Christmas 2013.

After Ryan was off call at 7am we loaded up the Pilot and headed to the farm.  Everyone else was already there waiting for us (the kids) and we couldn't get there any faster!  Ryan was going on little sleep but had had several cups of coffee.  The drive went well until we hit a bit of bad weather the last hour.  We arrived at the farm safely and were ready for a Christmas celebration!  We hung out for a few hours then got everyone ready for Christmas Eve service.  After church we came back and ate some yummy appetizers and the kids each opened one present.  The kids went to bed well considering there was BIG anticipation for Santa to come!  We set our cookies and milk out and headed to bed (I can't believe I forgot to snap a picture, sad.)

The kids woke up and were so excited that Santa had found them at the farm!!

 We all had a great Christmas Day celebration filled with family, good food and lots of new things to play with/wear.  We are so blessed to have such a great family to spend Christmas with!! Merry Christmas!!

Emma had a pretty rough few days and decided she needed to use Kadence's new American Girl doll bed as her own…oh holiday bliss.

Christmas in Cloquet.

We started our holiday extravaganza with a trip to Cloquet for the weekend to celebrate an early Christmas.  We arrived later Friday night and made Saturday our celebration day.  Dad wore his Santa shirt which still had Christina on the naughty list?  Ha ha.

 All 5 of the kids had a blast opening up their presents.  They were all so patient and opened them one at a time so we could see what everyone gave and received.

 Such a blessing to have all these happy, healthy children in our lives.  Love them all!

I am blessed to have this special child in my life also!

Emma and Sofie were staying safe on Grandma's lap during all the chaos.

 This little one may have stole the show yet, again.  She had to put her new Minnie outfit on and loved it!  The kids had some fun new toys to play with the rest of the weekend and the 5 of them played together so well.  We ate a yummy supper then the guys headed out to a movie.  Sunday we hung out and watched the football game.  Annabelle, Kenzie and I headed over for a couple hour visit with Grandma June.  It was so great to see her and spend some good quality time with her.  We headed back Sunday evening so Ryan could work Monday and then we were off for our second trip...

Gingerbread House.

Kadence had a holiday celebration and gingerbread house making the last day of school before winter break.  Unfortunately, she got strep throat on Wednesday and missed their big Polar Express party.  She was very disappointed but understood that she needed to get him so she didn't get her friends sick.  By Friday she was feeling totally fine and had had 24 hours+ of antibiotics so she was able to make it to school.  Ryan had someone cover for him so he was able to be out of work in time to make it to the party.  I was so happy she had some Kadence and Daddy time (without having Kenzie along.)  They had fun and made an adorable yummy looking gingerbread house.  Such a fun activity we have been able to do with the kids at their schools the past 3 years.

Landon's Gymnastics.

After an entire summer of watching both of his sisters do gymnastics Landon finally had his turn.  He begged me every time we took Kadence to her class so we decided to let him do a class when his flag football was over.  He is in an all boys class on Monday nights.  There is a wide range of ages (6-14) which has been a good motivator for Landon.  The class is 730-830 on Monday nights so Ryan took him to class while I would stay home with the girls.  The last class of the session was parents day so the girls and I also went and watched.

 It was pretty cute to watch Landon show off all of his progress.  He was super embarrassed with me there taking pictures.  His face kept turning red and I could tell he was embarrassed.  It was kind of funny because I have never seen him that way with all the sports he has done-t-ball, flag football, soccer, basketball, tae kwon doe.

I couldn't help but think of my little almost 4 year old boy doing his first activity- a gymnastics class, in Sioux Falls.  How did he grow up so fast?  He looks so grown up now.

 Sioux Falls September 2010

Landon passed levels 1-6 and did an excellent job for his first time!  He wants to continue to do gymnastics so he is signed up for the next session in January.  He will also be starting basketball in January!

What a cutie pie he was!!!  I just can't believe he is already 7.  Tear...

Christmas Cookies.

We always try and do cut out cookies with the kids around Christmas time.  We most of Sunday afternoon baking and decorating the cookies.  Cut out cookies are quite time consuming and even more so when you let little people help.  It is totally worth it as the kids love doing it and are always so proud of their creations.

 They were the yummiest cookies EVER!

Hey Mickey!

Kadence had her Holiday Dance Recital at the NDSU fine arts auditorium and it was a great show.   Her class was costumed as cheerleaders and did a little ballet routine to "Hey, Mickey."  She did so well and was very excited to perform!

 We had to put pigtails in her hair for the show so of course Kenzie had to have pigtails, too.  Dance is just such a great think for Kadence.  It is a time where she truly shines.  She can be kind of shy and not always know how to handle her emotions but when she gets on stage she is the happiest most confident that I ever see her.  I really hope it is something that she continues to do!

Kadence was excited to have Aunty Holly and Mike come watch her!  She even colored a picture for Aunty Holly while she was waiting backstage!

I am so excited to for what the end of the year recital will bring!  So proud of our little dancing princess.