What we've been up to in January

Sorry that I haven't updated this blog in a while. We've had a busy and exciting month. Stella had a dance recital earlier this month. She did great and Charlie was a very proud big brother! We went ice skating on a freezing cold day one weekend. Charlie wouldn't let go of his hockey stick and was very cute.
The kids got new bunk beds which was very sad for me to see the crib get taken down. Notice Charlie in his big boy bed, and yes he's now wearing big boy undies full-time. He suddenly seems so grown up.. No more baby. Stella and I went to see a play with friends last weekend, Goodnight Moon. The kids hung out in a phone booth with Uncle Ricky the other night after going to dinner. And yesterday we met the Knutson family at the St Paul Winter Carnival. The weather was so beautiful that the ice sculptures were melting. Lots of excitement though... Stella won a game racing to put clothes pins on herself and Charlie took third place in a dance competition!

Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas!!! We had a very busy and fun Christmas this year. We spent both Xmas eve and Day in MN, which was very nice and less stressful. It was great to celebrate with Aunt Mary and Uncle Luc who we don't get to see very often. Rick made his famous prime rib, the kids played the piano and had fun opening tons of presents. Christmas morning, Stella jumped out of bed and ran to check if the cookies we left out for Santa were gone. She was so excited, her reaction was priceless! It was such a joy to watch the kids have so much fun.

Christmas in WI

We celebrated Christmas in Wisconsin this year the weekend before Xmas. It was a lot of fun and the kids had a great time. The long drive home on black ice wasn't so fun, but we're glad we got to see everybody.

The annual craft fair!

For 30 years now, the women on my mom's side of the family have held a day-after Thanksgiving tradition. You must be at least 16 to attend. It's sort of a right of passage once you're allowed to come along. We walk the aisles of the craft fair show held on the Wisconsin State Fair grounds, and always enjoy drinks and dinner after our feet are aching from all the shopping. This year the ladies surprised me with a belated 30yr old birthday celebration.

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving was celebrated in Germantown this year. It was so nice to see everyone from Wisconsin from my family that we don't get to see very often. And it was great seeing Matt who was back from the Airforce. Stella was quite the helper in the kitchen! The kids love Grandpa and Grandma's house, but no one ever wants to go to bed!

Happy Birthday Sofia!

I haven't posted in a while, so this is a little late. Cousin Sofia turned two! Right before Thanksgiving we celebrated Sofia's big day with a pizza party. The kids had a great time trying on Susan's hat collection as you can see! Happy Birthday Sofia!