Christmas in the Midwest

We traveled back to Minnesota and Wisconsin for Christmas this past year.  The chilly weather didn't dampen our spirits or our adventures!

decorating cookies for Santa

getting a little pampering from Grandma

We went to the Mall of America--a usual stop while we are back there.  HGTV had a big display in the rotunda.  Unfortunately, we missed the Property Brothers.

Emma (and Andy) loved the rides.

She was very adamant about carrying Aunt Tina's purse throughout the mall.

Later that evening, we went to Macy's big display in downtown Minneapolis--Santaland.

Then we ventured outside (brrr...it was chilly) for the Holidazzle parade.

The next day we went to Grandma's house in Wisconsin.  Charley, the elf, even met us there.  We woke up Christmas morning to find presents from Santa!

her personalized stationery

Emma needed a new Bucky Badger sweatshirt!

chatting with Aunt Sandy

Grandma gave Emma an art smock she wore when she was a little girl.

Emma is obsessed with curling her tongue.

How do you like that style?

We went to the Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul.  

Emma's favorite was the gorilla.

Emma took this picture.

watching the koi

She found a water table!

dinner with Grandpa

having some apps while we wait for our flight home

She loved the moving sidewalks at the airport.

waiting to take off...

22 weeks...Emma will have a little sister in early May!  Now we just need to decide on a name.

We had a great trip!!  We wish you all a happy, healthy 2013!

Long Overdue!

Phew!  Well, to say some of these posts are long overdue is an understatement.  To stay in the appropriate order, we will start at Christmas at Nanny's and end up at Thanksgiving.  

Caste, Emma, and Paia waiting patiently to open their gifts.  Emma is showing us her calm body (must have learned that at school).

reading with Aunt Robin

playing around with Paia

Kids and phones are like magnets.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!   Wishing you a healthy and happy holiday season. 

Our Little Ski Bunny

We got Emma out on the slopes for the first time and she LOVED it!  She even wanted Andy to take her on the chairlift.  I think that was one of Andy's proudest moments!  

Getting ready...that's a lot of work!

the magic carpet

There they go!

Bouncy House Fun!

The Basin Rec. Fieldhouse held a Christmas celebration with Santa Claus, bouncy houses, and arts and crafts.  Emma couldn't get enough of the bouncy slide.

"rock" climbing

Yep...she climbed up that "ladder" all by herself.

She even sat on Santa's lap with her friends Lily and Riley.  When we asked what she wanted from Santa, she replied "a present."  We asked what kind of present and she said, "a green present."  

Thanksgiving 2012

Nana Kim, Bill, Aunt Whitney, and Jason came to visit us for Thanksgiving this year.  We also hosted Thanksgiving dinner for about 19 people...fun times!

Andy and Bill

Such a little helper...helping to peel potatoes

We had to do a little rearranging, but it turned out great!

carving the bird

Now it's time to hike off all of the calories.

opening her presents from Aunt Whitney and Nana Kim

She LOVES these shoes!  She has already broken a heel.

A Whole Lot of This and That and a Surprise!

Yikes!  It's been almost a month since my last post and we've got a lot to share with you all.

 Emma's daycare came to our school's Halloween parade.

Thanks, Grandma Sherry, for the adorable duck costume!

Just a lazy Saturday morning...

We took Emma to Color Me Mine to do her annual hand print on a tile.

 Emma went to her friend, Riley's, 4th birthday party at Black Diamond Gymnastics.  

The kids had a blast in the foam pit, on the trampoline, dancing, and running around.

I could have laid there all night.

It may look easy, but it was a workout trying to get out of the foam pit.

eating her monster cupcake

(This particular camera will not rotate...argg.)  

Emma got her first haircut!!

Emma is all ready to go skiing this winter.  Me, on the other hand, will have to sit this season out...

...because Emma is going to be a big sister!!!  My due date is May 3rd and we will find out on December 14th if Emma will have a baby brother or baby sister.  I am 4 months along and feeling great.