January, Ready or Not

I used to dread the month of January; it always seemed like the longest, coldest, boringest month. January in Rochester, MN is really cold. The cold that freezes your nose hairs and literally takes your breath away, no one in there right mind looks forward to January in Minnesota.

But now, I have to admit, January is quickly becoming one of my favorite months. It is the month that marks the end of all holiday partying that has been going on since October. The nonstop school functions, the parties, the sweet food, the traveling, the fattening food, the spending more money than you should, the going crazy real fast three months for moms. I hope I’m not the only one who feels like that.

But now as I sit here, with my Christmas decorations put away, my house clean, snowing outside, and my kids playing with their new toys, I’m really excited for January. I’m so looking forward to getting back to real life, which is crazy enough without all the extra hoopla added on top. I’m looking forward to setting goals and accomplishing them. I looking forward to a new year without having to move, knowing that we are finally settled into one place.

So come on January, I’m more than ready for you to get here already.

Thanks Grandma and Papa D

We tried on Sunday to take some pictures of the kids in their new clothes for Grandma, you can pick your favorite.

Christmas 2010

The Christmas was so wonderful! I loved that the kids slept in and we didn't get started opening until after 7.

It was the first Christmas, she really got it, and the magic and joy was so full on her face all day long.

After 11 Christmas' together, Matt and I have finally come up with a morning schedule that fits us both. Once we were all awake, we had a quick breakfast of special cereal, then we opened presents and after that I made the fancy breakfast for a late brunch. It was so nice and we were all happy.

So after we had our Lucky Charms, the kids got to open their Santa gifts. Starting youngest to oldest.

The reactions just kept getting better with each kid.

The screams got higher pitched.

The screams got LOUDER.

And LONGER.

Each of the boys was given a round present from Santa, and were told to open it last, then go downstairs.

This is what they found downstairs. Then the screams got really loud and long and never ending.

The competition in this house is crazy, fun. Let me tell you.

I have dreams of someday turning this space into a game room like my parents, today Santa brought our first game.

We all couldn't be happier.

Then it was back upstairs for more unwrapping.

More screaming.

More pure joy.

Then it was on to playing, while Mommy made a wonderful breakfast of bacon, sausage, eggs, muffins, juice and cinnamon rolls. Though honestly we were all so stuffed we saved the cinnamon rolls until the next day.

And this is what our basement has looked like for the last two days. Boys spread out all over the place building lego ships. I think our family alone is keeping lego is business. My fingers hurt from building them with the kids, but we have all been so happy that it is well worth all of them.

Christmas Eve 2010

Christmas eve we got invited over to some friends house for dinner, so we did a quick family photo before we left.

It was so nice because everyone there had kids and wanted to do their own things that night, so the dinner was early and we got home early. YEah.
Once home we opened our first gifts of Christmas.

Adam, so focused.

Andrew's tongue stealing the show of this picture.

Caleb getting busy.

Andrew the pro.

We then read the scripture telling of Christ's birth.

Set out the cookies and note.

This was how it looked when the kids woke up. It was a wonderful night and an even better day.

Self Portraits

We attempted some self portraits tonight before we went to a friends house for dinner.
These were the best two out of the many we took.

A pretty good looking family if I do say so myself.

Last Night

Last night we took the kids downtown and had a wonderful time. We don't go out much to dinner at sit down restaurants. I know a burger joint isn't that nice, but it was a step up from our eating in the car and just about all we wanted to take on without the help of grandparents to be with us.

Matt's office staff also gave us a gift card here for Christmas and we couldn't wait to use it.

After dinner we went for a walk in the snow, we look for the carriage rides, but I guess they don't run when it's snowing.

So we walked to the Davenport inn, the place Matt and I stayed a year ago to come and interview for our spot here. It is a beautiful hotel, which goes all out for Christmas.

The second floor had a competition set up for ginger bread houses.

The kids thought they we soo cool.

We were all impressed.

She was so cute looking at all of them.

Walle, pretty cool.

Isaac wasn't that impressed with these, but stood in front of them nicely when I asked.

Then we went on the professionals. Pirates of the Caribbean.

I loved watching their faces as we walked up to the next one.

Cinderella's castle.

Tarzan's tree house.

Winnie the Pooh's tree.

Peter Pan

Then we walked back to the car again in the snow. Said goodnight to Santa in the Mall and had a wonderful time just being together.