Happy New Year!

We celebrated Christmas on my side of the family over New Year's. Here Benjamin and Ada are enjoying some sparkling non-alcoholic bubbly! They loved it but drank too much as they each ended up with a belly ache.

A Few of Our Favorite Toys...

Benjamin and Ada kept asking Santa for a couple of things. Benjamin wanted a dinosaur rock and a camera. Ada wanted a dollhouse and a stroller for her babies. These two must have been good this year as they each got what they asked for. They were each so excited to open their gifts this year. It was so much fun watching them get into opening presents. Ada would have to tear hers open slowly and remove every piece of paper and tape while Benjamin ripped into his and would have been done with all his presents in .2 seconds flat if we let him! You should have seen Benjamin's face when he opened his dino rock--it was priceless and he was so excited! Dave couldn't get Ada's baby stroller opened fast enough! She had to take all her babies for a ride. Benjamin even got to give his dinos a ride in the stroller. We had such a wonderful time being snowed in at home, watching the kids play with their new toys, playing family games like Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, Go Fish, and even checkers. We watched a movie and even played some computer games and a few games on the Wii. It was just so nice being together as a family.

The Night Before Christmas in Hartford...

Benjamin and Ada enjoyed putting out cookies for Santa and taking in all the Christmas magic. They really got into looking at Christmas lights and all the different Christmas decorations. They enjoyed reading the Christmas Story and the Night Before Christmas. Unfortunately with all the snow that we received and the Christmas Blizzard we were unable to go to church. This was our first holiday at our house in Hartford and we were really looking forward to going to our church for Christmas Mass. We were really bummed. We read stories, read from the bible, and had the televised service on tv but it was not the same. We enjoyed our holiday together as a family and really liked our relaxed atmosphere and the idea that we didn't have to go any where was nice. The snow hampered our church plans but we really didn't mind being snowed in all together. It was actually kinda nice. Both Ada and Benjamin enjoyed their "goodies" in their Christmas stockings. We love watching their excitement on their faces. Alot of what they get are practical things like a toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, etc. They each get their favorite candy and a few other miscellaneous items. Being home together for the weekend must not have been too bad as Benjamin declared this the best Christmas ever! Dave and I both agree with Benjamin and think this was the best Christmas ever as we were able to spend at our home together as our little family.

Merry Christmas from our Family to Yours!!

Sweet Siblings...

Every year Dave and I give the kids new pj's for Christmas. We let them open up their pj's on Christmas Eve so they can wear them Christmas morning while they open up presents. Who would have thought that this Christmas would be the perfect pajama day (due to all that snow we received-more on that later)? Here the kids are showing off their new pj's. Don't they look so precious?

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

The kids and I make a birthday cake for Jesus every Christmas. This year we (they) decided to make a Christmas tree one. I frosted the tree green and then they came up with ideas to decorate it. Benjamin was pretty proud of our cake. He couldn't wait to eat it!

Cookie Making...

The last few years my family gets together at my sister's house for Christmas cookie baking. Benjamin loves helping and this year was no exception! We made his favorite cookies--Andes Mint Cookies--thanks Grandma S for the recipe! We missed the perfect picture--Benjamin and Ada working like busy bees unwrapping all the Andes mints. They didn't even attempt to eat one (both of the kiddos love those mints) which was a shocking surprise for Dave and I. When it came time to put the mints on the cookies that's where the mints started to disappear. Benjamin said he just couldn't help himself. It was a very busy weekend but we got all the baking done.

Look Mommy, I decorated!!

Ada has always been a little ham when it comes to getting her picture taken. One morning she pointed to the camera and she ran over to the Christmas tree and stood there looking so proud. She had taken some blue garland and decorated our Christmas tree with it. She was so proud of herself. She could have had her picture taken all morning long if we would have had time. Doesn't she look so old?

Round Three--Our Christmas

Benjamin and Ada were so cute on Christmas morning. They woke up and gave each the biggest hug I have seen them share. These two love each other and get along so well. They each get upset when they can't see each other. Now, don't let me fool you, they have their days when they are on each others nerves but overall they are the best of friends and I really hope that their relationship continues like this. As you can see we had to read each book after it was opened up! I am so glad that these two love to read but I really didn't expect to be reading each book after they opened them. It sure made the day ours and that being together was the most important thing we could be doing.

We made waffles, an egg bake, and orange julius for brunch/dinner on Christmas Day. We had potato soup and chili for supper. Speaking of food, we made pizza on Christmas Eve. Dave and I look forward to continuing our Christmas traditions with our children and look forward to the day when we take them to Christmas Eve mass. For now, we go on Christmas Day.

We had a wonderful Christmas and we look forward to many more traditions and memories!!

Our Christmas

Santa came and both kids were excited! Benjamin and Ada were both really into opening presents and seeing what each other got. They liked opening a present and helping each other out with opening each other's present and of course stopping to play with some along the way. Santa brought the kids some books, a Diego rescue pack with card games inside, safari animals, tractor, dolly, and a few puzzles. We have a small tree so it didn't take much for it to look full. Dave and I enjoyed seeing the excitement on the kids faces as they opened their gifts.

Our Christmas Eve

Since we did so much traveling over the Christmas Holiday and during December we decided to hold off on our Christmas for a little while. We actually did our Christmas before any of us had gotten sick. Since we are just starting to get back in the saddle with feeling better and getting caught up with everything I finally have time to post "our Christmas".

Dave and I always give the kids pj's on Christmas Eve so that they have something nice to sleep in (especially, with all the running we do that way I am sure that they are clean). After we put Ada down for bed we let Benjamin open one of his gifts from us. As you can tell we gave him the game, "Candyland". He loves it! He likes counting like a school kid and playing games with us. He was trying to bribe Dave into playing one of Dave's games (way to advanced for Benjamin) and Dave kept saying, "soon enough, soon enough". The three of us had a great time playing Candyland but Benjamin prefers spending time with his dad (that noise you hear is me sniffling). I think Benjamin is ready for Chutes and Ladders but he will have to wait until his birthday for that (unless the Easter Bunny brings along a surprise).

Benjamin was pretty excited about Christmas but he did not want Santa to come into his house and bring any presents.

Easter 2008

We spent Easter 2008 with my side of the family at my parent's place in Glenwood, MN. We had a good time eating, visiting, and more eating! The sugar cookies that Benjamin and I made were a hit. I also brought along Rice Krispie Bars and a Pistachio Bundt Cake. Trust me, no one left hungry.

It was fun seeing my sister Carrie and her husband Matt, my brother Craig and his fiance Stephanie, my brother Colin, and my parents. Corey decided not to come home due to a "final" that he needed to study for. It's getting rarer and rarer that we are all home at the same time any more. Needless to say, Benjamin kept his aunt, uncles, and grandparents entertained and busy!

He enjoyed playing with grandma and grandpa's puzzles and reading books. When we left SD we had no snow here (there was a little beside the road, and here and there but no real snow covering). Except for our front yard which looks like a no-till farmer (slow to melt snow and warm up). When we got to MN they had snow everywhere. Uncle Craig greeted us with a snowman that he made.