December - Part 1

Our holiday season has been so jam packed that I've barely had time to think let alone blog, so I'm breaking December into just 2 posts - you've arrived at Part 1.  I know youv'e been at the edge of your seats.

Jeff and I spent the first few days of December in San Fransisco visting my sister for our 7 year anniversary trip!  She's been out there 2 years and we've been dying to get out there and see her.  Our trip exceeded our expectations by a zillion.  It was AWESOME!!  We saw/did/ate/drank everything.  Thanks Kristen for a wonderful trip!  And thanks to Grandma for staying home with the kiddies!

St. Nicholas visited us on December 6.  Precious morning with stockings and pancakes.  I was kind of laughing at how stereotypical gender themed their treasures were, on accident.  Ike - batman headphones, batman hat, blue snowman cup, spiderman slippers, superhero book.  AJ - Disney princess, bottles for her babies, purse/gloves dress up, pink santa cup.  Ha!

Isaac has spent December being concerned with only 1 thing - that Santa knows just exactly what he is wishing for this year.  Santa's lap...check.  Mailing a letter to the North Pole....check.  Getting baby sister anywhere near that bearded jolly man.....not happening.  So, no cute pic of my kiddos together on Santa's lap this year.  Don't worry - Isaac was sure to tell Santa that Audrey needs more baby dolls!

December has also brought me a special gift - a new goddaughter!!  Lucy Ruth was baptized.  She's so darn precious and I love her.  Her mommy is my bestie from home and her daddy was one of my very first friends from preschool.  Special.

December 17 - Audrey turns 22 months.  Just like that.  Poof.  I feel like I'm in some kind of time warp with her.  Here I've captured her with her great loves.....pig tails, nail polish, her baby and her rendition of Itsy Bitsy Spider.  What a love.

We were also blessed with a visit from my dear friend Alicia for our annual knock-all-xmas-shopping-out-in-one-weekend weekend.  4 years in a row.  It's also tradition now for her to come with us to pick out our tree!  

And tonight.....Christmas Concert at school.  Not much is cuter than a group of Junior Kindergarteners belting out Oh Come All Ye Faithful.  Front row, between center boy and girl in red dress (green sweater vest).

Winter Wonderland.

After a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration in our new house with family we kicked off the Christmas season by taking a horse drawn carriage ride through a winter wonderland of lights!  It was amazing - the kids were in awe of everything...the horses, the lights, the sleighs, the cold night air, the bright moon.  Isaac took it all in very quietly with a permanent grin on his face, leaning over at one point to tell me that he didn't want this to end.  Audrey took it all in loudly with squeels, laughing and clapping.  And we are all now in the holiday spirit!

Halloween 2012

 Is there anything cuter than skeleton jammies?!

 Since Jeff was MIA all fall studying for his Cardiology Boards I wasn't brave enough to tackle pumpkin carving on my own.  So we did mr. potato head style jack-o-lanterns and they turned out great and were so easy!  Princess for AJ, Captain America for Ike.

 My batman and piglet.

 Isaac thought Audrey should be Robin since he chose to be Batman.  I let him choose AJ's costume last year so I wasn't going to let him choose again.  So poor Molly had to take one for the team.

 Really, what else can you be for Halloween when you are in the 100th percentile for weight at 20 months?!!

My trick or treators!  Love.

Wisconsin x2.

The last 2 weekends were spent in my favorite state of the union.  Even if it was cold and mostly rained!  I did land a nice case of laryngitis, but its a small price to pay for 2 great trips!

Weekend #1 at good old St. Norbert with my girls.  Love.  We have gotten together every single fall since we graduated 10 years ago.  The last 2 girls weekends have included matching tshirts - why not?!  Girls Weekend 2013?.....STL!!  Yes!

I took the kiddos with me to WI and left them with Mimi and Papa for a weekend of fall fun!

Weekend #2 in Milwaukee for my dear cousin AJ's wedding!  What a beautiful event and some wonderful family time.  When I think about it there is no one in the world that I have known longer than Amanda (well, besides my parents, obviously).  We were born 1 day apart and she is very special to me.  I was honored to read in the ceremony - and laryngitis thought it could stop me, ha!  Congratulations Charles and Amanda!