From the Hills to Hillbillies

Sausage Making 101

Greg got a sausage maker for Christmas and is now obsessed with making his own sausage. Personally, I prefer just to buy it like a normal person from the grocery store, but no, we have make our own. Who makes their own sausage anyway? Hillbillies. That's who. So there we were on Sunday afternoon making our own sausage. I am mad because I think the whole idea is ridiculous, Greg is on cloud nine, and Jace is screaming in the background. He didn't want the bratwurst getting all the attention. It was quite an experience.

"My own sausage...this is a dream come true!"
"Hmm... I wonder how I can monetize this" (Greg is always trying to make a buck when he can)
"It's either bratwurst or me... you choose!"

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration.  When we returned from California, we quickly came home did only the laundry we had to, and took off again for LaPorte.  We spent Christmas Eve with the entire Tonagel clan and had a great time.  Jace got some great gifts from his friends and family.  He received tons of clothes, books, toys, stuffed animals, and his very first pair of Nike shoes (Greg, of course, is most excited about this particular gift).  

The following day we were able to visit with Greg's high school friend Jeff Ballard and his wife Kristin who had triplets this past August.  They are absolutely adorable and incredibly well behaved.  We took some pictures of Jace and their 3 little ones.  I can't even imagine Jace x 3!  Jeff and Kristin, you are amazing parents!  

Here is Jace with their only girl Abigail.  Don't they make a cute couple?



The most important part of our basketball season is now beginning, conference play.  The next couple months are probably the most busy and stressful months for Greg.  And as for Jace and I, we are planning a trip to Rhode Island to visit my family in February.  That's all for now. Hope everyone has a wonderful New Year!  

Cowabunga Dude!

Here are a few pictures taken of Jace before our trip. He is getting so big so fast!




We just got back from our wonderful trip to California and brr is it cold here! We had a great (and successful) trip. Our ball team won both games and Jace was such a trooper. I couldn't have asked for a better behaved baby! The trip out to Cali was long and tiring. From the time we left our house in Marion to the time we pulled in to our hotel parking lot was 16 hours. I was nervous about the time change affecting Jace but he stayed on his sleeping schedule (12 hours by the way)! We kept referring to time in "Jace time" or "Cali time". The sights were so beautiful and I am so glad I finally got to see California. I just got home and I already want to go back!

The guys were so helpful with Jace on the trip but especially during our travels. They continue to surprise me by their interest in him. Here are a couple things that happened with our guys and Jace during our trip.

Funny thing:
Unfortunately, the basketball team doesn't get much of a break over Christmas and they must be back on the Saturday night following Christmas for practice. We had just landed in Indianapolis and Greg told one of our players that if he could make Jace smile in 10 seconds he would cancel practice and they would get an extra day of vacation. Greg started counting "1, 2, 3..." Derrick, the chosen one, started making funny faces, silly noises, and goofy moves, but Jace was not budging. Finally as Greg starts to say 10 it looked like Jace was going to let out a big smile, but instead let out a big whale! He started crying hysterically! I have never seen him cry to hard. The whole plane was laughing and totally amused by this little ending to Greg's challenge (I think they were rooting for Derrick). See you boys on Saturday for practice...sorry!

The not-so-funny thing:
Our plane departing from Atlanta to Orange County was delayed (on top of a 4 hour layover). We were sitting in a congested, hot, dirty terminal for hours. I had to use the restroom, so I asked one of our players to hold Jace for me. I come back and see this older, Asian woman holding my baby! Apparently, she just came over and swooped Jace right out of his hands. She didn't speak any English and she seemed awful sweet so I wasn't upset with her, just at the team for letting this happen! Boy oh boy do we have some characters on our team. Hopefully, I will never have to come back to a strange person holding my baby ever again!







We are truly looking forward to celebrating our first Christmas with Jace. We can't wait to teach him about the way in which our Lord came to this earth. Enjoy celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus!

I think I missed my calling as a poet.

Life got good this past September
Let me recall what I remember

Two hours of pushing, screams, and moans
While Greg sat in the corner on his cell phone

We heard his first cry and shouted for joy
Could it really be another Tonagel boy?!

Our beautiful baby was born just 3 months ago
He had all ten fingers and all ten toes

We sat in awe of his beauty as we studied his face
Greg whispered in my ear "I think I'll name him Jace"

Nine months of swollen ankles, I'm finally done
We now have a beautiful, oh-so-worth-it son

And although being a mother includes hardships and tears
I know it will bring us happiness year after year