12.30: Till Next Time

I almost forgot to show you which team placed LAST in our UFC competition…

UFC Rules:  This lovely lil loser trophy (see trophy on the left) must be prominently displayed somewhere about the residence of the losing team.

You already know that the winner plaque currently resides with US! :)

Now take your final guess as to who took home the loser trophy…

Eeerrmmm… it was none other than…

 G-Force!

If you live in KC feel free to verify that this trophy has been prominently displayed about their residence ;)

In all seriousness, these two are the heart of our family.  They are my heroes.  He is our fearless leader—passionate, simple, hardworking, genuine, trustworthy, diligent, strong, unwavering, wise, funny, insightful, humble, courageous…

She is love personified—kind, compassionate, a servant, gentle, quiet in spirit, faithful, joyful, never without hope, patient…

When I grow up I want to be like them.    

 

Goodbye my dear family.  I love you.  I already miss you.  The house is too quiet without you.  I am grateful for our time together.  Grateful for answered prayers.  Grateful for each one of you :)

12.29: Christmas Vacation Comes To A Close

 

There’s something special about childhood.

And today, as she actually came with us on our morning walk, my sister was reminiscing about how our childhood was “the greatest!”

I completely agree.  It was.

We had the best childhood.

This Christmas reminded me A LOT of those days.

Playing together.  Laughing together.  Being silly together.  Sitting around the dinner table together.  Fellowshipping together…

And in the words of our dear friend Jason, “This Christmas is one I will remember for many years to come.”

Tonight was our last night all together.  What did we do?  We kept on celebrating...  

Tomorrow our dear brother turns 25…  So tonight, with all of us together, we had a lil birthday celebration! 

Such an honor to celebrate with Derek.  I ♥ this guy.  We all do!

Like his dad, he’s a visionary… I could fill a book with all his wicked good ideas…

When he smiles, he really smiles.

He’s not the type to wear his heart on his sleeve…

With him, you have to look much harder… you must be patient…

And he will surprise you.

He is handsome.

 He is strong.

At 25, Derek’s race has already taken him many places in life, some good, some not.      

At 25, he’s working hard, dreaming big.

At 25, he’s asking hard questions… GOOD questions.

At 25, he’s still my little brother, and I’m so proud to be his sister. 

12.25: Christmas Day ♥

We anticipated a beautiful day together.  Laughter & blessings.  It was just that and more.  Blessings upon blessings.

A precious gift I will forever treasure.

Together with Matt’s family.  Together with my family.  Close family, old friends, new friends; all together for this long-anticipated celebration.

Together at Sunday morning service, worshiping our Savior

Together exchanging gifts around the twinkling tree

Together in the kitchen

Together around the dinner table

Together with mugs of coffee and slices of pumpkin pie

Together circled round in the living room to discuss “What it means to KNOW God”

Together praising our Savior for who He is

Together trying to articulate His incomprehensible love

Together rejoicing that this incomprehensible God has made a way for us to KNOW Him

To say that today was a very special day is an understatement

Today, for me, was one for the highlight reel

:)

And then, without further ado, (enter theme music) it was time to “Let the Games Begin!”

UFC1 was all at once underway.  Official contender introductions were made.  The grand prize revealed (a 40'' flat screen TV).  Winner and loser trophies were brought out and prominently displayed.

Jason had previously sent in his “warm-up” video. We played it on the projector for all to see :)

Have I told you yet that tonight was completely full of laughter?  I’m not sure if I ever stopped smiling.

To kick-off round one of our lil 3-day competition, UFC 1 brought to us The Newlywed Game!

Each couple was put on the spot, answering a series of questions about their teammate.  Lots of great stories were shared.  Even MORE laughter was had :)

Can you guess who won?

In dramatic fashion it all came down to 2 teams who had tied for first place.  Facing off in a sudden death match to settle tonight’s score, it was…

Grannylicious   Vs.   Mr. & Mrs. Claws

Sienna & Grandma (who live in different states) Vs. Matt and Me (who have been married for 6 years)

Final guesses people...

Emerging victorious it was none other than:

Grannylicious!!!

(Go granny, go granny, go!)

It was I who choked in the sudden-death face off… in the drama and excitement of it all!  I had 2 answers written down on the paper.  One of my answers was, in fact, right.  But it seems I chose the wrong one.

What a wonderful CHRISTmas day!  

12.24: They're Here!

It’s Christmas Eve and my heart is so full.  Our stockings are hung.  The tree is shining bright.  Our family arrived safe and sound!  All feels as it should be.

12.24: Mueller Family Christmas

I must tell you that I ♥ being apart of this family.  They are gold.

I also ♥ their Christmas Day tradition of a late morning breakfast, complete with all the fancy trimmings.  It has become "our" tradition too, one we always look forward too.

We added a chair to our table this year.  Woo Woo!  Love her!    

These two are THE GREATEST!  Like I said before, I ♥ being apart of this family!

Watch out Santa's... this is what could happen to you if you run into my other mother.  She makes me laugh.

We found this next gift for Jean eight months ago.  Last Christmas there was much laughter over the "Poo-lar-bear" present she bought Chris.  Now she has her own version :)

Oh, the many faces of Cali...  She was apparently not happy that someone was else was sitting on her comfy couch spot.

Thank you parents for a lovely Christmas morning!!! 

Daily Tide 12.23: UFC Christmas {the prelude}

This Christmas is going to be extraordinary...

Very. Very. Special!!!

For a lot of reasons...

Reason #1.  Because we will be celebrating our Savior :)

Reason #2.  Matt's family & my family & a few close friends will ALL be here...

All together for Christmas...

We're beyond excited!

Want to see a snippet of our "Christmas" email that Matt sent out to our family...

Ready?

Good.

Ladies and Gentlemen, get ready for the main family event of the year!!!  Introducing to you today: UFC 1!!!

Our inaugural ULTIMATE FAMILY COMPETITION will be coming to you live December 25^th from California’s own inland empire. 

Featuring five rounds of fierce competition in the UFC’s light to heavyweight division and 16 warriors paired into 8 ferocious teams…"

There you have it.... our UFC Christmas prelude :)
The teams each sent in their own team name...
Do you wanna meet our contenders?  

Can you guess which one belongs to Matt & I?


Ok, I'll give you a hint... Matt did NOT grown up with Santa Claus... I, however, very much did...


I remember finding out this little, unknownst to me, fact while gathered around his parent's dinner table... 
Pretty sure I did not have time to catch/alter/mask the apparent confusion that played across my face...  
Oh, the horror of it... No Santa Claus???


Six years later, we have yet to resolve if Santa Claus will one day visit our kiddos... 
But we do have lots of happy memories as we playfully banter over the issue...
& every year my mom buys Matt something Santa Claus... :)


So have you guessed which team name belongs to us?
Yes, I think you have...


In the spirit of our first ever combined Mueller/Rothaus Christmas... 
And in honor of two becoming one, with a lil playful rivalry to boot; this Christmas Matt and I =
Mr. & Mrs. CLAWS!!!


The family arrives in two short days!  And, pretty sure you already know this but, we can't wait!
Yes, we are anticipating the upcoming games, the fun that is sure to be had...
We're looking forward to moments of laughing so hard it hurts and lots of yummy food...


But this year also, more than any other year,
Will be about savoring the REAL meaning of Christmas.
This year is about being together...
Creating memories...
About enjoying Him and each other!


Hope you are doing the same.  
Have a very BLESSED Christmas my friends!

Christmas 2010 :)

Twas Saturday morning Christmas, and all through the house,

Brilliant rays of sunshine purged away our drowse,

Our beloved family together, something’s in the air; yes, that’s it… so much warmth and care,

All are ready, for our family breakfast affair.

It’s our first year at home, this won’t be dull,

Gathered around the table, stuffing our bellies oh so full,

Till the time has come, for Matt’s new tradition,

Competing on the Wii, vying for top present-opening position.

The competition tough, archery, golf, and sword-fighting,

Next time you know, to be quick like lightening,

(But of course) the boys are set to open first,

Chris’s first three presents, were definitely the worst.

I’ve never laughed so hard, in all my life,

Just remember, it was from your wife,

The POO-lar-bear present, which does what you think,

After eating his dinner… out it comes, dink!

Thank you for your abundant kindness, so many wonderful gifts,

Load them up on the new beach cart; it’s ready to lift,

Now head for the ocean, it’s our favorite place,

To walk along the sand, at a casual pace.

Our annual Christmas tradition, a stroll down the pier,

So blessed we are, to we have the ocean so near,

Admiring the beauty, of God’s great creation,

Remembering WHY we have Christmas, fills my heart with elation.

There we were, staring out over the dock,

Below, the lovely whisper of water, swelling against the rocks,

Till evening fell and it was time to go,

Nope, I don’t miss living in the snow.

Now at the parents, eating turkey dinner,

Thankful CHRIST came to save us, once enslaved sinners,

This day is special and there’s one thing you should know,

God made a way for us, because He loves us so.