Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!!

With Baby Brother's imminent arrival we were home in Colorado for Christmas. We had a wonderful and relaxing day enjoying our new toys and just spending time together.

Ready for the Christmas Eve Church Service

These two cuties were angels in the Christmas Program - although it was a little scary to be in front of so many people they did great! Marin said she "did not enjoy the experience," but we will see how they do in the future. It is always good to try new things. :)

Daddy can always get these two to laugh!!

Christmas Eve seafood feast! Lobster tails, mussels, shrimp cocktail and scallops (not pictured). Take note of where all those lobster tails are sitting and who is not at the vacant seat... Don't worry, he did share! 
Our chef extraordinaire whipping up the scallops - we had too much food to eat all at once!

A little playing and note taking(??) before they head to bed.

Looks like santa came!

Scoping out the goods.

Merry Christmas - I am just a little excited!


The last gift - a Kindle Fire!

I think these girls are going to really enjoy this, and have to figure out how to share it!

Pete surprised me with a new road bike! I can't wait to take for a spin after the baby is born.


Enjoying some new clothes and stuffed animals.

Dancing to Tchaikovsky. Yeah for more Christmas music!


More dancing later in the day.

This is one way they can both see the kindle at the same time...

Time for Christmas ham.

Daddy trying out the kindle.

Happy, silly girls

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Advent 2013 Part 2

Here are a few pictures from our final Advent Activities this year. What a wonderful season of light and expectation! 

Trying out a new birthday toy

Decorating ornaments for the tree. Thanks Bonne Mere!



Cookie time! Mommy was too tired for sugar cookies on our cookie day so we make "brown sugar cookies" (chocolate chip cookies without the chips).



Trying out some new nail polish. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!


Ready to go ice skating - first time for Marin and Charlotte!

Taking advantage of the walkers to get the feel of the skates.

Marin wanted to give it a go without the walker and Charlotte was like a little turbo kid with that thing! She zipped around the rink.

Charlotte giving it a go without the walker.

Superhero Daddy keeping both girls close and safe! 

Watching the zamboni.

Now that the ice is really slick the walkers are key.

Time to make Mock Cake - it must be Christmas Eve!

Rolling out the dough is a big job.

I used my new vitamix to grind the poppy seeds. Check out how smooth that filling is!!!

Excited to set up the playset that our neighbors gave to us.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Advent Activities

This year we are celebrating the Season of Advent a little differently. Our hope to create lasting memories of this wonderful time of year where we focus on doing things together as a family and giving to others in ways that we can. Each day the kids open a card that has an activity on it. It has been a resounding success and we will look forward to planning Advent Activities next year too! Here are a few pictures from some of our activities.

The Advent calendar up and ready for the season.

Making Christmas Cards

Pulling down the next card.


Marin's turn

Marin is working on sounding out words so this has had an extra level of fun each day.

Loaves of GF bread ready to take to church for the Home Tour bake sale. 
Building a craft at Home Depot - they provide this free service the first Saturday of each month!


It is so much fun to hammer with real nails.


Time to paint.


Daddy giving a snowflake demo.
Working hard on making snowflakes.
Beautiful!


This cutting is hard work.

All by myself!!


Sweetie, our "Kindness Elf, " hung up the snowflakes in the night. Do you see her in the picture?

Stringing popcorn and cranberries.


Daddy is home from work and Charlotte is up from her nap - stringing part 2.

Mommy with two "mermaids" and our new decorations.
At the theater to see the Nutcracker. The ballet was wonderful and the girls kept telling us how much fun this was.

In downtown Longmont ready for the Parade of Lights.
Big girl Charlotte needing some close time with Mommy.

Eskimo Kiss

Here comes the parade.



At our "company lunch" with Mommy on the same day Daddy went out to lunch with his work team.

Charlotte's class making gingerbread houses.


Marin's class making gingerbread houses.