Christmas, Visitors, and other stuff

It's been a crazy few weeks around here.  We survived Christmas.  Santa was good this year and everyone seemed happy.

We gots lots of Lego's, nerf guns, sleeping bags, Bakaguns, Art Kits, movies, science kits, thermal underwear, dress-ups, dolls, a grand doll house and lots more goodies.  I told you, Santa spoiled us this year.

It was truly a great Christmas and it was even better because we got to share it with family (which hasn't happened for a while).  My younger sister Brooke and her husband, Max,  are living in DC until they ship out for Morocco in the spring.  They flew up and spent the holidays with us and it was so perfect (except I'm not sure they appreciated the 7 o'clock wake up call from my kids while they were on vacation).  Max and Brooke were so great to play with the kids and entertain them.  Max also indulged us with a little private concert (he is an amazing musician).

We thought since we had visitors we should show them around a little.  Monday morning we spent some time at the Milwaukee Public Museum.  The Museum is huge and amazing, but it was super crowded.  Ethan loved the Indian displays, Cole loved all the life-size dinosaur bones, and Liv liked the butterfly atrium (kind of, she was a little frightened of the butterflies landing on her).

Shortly after Christmas my mom and Dave arrived and spoiled us rotten with nice dinners, we saw Tangeled, the girls had Pedicures, lots of swimming in the hotel pool, and great company.  Sorry, for some reason I don't have any pictures on my mom and Dave.

We also celebrated my birthday over this past week.  32 years old, WOW that sounds old!  Shawn surprised me this year with this book

It's even more beautiful in person.  I hope someday to have the whole collection, they are stunning books.   And I got some new make-up brushes, a new curling iron, and gift card to the Buckle.

I found some old pics of my twin and me.  They are fun, and I thought since Jam and I just celebrated birthdays I would share.

The last one is of me with both my sisters, it's one of my favorites.

The only downside to this past holiday is that Shawn and I were both sick.  Shawn started it (although he is claiming it's Liv's fault) and then I finished with, but I think we are finally both almost better.

Here is my Christmas/Winter 2010 family video.  I had great intentions for this video, but when it came down to is I didn't get everything I wanted, but I figure there is always next year.  Enjoy!!

Officially on Christmas Break

Today is the last day of school for the boys.  We had class parties all morning and now I need to get my house cleaned and food made for our visitors.

Here is our family Christmas Card....actually it's not a real card since I didn't print it out, but rather our digital Holiday Greetings.  I promise I'll send out actual Christmas cards next year (someone hold me to that so I don't forget).  Nonetheless, here is our family wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!

Ice Skating

Not really, but it sure felt like it.  Behind the boys school the big field is filled with ice.  I guess this happens every year and the Principal told me the other day they used to turn it into an actual ice skating rink.  Every day after school the boys beg me to let them go play, but considering that it is usually 10 degrees outside I politely say no.  So they thought I was way cool when I took them over Saturday morning to play on the ice.

    

  

We didn't do much skating, rather more sliding and skidding.  It's actually pretty dangerous and I'm sure sooner or later someone is going to really hurt themselves, but until then we will enjoy our homemade ice skating rink across the street.

Every morning as I drop the boys off for school Ethan always leans over and says, "I think I like Las Vegas better."  It always makes me laugh.  Really, it's sooo cold here.  I shoveled the snow at 6:30 this morning and I froze.  We live on a corner, so we have lots of sidewalk to shovel :)  I wonder if I can make it here three years without a snowblower??

Highlights of the past few days:
-I got my first KEEP OUT note from Ethan.

-Is is bad that my kids all want diet coke with their Happy Meals??
What happened to chocolate milk or root beer??

-While getting a redbox movie the other day Liv saw one that she wanted to get.  It was "Sex in the City".  I think she just liked the pretty, flashy girls on the cover.  She overheard me telling Shawn what the name of the movie was and when we walked away without her movie selection she dramatically fell down to the floor and started screaming, "I want sex in the city, sex in the city....." I picked her up and carried her through the store screaming "I want sex in the city."  It was funny, I laughed the whole way!

-Caught my first official mouse.  Nasty!!  Since being married we have lived in so many different climates (tropical, hot/desert, winter/woods) and we've experienced every kind of rodent, spider, etc. that exists.   This might have topped the list, even compared to the 5 inch cockroach that I saw in the Caribbean outside my front door.

Now we are just busy baking and waiting for Santa to come!

  

Christmas Fun!

This image is so grainy, but I thought it was so fun I had to share.

Christmas Concert

We are busy enjoying the Christmas season.

Yesterday the boys had their School Winter Concert.  Their classes each sang two songs.  I did my best to record videos of the performance so Grandparents could watch.  I attached it below, but if you get motion sick you probably should skip this video.  I did my best to hold still, but it's hard while standing on bleachers.  And it's kind of a long video and a not very clear, but my kids are cute so it's worth it if you have time.   Cole's class sang first and he is front and center in the green shirt and Ethan's videos are next while he is also front and center in the green shirt.  No I didn't plan it.  In fact they were supposed to dress up nicely, but my boys said no.  We arrived about 20 minutes early thinking that would be plenty time to get a good seat, but we were wrong.   We were all the way in the back of the Gym.  Next year I'll come earlier!  After the concert they had a cookie and milk party for all the kids and their families.

 

The kids are having a great time at school, but are anxiously looking forward to Christmas break.  Because it is so COLD here the kids have to wear full snow gear to school everyday, or else they are not aloud to go out to recess.  It takes us about ten minutes every morning to get snow pants, coats, hat, gloves, scarves, and boots on.  I laugh everything I pick the boys up at school because I pick up two little snowman.

This year we are having company for Christmas.  It's our first time ever and I am so excited.  My sister, Brooke and her husband Max live in DC.  They are coming Christmas Eve to spend the Holiday's with us, and my mom and Dave are flying out on the 27th.  Can't wait!!

Snow

We finally had our first big snow storm Friday night, only it wasn't that big, just a few inches.  

The kids were so excited!

We also made a gingerbread house on Saturday morning, but it was kind of a bust.  The boys did their part and then quickly lost interest, so this became Liv's project and I let her go for it.  It is her own little masterpiece.  Shawn just laughed and was reminded why his mom made their gingerbread house while he was away at school.