Getting ready for Christmas

When you’re not feeling totally in the Christmas spirit the best thing to do is put up the Christmas tree and other decorations. Just like I said last year, every year gets better and better. Putting up the tree was once more of a chore and now is more of an exciting event. All three kids were totally into it. They LOVE looking at all of their ornaments from year’s past. This year they all got into putting the ornaments on the tree and I think they did a great job. I didn’t move a single one.

With the tree up the kids got to open a gift early. It was this year’s ornament. Brynna got Olaf. She called all snowman’s Olaf this year. Cohen got Iron Man. He was thrilled with Troy’s selection this year. Sevea got a Shopkins ornament. This one was special because Troy handmade it himself. He wasn’t able to find a quality ornament so he took the toy and made it himself. Very creative and special thing for him to do and Sevea was very happy with it.

One gift was open but Santa still needed to be visited to tell him all the other gifts they wanted to receive. For the third year in a row we went back to Emma Krumbee’s and visited Santa. I was interested in how this year would go. Sevea I figured would be just fine since she always has been. Cohen still wasn’t a fan last year but he’d come out of his shell so much this year I was hopeful. Brynna I thought would do ok. I thought maybe she wouldn’t talk to him but I didn’t think she’d cry. Well how did they do?

Brynna did not like being near Santa. She really surprised me when she cried and fought being near Santa. She did not like it one bit. The nice thing about seeing Santa for breakfast was she got more time to observe him and get more comfortable. By the time we were done with breakfast and ready to leave she cautiously went up to him to receive her candy cane. Still not in love with him but she got real close without crying or running away.

Cohen did great! You can really tell how much he has changed this past year in his interactions with other people. Once shy and uncomfortable around strangers or even other people besides his close family. He now thrives on interaction with others. Such a welcome change this year. And well Sevea is as great as ever.

Breakfast with Santa was a success again this year. We look forward to continuing the tradition next year. With our Santa visit in the books, we were ready for Christmas to be here.

Fluffy white stuff

It’s that time of year again. Christmas time is here but this year really snuck up on me. I blame it on the weather. We’ve been really lucky with the warmer weather recently. And I know I shouldn’t complain about that but with warmer weather brings the absence of snow. And for us in Minnesota Christmas just feels more like Christmas with a generous amount of snow on the ground. While it wasn’t much we did get a little snow this year. It’s just already melted. The kids were able to get out and place in it for the little time it stuck around. I guess I’ll have to use these pictures as a way to help me feel a little more in the Christmas spirit. And I’m sure soon enough I’ll be regretting ever wishing for this fluffy white stuff.

Weekend Away

This blog has mainly evolved into a online scrapbook of sorts of my kids’ lives. Our lives as parents tend to revolve a great deal around our kids. And rightfully so but before Troy and I had kids we made it a point that once we had kids that we weren’t going to stop living as a couple or as a friend or the many other things that we as individuals are as well as a parent. And I think we’ve done a pretty good job incorporating all those parts together. Sure parenting comes first since those kids depend solely on you. But there is also time in there to have friends and to have a life that does not revolve around kids. And we think we have some of the best friends you could ask for. One group in particular we find to be extra special. We’ve been told numerous times by so many people how rare it is to have this what we like to call “framily”. And we agree. How often can you find 4 couples who completely get along. Not only do all the couples get along but the boys are all best friends and the girls are all best friends and the guys and girls are friends as well. It really works out well and we are so thankful. But I think you get what you put into a relationship as well. We make plans together as a group quite often to help keep the relationship going strong. Many times the kids are along which only helps to build the relationships the kids have with one another. But we also make it a priority to have kid free time as well.

At the beginning of November we made a weekend trip to a cabin near Hayward, Wisconsin. If you remember we had gone to another cabin there for 4th of July two years ago and we were excited to return to the area. This time we made good use out of leaving the kids behind and took an adult approach to the vacation.
First stop was the local brewery. This was a great idea after a long car ride. I am usually not into craft beers but I liked quite a few of the beers this place had.

After a relaxing drink we headed to the cabin which was mind blowing. Granted the rent for this place in peak season is also mind blowing. But the great thing about it was each couple (all 5 couples) got their own bedroom with at least a queen bed in it. Plus plenty of space in which we didn’t utilize nearly enough. We did take advantage of the pool table the first night however we learned all you really need is a table to gather around for good conversation or a place to play games.

The next day we went back into town and enjoyed a wine tasting. I bet they don’t have groups like us in there often. Not that we were being obnoxious and no one was drunk, but we have a pretty funny group so many times our table got a little louder just because of laughter. I honestly had a moment when I looked around and thought these other people should be jealous because I love these guys so much.

Well then we get two steps out the door and I think oh my, I don’t think I even want to know these people. Totally joking but I’m sure we had some people staring at this sight. I don’t know how it happened but somehow there was a reenactment of a leg behind the head incident way back in 2007. It was impressive Chris could do this back then but I am still impressed 8 years later he can still manage this even if Andrew needed to force help Chris out. I don’t blame Chris for wanting to hide after all that. But we got him to easily come out of hiding once a return trip to the brewery was mentioned.

We headed home after the brewery and enjoyed a quiet night in the cabin. It was a great weekend to reflect on the great friendships we have in our lives. Not only with this group of friends but also others. I know my kids will only get older. They will end up occupying less of my time and eventually leave my home all together. So I will continue to remember to keep strengthening the relationships I have with others.

Escape

When you have two younger siblings, it is understandable that at times you might want to hide away or find an escape from them. I didn’t really think Sevea was quite to that age yet but I guess she is. I’ve found her in some unusual spots just trying to get away for a little bit…of course with electronic device in hand.

Happy Halloween 2015

Halloween was on a Saturday this year and brought a whole new level of fun to the holiday. The Witzel’s and Rotell’s hosted a Halloween party for the kids and the adults so everyone got into costumes this year.

Troy and I decided on our costumes the weekend before the party while the kids had theirs picked out for weeks. Otherwise it would have been fun to have the whole family dressed up as the Incredible’s. Sevea specifically asked to be something scary or haunted. I think she really pulled off the Vampire Princess look. She loved having the fake fangs and her makeup and hair brought the costume all together. Cohen picked to be a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Cowabunga dude! Brynna’s costume was found by my daycare helper Kim on a garage sale site. She’s the cutest owl I have ever seen.

Before heading out to do trick or treating, the kids played some games. With all different ages, games can be difficult but the kids loved it and it was so fun to watch them try. They started with guessing the item in the bucket. Of course it was all gross Halloween themed even if it was actually just beans. Up next they played pin the boo on the ghost. Such an easy game to play and put together but always a huge hit. Then it was time to bob for apples. This is actually the first time I have ever seen someone play the game. Sure on tv or movies I’ve seen it but never in person. It was much harder than it looked especially with huge apples and small kid mouths. But they had fun with it and most sunk their teeth into the healthy treat even after they got done playing.The final games were a ring toss, balance the pumpkin, and poke a pumpkin. All the kids need to work on their ring toss skills but some surprised us by their balance skills. Grayson is often a very clumsy or uncoordinated kid and he did great at balancing that pumpkin on his head. Regan walked from one side to the other like nothing was on her head at all.

You would think the kids would have been tired after all the games but that was definitely not the case. They were ready to run through the streets getting their treats. Each year seems to get better and better when it comes to trick or treating. The older they get the more they get into it.

Trick or treating did tire them out and soon enough they were in bed and the adults got to have their fun. Everyone had really fun costumes but the winner was Chris with his version of Alan from the movie Hangover. Genius idea since the baby carrier was actually useful for his son.

Kids and adults alike had a great time. Definitely something we all will look forward to next year!