Water Park

Over President's Day weekend we took the kids to a local waterpark for two nights. Inside the Holiday Inn Maple Grove is a big water park with two three story water slides, lily pad crossing, basketball, and an area for the little ones. The kids loved the bunk bed, the game room and just being away from home. We spent most of the time in the hotel, though the one time we did go outside was only across the parking lot. We brought them to Dave & Buster's for the first time. It was so crazy in there! The wait to eat was an hour at 4pm on a Saturday so we decided to play first then go back to the hotel to eat. The kids were having a blast while we chased them around carrying their coats and game tickets, kept track of their cards, pointed them towards games they could play and finally helped them pick out their prizes. The moms were exhausted and over stimulated. Overall the weekend was really fun, we were glad to have some quality time together.

 

 bunk bed

 



lily pad crossing

in the gondola

view of the slides, bball and lily pads

view of the little kids area

the seats moved with the video

1000 tickets!!

guarding the air hockey goal

trying to rally

Science Fun

This winter was absolutely brutally cold. On a particularly frigid day I concocted a few science experiments. The kids didn't have a long attention span for them but enjoyed them anyway.  First we used food coloring in milk and used a cotton swab with dish soap on it to see what it did to the colors. Then we used liquids to see them separate out due to their type (safflower oil, water, & dish soap). And ended with two showings of the boiling water into mist when thrown into the -22 degree air (no photos for safety reasons). After they moved on to other things I made the set up for frozen luminaries. I learned that it took longer to freeze then I thought. They didn't turn out perfectly but it was still fun to try.

 

food coloring runs away from dish soap in milk

 

Only works a time or two then they stirred the colors together

 

oil on top, water in middle, dish soap on bottom

 

Set up for frozen luminaries

Chrstmas Day 2013

After opening gifts at home we went to Grandma and Grandpa Millner's house. Of course there were more gifts to open. We drank mimosas, ate caramel rolls and egg bake and watched the kids open their piles of gifts. It sure seems to get out of hand! They loved every one and were ready to continue the celebration at the Bloom's house. The kids did pretty well with such a busy and over stimulating holiday. Thanks to all of those who thought of us during the holiday season with cards, gifts or even a text. We are blessed!

 

 

 

cousins

 

Not a bad photo of us

 

with Gma and Gpa

 

 

Leo nearly buried in gifts

 

Her pile was just as big

 

 

Heather and Reed

 

I love this pose

 

Hotwheels jump for the tub!

 

Our Viking princess

 

 

Jen's cousin's gift, a book of our 2013 stories

 

Dessert time

 

Dessert time

 

 

Our Minnesota family

Christmas Morning 2013

Christmas morning Dru came to our room and was so excited that Santa had been there! She was jumping up and down with joy! I think it was around 6:45am. We said we needed to wake up Leo before we went to the living room. Leo wasn't (and isn't) a fan of being woken up but he knew it was for a good reason. Dru lead him to see what Santa had brought. They started with their stockings then passed out the gifts. I think they both had a great morning!

 

 

unicorn and penguin lights

 

 

Looks like a they must have been good

 

happy kids

Christmas Eve 2013

Ok, so I realize I am behind. With the wedding planning, the blog had to take a back seat. So here is my attempt to catch up! 

We spent Christmas Eve with the Roboles like we do each year. Julie made sure to have the bottles of Coke for the boys since she couldn't find the right ones last year and figured they wouldn't miss it. Boy, was she wrong! We enjoy our time together since we don't see them as often as we'd like. The kids were spoiled as usual.

 

((((hugs))))

 

cousins (Jake, Dru, Nick, Leo, Zach)

 

Nice! She came through with the Coke!

 

Even the little ones got to have one this year

Church Christmas Program

Both kids again performed in the church Christmas program. They both enjoy performing and we enjoyed watching them learn the songs and then perform them. This was the first year Dru spent the entire program in the front on the risers. She did seem to lose interest near the end but made it without incident. Leo sang his songs then came back to sit with us. All four grandparents were able to watch them sing as well. Here are some videos to enjoy!

 

"Get Ready"

 

 

 

 

 

Leo's Daycare Christmas Program

On Saturday December 14th Leo and his class performed two songs and a little sketch for us. Here are the songs they sang. He just couldn't leave his tie alone. Goof. They did really well, I love watching little kids sing. He is one who will let us in on little bits of what he learns whether it be songs or anything else. It is nice to have a time when we see him put it all together.

 

 

Ready to sing

 

Leo and his buddy Louden

 

Ali, Austin, Louden, Leo, and Alex