Merry Christmas!

This past week has been a blur of Christmas activities, too much sugar, and not enough sleep. I actually had the Thursday and Friday before Christmas off since Emma didn't have school, so we got had a couple more days to hang out before Christmas.

On Thursday, Elliott had his three year check up. He's officially one happy, healthy, three year old boy. We basically just enjoyed the rest of the day at home since since it was snowing outside and pretty cold.

Friday was a fun day. John also had the day off. So, we ran some errands as a family and finished up some Christmas shopping. After that, we took the kids sledding at Spellerberg Park, and they had an absolute blast. We bought them a couple new sleds, and away we went. They went down the hill so many times. They went by themselves, together, and with us. It was really fun. They handled it really well. We sledded for a solid hour or so, and they didn't want to leave when we were done. It was adorable.

On Saturday, we headed to Minnesota to have Christmas with my family. We got to my parent's house around 2pm, and just spent most of the day hanging out and visiting. Mom let the kids open a couple gifts early, and they had fun playing with some new toys. In the evening, Ryan, John, and I met up with Michelle and Keith at the Frontier to catch up and have some cousin time, and to watch the Vikings/Packers Game. The Frontier was pretty dull, so we ended up going to Franklin, which was also fairly dull. We had a pretty good time though. We didn't get back to mom and dad's until 1:30 am, I am getting too old for things like that!!

Sunday was Christmas Eve. We spent the first part of the day just hanging out and playing with the kids. In the afternoon, we headed to Tim and Janel's for appetizers, visiting, and games. We also went to the Christmas Program at 6:30pm to watch Trevor and Jenna, and then back out to Tim and Janel's. It was a pretty fun evening, and was so nice to see everyone. The kids had a blast, and enjoyed all the attention. Emma bonded really well with Katie, and it was pretty cute. There was definitely too much wine, beer, and food consumed during the night. Also, a couple inappropriate games, but we all had a really fun time.

Monday was Christmas Day. We started off with church in the morning, and then we came back to mom and dad's and opened presents. The kids lost their mind opening all their gifts, and had a really great Christmas. They loved every second of it, and got pretty spoiled. After presents, we ate a wonderful lunch of Ham, Prime Rib, scalloped potatoes, corn, bread, and then some desserts. It was delicious.

In the afternoon, we did a white elephant gift exchange with the adults which was pretty fun. And then by 3:30pm we headed back to Sioux Falls, since I had to work the next day.

Yesterday, the kids headed out to Jim and Barb's for the next 4 nights!! Emma doesn't have school all week, and Jim and Barb wanted to have the kids all week, so we sent them out there. It's been kind of nice to get some tasks done at home, and enjoy some quiet evenings, but I miss my kiddos. However, I know they are having such a good time at the farm, and I will see them in a couple days. John and I took advantage of the alone time, and we went to Red Lobster and the new Star Wars movie last night, it was a nice little date.

We have a few more little tasks we want to get done around the house, and then Christmas #2 on Saturday! Just need to get through the rest of the week. And Saturday is supposed to be -3 for a high, so I plan to snuggle under some blankets all day!! And lots of Cocoa. :)

It finally snowed!

Sledding!!!

Wrapping presents 

The bus tent 

Cousins!

Fun night in Franklin 

Merry Christmas!!

More Christmas Activities!

We are in full Christmas spirit around here. Christmas is 4 days away, which is very exciting since we have been counting down since there was like 40 days until Christmas. It's finally coming!!

December has pretty much flown by. Work has been absolutely crazy, with all the end of the year surgeries trying to get done. I have been putting in some 47 hour long weeks, so it's been a long couple weeks of work.

The kids are loving this time of year. We have been doing a lot of coloring in Christmas books and Christmas crafts. They love this season. And of course, we have been listening to a ton of Christmas Music!

Last weekend, my parents and Ryan came to town to visit. The kids were very excited to see everyone. We mostly hung out at the house, but we also went out to eat for supper, and then went and saw the Light Show at the Western Mall. We tried to see the lights at the falls, but the traffic was absolutely crazy, so we decided to skip it.

On Sunday, we went to church and then baked and decorated Christmas cookies with everyone. Emma had her Children's Christmas Program in the afternoon, and it was adorable. Emma looked great in her Christmas dress, and she did really well. She had one line she said by herself, and she said it nice and slow and loud. I was so proud of her. She also had a couple songs and another part that just the kindergartens did, and they all did a great job. She was such a trooper, and did great though the whole program. However, during the last 10-15 minutes, she started nodding off, and falling asleep. I guess we had a little too much fun with grandma and grandpa over the weekend!

This past week has flown pretty quickly. Work has been crazy, and the kids are usually bouncing off the walls in the evenings. Emma doesn't have school today or tomorrow, so I took those two days off, which is kind of nice since we have 48 cases at the ASC today and 51 tomorrow. Yikes.

We are heading to Minnesota on Saturday and then driving back on Christmas Day. John and I work all week, but Emma doesn't have school, so the kids are going out to Jim and Barb's for 4 nights. That should be interesting. But, we are all looking forward to Christmas. And I am looking forward to finishing Christmas shopping tomorrow. I have never been this unprepared for Christmas, it's crazy!! At least it's snowing today, and kind of feels like Christmas is coming.

Merry Christmas!!

Decorating Cookies!!

Future Classmates 

The kids did some Christmas Caroling for school 

Hannah and Emma playing with their Christmas presents 

Christmas Caroling

Emma's Christmas Program

Saying her part like a champ

The popular after-service candy bag

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

We have been in the Christmas Spirit around here lately. The Christmas music is playing, we have been crafting like crazy, and we have had some visits to Santa along the way.

The other day after work, I took the kids to Hy-Vee to see Santa. They both did really well. They sat on his lap separately and told Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Elliott wants Hot Wheels, which isn't very specific, but a very good idea. Emma requested a skateboard and roller skates, not sure where those came from, but we will see what Santa can do. They both smiled nice for the pictures, got some coloring crayons and books, and a cookie and candy cane. They had a good time.

We also took some time to head to Falls Park later in the evening. It was gorgeous outside (50 degrees) and we all really enjoyed walking around and seeing all the Christmas lights. It was great!

We have just been crazy busy lately, it's not even funny. Last weekend was filled up with Rollerskating lessons and Christmas practice for Emma and just basically running around town. I feel like I blinked and the weekend was over.

This past week, we have had something going on literally every single night. Monday night was Gymnastics for Emma. On Tuesday, I worked pretty late so everyone got home late and it was a short night. Wednesday, we had church and Emma sang for it, so that took up the entire evening. On Thursday, Elliot had his Christmas program for daycare. It was absolutely adorable. They sang songs with actions, and it was super adorable. Elliott did really well, and loved performing in front of all the people.

Last night, Jim and Barb came to pick up the kids around 5pm to take them to the farm for the night, and John and I went to Castaways for supper with his 9 clouds coworkers. Then we all headed to the Stampede game. It was a fun evening and nice to hang out with everyone.

Today, we got to sleep in past 6:00 am. It was amazing! I did a little shopping this morning, and now we are just enjoying being home and playing and crafting away. John is at the SDSU football game right now (brr!!). The kids and I are playing with legos at the moment, and having fun. Tonight, we are going to a Christmas party that one of my coworkers is throwing, so that should be pretty fun.

P.S. It finally snowed for the first time this past Monday, and the kids are obsessed with it! They ask every day if we can go sledding and play in the snow. The other day after work we played outside for a little while, and did some sledding down the driveway. They thought it was amazing. But, we definitely need more than this one inch of snow that we have right now to do any more outside festivities.

Picture with the Polar Bear

Loving the Santa Adventure 

Haha, he did actually like Santa, even though this pic says otherwise 

Picture Day!

Watching the ducks and geese at the park

Muscles 

Building a gingerbread house 

Emma singing in church 

Elliott's Christmas Program