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hello beautiful snow!

we finally got some snow.
we have waited and waited.

after all day of cleaning out closets with movies running in the background….i picked up my kids from school.

all they could talk about was playing in the snow.

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the girls set to work on building a snowman right away.

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sean wanted to build a snow fort.

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snow angel break!

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SUCCESS!

then they all trudged inside dripping wet ready for hot cocoa with marshmallows.

what a great life! 

i love this snow…..as long as i am inside watching it in my slippers drinking my hot coffee.  

Kelly - Great pictures! looks like fun! Kelly

Breeanna @ a brilliant melody - awesome snowman! No snow for us here in Southern California.
http://www.abrilliantmelody.com

crystal beutler - You have got such an amazing eye. I seriously can’t wait to see what you do when you get out of automatic mode and use photoshop. You have the gift my friend. I wish I had the gift. 🙂 It’s just not happening for me at the moment. Are there classes on “learning to see??” You should teach that class.

Mary - Pretty cute snowman indeed!

Melanie - I like it to as long as I can stay inside:) I just don’t like the ice that has come with this storm.

Gina - Beautiful! We’re wishing for more snow in our area too-we’ve only gotten enough to tease us. Enjoy it! (and the cocoa!)

Logan - We had snow in SC this week too, for the 2nd time this year. I love your pictures. The colors show up so well and tell Annie that I just love her gloves! I had huge gloves on yesterday too when my husband and I were walking in the snow on the golf course behind our house with our Golden Retrievers.
How deep is your snow, Meg? Looks like you got a lot! We had nine inches and that is a lot for SC.

Lucylu ~ - Aaaahhhhhhhhh cute snowman! we have FIVE inches sooooo cold!

Traci - Great photos. Wish we had snow! instead we’ll drive 2 hours this Saturday to visit it.

The Lazy Dazy - Ahhh! Awww! So Jealous!
Hope to see it here in West Texas before winter leaves us.
Looks like a blessed day.

Transparent Mama - This California girl loves the snow too. Now that we live in Montana, we get to enjoy it all the time. This reminds me that I actually need to get out of the house and take some snow pics of my kids.

Kim - Funny you guys got lots of real snow and your kids still go to school..We get a few inches here in good ole Alabama and EVERYTHING closes down yes even Walmart for 1 whole day ;)…2 days out of work and school and working on #3…funny funny….but we sure do enjoy it…
Kim

Courtney Walsh - We got tons of snow here too, Meg and I am loving it…from inside the house with a cup of hot tea!! lol 🙂
This morning, when I dropped the kids at the bus stop, I was cursing it because I got stuck in a snow bank. How embarrassing. Geesh. I had to call my husband to explain to me how to get out!!
I feel so manly that I did it. 🙂 Hope you’re doing well. By the way…thank you so much for listing me as one of your favorite blogs. I am NEVER on those lists…and that was super sweet of you. AND…the feeling is oh-so-mutual!

Janine - I hate the snow. And we are hunkering down tonight for a good 12-15″ of it. That’s on top of the 20″ that hasn’t melted yet from the Christmas blizzard. I can’t wait till summer!

simply stork - I love the snow…when it snows around here I get to stay home :o) in a world full of teenagers and tweenies…that, in and of itself, is a rarity :o)
Enjoy your snowy days of goodness!
~simply~

Missy - That’s funny that you just now got snow… here in Fargo we have 50 inches already- 30 inches more than normal for this time of year! (much to my dismay)

Dani - We got 8 inches! That was more than I have ever seen here in Mississippi! I, unfortunately, have a cold-hearted boss that made me work. My kids enjoyed it the red-neck way with fishing boats pulled behind tractors, tire inner tubes down steep hills, and some garbage can lids pulled with a 4 wheeler! Too bad I was too busy doing NOTHING at work to enjoy it with them!

Lisa utu - Love the snowman! That’s exactly what my kids snowmen look like too! I think snow is beautiful… I especially love how quiet it is as it snows. Well the snow is quiet, not my kids or house! 🙂

MGF - I have a love/hate relationship with the snow.
But it finally snowed in my neck of the woods recently too

Ali Richardson - That pretty white snow looks magical to this SoCal girl. I know there is soe hassle that comes along with the snow, but from inside looking out (or from my blog looking at yours), it looks dreamy 🙂

elisa - I am watching the snow fall, sipping coffee, reading your blog. Perfect!

Julie - My poor kids have never touched snow. Ever. Your backyard looks like paradise to me right now. It’s probably way more romantic to think of snow when you don’t have to actually deal with the snow part… but I’d love some, if just for a day.

Jodi - I’m NOT a fan of snow… we don’t get it much at all in South GA, thank goodness. I think everyone should experience it just once though. Especially kids! They can make just about anything fun. :o)

HEATHER R. - Snow day #2 here. Sledding, dripping clothes, dryer, repeat. But it is good fun to watch. Hot coffee mug “clink”. 🙂

Nicole Q. - We got the snow too! Played yesterday but today the windchill is -20. Oh my!! Dangerously cold!! AHH!! Thanks for linking me on your last post. I got some serious traffic – ha! Wondered where they were all coming from until I read your post!! I won a blog makeover from “Blessed Little Nest” in the Water Giving Drawing – how fun! Have a great snow day!

sarah @ Perpetual Blind Date - Its not snowing here (did that yesterday) but burr is it cold… a whole 8 degrees. Hello Oklahoma weather. Hot Chocolate and marshmellows sound delightful!

Jessica Johnson - lucky, lucky, lucky! we wimpy Californians are just freezing with no snow. have fun! 🙂

Mindy Harris - talby looks like a gap model in the last picture. 🙂

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - I love snow from the inside too 🙂

debbie - Nothing cuter than kids bundled up in coats and hats and mittens! We have lots of snow predicted for later today. Hope I can stay inside in my slippers drinking coffee 😀

danielle - love.love.love!!

Katy - Oh, what I would give to be in the snow! We live in Florida and it hasn’t snowed here since the 80’s! With the exception of last year, which was only enough to leave a slight layer of it on the top of our car.. 🙁 My girls are 2 and 3 and I know they’d love it! I think I need to plan a trip somewhere up north so they can see it!
Love the girls’ coats and Talby’s scarf. I was born in KC. 🙂

Tammy - I cannot stand the snow, but my son loves it! I love watching him play in it. So fun. I don’t understand how they can stay out in it for so long. HeHe. . . I freeze my butt off. =)

AshleyAnn - Wow you got so much more than we did. My kids played a little in it..then the 2 year old started crying because the snow is cold. And the fun was over.

Andrea T - Our 3rd snowstorm is looming over our heads tonight! We are at 30 +”s so far this winter. Needless to say I have a countdown to spring on my chalkboard…..68 days 😉 ENJOY

Holly - we have had a ton of snow this winter so far and we are in Tennessee!

Tara - i sat at my computer this morning and realized that you left a comment over at my blog. i don’t know how you found my it, but i am so, so, so glad you did. 🙂
love the pictures of your littles playing in the snow. we’re in orlando, so there’s no snow for us, but my family back in north georgia has about 6 inches!!! wishing we were home right about now.

angela - Funny that you had all that snow and your kids went to school. In NC we get a THREAT of snow and they close school. Promise. Yesterday we never saw one flake until 4:00 PM….but schools were closed ALL DAY!

Shayne - Love the snowman!
So glad to hear you say that you enjoyed it from the inside with coffee. My kids asked me to come out the other day and it was Just Too Cold! I sent their father instead…
Enjoy the winter wonderland. 🙂

Gemma - Haha Yeah I like snow for a day or so then it can all go away…We had ours before Christmas and it was icey EVERYWHERE. Not great!
Gemma x

se7en - Would you just look at all that snow!!! We dying of heat and crawling in and out of the pool all day long… enjoy the coolth!!!

Kirsten J - Ha! Here in the Seattle area, they keep promising snow….and….nothing. Cold, damp, a little drizzle….and *maybe* tomorrow night….

Tiffany - We got the second highest snowfall on record here yesterday – 10 inches!! I know for most people, this is not an issue – but in Tennessee, it brings the world to a standstill – the closed schools before the first flake fell. 😀
Needless to say – sledding, snowball fights, snowman building, snowangel making, downhill racing and anything else snow related took place from sun up to sun down at our house today!
Glad your crew had fun today! Nice pics – how did you do that in your slippers from inside the house. I tried that…and got roped into a snowball fight…

Trish - I love snow too! but by April I’m ready for it to be all gone. Who am I kidding, by late February I’m ready for it to be all gone and by April I’m ready to move away from Alaska!
Glad you guys were able to enjoy it!

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some of my favorites from 2010.

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2010:5
Picnik collage
2010:3
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2010
Ny

thanks for reading this little blog.
thanks for your kind words of encouragement this year.
thanks for a wonderful year.

i can't wait to see what 2011 brings…..are you ready?

 
bring it. 

Leslie - Love your colage pics and I so enjoy checking out your blog everyday. Happy New Year!

Laura Phelps - I MADE IT AS ONE OF YOUR FAVORITES!?????????????????????????
that just brought tears to my eyes…
I love you
you are one of my favorites too 🙂

Cari - What a FUN recap of 2010! Does Lauren even realize how gorgeous and photogenic she is?! Good grief!! Happy New Year!! 🙂

Amber Pamper - Happy New Year Meg!! 🙂

Susan @ Living with Punks - Love the colage. Beautiful! Thanks for including in your favorites list. Im honored.

crystal beutler - I think you should blow your photo college up big and frame it. In fact, I think you should make it a yearly tradition. 🙂
How’s that for opinion. 🙂

elliottsurf - Just such gorgeous photos of your life and family. You are such a positive inspiration for me. Can you tell us how you make the photo collage? And how does your blog allow you to post the collage so large?

elisa - Great idea to do your faves of the year!

Thebeadgirl - i love your pictures…thank you for sharing your life with your readers!
happy 2011!

marta - such a beautiful collage of 2010. i love the painted pedicure and other such little details that round up a good year. wishing you a happy new year and thanks for the sidebar shout out. xo. marta

Amy jupin - meg, you sure make me happy. and this big ol’ collage about sent me over the moon! it’s so you, so full of color and so happy! hope you all had a happy new year too!

Kelley - I think this post recaps your year beautifully! Thanks for sharing your life with all of us. Your blog has been a ray of sunshine in my life which happened to be a little more on the challenging side. Thanks for encouraging, sharing and convicting through your words and pictures in 2010!

Shelly Primm - i love your blog. just ask my husband and kids? i am always saying, “meg does this and we are doing this craft because i read it on meg’s blog”! you inspire me to be a better mom and wife. happy new year!

tami - I have really enjoyed reading your blog. Its my top blog. Happy New Year!

Lemonade Makin Mama - I’ve been a little lurker over the past month, thanks to my buddy Becky, (Farmgirl Paints) who ranted and raved about how wonderful you were for the past year… I finally decided I needed to see for myself, and she was right. You are wonderful!! 🙂
Decided to quit lurking and comment to tell you that, as well as wish you Happy new Year.
Blessings,
SAsha

staci amy - Thank YOU!!!! Don’t know what I would do without your “little” blog =) you encourage me and I have never even met you! Crazy, huh! Happy New Year!

Janelle - Thank YOU for your delightful blog. Happy New Year!

Lisa - Happy New Year, thank you for always giving us something to look forward to (:

Dawn - Great collage. I really enjoy reading your blog. Happy New Year.

Kimberlee J. - The format for these pictures is one of my favorites. What app. did you use???

Amy Lynne - Great pictures! I love all the color you capture in your life! I hope you have an amazing 2011!

lovethosecupcakes - Yes, so ready. A happy and healthy New Year to you all.

a brilliant melody - Happy New Year! I’m a new reader and I really love your blog! I’ll be coming back!
~Breeanna

Jenni Carlisle - I LOVE this photo montage and it proves once again that you live a happy, joy filled life and I am so thankful you share it with us!

Amy zeller - LOVE your blog Meg! I feel like I know you and your sweet family. Thank you for your positivity, honesty, and awesome ideas. Wish I was your neighbor!

Katy - And by stone, I meant the marbles, etc. that you put in the cement!

Katy - Happy New Year, Meg and family! 🙂
Where did you find the stones for the stepping stone? I can’t find them anywhere!

Judy Johnson - Pictures of all the reasons I LOVE <3 your blog. Happy 2011!!!

Kirsten J - AHHHHH!!! Meg! You just gave me my word. Ready. Thank YOU 🙂

Deb Meyers - happy New Year, Meg! Love your blog, you are a gift.
Waffle CRACKS ME UP!!!!!!
deb meyers

Heather R. - Happy New Year, Meg! Thank you for sharing “Whatever” with us…it has been a great pick me up everyday. 🙂

Mary Ann - Happy New Year to you as well! I found your blog this year and find myself checking it daily to see what you and your family are up to! You’re an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.

Michele - Happy New Year, Meg! So glad I found your blog in 2010. I look forward to seeing what you have in store for us this new year.

Valerie @ Chateau a La Mode - Hi Meg, what fun to see you and your family throughout the year. I found your blog later in the year, so it was fun to see things I missed. Your blog is so fun, keep it going!

Rebecca Kriner - Happy New Year, Meg! Your blog brings me so much happiness! Love to you and your family!!! XOXOXO

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Happy New year to you friend. Love all those fabulous shots!!! Keep ’em coming:)

laurenjean - Thanks for sharing with us. You bless me on a almost daily basis.

kimmy - Oh you are WAY fun! Just found your blog… can’t wait to read more… ~Kimmy

laura @ theshorehouse - I don’t post often enough how much your pictures make me smile but the new year seems like the perfect time to start. That, and your new year card photo just literally made me LOL. 🙂

Ashley - Happy new year my favorite blogger!!
Here’s what we are focusing on this year:
“Keep your eyes towards heaven in 2011”
Focusing on serving this year.
xoxo

elizabeth highsmith - your colors make me happy! i like to think of people as colors, it’s official you’re the rainbow! may your year be merry and bright with plenty of rainbows and pots of gold on each end!

DanaD@BoysMyJoys - luuuuuv it!

Jen - Wonderful pictures on a wonderful blog owned by a wonderful person! If I could only read one blog Meg, it would be your’s. Happy New Year…blessings to you and your family!

Mindy Harris - your year in review using pictures is just awesome. you are a cute family and are a blessing in so many ways.
i said the same thing about ’11: bring. it.
xoxo

Courtney - Your blog is still my fav and I am so thankful you share with us. I always enjoy reading what you have to say and seeing your beautiful pictures. Thanks so much!

jennibell - Great collage!!! Thanks for sharing.

Shana - Those are good ones.
I’m glad you look like the pretty people on tv.
Instead of the UPS guy – like me. 😉

Karey - This made me happy. Thank YOU for your amazing blog and your honest and true words everyday.

Kat - Ps your pics and eye are awesome. Love all the little pops of colour and the story it tells.
Just beautiful!

karen - Thanks for sharing your year with us!!!
Awkward family photos are the best

Kat - Bring it on indeed!
Thanks for the colour, inspiration and keeping it real.
Happy new year to you and your beautiful family Meg!

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - you’ve got such a great eye! 😉 happy new year to you!

Alicia - I always love checking in with your blog Meg…such great pics and fun stories! Many blessing and Happy New Year!

Julie - I LOVE Annie in the last photo ~ so funny! Totally reminds me of something our #5 would do! Happy New Year Meg! I look forward to reading you lovely blog this year and seeing all our Lord brings to you and your wonderful family this year.
🙂

Kerri - I’m ready – BRING IT! :))

Simple Daisy - Beautiful!!
Happy New Year:)

Tara M. - You inspire me! I have three daughters and we do a lot of the crafts that you post. Thank you!

Gemma - Love all of your pictures!!! They are so summery and bright : )
Gemma x

Nikki - Beautiful photos Meg.
Happy New Year…. Many blessing for 2011! Nikki xx

Holly - Love all your photos! If you have a chance I would love to learn how to do a collage. I got Photoshop for Christmas (!!!) but do not see how to do it, the only one I saw did overlapping photos. I am really trying to learn more about my camera and you inspire me so much to photograph the everyday things of our life.

purejoy - wow. that’s a nice compilation! beautiful pics from the whole year. wouldn’t miss a day without you either. thanks for sharing your skillz!

Lorie - Wouldn’t miss a day without you!

Jamie - Ooooo, those are some good favorites!

marlowe @ come home to roost - Beautiful photos Meg!

paige - happy new year meg!
thanks for sharing your life with us
xo

Gekakel - Happy Nuw Year to you and your family, Meg!

www.binreallife.com - I love all of the bright, happy colors! that pretty much sums up you blog…bright and happy!
God Bless!

Suzy Adams - Meg, thanks for always bringing a smile to my face! I love your blog. You make life so colorful! Love love love it! Happy New Year.
Suzy

Holly - those are some great pictures! Happy New Year to you and your family!

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pics of our week

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hamster webkinz!!

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close up snowman painting by talby.

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opening a family gift.

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sean and his best friend….his new kindle.

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talby and her new point and shoot camera.

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the most thoughtful and precious gift i received this christmas.

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annie's new doll.

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drinking straw glasses.
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two sleepy parents on christmas morning….full of happiness….grateful for all of it.

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the cheapy ping pong set that turend our dining room table into a ping pong table.
the hit of the year.
the best gift we gave….the whole family is into it.

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our dining room is now just a game room.  :)

except the two times a year we will eat in it.

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new sparkle shoes.
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the fondue party with the duerksen side.

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playing more of the name game.

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annie won the game.
with the name Larry King.  
NOBODY guessed that she would have that name….she was SO HAPPY.
i told her to write it.
but she kept it a secret and never gave it away.

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my sister and i….she'd been here five minutes and my dad said "let me take your picture"  
he always does that.
isn't my sister's hair color beeeeautiful?! i love it.
i am thinking about reddish.  and i love hers.

i wish i would have had some lipstick on….

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opening gifts with my side of the family.

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"thank you for the robe great grandma!!!"

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ping pong table is back to a dining room table…..

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the kids table.
they sat for like 5 minutes and then they were gone to play barbies.

it's been a busy christmas.
FULL of family.
FULL of food.

i am tired now.
i bet you are too.

and….i admit to having a meltdown and crying myself to sleep on christmas eve.
just like last year.
craig calls it CCB….christmas crash and burn.
but i woke up feeling fabulous and ready. 
i just needed to cry it all out before hand….
the stress of finishing it all….christmas eve being not as great as i wanted….having nothing baked….
unrealistic expectations for everyone and everything.
do you do that?
is it just me?

if it is….that's ok.  
i can handle it.

i was content in the morning.
i was full of love and so happy to be right where i was with my favorite 6 people.
it was good.
the best christmas we have had in a few years….even with my crying in the dark at midnight.

how many days till these kids go back to school????? 🙂

Heather - No meltdowns on the Eve or Christmas day but my husband and I had our annual boxing day fight. 😛 I was tempted to actually put on gloves.
I adore that snowman picture!!! That’s a keeper.
And with or without lipstick, you’re purdy.

lindsey - the pleated poppy - love the pics! and i nearly fell apart christmas eve, too! we were away at the inlaws, me all proud that i was done a week ahead of time, helping my mother-in-law wrap (as i gloat) – then it hit me! i forgot gifts for 2 of my kids! not that i forgot them at home, but i forgot to get them at all! thankfully the m.i.l. had loads of extras for me to choose from. tears were definitely fought back.

julia - Info on sparkle sneakers…pleeeaassseee?
You Christmas looked wonderful.

nancy m - I have CCB every year, and I have a tiny childless family. I can certainly imagine the pressure of making perfect christmas for your large family. Thanks for your blog, I enjoy it. Love the snowman artwork – you could make that into shirts. Happy New Year!

Wendi - LOVED so much about this post – your photos are amazing, Talby’s snowman is adorable and print-worthy, your house looks festive and fun and your family seems happy and content. I would love to know how to play the name game – sounds fun on New Year’s Eve. I will google that. Thank you for the time you take on your blog. I love it!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - no it’s not just you. it’s absolutely exhausting. lots of pressure. have to say i’m glad it’s over. oh and now i have 10 pounds to lose…whohoo! have i said lately i love your blog? well i do. have a wonderful new year meg.

Amy R. - Love your pics! Wow! I thought it was just me who has meltdowns on Christmas Eve and secretly [hates] all the pressure and stress. I actually avoided it this year because I tried to plan ahead on the wrapping and gave myself permission to cook/bake less. Our mothers never told us about CCB; at least mine didn’t. Happy New Year! My resolution is to have less expectations and enjoy life more!

karen - great pics…had a smile on my face.
go black meg!! HOT with your blue eyes!!

Chris - CCB – perfect description. It happens to me every year. Most of it because I tend to procrastinate. But definitely also because of high expectations. It’s OK. You’re not the only one:)

Sam Miller Gott - I won the name game on Christmas with St Patrick!

Danielle - I cried on two days the week before Christmas at least once on Christmas eve —-missing my mom, and things not going exactly the way I have envisioned in my head! I would remind myself that it’s not about me it’s about Jesus which made me cry more b/c I was being such a JERK!

Amy Sawyer - THANK YOU for making me feel “normal”! Relief to know I am NOT alone…. or crazy!

Bethany - My husband says, “It’s not Christmas until Mama cries!” So I can totally relate! Thanks for sharing your beautiful family and Christmas photos!

Jenna - Your blog always makes me happy … even when the subject matter isn’t happy, your openness, honesty, and pictures are. I LOVE the drinking straw glasses: you must have read the Real Simple gift guide? 🙂

Elissa - you make me smile. i cried on christmas eve too. my kids made me SO mad. but, yeah, all was good in the morning. beautiful pics…

Cynthia - Love your sweet family, fabulous house (just my taste) and your down-to-earth attitude about so many things. My youngest (of four) is 20 so I’m past the younger-kid phase, unlike (I suspect) most of your readers. But I still find so much to admire. Today I’m especially admiring Talby’s snowman; it is a true work of art. And yes, I’d pay for a print of it too!

Nicole Q. - Loved all your pics . . . I want to live at your house – you have the best set up for entertaining! The holidays do bring such a mix of emotions – extreme gratfulness and meltdowns. I had mine this morning and we have another round of celebrating over New Years. I think I’ve pulled it together. I think?? Hmmm.

Kirsten P - Loved all the great photos from your family Christmas. Did you have scrambled eggs, sausage links and monkey bread for breakfast?

kristiina - Our kids are still too little for Christmas to be crazy yet…but I wanted to drop a comment to tell you how much I LOVE starting my day with you. I love how you are so open and let us, the readers, into your life. Thank you!!

Julie - I also love Talby’s snowman! And who made that amazing quilt? I’d love to know – it’s so beautiful!

Alicia - That was me on Christmas Eve too- just upset that it wasn’t going as I’d planned in my head! And disappointed that i hadn’t done any of my baking either! So don’t worry, you weren’t alone! My mum told ne I had to relax & not have such high expectations of my family in the lead up to Christmas- she told me I’d been watching too many American tv shows (like Brothers & Sisters) where they all have a big family thing on Christmas Eve, and said “We live in Australia. This is our version of Christmas. A hot Christmas!

Jen - My Christmas meltdowns are year round. Not often.. but every now and again we all need them (at least I do!). Crying it out makes you feel SO much better. Despite the tears hangover, it’s always a good thing afterward. Your Christmas looks fab! xo

Kristy - CCB…made me laugh out loud! This post made me feel so much better about my pre-Christmas stress. My Christmas “tradition” list seems to keep growing….that is good and bad. We women put way too much on ourselves and are too hard when we don’t get it all checked off. I was able to be in the moment, finally, on Christmas day. Something to work on for 2011! Thanks for keepin’ it real Meg! ps – Talby is quite the artist….just like her mama 🙂

melissa - love the ping pong table.
love the snowman.
love the random family picture goodness.
i should have pulled my camera out more often this year…
melissa

Angela - This was the first year in a while that I didn’t have a melt down. My Daddy was killed on Christmas eve 9 years ago so every year I have gotten better and better about realizing what really matters. My oldest is 19, my youngest is 8, I know my time is limited with these amazing people. I SO love all your Christmas posts! xoxo Meg!!! ~Love, Angela~

the domestic fringe - Glad you had a great Christmas! I enjoyed all your pictures.
-FringeGirl

jennibell - Thank the Good Lord for wonderful, supportive husbands that not only allow us to have our CCB but *name* it for us too!!!
Looks like a wonderful Christmas and blogged beautifully. I read every singe comment — lots of group support out there 🙂
Happy New Year – think we’ll do a list like you’ve done in the past on Friday as a family. . .thanks, as always, for the inspiration.

amy d - first off, talby’s snowman is the BEAST!
…and where was waffle? 🙂

Michelle from Australia - My Christmas meltdown came at 10.30am on Christmas Day. I just lost it. Cried buckets, lay down for ‘a little while’ and woke up 4 hours later. At least my husband waited for me to wake up before serving Christmas lunch 🙂 So glad I’m not the only one out there who exhausts herself in the lead up or during big events.
Thanks for sharing Meg!

Cherie - I am a long time reader of your blog, not sure I have ever commented though. You inspire me to be a better mother. Your so creative and engaged with your children. i love it!! I get so many ideas from your blog of cool and fun crafts I can do with my kids. And your blog always makes me smile with all your fun colors. Thank you!! ~ Cherie
Oh and my kids saw the ping pong table pictures and want to know where we can get one! It would be a big hit!

Meredith - CCB is going into the family dictionary….right next to a picture of myself in the foetal position sucking on a bottle of vodka. Beautiful photos Meg. You certainly have a gift for creating a warm, inviting atmosphere whatever the occasion. I was reading about Brave Girl Camp the other day and thought of you…is that something you’ve considered attending? I actually thought you could probably run your own version of it in Kansas:)
Hope you continue to feel blessed and happy these holidays. Thank you for creating such a beautiful place to visit in Blogland. Meredith xo.

destiny perkins - That is the cutest snowman painting!! I love it! It needs to go in a BIG frame in your house! 🙂
Oh, and what a beautiful early morning picture of you!!

codi - I had two meltdowns. One a few days before Christmas, the other Christmas Eve. Hubby said we weren’t going to the Christmas Eve party (at his parents). The whole way to Grandma’s house I cried, I was in a bad mood most of the party. Then we made 150 hygiene kits, it was WONDERFUL! It brought me out of my ugly, no good mood!
Why do we do this to ourselves???

EllenVR - Awww…we played the name game!! My hubby won. He was Dr. Phil, which was REAL weird for him. Obviously it worked. Although it probably wasn’t as weird as Larry King for a 6 year old!

Grace - CCB—love that you put a name to this! Mine was on the way to church Christmas morning, until the following afternoon.
Thanks for sharing your family with us!

sara's art house - Love it all!!!!!!!!! Can I live at your house!?

Serena - LOVE the picture with great grandma getting a hug from the little one. Made my day, and was a good reminder of true living. And yes, thank you for your honesty. You’re so not alone! Lovely pictures. thank you for sharing.

Alison - I cried too, during Candlelight service. My whole family visited my sister in Michigan. My Mom and Dad showed up on the 23rd, Dad was super sick. We found the ER in MI, never been there before. He got drugs, my 2 nieces where home with stomach aches feeling very sick, my kid got the stomach flu and it felt like a big mess. God reminded me during the candlelight service that he was the center of our holiday, not the flu, ER or toilet in the potty. It worked out just fine and is a good reminder that Christmas is only one day. We have 364 other days to be happy and thankful too. And God is with us all of the days. Thanks for sharing your story.

Beth - I always love reading your column. But one thing that I have learned after almost being done raising my 4 children is to let things go at Christmas– it doesn’t have to be perfect and some things can be done after Christmas– cookies taste just as good after the holiday when there is more time.

Tracy Fisher - Loved your Christmas story… especiall the Christmas Eve cry! I remember my mom saying to me this year “You can stay home and wrap gifts and have some quiet time instead of goin to church with us this year.” Funny things… church was actually just what I needed. I wrapped fast so I could go. And it was quiet (in my own mind). Christmas is real. Everyone has chaos… I think..haha. Can’t wait to hear your 2011 stories. Happy new year to you and your family. Tracy (www.tfisherart.com)

shauna reed - oh meg.
i am glad you said this, cause i sorta thought it was just ME.
i was also getting sick, which doubles my inablity to look at things from a realistic perspective.
also we have had alot of “family time” which means not just our family of five, but also my husbands family. i love that they come but by the end i really need it to be just us! please! don’t tell, kay?

Kat - No it’s not just you.
I have been cranky off and on since Christmas day.
I think with all the build up, busyness and hype it is only natural to have some Christmas crash and burn. (nice phrase Craig, I may steal that one.)
Life with a large family is busy and I know I have my fair share of Mummy meltdowns.
The important thing is we do enjoy those special moments.
Enjoy!

Connie - You and Craig are too cute…and I LOVE Talby’s snowman…what an artist
Is the Dining room finished? I love the stars you have hanging in the window..Where did you find them?
.Also, I’m relieved to hear I’m not the only one that has a meltdown on Christmas Eve..I think we put too much pressure on ourselves to give our families the perfect Holiday..Every year I make a list of more traditions that I want to add the next year.
Happy New Year Meg…I look forward to your blog everyday

KTG - Out till 12am with a 2 year old and 7 month old on christmas eve–ra b/c others had a late start. meanwhile I scrambled littles there on time.
Woke 6am christmas to bake monkey bread, herded everyone to in laws. Greeted with “aren’t you All about xmas!” -It was 9am.
“We were about to call you everyone here is vomiting”.
Had my CCB on the way back to my house a few hours later when we were to host christmas day impromptu for the rest of the not sick family members.
Every year it’s something.Next year I will embrace my CCB!

purejoy - thanks for inviting me over for christmas. great photos. love the sparkle shoes. my favorite.
totally get the CCB. i try really hard to lower my expectations and stress level. love that you are surrounded by so much family. what a blessing.

flowerpowermomma - Time has a good way of adjusting some memories of Christmas’s past. I look back on when the kids were little and remember the good times, tender times, silly times. We had the same struggles everyone else has, but now I remember the good.
The tears may still come, that’s okay. God gave them to us…He understands completely.
Sweet pictures Meg, and yes, a sweet family.
ps. my hubby and I sometimes anticipate having the house back to ourselves, which is our version of counting down until school starts back up!!!

Jennifer - Your husband nailed it with that term. I thought I was seriously the only one who did that. My kids are so young but I’ve done that the last two years on Christmas Eve. And the worst part is I lash out at my poor husband because I feel like I’ve done everything even though its me who puts out the advent calendar and we have to have a million little things that I HAVE to do every year. But its really me who expects all of this.. not my 3 small kids who just want colored lights, to hold a candle at church, and for santa to show up 🙂 I also woke up completely refreshed in the morning.
Thanks so much for the honesty. Made me feel not so nutso. I rarely comment but I just had to for this one. We had a great Christmas too. We had a ping pong table growing up and it was the best. We still have lots and lots of very exciting games when we all get together there. Plus its in the basement with the fridge with the beer in it which could explain why everyone ends up down there.
Love your blog! Jennifer

holly - i would seriously PAY talby for her snowman painting (or a print of it)…
my boys and i have had hours of fun with that lil’ ping pong set…
and yes, tears galore… but a wonderful christmas!

Linda - First of all I love your home it is so bright and colorful it just makes me happy and makes me want to either live there myself or at the very least copy all your ideas! Every time I see part of your home I just want to see more and more of you amazing ideas! And yes I have the after Christmas crash. Mine usually doesn’t hit until late Christmas day but than it tends to linger on for a good day or two. This year in particular. I think it has something to do with our crazy weather here in the Northwest. I really can’t wait this year for my kids to go back to school. How sad is that. Oh well Merry Christmas. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home and family traditions with us crazy bloggers! Hope you have a Happy New Year!

Rhonda - Love these pictures! Love the new sparkle shoes pic too!!!
I admit to having about 3 Christmas meltdown’s this holiday season…but, life is beautiful and we’re human. 🙂

Sarah - Same here….CCB…..totally. I always set my self up for it though…..so many beautiful projects I want to complete, things to cook and bake…beautiful packages to wrap….wanting things to be so picture perfect….things that nobody else notices, but it always gets me…I think so many women do the same….but I just LOVE the holidays, even with the crash and burn.

Dishes in the Dryer - Wow, I don’t know how many different houses you were at but I loved the room colors and the floors and everything about the decorating in the pictures.
I am a new follower…Merry Christmas!

Meredith - I was more pulled together this year than last and I think it was because I start the calender now of when I want to have things complete. Still goes by way to quickly. I feel organized at first and then “bam” there it is. I did not make cookies, but I was not wrapping presents for my family in the afternoon before we go see them. They were already done. My husband also takes my oldest to Chuck E Cheese one night before Christmas so I can wrap his presents. Next year he will have to take the little one too. Best year, can’t wait till next.

Leslie P. - CCB is classic. We all have it. That syndrome comes right before CDIH – which is what our husbands get: Christmas Deer In Headlights. I just ended my most recent post with the same sentiment! When??

Lisa - I so know where you are coming from!!!! We hosted Cmas Eve at our house and I definitely bit off more than I could chew. In the end it left me disappointed and I never got to truly enjoy the holiday for what it was. I do however have twelve dozen extra cookies/candies to show for it. So not worth it!!

Heather Young - Meg, I absolutely love your house. It is absolutely everything I would ever do/ pick out if I could start from scratch. Your design is unique and eclectic- you should consider showcasing your rooms again, and share how you came up with your decor. Anyways, love, love you and your family and enjoy following your blog!

Jennifer VeStrand - CCB in our house too! Two questions: would you please explain the name game? And where did you get that ping pong thing? I KNOW our boys would LOVE that.
Merry Christmas Meg!

DanaD@BoysMyJoys - Completely understand CCB!
I didn’t get anything baked or any of my Christmas goodies made this year.
That made me sad, but then it dawned on me that I just needed to let it go and live in the moment.
I survived!
Life went on!
But, I’ve decided that my word for 2011 is “No.”
I’m going to learn to say no, so that I can say yes more to my family and myself during the holidays!
Because all too soon my children will be grown… and I don’t want to have missed it.
So glad you and your family had a great Christmas.
And Laurel’s hair looks ahhhh-mazing!
P.S.- We got a ping pong set like that for the boys, too. We could have saved a lot of money by not buying the other toys, because it’s the ping pong they’ve played with the most! 🙂

Tara - it’s me, too.
i cried christmas day.
pretty sure my family has confirmed that i am psycho.
loved your pictures….
especially the ones of your kids while they are smiling really big and laughing.

april - CCB….Im gonna have to use that one…lols…looks like a wonderful christmas….love your pictures!!

Gina - Great photos! Yes, I have meltdowns too sometimes. This year it was during our family get together with my husband’s family. Nine kids 11 and under, seventeen adults, my two barking dogs…it was just too much this year. I was soooo overwhelmed that before people could leave I had determined NOT to have a get together next year but the next morning I got into God’s Word and it was medicine to my bones. Yes, I will have a family get together next year but I will have some type of quiet (yeah, right) activity for the kids. I already promised my husband I wouldn’t vent about his LOUD family either. 😉

MGF - You are always so open with your true emotions.

Melanie - I love the photo of Annie winning the game. Priceless!

amy j. - Did you read about our Christmas Eve? 🙂

Jodi - It’s not just you! I had a melt-down of sorts too, but I couldn’t express it to my husband b/c most of the meltdown had to do w/ his side of the family… So, my Mom got to see my meltdown instead. But it all turned out ok. It always does right??
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Talby’s snowman!! Snowmen (or snowPEOPLE if I want to be PC about it) are my favorite. I have them all over the house during Christmas.

Katy - Did you see this post of Julie’s? http://www.joyshope.com/2010/12/how-i-stopped-being-psycho.html
It was like she wrote that post about me. I am totally an “over the edge freakshow” when it comes to ANY event or get together that involves me doing all of the work.. It always ends in a meltdown.
And can I just say that I will never be tired of your blog? Your pictures always make me smile. 🙂 Hope you all have a great New Year!!

Curious Details - are YOU the only one???
heh heh heh….
I’m STILL crying!

Holly - we had snow on Christmas which was cool….I almost had a meltdown on Christmas morning when I realized that it was time for us to pack up and go on our Christmas suprise and I wasnt going to get to have my post presents recovery nap! Alas, we had a great time nap or no nap!

pam - Great pics. I LOVE the sleepy morning shot of you and your husband….beautiful. We have that same kind of ping pong table…sew together fabrics and keep it on your table…a HUGE table for large gatherings.

jodi @ back40life - ooh I totally get it! We had sworn we wouldn’t work right up until Christmas, and still ended up getting our last 8 orders out on the 24th…and that morning, the 2 kiddos both melted down and were crying and I knew they just needed some attention, but I had no time to give to them because I had to get those stupid orders finished. sad, sad moment.
and then Christmas Day was fabulous…we even got snow, which NEVER happens for us, especially not on Christmas!
and then the 26th was HORRIBLE. I had such high hopes for it being a fun family day, and instead we spent the WHOLE day putting the house back together which put me into a terrible funk…miserable.
thankfully God’s mercies are new every day. loved seeing your pics…your fam is beautiful…thanks for letting us peek in!

Shann - I totally understand your meltdown. Things did not go “according to plans” at my house either this year. My dad had a quick trip to the ER and the flu bug showed up and brought nastiness to my house which resulted in less than joyous moods. Just to name a few. I do think I try to hard at times to paint this “perfect” picture in my head of what Christmas “should” be. When really it is all about the baby. I get side-tracked sometimes. Sigh… Thanks for sharing your pictures and your sweet family with us. 🙂 p.s The kids go back to school in 5 days…but who’s counting? HAAAAA!!!

Katrina - You know, I was worried that I was the only one who had those meltdowns. My family gives me such a hard time about it. But the next morning when the kids see their presents from Santa and their eyes light up, well it couldn’t get much better than that. Even makes the meltdown worth it in the end I think.

Desiree' - not just you…major meltdown at 11:43…I know the exact time because I saw my watch right as I was lying my crying face down onto my arms…we’re always so hard on ourselves to make everything just right…*sigh*
Love your pics…Love that God always makes things beautiful even with our meltdowns…Love that our kids never know the difference and only feel the love and joy of Christmas! 🙂

SoCalLynn - I love how much fun your family has together. We only have one daughter at home, 11 years old, all of our family lives scattered throughout the country and due to a family emergency in November where we spent all our money, we couldn’t travel this year, nor could they. So we had a really quiet Christmas…it would be fun to have lots of young cousins and aunts and uncles around but it just doesn’t happen for us.
We got that same ping pong set and haven’t used our dining table since we got it! We are challenging ourselves to get really good with both hands, not just our dominant hand!

Jen R - Your family is darling and your honesty – refreshing. Thank you for sharing your pictures! They look full of fun & love. And…you are not alone in the meltdowns. There should be some kind of Meltdown Sisterhood. 🙂 Have a Happy New Year!

Camille - Haha! I thought I was the only one with CCB – and what a great name for it! You’re right, sometimes a good cry is just the ticket to feeling refreshed and able to enjoy the day the following morning.

Heather - CCB, I love it!! That is the perfect term for what inevitably happens every year. Mine always comes on the 26th when it is all over and I feel the letdown. I spend the entire day thinking of everything I wish I had done. Next year I can tell my hubby that it is a “real”thing with a “real” name, I will just leave out the part where I found the term. Happy New Year!!

shelly - Oh my…I had a HUGE meltdown!!! Of course, I was baking bread, letting cinnamon rolls rise, trying to finish sewing projects AND cutting out sugar cookies!. I lost it when our middle son accidentally bumped the tray of drying cookies and knocked them all over…onto the floor…frosting side down of course!!! (Yes, it was my fault because I set the rack on a big bowl so that I’d still have some counter space..epic fail…major mommy meltdown!)

Staci - Wow!! So many things I love about his post….Annie’s sleepy eyes and Talby’s snowman!!! Love the tired picture of you and Craig…I think we have that same picture! Whyyyyy do we put so much stress on ourselves every year to make it perfect?????!!!! I have to admit….we scaled back ALOT this year and it felt reeeally good! Annnnd, going to Christmas Eve Mass ALWAYS puts me in the right spirit!!! Glad everything turned out for your beautiful family! Oh yea, and YES! I lovve your sister’s hair color!!!!!

Laura - I love the snowman picture, too! And your house is so cool! Love the game room! No, you are not alone. I was so grumpy because of comparing myself to another, which I know is so foolish. And I didn’t have everything the way I wanted it. But, as you said, it ends up good. We are together. We are so blessed, you know? Think of so many who would love to trade places with us. And we had a white Christmas in Alabama! Yay! I have already been assessing this year and making lists for how to make next year go more smoothly. Happy New Year, Megan!

Jessica @ My Ardent Life - I had a huge, ugly meltdown on Christmas Eve that I’m not sure I’m brave enough to blog about. I broke a lamp (on accident). I really struggle this time of year. I’m aiming for better in 2011! Even though the past 5 Christmases have been wonderful, I STILL get worked up, thanks to so many horrible ones before that (I’m talking deaths, drunken father fights, a suicidal uncle admitted to the psych ward, and the one in 2005 that I spent alone).

Heather - Love all the pics! JUst wanted to add that I, too, often see pics of myself and think, “I wish I’d put lipstick on!” Makes a WORLD of difference, doesn’t it? Little things…

Beth - P.S. I love Talby’s snowman!

Beth - I totally do that and always feel inadequate and unfinished on Christmas eve, only to feel so full of love and gratitude on Christmas morning. Not just you at all. I’ll bet you’ll get lots of comments today supporting that. We women are hard on ourselves, we expect ourselves to do it all and get it all done and never falter. Your Christmas looks like it was wonderful! And the kids go back to school WAY. TOO. SOON!!! 🙂

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hockey and donuts.

*edited…i forgot the pics of me and lauren!  they HAD to be on this post….i was sleepy when i was writing this the first time.  
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we got tickets for a Wichita Thunder Hockey game.
i told my kids we were going to a game for family night.
it took over ten guesses to land on hockey. (basketball? football? baseball? ice skating?)
none of them had been to one before…and i have only seen one.

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honestly….they loved it!
talby asked if we could come to them every week.
there was fighting and penalties….cheering and music….all good stuff.

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sean got a frisbee that was thrown into the crowd.
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all of my kids are happy just about anywhere if there is dr. pepper involved.
except talby….she's a pepsi girl.

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this photo required a bribe….can't recall what it was.
he's getting too cool for pics with mom.  
puh-leeease. 

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on our way out to the car lauren and craig enjoyed the free massage station.
it was "Ladies Night" at the hockey game so the halls were filled with tables of businesses giving stuff away.

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then the kids and craig slid down the railing….and only one kid fell.
(and that kid deleted that photo off my camera while i was using the restroom at KK.)

we drove through neighborhoods and looked at the lights on houses taking the long way to Krispy Kreme.

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family night is always better with late night donuts.
we hadn't been here for a long time.

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i am exaggerating…but that is me doing the teenage wink that i seem to see everywhere on the facebook and the googles and the intra-nets.

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this really was a good night.
you know i tell you when it isn't.  
and this was.

oh….i am so dang hungry for a donut right now…..not cool. 

*****************************************************************************************************************************
IF you are interested in winning a $100 MasterCard you can click over to my other blog.
i am talking about a new site that has great deals.

BUT….IF you are feeling like a cranky pants and don't want a mastercard….DON'T GO.
please.
it's totally fine with me if you don't like my ad posts.
don't read them.

it.  is.  OK.

but no MasterCard for you.

kristine - glad you had such a great family night. i love hockey too. such a fun sport to watch. natalie is only three and asked for ice skates when the game was over. sweet! 🙂

elisa - Merry Christmas!!

Rach - I have GOT to get to Krispy Kreme!!! NOW!!

Mary - Who loves her daddy?
That look is priceless.

Trish - If you ever head North of the border you need to try Tim Hortons. 🙂 Mmmmm…
Have a very Blessed Christmas!!

Laura - Did you get your coat at Von Maur? I think I tried it on in black. I wanted it, but already have a perfectly good black coat and couldn’t rationalize it, just for the cute ruffles. Have a Merry Christmas out in my home state of Kansas! Oh and I am making your Rainbow Cake in Christmas colors for Christmas eve at my house…off to frost it now!

kathy b - would you believe…Krispy Kreme went out of business here in the California state capitol where I live!
Merry Christmas and may God richly bless you and your family.
Kathy b

Julianne Brimner - We love Krispy Kremes except they are no longer carrying their cheesecake doughnut which is my fave. Meg, could you please do something about that for me…ha, ha. Glad you all had such a grand family time.

corie - Meg, thank you so much for being part of my morning coffee, when everyone in the house is still asleep. When it’s just me and I can start my day off as mama and wife with the best intentions, before all the hard parts of parenting kick in. I savor peeking at your blog each morning, for over a year now.The craft ideas, the photo ideas, donating to Africa, honesty about the work it takes when you fiercely love your family. All of these inspirations from you have made it into my home. XOXO, thank you and merry Christmas!

Jenn A. - “crankypants” haha!
Love the family pics and that seems like such a fun family night adventure!!! Thanks for keeping it real.

linda@limein the coconut - I THOUGHT I recognized that wink!
Merry Christmas to you and your brood…and I mean brood in the very nicest of ways…
😉

Carrie - Loved this post! Made me happy! I love your family night posts and I adore seeing the happy teenager pictures.
Are people seriously still giving you a hard time about the ads. I don’t want to sound rude, but people can simply stop coming if it bothers them that much. It’s rude to continue to come by and just complain. Come on people!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Oh girl you are so goofy. Love your wink. That night right there would be BIG in our house. Nothing we love more than donuts and HOCKEY! Matter of fact we are going for donuts in our jammies in the morning and I got hockey tickets for my honey for Christmas…all is well:) Merry Christmas Miss Meg.

Lisa - Looks like a perfect night! What fun.

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - I am totally craving the Krispy Kreme. You are precious.

Heather R. - LOL with the teenage wink. The pics of you and Lauren are great. You crack me up!

Margo - Looks like you had a great time! I haven’t been to a Thunder game in a couple years now – makes me want to go!

Melanie - Looks like a fun night and who doesn’t like a donut to top it off.

Tanya @ Life in 3D - Being from the land of snow and hockey…that would probably be the FIRST guess anyone around here would have if you mentioned going to see a game..lol! {BUT..hockey games are so expensive here it’s a rare occasion to ever get to one!…supply and demand I guess}
GOOD family nights are awesome 🙂

Julie - My kids would love a night like that! Fun family time!

Maria - It has been sooo long since we’ve had KK…might need to break down stop and get some soon…
Looks like a fun night at the hockey game!

shelley - We love hockey !! Definitely a hockey family. My oldest has played on a travel ice hockey team since he was 11 and my hubby is from the midwest..so of course he played from age birth through highschool. Pro hockey events are a blast too ! I love the Krispy Kreme pictures. We had one here but it didnt last long..Californians are just too health conscience i guess.

Whitney Benson - I would buy a gym membership. Can you say SHAMU?? 🙂

Kori - Gotta love hockey!! Thanks to my son, it’s my life. Have great Christmas…

Kat - I love that you guys have special family time.
Looks like such fun and what a beautiful family.
You are very blessed Meg!
Hope your Christmas is wonderful together.

Kate - We used to go to those hockey games when we were at Bethel – they were always a good time! (Love Sean’s Bethel sweatshirt!) 🙂

Julie - Aww, our KK closed a few years ago. They are finally doing something with the building though… Panera!! But this post made me miss the warm KK donuts we used to eat on weekends (or when I was pregnant!)
Family night looks fun. Family night out is still too stressful for us, so it usually involves pizza, movies, and games at home.

lala - I wish there was a Krispy Kreme around here! Fresh donuts, YUM. My mouth is watering. Gas station KK’s are stale and gross – always a disappointment!

se7en - Your kids are totally cool… Just sweet, sweet, sweet!!! Thanks for sharing your life and times!!!

Holly - ok what an awesome night! It is great when you get to have a family night that all of the kids love…especially the teenagers!

sara @ it's good to be queen - that pic of all your kids in the KK booth is so sweet. what a great moment you captured. 🙂

Tanya H - Hee hee, love ya. Our family is going to a college basketball game tonight. Our first ever… should be an adventure! 🙂

Sugar Mama - You crack me up! Love your sense of humor!!!!

Hoosier at Heart - I just love that pic of you in the hat. What were you thinking when that was taken? Your expression cracks me up. Looks like a great time was had by all!

tasha roe - you have the best lips ever!
just sayin’.

Rachel - I live in Canada so hockey is a way of life. I’m so glad your family enjoyed the game! It’s awesome fun…eh?
I could do without the doughnuts, though. I’ve managed to convince myself that they will always disappoint me…wish I could do the same with chocolate.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Jill - What fun! Hey…. just wanted to tell you that I tried one of your craft ideas in my classroom. So fabulous! Thank you for the idea. I have them on my blog… showing off what my students made! Merry Christmas.
http://www.jassman.typepad.com

Carla - All those smiles, fantastic 🙂
I have a mastercard already, what I’d like is someone to pay the bills for me. And a Krispy Kreme Donut nearby.

Kristin Joy - i am glad someone is paying you for this site 🙂 i would if i could, girl. i have loved it now for two years and i appreciate every second you spend on it, & i’d troll through way more ads than that just to read. love it. merry christmas.

Debra - Gotta love hockey! I’m Canadian,eh!

Jodi - Love it when family nights go great. I don’t know how you do it w/ 5 kids though. Just my one can get a bit cranky if sharing the spotlight w/ her cousin. :o)

Jaime A. - lol… the second part of your post is funny!
ur the best, meg.
truly you are! 😉
Oooh, love Krispy Kreme.

Kerri - My husband used to play in that league against the Thunder. Fun times!! 🙂

AshleyAnn - Can I tell you how much I love the very end of this post (the part about your new site)?! I love it. You make me smile.

amy jupin - family time can be great!!
(sometimes it can be down right scary though too) haha
and free massages…JACKPOT!

Angie M - Love, Love hockey games with the family!

Tracie - We just moved to a town with a Krispy Kreme and we LOVE it! I have so many childhood memories of the warm donuts sign being on and eating them fresh. YUM!

Phoenix_Rising - I am from the home of Krispy Kremes 🙂

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thanksgiving and back. (aka….super long post)

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our time in atlanta was filled with eating, games, black friday shopping, Xbox, football, online shopping & wine.

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my niece morgan.
she let talby and annie play with all of her american girl dolls….they were in heaven.

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the name game.
everyone writes a name (or in our case a word or funny sounding name) and you go around the room 
trying to guess who wrote what name.
it's fun.
the kids think it's pretty funny to hear their crazy name said over and over.

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we also played apples to apples.
very fun.
maybe because i won.
i had the advantage of knowing the kind of things my kids would pick better than the other grown ups….
but i still won.  :) 

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my nephew Hunter gave me five minutes to take some senior pictures of him.
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seriously….five minutes.
i cannot believe he is a senior.

and after two full days we packed up and left for home.
our trunk was full of christmas gifts and two bags of hand-me-down clothes (yay!!)
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our first stop on the way home was still in atlanta.
Cameli's Gourmet Pizza Joint.      (they are on facebook too….)
we have wanted to come here for years!  
we know the owners.
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the pizza was so good.
i loved it.
craig loved it.
my kids tried calzones and fell in love.

these are the Cameli women.
their husbands are the Pizza chefs…and i got no photo of them…i am a dork.
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this picture is weird.
these are my sister's college roommates….my sister should be where i am and i should be taking the picture.
but i love these girls too.
i grew up with amy (blond) and her family.
and i LOVED hanging with sara (brunette) when i would go visit my sister in college.
i wish you could have been there lorel.
thank you for sharing your friends with me.

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enzo is sean's new buddy.
they exchanged addresses on napkins.
i think they are a great match….just from the half hour that i watched them together.

there was a jute box with any song imaginable and the kids played "CRAZY FROG!"  
oh my goodness.
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thank you thank you thank you cameli's pizza joint!

back on the road.
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old school arby's….
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we found a Days Inn to crash for the night after 8 hours of driving.
we used the pull out sofa bed AND made a "special bed" on the floor for annie AND both queen beds.
they swam for 30 minutes and then we slept like babies.

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in the elevator to the car.

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could be the best invention ever….GENIUS….i love redbox so very much.

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feet touching my head…all the time.

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and more feet.

i think i have mentioned before that i get car sick?
like ALL the time.
i have my entire life….so many memories of being nauseous in cars…and throwing up.
yuck.
dramamene helps.
and i can sleep a little more than i used to be able to.

we made it home.
very tired.
craig drove the entire 30+ hours.
rockstar.

i am glad the traveling is over with for awhile.
but honestly driving is way WAY better than dragging five kids through an airport on a holiday.

and we are glad we went.

the end. 

Cherry - Well put, sir, well put. I’ll ceartinly make note of that.

Laura J - Awww, I’m so jealous you were THAT close to Broken Arrow and Tulsa. DH and I are from there (and miss it terribly), but the military has taken us elsewhere.
I hope you all had fun on your trip! 🙂

Stephanie - Okay, I cut you some slack when you came to Atlanta a few weeks ago to Coke, but COME ON…Twice in a month and you think you need to spend it with family and not all your Atlanta bloggers!!! No, I’m glad you had a great Thanksgiving, but you’re going to have to get yoself back here to take pictures of us…can I get an amen out there ladies!!! I fell in love with your photography a couple of years ago and I was so sad to discover you were in Kansas, boo hoo. I found a great gal locally, who is “just a mom who likes to take pictures” too, but I would still love a session with you. Perhaps, you can sweet talk your hubby into an Easter trip back east!!! You can sign me up for your first session! Love ya

Wendy @ Living Creatively - Great, great, great pictures… and you are so close!! I live in NW Arkansas.
We love Apples to Apples, too. One of my favorite family games!

katherine - oh my word… loved this post! I read a lot, but hardly comment. 🙂 My eyes teared up at the Alabama State sign… my home state! I was there for Thanksgiving… and then the Broken Arrow/Tulsa sign… my hometown now! I’m sure I drove the same highways as you with my own 3 little monkeys this Turkey break. Love love LOVE reading your blog. You’re so fun!

Laurie - We are serious road trippers too and I also get majorly motion-sick. My “secret” is transderm v patches (scopalmine ?) I can read with these things on – no sleepiness, just a dry mouth. It’s made a world of difference in our travels! Hope it helps…

Lori - Good LORD! I take back what I said in the last (most recent post). I bow down to you and your level of patience. lol Just kidding. Looks like a fantastic Thanksgiving and well worth the drive.

mel - wow! what a fun filled thanksgiving! I used to love road trips when I was growing up. They were some of my favorite vacations! that pizza place looks AMAZING. I love pizza…i could eat it every day!

Giyen - Meg,
You really do have such a lovely smile!
PS. Think about you all the time. Hope to get to see you again soon. Kansas or bust!

colleen - I see you came through my beautiful state of alabama. I just have one thing to say (in response to that hat in one of the pictures) -WAR EAGLE!!! Glad you had such sweet family time. Even if Alabama did lose!

Kat - Looks like a fun trip. (well except for the car sickness and the feet on your head part, lol.)
I love that you guys play games with your family. We must do more of that as our kids get older.
That pizza is huge and delicious looking.
OMG my kids have recently discovered Crazy frog on a cd someone gave us and they LOVE to dance around to it in the loungeroom, lol. so you are not alone!

Tracy Fisher - Fabulous! I love your personal stories. I have been trying to figure out if I should (or should not) put personal stories on my website/blog… then I said to myself, “hey, why not?”… really… who cares! So many opinions in this world. haha
Anyway, you are “real” and I love reading about your adventures.
-Tracy (www.tfisherart.com)

Teri - My youngest two fight over who gets to sleep on the floor when we stay at a hotel.
I get car sick too, even when driving. Dramamine knocks me out, so I take a benadryl every couple of hours it helps with nausea. And the oodles of cold carbonated drinks. Thankfully, only one of mine gets car sick.
It looks like you had the bestest time. I am super jealous!

sara's art house - Great pictures. Apples to Apples is the best!

chasity - tell your daughter that i LOVE her ring.
so cool.

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Road trips rock. Looks like much fun!

Courtney Walsh - You are still making me feel better about our decision to drive rather than fly. Especially since I’m not into letting strange women feel me up or take scans of my girl parts.
love this. looks like a blast! 🙂

Bethany {3SonsPlus1} - You are so funny! Glad you had a great time…yeah, I know, minus the feet, ha!

evan - i love apples to apples too!!! fun game 🙂 first time i ever played i won: the adjective i won on was “manly” and my card was “Demi Moore”… hahaha!! i’ll never forget that!!

Laura Lynn - You shoulda stopped at our house….free bathroom, snacks, and conversation!!!!! We live so close to the BA/Tulsa sign.

elizabeth highsmith - cameli’s is the best!! there huge slices are delicious and affordable!!

Ingrid Blanchette - looks like so much fun! great pics…thanks for sharing.

ashley jensen - Hiya! First time posting a message so hello there, I check your blog every day! I went to school with Ashley Campbell and found your blog thru hers! Love that sign of BA and Tulsa (I know exactly where it’s at) you took since I grew up in BA (and still live close by in Owasso)!

Lindsey - That’s one huge piece of pizza!
Your nephew is very photogenic, he should have given you more than five minutes! But I’m sure you did great with the time you had because you’re and awesome photographer.
And Apples to Apples is so much fun, isn’t it?

Michelle Whitlow - Looks like you guys had a great time!!! This year was the first time we’ve traveled for Thanksgiving. I feel like I’m SO behind on Christmas stuff now!!! I’m definitely gonna have to try that pizza place. We live about an hour and a half from Atlanta and I always like to take the kids up there at least once during the holiday season. We have such a small mall down here so it’s nice to get a taste of the ‘city life’ a little bit 🙂

Katherine @ Grass Stains - I’m from Atlanta but have never heard of that pizza place! I’ll have to try it next time I’m there. Looks like a WONDERFUL trip, one that had the makings of lifelong memories. So much fun! Merry Christmas to all the Duerksens!

april - This WAS a serious road trip!!! Love the pics…can you send a piece of that pizza to california?? yes please!!! 🙂

Kate - I agree with you and would rather drive our family of seven anywhere. Even though it’s crazy and I can’t stand public bathrooms and the kids will bicker over dumb stuff in the back seat. Your pictures really capture the why-would-you-ever-do-that question. Why? Because it’s crazy fun!

Maria - So happy you posted your road trip…we are prepping for our longest yet…from Louisiana to AZ…eek.
I’m going to have to test out Dramamine before we go…otherwise I may go nuts without being able to read/iphone/whatever.
loved all the fun stops!

AshleyAnn - Well you know that road sign in Oklahoma makes me a bit sad….but I doubt your whole family would want to stop by my house to chat and drink coffee!

mandy madison - I love this post! reminds me of my childhood traveling with my 5 borthers in a HUGE van. We named her Big Bertha and she smelled like farts and McDonald’s…sorry for that bad imagine I just put in your head. So many memories!

Georgia - PIZZA!!!!! thats what i call a pizza slice, You have made me so excited – im going to las vegas next year and huge pizza sliices is top of my list!
YUummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Elizabeth - You all went through my town in Oklahoma! I pass that BA/Tulsa sign every other day-fun! Aren’t road trips the best? I always learn so much about my kids when we’re stuck in the car together for long periods of time. Family bonding at it’s best!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - That pizza was enormous! You look like you are having so much fun…hee hee;)

katey - There are always feet on me. (not just in the car) What is up with that???

kasey - and i would much rather fly.
we flew to cali…no lines…no pat downs…no feet on my head;-)
easy.
Sounds like you had a blast though.

carols - Awwww, those road trips and hotels and swimming pools and family togetherness are some of my FAVORITE family times. Pics are great. My husband likes to drive too, and we did the Chicago to Atlanta trip last summer and it was great (do Lookout Mountain next time…Chatanooga, TN, totally worth it and amazing pictures). My pc crashed, but the upside is 3 days of Meg posts! Enjoy December.

Jessica - You didn’t take the girls to the American Girl store in Atlanta!? 😉

Holly - Looks like good times! We are going to try a road trip with all of ours soon…..im scared,lol!

heidi @ wonder woman wannabe - wow – my crew is nowhere near readay for a trip of that magnitude (though redbox would sure help!) looks like you had fun though – isn’t it always the greatest coming home?

shelly - Wow! Super trip!!!
I love it when our boys get to hang with cousins! (Well, they’re usually down the line cousins, but its fun to watch them all play!)
We drove 25 hrs last month to go to New Mexico—time flew going down, but went backwards coming back home :/ I would have freaked if feetsies were near my head the whole time! Especially my kids’–talk about car sick-gag!
You guys are awesome! What memories for your kiddos!

Jodi - I must try that pizza place next time in Atlanta… that slice of pizza could feed me for 3 days!! :o)
I give you kudos for that long road trip… I used to dread the trip from Atlanta to home… can’t imagine going as far you guys did!!

pam - WOW…what a slice of pizza. That loaded car was CRAZY. My mom switched to ginger for motion sickness…she swears by it over Dramamine…at least for her. Long trip…but I’m sure so many memories. I LOVE Apples to Apples. And your husband is a rockstar…that’s a lot of driving.

Nikki - That is the biggest slice of pizza… I’ve never seen a slice that big before!
Happy belated Thanksgiving… so nice that you got to spend it with family.
I get a little car sick to 🙁
Eli was on the morning show today, I’ve added a link on my blog if you want to hae a look.
x

Janelle - Lovely. You’ve inspired me to start some road trips with my 4 kiddos…now I just have to get my husband on board 🙂

christy - That is one big slice of pizza!
Thanks for sharing your Thanksgiving. Spending time with family is priceless!

Lindsay - I hear ya on the car sickness. awful. My family always drove – every summer vacation, no matter where we went, drove. But I loved it. Even through all the fighting 🙂 Thanks for sharing all of this!

karen - that is the only way to cook a turkey
I have my grandparents “turkey cooker” that we used for years
They always put it in the laundry room on the dryer so we had plenty of room to prepare all of the other food
Thanks for sharing your Thanksgiving

donna - omg Meg. i can’t believe you have a sign of Broken Arrow – I can’t wait to show my husband. We lived very near Broken Arrow when we first got married 21 years ago – my oldest daughter who is almost 20 was born there!!! It’s a long way from Detroit!!!

Grace - So glad you had a great visit away from home!
Husbands who can drive long stretches at a time are sent by God. 🙂

Shannon Davis - It was great having you all come here for Thanksgiving. It was very special to be able to have some quality family time together. The basement is perfect for times when we have extra kids who love Xbox, Wii and Rock Band — oh and American Girl dolls!! Thanks for taking Hunter’s pix – they turned out great! See you at Christmas 🙂

Gemma - Hi Meg!
Great post 🙂 Craig is def a rockstar for driving all that way. Hope you are having a great December so far!
Gemma x

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - That pizza looks sooooo good right now!
We also played Apples to Apples on Thanksgiving. It was so much fun, and we played so long that I literally fell asleep sitting up with cards in hand.
🙂
That looked like such a grea trip!
And yay for Dramamine!

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road trip.

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it was cold and rainy for HOURS. 
not the most ideal thanksgiving holiday travel….but craig likes a challenge.

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she was hot.
and ramping up for her usual "i am going to throw up" routine.
she didn't.
thankfully.

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charging everything constantly.

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so foggy we couldn't see the top of the arch!

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i was texting on my phone and reading email on craig's phone.
he has a data plan and i don't…..i am SO deprived.  

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only 404 miles to go!

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the sun finally came out….yay.

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switiched seats.

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nashville.

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we pulled up to craig's sister's house to a classic song by fire house….ha ha ha.
we sang loud.
and wished we were at a high school dance.

(did you click on that song?  that hair is unreal!!)

12 hours in the car with all seven of us.

6 movies….10 fights…..5 bathroom stops….but we made it to atlanta….good times.

we were welcomed with open arms.
and a beer.

a very yummy beer.

Jolandi Kerstetter - Heh, a drink or two would be a good reward. Congrats on finishing one long road trip. Indeed, trying to keep the peace in a car with kids can be tricky. Well, nevertheless, I hope you found some fun during the trip!

Trish @TheOldPostRoad - We’ve made that drive several times – same route – from Georgia to KC (my sister’s house) and back. One stop we enjoyed was at Cave in Rock in southern Illinois – you take the ferry across the Ohio from kentucky (going north). The kids will never let me stop and see the zoo in St. Louis (it’s free for pete’s sake!) We live in a great country.
-Trish

Christina - Yes, I was also going to say,”only 10 fights?” My kids had about that many just during our Advent reading and activity tonight. Ugh. 🙂

elisa - Only 10 fights? thats amazing! fun pictures! i don’t think i’ve ever commented on here but i love your blog! 🙂

Kimberlee J. - Loved all the pics.
Wowza…that was a big trip.
I’m glad you guys were able to get away!

Tara - i’m so glad that the whole trip ended with a really good beer.
you make me laugh….this place is always refreshing to me.

Shauna - oh baby! that is a full backseat!
i am glad you were greeted with a drink…..well deserved.
next time we both go on long road trips, lets drive toward each other and meet in the middle, kay? where would meet up? Utah? oh man let me brush up on my US geography and I’ll get back to you…that is sad.

karen - I think i’m the only 32 year old without a cell phone…and i like it that way. 🙂

Kristin S - I assume the phone with the zebra case is yours and not Craig’s.
🙂

Suzanne - Great pictures. I kinda felt like I was on the trip with you guy..especically when I found myself calling out “he’s touching me!”. Oh by the way, “Love of a Lifetime” was our wedding dance song. Love it! We play it in our home often and we too sing at the top of our voices. Nothing but the best!
Merry Christmas!
Suzanne

Transparent Mama - Funny. I just did a post on our 21 hour road trip with four boys and a dog. We went 40mph at most through most of Idaho in a blizzard on ice. Glad we aren’t the only crazy ones.

Heather R. - I would need a beer or 5…
Love the song and the 80’s hair.
🙂

Kathryn - so the building in nashville with the two skinny towers on top? people around here know it as the batman building. 🙂 because i know you wanted to know that. 🙂 glad you made it safely through all that rain!!

Kat - Only 5 toilet stops?!! Wow you did well. We can do that many in an afternoon at the shops with my 4 little kids.
Nothing like a road trip for family bonding, or to put your patience to THE test, lol.
Glad you survived it 🙂

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Only 5 pee stops…impressive:) We just had our trip back to IL. I need a laptop or ipad or something. To watch a movie would help tremendously!

Sandy - In the first picture of the back seat I thought Talby was in Annie’s carseat…figured they were happier that way. ha ha Then in the second picture (of the back) I realized that what I thought was a carseat was actually a blanket. 🙂
When I was in 7th grade my parents drove all 8 of us (6 kids and my parents) from Ohio to California and back. In the winter. And a really nasty ice storm. It was a great trip for us kids, but I’m still not sure how much enjoyment my parents got out of it. 🙂
I love that you have a big family.
Signed,
Sad that I only have 2 kids

Renee - i have that same blue blanket wth snowflakes & snowmen!

jess - you. are. brave! great post…love family road trips!!!

Vicki - Nothing quite like a classic family road trip! We’ve made many yearly treks from Texas to Washington state…32 hours in the car…it’s like we just never learned! I’m not sure which is better…open arms…or a good beer!

Lucylu ~ - Wow! Nothing can dampen your spirits!

Julie - After 12 hours in the car, I’d need a beer. And I’m not a beer drinker. More of a wine girl. We recently drove 6 hours to Belgium and I thought that was bad! 🙂
I was the kid who always got car sick so I feel for poor Annie! I still don’t travel well, and yet I spend most of my life traveling. Go figure! Good times spent went family though are worth the effort, huh?!

Rach - OK, let me re-phrase that first question:
Were you ordering Christmas ITEMS in the car. Although ordering Christmas itself would be pretty spectacular as well. 🙂

Rach - OK, two questions:
Were you ordering Christmas in the car because that is just fantastic multitasking.
Do you guys have a minivan or an SUV because we need to upgrade to another row of seats and I am always curious about people’s thoughts on their cars.

julia - You were a mere 9 hours away….hey, weren’t you JUST in Atlanta?
Please tell me you finished that magazine.

Laura Phelps - THAT WAS FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You just took me on a great trip
loved every minute of it
and you know, I know a little something about lots of kids in a car for a really long time
I also know how it feels to be greeted by open arms and a cold beer 🙂
miss you
must road trip to Kansas…

Trina McNeilly - You are brave that is a long drive with 5 kids. But road trips are always kind of fun…at least in theory.
Ok.. what kind of car do you have? Just wondering how you escaped a mini-van with 5 kids. I have always vowed I’d never not ever own a mini van and now that I’m prego with #4 it’s like mini vans are stalking me or something. Trying to fight them off. Ha!
XO

melissa - Dude, you drove RIGHT. PAST. ME! I’m 45 minutes from Nashvile!!! Next time.

Courtney Walsh - Oh wow. This gives me hope for when we go home at Cmas! 15 hours in the van with all five of us!! I so wish I could read in the car. Looks like it was fun in spite of the crazy weather! 🙂

Staci - I love a good roadtrip!!! Glad you made it safely!!! And that song….oh my word!!! You are sooo right….high school dances 😉 LOVE IT!!!!!!

Jeannette - Love all the pics, especially the Nashville skyline……I miss that city. We have made several trips that have been that long in the car and next road trip I am breaking out the camera more, I almost felt like I was road trippin with y’all. Glad you made it there safe and I am sure had a great holiday.
Jeannette
Plant City

Cathy - Ahhh…. roadtrips…. You can’t beat ’em for making memories. Seeing your pics brought back memories of our trips out west. You’ve captured the essence of what it’s like on the road. Glad you made it safely!!

Carolynn - Ahhh the joy of visiting family far away on the holidays! It’s always an adventure, isn’t it :)! Makes for great stories around the dinner table. Thanks for bringing us along for the trip! Fun, fun, fun!

april - love the pics…i know i know i always write that…lols….I have the same phone cover….looks like smeone is letting their hair grow out…very handsome…

valerie - We make the road trip from LA to San Francisco a few times a year so I am so relating even though it’s only half the trip you made. I feel like we’re making memories…I think it’s a good thing 🙂
Valerie

Dana@Bungalow'56 - I just want to say, I will never complain about our five hour drive to the city ever again. You have changed my attitude.
Dana

Kirsten J - There are only 4 of us and we only went 5 hours to the Oregon Coast (well, should have been 5, took 8 getting there) and we just about killed each other. And I can’t count the potty stops. Phew! Oh and the charging – it’s the end of the world if my little one forgets her DS charger. The. End. So what is it with the husband having the data plan? That would be our picture, also…hmmmm…. But I cannot stand to have stuff on the dash – he uses it like a desk or something, and I’m always clearing it off!

virginia - i love the heart shaped lights in the night picture meg!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - fun! this looks exactly like our road trip to san diego last week… chloe in the back, stripping down/nauseous/nobody allowed to look at or speak to her… wireless head phones and ipods galore…but, sadly, matthew meade made it to my mailbox AFTER we got home 🙁 now i’ll surely never be able to read it.
happy happy holiday season, megan!

Stephanie - Love the pictures. We drove from McPherson to Chicago and I wish I had the trip in pics like you. I also took the Matthew Mead book. Loved it!!

tasha roe - I know it sounds crazy, but i LOVE road trips!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!!
And only 5 bathroom breaks for a 15 hour drive – not too shabby. We had 5 going from St. Louis to Topeka. LOL

Katy - Loved all the pictures in this post but one thing just sticks out.. I have the same phone cover as Meg Duerksen. 🙂 Hahaha!

Lisa - Looks like a fun trip! Oh, Firehouse. Crazy memories there, but at least my hair never looked QUITE that bad! LOL.

Holly - Ok you were just minutes from my house! Well Actually I am about 35 miles west of Nashville. I love the Firehouse song. My kids call it the Old People music!

pam - That hair is hysterical! Speaking of beer my family would like to say THANK YOU! Your frozen Margaritas have become like a staple when a family gathering happens. Meals are planned around the goal of having those Margaritas. We try different kinds of beer. Everyone is in love so thanks for sharing that one!

Joni - We do twelve hour trips several times a year, I SO know what that’s like! He he…you needed that beer, didn’t you?
Love the pic of all the iPods plugged in! 😉
Joni

Heather - I have one of those…”I’m going to throw up” girls, too. Sigh. Exhausting, isn’t it? Glad you made it safe.

kristine - way to go! beer sounds nice! wait, is 8am too early!? i love nashville…but never been to atlanta!

Rebekah - I <3 the Nashville skyline. 🙂

Kelley - I love those tall suspension bridges driving through St. Louis! They don’t have any like that in Atlanta. I’m sorry you had such crummy weather. I took all the good weather with my family and me to Florida for the holiday and managed to bring none of it back. Boo hiss.

Kacey - Oh, wow – that is a long road trip. Your “charging station” made me laugh!

Cassie - would you roll on the floor, dying laughing, if i told you that when paul and i got married my brother and his guitar-playing friend (who were in a “rock band” together) sang that song AT our wedding…like IN the church. and i almost cried. 🙂
go ahead. laugh.
but it was AWEsome. 🙂
aaahhhh…the good ole days. thanks for stirring up those memories.
miss you.

Gemma @ Musings of a gem - Hi Meg!
It’s great to see a post like this one…I’ve missed reading them recently!!
You guys were brave…I bet it was worse than a long haul flight!
Happy December!
Gemma x

christy - 12hrs, YIKES! When we drive to TN to visit family it’s a 6.5hr drive, that seems about all I can handle. I probably would never last on a cross-country road trip! 🙂

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2 hours into our trip….

we drove to atlanta, georgia for thanksgiving.
it's a 15 hour drive from here.
wow.

but our first stop was 2 hours into the drive….ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK.

Ku
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we surprised grandma with a phone call 15 minutes before the game and said "want to go with us?"
she said YES and we picked her up.
jayhawk games are so cool….so fun….for everyone.
one of the only things we can do as a family and everyone loves it. 

we dropped grandma off and drove onto my sister's house.
we had a sleep over with all the cousins.

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in the morning my sister filled us up with coffee and pumpkin bread
and we set off for 12 hours of family fun driving across the states.
woo-hoo.

coffee and daisies - i live in winnipeg manitoba (canada) and my husband is the HUGEST jay hawks fan. its kinda cute actually. anyway. i’ll have to show him these pics…he’ll just sigh.
🙂

Karen Gerstenberger - Did you see the Gonzaga Bulldogs? I think they were there, too. SO glad that you had a great trip. You are brave to drive all that way…but I agree, flying would have been much worse.
Your family is beautiful.

Teresa - There is just nothing like a game at Allen Field House!! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

Melanie - You haven’t lost your mind so I guess it was a good trip:) That far in the car with 5 kids is taking on a lot of noise! LOL!

shay - You should have gone up there when Jeff’s team was playing KU. He could have given you seats behind the bench since we did not go with him

kristine - so fun! love all those bright, bold colors!!

Valerie - Looks like a super duper family time and there’s nothing that beats that.

Kate B. - Beware of the Phog! Good times!

Mandsjplusc - I’m not sure I can read your blog anymore… 🙂 M-I-Z!

Niki - Rock Chalk!!! Love it! Man, you guys are awesome parents!

Taryn - Candy, you are ageless!!!!!! That will be you, Meg! Hope to see you over Christmas…love ya!

Rach - Oh how I miss slumber parties. How great to have such a big family.

Sandy - That first picture of you & Annie is adorable! You should frame it.
More fun family memories for the Duerksen family!!

Rebecca Kriner - I wish you would tell us these things BEFORE your trip!!!! I would have loved to have met you at a rest stop or taco bell along the way…to think a celebrity was SOOOOOOO close..

Beth - Nothing like a great KU b-ball game! I’m a born and bread MU Tiger, but I DO love KU (my big brother was a Jayhawk 🙂

Amanda Brown - Looks like a lot of fun 🙂 jealous!
http://notsocountry.blogspot.com/

pam - Oh how I miss those Rock Chalk days….in the 70’s it was so much easier to get into games as a student…well really easier for anyone. That place is magical when the chant starts.

Mindy - Rock Chalk! There’s nothing like going to Allen Fieldhouse, is there? Love it!

april - That looks awesome…..so many smiling faces!!! Glad you had a great thanksgiving!!!

Molly - ROCK CHALK!

Katie - I think it is great that you have such a fun family filled life (outside the blog) and then you share some of it with us. You do a lot of things and then we find out about it afterwards…good boundaries (in my opinion).

Shana - See? You DO like sports!!!

Keri from GA! - Hope you enjoyed Atlanta and all the holiday traffic!!!

elizabeth highsmith - so if you ever come BACK to atlanta sans coke a cola shinanigans sans big family holiday and schedule photo shoots I am so all in! can’t wait to find out what you did in my town! when i see colorful things I always think of you!

jody - I love the pictures of the Jayhawk game—looks like so much fun!!

Jenny Joy - Love it! So much fun!!! I especially love the photo of Annie clapping wildly. We should all have photos of ourselves with THAT much joy plastered all over our faces! 🙂

amanda - Im from Missouri so you know what I have to say about the Jayhawks…….hahaha!! Just kidding, I hope you had a wonderful holiday. I cant’ wait to hear about the rest of your trip 🙂

Kimberlee J. - Sean is turning into Craig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tasha roe - wooo hooooo!!! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!!! I’m lovin’ it!

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - LOVE it!! Those are great pics Meg. I feel like I was there. Can’t wait to see Atlanta. I hope you show those. I’ve had that city on my mind…job prospect for Honey.

christy - Looks like soo much fun!!

Holly - How fun! That is a long drive but it sure seems like ya’ll made it into great memories!

Jen - Childhood memories with cousins are the best kind. Your kids are blessed! I still think about times with cousins as a kid and I’m 33 now 🙂 So glad you had a good, safe trip. x

Heather Richter - Rock…Chalk…Jayhawk! That is so cool. Hours of a car trip…not so much. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

kristi rediske - I am jealous-I have wanted to go to a Jayhawk game and have never been able to go! I am a grandma myself-HA! Looks like you had a blast-fun family memories.

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