concert
• Summer fun: golfing, t-ball, swimming, parks, Beach Bums
• Getting the waterfall up and running
• Going to Chicago and enjoying family time
• Learning how to mow with a commercial mower and NOT hurting anyone (including myself)
• Ken surprising K8 with new skis last winter
• Bellydancing--Repeating a win at Michigan's Renaissance Festival
• Getting Riley
• Celebrating Papa Denny's 60th birthday with the extended Rogers family peeps
• Dropping a 6-point buck

SURPRISE!

Hooray!  Mitchell's 10th Birthday is today, but because he often gets shorted on the birthday party thing, we decided to bring the party to him... a day early!  Many thanks to Grammy Baleiko, Grammy Rogers, and Papa Denny for helping us make Mitchell's day very special.

 

The Marshmallow Mafia

One of the Christmas gifts the kids received was their own personal marshmallow gun.  They have had great fun shooting sugar puffs both in the house and outside--using colored marshmallows.  Most interesting to note, while Riley won't touch human food of any sort, she cannot resist these little sugared treats that land on the ground.  She even watches the kids aim their guns and then pounces on the defenseless marshmallows as soon as they land.

Adventure with Aunt Ruthie

The day after Christmas Aunt Ruthie came over to Boon to go sledding and play games.  We all bundled up and headed outside, Riley included.  We had a great time sliding down the hill again and again.  Riley was VERY interested in this new activity;  she chased the sled down the hill each time, and bounded back up the hill through belly-deep snow.  When Owen and I raced down the hill, Riley actually got her front two feet ON the sled with us, and proceeded to bunny-hop at sled-speed down the hill!!!!  It was crazy.

Once we went inside we pulled up chairs to the table and played Clue.  Lucy and Ruthie teamed up, Owen and I made a team, and Mitchell sleuthed around on his own. Next came a round of the game Tumblin' Monkeys. Rules on that one were optional.  :)

Christmas!

The cookie plate was empty but for a few crumbs, the carrots gone, and the milk drained from the mug.  Sure signs that Santa had been there.... that and the plethora of presents under the tree!  :)

Countdown to Christmas

The kids and I headed over to Grammy's house to visit with Aunt Ruthie on Christmas Eve.  We played games, danced, and just plain wore Ruthie out.  :)  It was a great way to spend the hours as the kids counted down the hours to Christmas.

When we returned home it was time to eat dinner.  Afterwards we made the traditional Reindeer Dust and sprinkled it in the driveway.  The kids made one last note for Santa, complete with pictures, then set out the milk and cookies for Santa, and the carrots for the reindeer.  We checked NORAD for Santa's current location, then headed off to bed.