Life Center North MOPS Christmas Party

It was really fun to have my sister-in-law Stacie, Knox and Isla come with us to our MOPS Christmas party! The kids enjoyed watching a reenactment of the Christmas story (I was a Wise Man), making ornaments, singing Christmas songs (Jingle Bells was a big hit), and frosting and eating Christmas cookies. It's such a blessing that Knox and Marek are such good little buddies! The kids had fun playing and it was nice to introduce Stacie to some of my MOPS and Bible Study friends.

Manito Observatory and Brandon's 35th Birthday

My Brother Kyle, his wife Stacie and their two kids Knox, and Isla came into town the week leading up to Christmas! We did a lot of fun things while they were here, but a first for our whole family was going to the Manito Observatory and seeing all of the beautiful lights! It was the first thing we all did together once they arrived and the kids were all amped up and energized, it was really quit cute. Unfortunately Brandon wasn't there to take it all in because he had to work a little late. Don't worry I was a good wife and took lots of pictures with my phone and texted them to him throughout the tour! After that we went to the Onion for Brandon's birthday dinner and then ended the night with cake, ice-cream, and presents back at our house. I honestly can't believe that Brandon is 35! You just keep getting better with every passing year my love!

Susamus 2013

Yesterday was our second annual Susamus celebration! A day to celebrate an early Christmas with Brandon's sister Susan because she unfortunately has to work through the holidays. :) She was a little more laid back this year, but still a bit demanding (she reads our blog so I'm smiling as I write this). I made her favorite meal of Swedish Meatballs and mashed potatoes and Brandon whipped her up a batch of her favorite cookies, peanut butter chocolate chip. In all seriousness she is a wonderful Aunt to our kiddos and they love her to pieces! We are very lucky to have Susan in our lives. The kids really enjoyed opening their presents and we enjoyed spending time with our Suey! Yeah for Susamus!!!

Thanksgiving

This year marks the first time that we have had Thanksgiving at our house. I have to admit that the most stressful part was merely cleaning and trying my hand at pumpkin pie for the first time. Although dinner was at our house, my mom showed up in the morning with the huge turkey and her homemade stuffing and put everything together! :) Thanks mom!!! Another first this year was having not only my mom and grandma here, but Brandon's sister and mom as well! It was so nice to have both sides of the family together to share the day! Dinner was amazing, and I have to admit my pumpkin pie was pretty good too! Another highlight was the fact that my mom took the kiddos that night as well as Friday! Talk about being Thankful!!! :) It's hard to believe that Christmas is only three weeks away! Bring it on!

McKenna helping Nana in the kitchen

Watching Nana stuff the Turkey. They were VERY interested!

Abominable Snowman sucker from Grandma Barbara

McKenna got a Rudolf sucker

TURKEY!!!

My love!

Dinner time! Doesn't Marek look so excited for this picture? :)

Olive fingers

Pretty ladies

Experienced olive fingers :)

Aunt Susan and Grandma Barbara so cute :)

 

First Snow

We woke up this morning to a blanket of white snow on the ground, and it is continuing to snow even as we speak! Of course the kids and I were suppose to go to our MOPS groups, but when Brandon called nearly 25 minutes into his morning commute and told me NOT to go because traffic was crazy and it was super slick, I decided to stay at home and have a snow day with our little loves. I hate that we missed our group, but I think the right decision was made. Plus the kids had a blast playing in the snow! Winter here we come! :)

Halloween

This year leading up to Halloween I think Marek asked nearly every day if it was time for trick-or-treating! So, when he woke up yesterday and immediately asked if he could finally go trick-or-treating it was fun to tell him "yes"! After breakfast the kiddos got on their costumes, Marek was the Hulk and McKenna was a cupcake, and we headed over to daddy's work to drop off some cupcakes. All of Brandon's co-workers oohed and awed over how adorable the kiddos were in their costumes...it was really cute. After that we headed to Papa Murphy's to pick up our pumpkin pizza for lunch. When naps were over our trick-or-treating entourage showed up (Nana, Grandma Barbara, and Aunt Susan). Hulk and little miss cupcake did so great trick-or-treating this year! It was so fun to see them so excited to go to each new house. I don't know if there is anything cuter than little kids in costumes...especially ours! :) Happy Halloween!

 Hulk and the cutest cupcake ever!

 Just sitting on some pumpkins

 Silly

 Just answering some emails at daddy's work:)

 Showing off their pumpkin pizza

 Love that Brandon is wearing a hulk mask too!

 Getting her first treat from our neighbors

 Trick-or-treat

 Loving on Nana

 Grandma Barbara and Aunt Susan posing with Marek

 McKenna loves dogs...I think she got more excited to pet peoples dogs then to actually get candy!

Nana and Marek passed out candy to all of our trick-or-treaters