A hunting we will go...

I believe this is our 12th year getting a tree at Brewery Hill Tree Farm in LeSueur!  We were so happy to see it snow the night before we were planning on going because if it hadn't we'd have been dragging the tree thru dirt.  It really was a beautiful site with all the fresh fallen snow.  The kids of course had a blast, throwing snow balls, hiding behind the trees and searching for the perfect tree.  Natalie just wanted to ride in the sled. :)  This year Brian told them that once they found the tree it was their job to cut it down.  No help from Dad this year.  After about 40 minutes or so they finally agreed upon "the one".  Out in the tree farm all the trees start to look the same and for the most part they look pretty full.  Well once we got our tree home we realized that it wasn't a very big or very full tree.  The girls did a great job getting the tree cut down, however it did take them quite a while.  But they kept at it until it was cut.  Rachel pulled the tree all the way back to our vehicle and didn't complain once.  She of course had the help of the sled!  As tradition, we went to Whiskey River on our way home but this year we just had hot cocoa for the girls and a beer for the boy, a basket of fries to share and a bowl to share as well.  Once we were home, Brian got the tree in its holder and brought down the ornaments.  The girls decorated the tree while we all listened to continuous Christmas songs.  It was great!  I love this time of year...

Advent

Advent is upon us and I was searching Pinterest for some fun ideas for an Advent countdown.  I found this cute idea-easy and fun.  Each day the girls get to choose the numbered envelope, open it and find out what activity they will do for that particular day.  The first day was so much fun!  They got to decorate a Gingerbread house-it was one that was precut pieces made out of foam!  Better than messy frosting and gingerbread crumbs if you ask me.  Plus we can use it from year to year. :)  The girls have been having a lot of fun revealing their activity and it's been fun for me to watch their excitement.  It was a little tricky figuring out what activity to do on which day, which was decided upon after looking at the busy calendar.  :)  

Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving at our house this year and our guests of honor were my parents, Bob & Laura, Mya and Ally.  The girls decorated and set the table insisting that we use the China.  We had just the right amount of food, more importantly, Pecan Pie!  yummmmmmmm.  In the afternoon, the girls played while us adults played cards.  We did miss Annie, Matt and the boys though....

On Saturday after Thanksgiving, we went to Brian's mom and dad's for another scrumptious meal and more pecan  pie.  Thanks Charlene!  We had the camera but for some reason or another no pictures were taken.  The girls had a wonderful time playing with their cousins while us adults chatted and played cards.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because of being able to spend time with Family that we are Thankful for and the food is always a nice added touch!

27 Weeks!

It's not the most flattering pose or outfit, but hey, at least we got a picture taken of me pregnant with this baby.  Can't believe I'm in my 3rd trimester.  I guess I'm glad the weeks are going by fast?  I am getting excited to meet this one!

Pumpkin Hunt & Trick or Treating-Star Wars style

It was a cool Sunday afternoon that we decided to go on our great Pumpkin hunt at Grandma's Little Acres here in St. Peter.  We bundled up and headed out on the hayride to the big orange field.  Everyone was happy this year and there was no fussing or crabbing which was an unexpected surprise!  We gave the girls instructions that they should find there pumpkin as quickly as possible because it was not very warm.  :)  They did good and found just the right one that made them happy.  They were looking forward to some warm apple cider but found that the place had run out of cups.  They were bummed but I promised I'd make them "real" hot cocoa when we got home.  Personally chocolate tastes better then apple anyway.  :)  

The came time for carving, which we did 2 weeks later.  Didn't want our pumpkins to rot you know!  Well Rachel's big orange friend didn't fair so well and he was rotting inside.  So Brian, the nice father that he is, took Rachel to the grocery store for her to find a new one.  Sweet Dad!  The girls did a fairly nice job cleaning out their pumpkins and doing their own carving, except Natalie.  She's not quite ready to handle a sharp knife yet!  She did help with the "guts" though. :)

Now it's time for Trick-or-Treating!!  The girls LOVE Star Wars.  We have no idea why.  It's not that Brian and I are "in" to it.  We do like the movies, but never carry on about them.  Natalie knows most of the characters which is scary.  Emily was the only one, besides me who didn't want to dress in Star Wars gear.  She actually didn't want to go out trick-or-treating, which I don't mind a bit.  The others did end up talking her into going and I talked her into going as Queen Amadala (Luke & Leah's mom)  Caitlin went as a Storm Trooper, Rachel as Darth Vader and Natalie as Princess Leah.  She was disappointed because she didn't get to carry a light saber or gun.  Brian made some Yoda ears (on a pink headband) and wore that out for the evening.  I went as me. :)  I think they turned out looking quite cute and most everyone knew who they were.  Our friend Drew commented that Natalie was the cutest 3yr old Princess Leah.  I agree!

Our girls with the Frey girls (an annual tradition)

The Star Wars clan at neighbors Mike & Irene

Husband & wife?  Yep!  Darth Vader and Queen Amadala

Away we go!   look at the cute Leah hair on Natalie!  DIY!!!

At the Gilbertsons.  Check it out!  Another storm trooper -Luke, a Spider Queen and look at Mr. Levi as Thor!

MEA-Wisconsin Dells, Year 4!!

It's that time again and along with our friends the Gracks and Gilbertsons, we headed to the Dells for a MEA weekend getaway, full of water and fun!  We have so much fun hanging out with these crazy people, we just can't stop!  The kids were at perfect ages this year, except for maybe baby Caleb, but he was a good trooper anyway.  The adults were able to have lots of uninterrupted conversation which made us all wonder if we were neglecting our children or were they just getting along so super good they didn't need to bother us?  As always, we had the most fun at the Wave pool, but Rachel and Luke had a good time going down the slides this year since they were tall enough.  It was kind of a bummer for me this year being pregnant, so no water slides for me, but I didn't mind holding the camera and watching Brian in the water with the girls.  Already looking forward to next year!  Thanks for the memories G-rocks and Gilbertsons!

Our daily multi-walks down the long hallways to the water parks

Rachel, Ella & Emily lounging in the water

I'm going to splash you!!!!

The most fun of all-Wave Pool

Natalie's mode of transportation

Jeff & Caleb-chillin'

Tony, Mary, Cody & friend posing for a picture

Brian's attempt at taking a picture while Natalie and I are cruising down the lazy river.

Love birds-Heather & Jeff

Running the Mile

 Ready....Set...Go!  Both Emily and Caitlin participated in an after school activity that was sponsored by the cross country team this year.  It was cold as usual, but I guess a good running temp.  Caitlin was the only 6th grade girl and Emily had six 4th grade girls.  They all ran together and did very well.  It was Emily's first year trying and she wasn't quite sure she wanted to do it, but she did anyway!  Whoo-hoo!  Caitlin took 3rd overall, Emily 6th overall.  Caitlin's time was 7:35 and Emily 7:55.  Not too bad!!  I was very proud of them for running such a good race and it looks like there will be a good group of girl runners if they decide to participate in track or cross country.