Bridal/Wedding Fair and Christmas # 7

Diane, Kristin, and I started Sunday off by going to the Wedding Fair in town. We were really impressed. We had fun going on a scavenger hunt, getting pictures taken in a photo booth, signing Diane up to win stuff, and eating ......yummy. It gets us excited for the wedding to come.....

Then we headed to our last Christmas of the season with my mom's side. It was good to see everyone. We had yummy food, played dirty bingo, and good conversation.

The great -grandchildren....minus a couple

The grandchildren...again minus four....

Mom and three of her sisters (missing a sister and brother)...

The kids playing their version of dirty bingo (roll the dice for doubles).....

With my great - aunt Sr. Bernadette...

The adult version of dirty bingo....

What a Christmas season it has been.....hard to believe it's done and gone........

Christmas # 6 and a Great Surprise

Saturday morning started off bright and early with Connor's first basketball "practice". At first grade they have an hour of skills practice on Saturdays. They don't start playing games until 3rd grade. Matt is coaching Connor's team so it's pretty fun. He was so excited to get going. Look at that form already! ;)

Then we met Nana at the Mall of America for our Christmas get-together. Long story short....we originally had it planned for Barb to come down to our house for the day, however we had other plans in mind. Without going into detail we haven't seen or talked to Matt's sister, Angie, and her kids in a long time (too long).....and we all planned a surprise for Barb (and our boys actually). We decided to meet up at the Mall of America without her knowing that we were all going to be there. Barb started the day off thinking she was going to just hang out with us. We met her around 11ish and tried to stall as much as we could until Angie and the kids could get there around noon. We kept telling Barb and the boys that we had another surprise coming.

The boys were mesmerized by the dance competition going on, so we watched that for awhile.

Then we went and sat down for a snack and exchanged presents. Nana got us some fun and great stuff. I CANNOT wait to put our fleece sheets on the bed.

Then we got wristbands for the boys and Nana took them on the balloon ride.

While she was on the ride Angie and her boyfriend Neal and her kids Carter and Audrey arrived. We stood at the end of the exit of the ride and when the boys and Barb came down they saw them. It was priceless. The boys were excited and it took Barb awhile to register what was going on. I had my camera and meant to take a picture of her reaction....I will never forget it....however got wrapped up in the moment and didn't do it. She was smiling the rest of the day. It has been awhile since all of us have been together. The kids enjoyed going on rides for awhile. Connor pulled me close and said, "Mommy.....this (seeing Carter and Audrey) is the best surprise! Thank you." Melted my heart.

Nana and her oldest boys....

Angie and Lucas...

On the Log Chute...

Then we ate at

I love this place. The boys had never been there and enjoyed the experience. They already want to go back.

It was an amazingly fun (and a little exhausting) day.

(Don't want to go into details and hate to even admit it happened....but want to remember. After supper we went to go back on one more ride before going home and we lost Nolan....yep. in the middle of Nickelodeon Universe....talk about the scariest thing I have EVER EVER been through. The kid has no fear and is so independent and stubborn......scary stuff).

Boys

The joys of boys....there is always commotion, not much down time....not much silence....MOST of the time I wouldn't want it any other way.

Lucas got this cute little push Lightning McQueen for Christmas and Nolan has found a fun way to use it. Lucas LOVES it. Things you would hear while they are doing this....

"Nolan SLOW down! Nolan be careful! Hold onto him! Nolan, I said slow down! Don't let him fall off." Vrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrroooom. Lots of laughing and giggles. Racing talk. Screeching. "He likes it when I go fast mommy!".......

Lucas is walking all the time now. Standing up on his own without holding onto anything. He has FINALLY been saying "mama", which of course I love and soak up. He is getting 3 teeth on top at the same time, which results in a fussy boy compared to normal. He is a ham, and milks all the attention he gets. He is going to be ONE in a couple of weeks. Unbelievable!

The boys all received some type of Legoes or Trios for Christmas and have been working on them. Connor amazed me...it took him a total of about 3-4 hours only to put his together. The kid has a knack for this. I was also very impressed with Jacob and how far he has come. He would sit there and figure things out on his own, with only a few questions. Now we just have to find room to store....eek...I mean showcase all of the wonderful Lego creations right?!

Please excuse Noley's chocolatey mouth. The kid is always eating!

Christmas #5 and New Years

We celebrated Christmas and New Years with Papa John and Yaya. They came to stay with us for the night. We played games, played Wii, learned somse magic tricks, and watched Shrek Forever After. Connor was determined to make it up until 2011, but fell asleep (as did some of us). We made it up until the ball dropped in NY (11pm) and then went to bed. I stayed up watching TV until midnight (got my New Years kiss) and then fell asleep. Times they are a changing. ;) ;)

Happy 2011

Happy New Year!

 

What a year 2010 was for us.  We had some amazing and wonderful things happen.  We made some great memories. We have a ton to be thankful for and a ton to look forward to.

We are truly blessed (I feel like I say this often, but it’s how I feel).

Here’s to a joyous 2011!