Happy Birthday Kelly!

Today is my sister-in-law Kelly's birthday! We hope you have an amazing day and can't wait to see you in New Orleans in a few weeks!

Snow Bunnies

Is there anything cutier then toddlers decked out in full snow gear? The girls "helped" Andy shovel the driveway this afternoon and it made me smile all day....

Ready to head outside

"Helping" daddy

Working so hard at getting some snow in that shovel

Christmas 2008

This Christmas has been incredible! It has been a whirlwind of family and festivities, gifts and giggles, excitement and exhaustion. Here is a brief photo recap of the last couple of days....

Making Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve

We went to Andy's Aunt Karen & Uncle Jim's House for Christmas Eve Dinner. We had a great time and the girls got a ton of super nice gifts. My sister-in-law Kelly brought her soon-to-be-husband Clive to Christmas for the first time so that was fun. He has been here before but never for the holidays. Thanks for a great night guys!

Our attempt at a family picture...

Sucking up to Santa one last time....

Santa came! Julia walked downstairs Christmas morning and said "He did come Mommy!" like there was maybe a little doubt that a fat bearded man was going to bring her presents.

Maria checking out her loot... As I guessed, despite putting an enormous amount of effort into getting them different things that I thought they would each like, they both just played with everything together. I guess I shouldn't complain, for the most part they share and play nice.

Julia with her Handy Manny tools. We set out her Barbie house and had a hard time tearing her away from it to open her other stuff because she was so excited.

THE MONEY SHOT! I can not tell you how many pictures have been taken of these 4 children together (Molly, Julia, Maria & Parker) and they never turn out. Someone is picking their nose or looking the other way or something. I LOVE THIS PICTURE! It was taken at my parents house where we went after the Santa Fiesta on Christmas morning. Grandma and Grandpa spoiled them like always, and even Andy and I a little too. (THANKS MOM & DAD!!) We had an awesome breakfast and the kids played and it was wonderful. It is always my favorite part of Christmas.

We went to my Aunt Patti and Uncle Ken's house in Hudson, WI Christmas afternoon and had a ton of fun. We ate to much and played a fun gift exchange game. My cousins kids were there and all the kids had so much fin playing. (I realized that I am no longer in the kid category anymore...) The picture above is my immediate family and for those of you who don't know I will list from left to right - Parker, brother-in-law John, my sister Missy with Molly, my brother Joe, my dad Roy, my mom Joan with Maria and then Andy, Julia and I.

So that about wraps up Christmas 2008. A little sample of our holiday. (I took 200+ picture...) We hope your family had a wonderful Christmas too!

Happy Birthday Kari!

Capri, Italy

Christmas Day is my really good friend Kari's birthday. I always feel like her birthday gets neglected with the craziness of the holidays. This year I made certain to set up plans to help her celebrate. We are going out on Monday with the girls and I am super excited. So, until then, Happy Birthday my dear friend and here are the top 5 reason why I want to celebrate you!

5. You are my "crafty" friend and always answer my annoying craft questions with a smile.

4. You let me call you and rant and rave about whatever is driving me crazy on a particular day.

3. You, unlike me, make a list for everything and actually do what is on the list. It is very impressive.

2. We can spend a week on a European cruise in adjoining cabins and come home better friends then the day we left.

1. I just really like you, know I can count on you, and am grateful for your friendship.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARI!

We Wish You A Merry Christmas!

Maria Storage Solution

So I have been trying to liquidate some toys to make room for Santa's arrival this week and have cleared off a couple of shelves, okay one - kind of. (If by clear off I mean just move the stuff to the floor...) My little Maria has found a new hangout place and I think it is a riot! Now, what will she do when there are toys there? I'll give you one guess....
Please excuse the craziness of my toy shelves in the playroom. As hard as I try to keep them neat and tidy it is a losing battle....

And yes, she really did this all on her own...

Perfect fit!

Winter Wonderland

So we spent the last weekend before Christmas shopping and partying. Not to shabby, eh? Friday night we took the girls to the mall and out to dinner to celebrate the completion of another year of holiday dance shows. I have never been happier to be done. I think all the shows combined with Julia having a bunch of concerts and programs for the first time was just more then I could handle. I was exhausted before they were even half over. I am already trying to plan differently for next year. Maybe rent a place and combine some centers and have all my daycares on the same night? I am getting to old to pack 15 different recitals into one week.

Saturday night we had a progressive party with some friends, complete with ugly Christmas sweater contest. We had a few people who couldn't make it, either their children or their parents were ill, but the smaller crowd had a blast and still managed to get pretty rowdy. Andy and I wore VERY ugly sweaters and there were a few other doosies. We went from house to house in the freezing cold but after the first house none of us were feeling much, if you know what I mean. Julia and Maria got to sleep over at grandma and grandpa's and they were soooo excited! Thanks for babysitting mom and dad!

Why yes, my sweater does depict the 12 Days of Christmas in sequins.....

That my friends, is my attractive husband is a very unattractive sweater

Today we just hung around and then celebrated Christmas with some of our best friends. We watched the Vikings fumble the ball a few times and had pizza and opened presents. It was super fun. I spent this evening wrapping gifts after they left. I am done wrapping for Maria, but still have Julia to do. I have really struggled with gifts for Maria because I feel like we already have everything for her age, and she just wants whatever Julia has so I am reluctant to buy stuff to have it not get used. Never fear though, she will have plenty under the tree. I did better this year in the "don't go overboard" mantra that I like to spout in October, but still could use some improvement. Julia's pile is just plain obnoxious, but we have decided to hold a few things over until her birthday.

Maria & her boyfriend Jared after we opened presents

Did I mention that is has been snowing all weekend and the temperature is so cold that you can barely breath outside. Good times. Here is Julia all bundled up before it became to cold to play outside.