Christmas

 excitement over an mp3 player

Ada's AG doll (that came to her used a few years ago) was falling apart. So I decided her gift would be that we would fix Kirsten all up. I put it off for a long time because it seemed like an impossible task. Then Kevin stepped in and it turns out fixing AG dolls is a hidden talent of his. Too bad his gifting didn't extend to her hair, which is a little hopeless, but braids helped. Ada was happy to see her again all in one piece. 

 Ada got Granny's old typewriter. The kids were in awe of it, which seems funny given all the technology they have access to. But words that appear on paper when you hit the key was just fascinating.

 Mickey is a favorite with Kevin and Joe

Sadly, Carolyn was really ill. We didn't know how sick she was because she never complains and has a high pain tolerance, but as the day wore on it became apparent she needed extra care. She ended up in the ER and in the hospital overnight. We were so sad to have her missing! 

She came home the next day and we were so glad she was doing much better with nothing serious wrong with her.

We ended 2017 back in Indiana with my family minus Emily and her crew who were in Thailand. We welcomed the New Year with great food, a game tournament, and skating on a frozen pond.