Como-winter version

We headed to Como just before Christmas in hopes of catching some warmth in the Conservatory. Not only that, but Lincoln has been begging to see the tigers for quite some time. Sometimes when we enter the sunken garden area, we get a picture like the one above. And sometimes we get one like the photo below of Lincoln... 😦

It just cracks me up! 

I took what felt like a bazillion photos, and yet this one describes the moment perfectly. Sidney was compliant, Lincoln wanted nothing to do with pictures and Regan was having fun mocking her little bro. 

It's not always roses with this crew! 

I adore the sunken garden. Always have and probably always will. As I snapped pictures, I told the girls that some day, they could have a wedding in there! Sidney was intrigued and I'm pretty sure she is already planning that ceremony :)  

We came upon these wild looking spiky plants and I giggled, telling Regan to sit next to it. You see, her hair has all these wild curly strands that have a mind of their own; and they look identical to this plant. 

Let's take a closer look at that thing....

 Even she couldn't help but laugh at the resemblance. 

Ryan was quick and snagged a somewhat blurry picture of me with the kids (ok so there were 5 other photos just like this where someone wasn't looking at the camera!). The background of this place made us feel like we were all in a warmer climate, which was just what we all needed on a chilly morning. 

Oh that cheesy smile, how I love our 4 year old spunky, full of energy little boy. 

He drives us batty some  most days, and he wakes at 5am no matter what time he goes to sleep. But I remind Ryan a lot that these moments in time won't last forever. Sure he asks for 2 hugs before bedtime, and begs for the other parent to re-enter the room for yet another "good night", then yells for another drink of water. You get the picture. As we know, these kids grow up quickly, and we know he won't stay little too much longer.  

Following all of my picture taking in the warm conservatory climate, we headed out to the frozen tundra and took in all of the animals. TWICE. 

That little animal loving boy made us do the loop of animals two times. We had a great morning and Como continues to be one of our favorite family activities. 

Slowing down, silly fun

I've been trying hard to push the "pause" button this month. Doing things like putting down my phone, soaking in the kids and simply enjoying the moment. Our days have been so full between incredibly demanding roles at work, 3 super active children who are all striving for our attention and phones that go buzz buzz buzz requiring replies to emails, attention to lost packages and stolen identities (sadly, yes that too is occurring).

But when we slow down a little and let go of everything for a moment, we see what's really important to us. And the smiles on those faces make it all worth the tasks piling up on the other end!

Christmas celebrations

Tis the season for all of the Christmas celebrating. We are in the middle of some good times around here, song-singing, music-playing, cookie-eating fun. Oh and don't forget the shopping...that seriously is one of my most favorites! We're full into Christmas mode around here.

This past weekend was a doozey, with my own work Christmas party (ugly sweaters and all!), some school music programs (with kids performing all of 8 minutes!), and my brother and Jon in town for our first family Christmas celebration. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, buzzing here there and everywhere yet soaking in all of the time together.

At one point, amidst all of the present chaos, a fat Santa glass ornament went tumbling off our Christmas tree and rolled towards the group. Since no one was near the tree at the time, Ryan chuckled that it was a squirrel. My mom and I looked at each other and in unison said "or someone....", knowing full well what the other was thinking. We sure missed my dad this weekend, with his antics and our traditionally exchanged gag gift, but at that moment, I knew he was with us. In some form, he's here and I take comfort in his presence.

We had a great time this weekend, eating and baking to our hearts content. Leaves me wishing every weekend was Christmas!

My favorite 4 legged friend

I know I've mentioned it before....I have a 4 legged friend who doesn't belong to me but treats me like he does! My good friend at work has a service dog-Baylor, who I love just like my own! He sure makes being at work so much more pleasant, who wouldn't love having a dog around the office!? Every morning, while Angie scoots past my office door to the printer, he trots in for a good morning hello. Some times, after a long weekend, or a vacation, he will bounce in like a bunny, ears flopping and all excited to say hello! Seriously, he cracks me up. It makes me giggle when I scroll through my photos in my phone and find pictures of Baylor like he was my own :) 

Sometimes he sits at my feet, sometimes he follows me out the door. No matter what, I love that fluffy golden and am so glad Angie doesn't make me abide by his "no petting" sign! 

Winter wedding

We were fortunate enough to be able to spend a most lovely evening with my best friend and some 100 of her closest friends and families as she got married this December. The kids can only ever remember being at outdoor weddings (something my great aunt scowls at...."weddings should be done in the church!"), so when I told the kids that Kari's wedding was at a hotel, they were utterly confused. Sidney swore she was getting married in an apartment! You know, hotels---apartments, they're all the same ;) 

It was a beautiful evening and we had an awesome time slowing down and enjoying the night. The kiddos danced the night away, having a great time with the friends we love like family. 

Congrats Kari and Lyle! We are so excited for your family! 

Christmas season

Following Thanksgiving, it suddenly felt that the Christmas season was quickly upon us! We headed out on a warm November Friday and picked out our tree at the usual spot. It's a local distributor and they entice us with free sleigh rides! And photos with the Big Man himself. There also happens to be an incredible playground nearby and the kids played while Ryan and I found the perfect tree. Proved to be the perfect combination.

We spent the weekend decorating and talking about Christmas and Lincoln honestly thought he was going to get presents from Santa each  night. Every night, he went to bed and announced Santa would be coming because it was CHRISTMAS! Despite our efforts to remind him it was only the "Christmas SEASON". He prevailed.

Our Elf-Ellie made an early return one morning too. Back story, Sidney lost a tooth and was so excited for the Tooth Fairy to come overnight. The next morning, with tears in her eyes, she opened the bathroom door while I was getting ready for work and informed me the fairy hadn't come. She crawled back into bed feeling deflated. Thankfully, with some quick thinking, the Elf appeared in our newly decorated tree with a note and $5 she had kept safe from the Tooth Fairy. Sidney came down the stairs eventually and her eyes were as big as saucers when she saw 1) that Ellie was back and 2) her tooth money! Win for mom ;) And that elf has been up to no good ever since!

We've done (a lot) of shopping, scouring the stores for deals and Regan even asked to check out the Black Friday hoopla with me. It was sure a fun afternoon hanging out with her. We 've pulled out all of our Christmas decorations and decked the halls, inside and out.
We're gearing up for some ugly Christmas sweater parties and cannot wait to take a family picture with those things. I found this one for Ryan and he nearly gagged at the sight! ha!!

The Christmas parties have started and there are more on the calendar. I was able to make the trek back to New Ulm for a party on my mom's side with Regan as my side kick. I had to chuckle as we chatted that afternoon...."boy these parties sure have changed!". What used to be a rocking night of music, drinks, games and pranks, has turned into a Sunday afternoon in a retirement community lounge room with coffee and hotdish! :) But I sure love these faces and was happy to be in their company and with the group of 40 some people that day.

There's more Christmas to come, more shopping to do and baking to start. My goal is to slow down a little too, it's been 'run here, race there' lately and I'm hopeful for some more nights in with this little family of my own.