Let's Go Sledding!

Christmas morning Annika wanted to go sledding in the backyard.  It's amazing how much joy a child can get from playing in the snow.  Annika got all of these great new toys and was just as happy to play in the snow for 20 minutes.  Seeing your child have such fun and be so happy is the best gift ever.

Our Christmas present this year...

This year, Monica found a great idea that we decided to try.  The premise is, we each took 6 months and designed a Date Night for that month and place it in an envelope.  At the beginning of each month we will open the envelope and at some point during the month, we will go on our pre-designed Date Night.  My parents have agreed to help us with daycare so we can have the freedom to be creative.  We will be chronicling the experience as the year goes on.  

Santa Toys

 Annika asked Santa for an iPad, a new phone, and a set of keys.  So that is what Santa brought.  Good thing he brought the chairs too.  Looks like she needed a comfortable place to sit as she worked.

More Christmas Fun

 Once again Jan got the kids their Christmas outfits.  Once again, we didn't make it to church because the kids were sick.  So, on Christmas afternoon we got them dressed and headed to Jan and Greg's for lunch and more presents.  I love Annika's dress this year.  It has the cutest gray and pink coat that matches, and of course I didn't get a picture.  Asher looks pretty pathetic in all of the pictures, but he really was feeling okay and had a good time.  The kids were good sports about pictures, but as soon as we were done Annika had to change into her pajamas.  We spent the rest of the day and night playing with all the new toys.  

Merry Christmas

I was so very excited about Christmas this year.  Annika understood everything and could hardly wait for Santa to come.  When he did he brought each kid a new chair, Annika her iPad, and Asher a cube to play with.  Once in the living room Annika wanted to help Asher get his stuff out of his stocking and then she realized she had her own and started playing.  We had to keep reminding her she had more presents to unwrap because she wanted to play with each new toy.  The morning was perfect and fun and I wouldn't change a thing.

Christmas Eve

Normally my mom comes up and we go to Jan and Greg's for Christmas Eve.  But this year we didn't do that.  Both kids came down with pink eye the day before and Asher's eyes were really bad.  My mom still came up but we decided to stay home and Jan and Greg came to our house.  It was a nice, quite day and soon it was time for cookies and beer for Santa and then off to bed.  As you can see, Annika thought Santa would be very hungry from all his stops so she loaded up a huge plateful of cookies.  After the kids were finally asleep, Santa came and everything was ready for the morning.

Santa

We went to visit our favorite Santa at Von Maur department store.  Not only does he look great, he's such a gentle and compassionate individual who's great with the kids, even during awkward phases.  It was our third time with Annika, and Santa and the photographer remembered her.  Asher was not so impressed, but Santa snuggled him, and at least we got a great picture out of our child's trauma.

Happy Thanksgiving

We decided to try and be healthier and lose weight for the last 6+ months, so Monica and I thought we'd continue that trend by doing the Turkey Day 5k on Thanksgiving morning.  It was pretty cold, so we bundled up the kids, who walked with Mom and Dad.  I am so proud of Monica, she's worked so hard, losing 40 lbs over the summer, and trained for over 3 months in order for her to complete her first 5k.  She ran the whole way, even after having some technical difficulties with her headphones.  I think it will not be her last :)