Visit From Friends

 

For 10 years Rick & Barb were our neighbors and friends. A few months before we moved into our house (2009) they moved to Arizona. They were in town for a holiday visit last week and stopped by to see the kids and so we could catch up. We miss them and wish they lived here in Minnesota so we could see them more often. They don't have any grandkids so it would be nice to have them near the kids. We hope to get down to Arizona this winter to see them again.

Mercury Mosaics

My mom, sister and I went to Mercury Mosaics on a recent Tuesday night. We were all new to this form of art but had a great time. We each had very different projects. I found it hard to smash the tiles to make the pieces or making a mess in general. We are responsible doing the grouting at home. So I hope to have that done before next year :)

 

 

Related or What!?

 

Concentrating

 

Making progress

 

 

My project

Both of our kids were born at 7:43pm (and on Thursdays)

Christmas Pageant

 

 Leo in his new apron ready to make our 2 dozen cookies for the pageant

 

Choosing and placing their sugar cookies

 

 

Leo didn't sing but seemed to enjoy being involved in the pageant

 

Our extrovert loved being "on stage" as usual and sang loudly and passionately :)

 

I had to add this photo of Mary holding a newborn baby Jesus who slept the whole time even when all of the kids were screaming "Go Tell It On The Mountain"

 

This was Leo's first time in the pageant and Dru's second. The little kids participate by singing while the older kids perform the story of the birth of Jesus. It is really cute though the little kids are on the floor where only the people in front can see them. So my photos of them were limited. I am definitely looking forward to watching them perform each year.

10,000 views!

On December 15, 2012 we reached a milestone on this blog! We now have over 10,000 views! It makes me happy to know you are out there keeping up with our family through this site. Just a few weeks before this we reached our 1 GB space limit. I invested in more space so there will be many years of updates to come. Thanks everyone who is a follower, regular visitor or just happens upon our site.

The Grinch

The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who came to the kids' school this past Wednesday night. He visited with the kids and then read us his story about when he stole Christmas. It was a really fun event, all (well most) of the kids were enthraled with him. There were snacks and activites for the kids as well.

 

 

Dru wasn't quite brave enough to go on her own, I don't blame her!

 

The Grinch read his story to us

 

The kids

Leo and his best buddy Louden

Santa 2012

 

Waiting our turn at the MOA Santa Experience

 

Next in line!

 

Santa checking in to make sure they are behaving

 

 

Priceless

 

This past Tuesday we went to see Santa and the kids did great. Dru asked for 2 princess Barbies, 1 King "Barbie" and a Cinderella Coach. Leo asked for a big Buzz Lightyear. As we now have an Elf on the Shelf (namesd Connalee) to watch the kids' behavior even more closely we'll see if Santa brings what they asked for. We also did Christmas card photos after we saw Santa so it was a busy morning.

My Big Sister's Birthday

We celebrated my sister's birthday this last Saturday. I won't tell you how old she is but she will always be older than me! Ha! Our mom made her annual meal request of German Potato Salad for dinner followed by lemon glaze cake for dessert. Happy Birthday, Heather!

Nice day at the MN Zoo

 The Tuesday before Thanksgiving, my mom and I took the kids to the zoo. We had a great time! Here are some photos of what we saw...

Dru sitting still for a quick moment

Sea Dragon

Lemurs

Black and While Colobus Monkey

Black Bear



HUGE Stingray

Grandma Sue making sure they don't fall in!

I guess it's time to go

Rides at MOA

Instead of a waterpark (because it came to our attention too late that they aren't open on Mondays), we decided to take the kids to the Mall of America for rides. This was the final "event" for Dru's birthday week. They each got an unlimited wristband so they were able ride a ton of rides. Dru went on the big rollercoaster for the first time and ab-so-lute-ly LOVED it!! We even went twice. They need some practice at the bumper cars but it was quite funny to watch. All four of us even braved the ghost shooting ride. It surprises me each time how brave Dru is and how much more they can do each time we go.

 

 

 

Do you think she liked this rollercoaster?

 

This was more his speed

 

I loved the poses in this one

 

She still enjoys the little kid rides (for now)

 

He finally figured out the button!

 

She chose the #5 truck and was yelling at us as she went by

Dru's Birthday Party

Yesterday we celebrated Dru's birthday! She is definitely our princess as you can see by her cake. Family helped us celebrate and joined us for dinner. She loved being the center of attention and loved all of her gifts. Thanks all who helped us celebrate her 5th birthday!

 

 

Dru's Birthday Extravaganza

Dru's birthday was a whirlwind of special activities, she was definitely the birthday princess from sun up to sun down. We sang to her before school with a candle in her donut and she opened one of her gifts. At school the day was dedicated to her. She really enjoyed birthday bingo with her friends. Her choice for dinner was Wendy's so the 4 of us went to dinner where she opened cards she received in  the mail. Back at home she opened a few more gifts, she had asked for the Princess Castle so was pretty excited. She had a spectacular first day of being FIVE!!

 

 

Dru 5 Year Photos

Here are a few of the photos from Dru's 5 year photos. We went to the St. Kate's campus in St. Paul specifically for the aqua cathedral door. The ducks came right up to Dru as soon we came up to the pond. She loved it. It was a dreary day but luckily it didn't rain while we were there.

(amandaleaphoto.com)

 

 

 

 

 

Reed is Seven!

 

Our nephew, Reed, just had his GOLDEN BIRTHDAY!!! He had us over for his birthday party this past Saturday. We had dinner and cupcakes followed by seeing him open gifts. We look forward to watching you grow and learn!

Halloween 2012

 

Cinderella!

 

This was Leo's first year he was willing to wear a costume, this was the one and only photo with him wearing the helmet. He even got to pick it out.

The first house we visited

 



 

Back at G & G's house, tired, bags full and ready to have a few pieces of candy.

 

Every year we head to my parent's house for "Halloween Soup" then head out for trick or treating. This year the weather was perfect, around 50 degrees. Just a little fall chill in the air. They definitely had more energy this year as we added about another 5 houses. They had a great time and so did Grandpa John. Grandma Sue missed out this year, but don't feel sorry for her, she was in Arizona.

 

Happy Halloween!!