Christmas 2010 #1 and #2

Christmas came and went all too quickly yesterday. I tried to cherish each little moment of spending time with family. We had not one, but two celebrations yesterday. We began the day opening gifts from Santa. Sophia was thrilled to see that Santa came and brought her the ENTIRE Disney Princess collection.

Hal got a remote controlled helicopter from Sophia and just had a blast flying it around the house.

After opening presents and having breakfast, we headed over to my parents for Christmas dinner.

It was nice to have my Grandma with us for another celebration this year. Next month she will be 90 so this is quite a special time for her.

Sophia with Papa and Nana
We had some snacks and then sat down to a fantastic holiday dinner. Great food and great conversation took us into the late afternoon. Our family made our way back to our house so Sophia could have a nap and we could get ready for celebration #2. We got the house set up and patiently awaited our guests.

Hal's family arrived and the food and fun started all over again. This time we had appetizers and grazed while we opened presents. It was fun to see the kiddos open their presents together. Sophia and Abby got cute little chairs from their cousins and it was adorable to see them take a liking to them immediately.

Once we got through all of the presents it was time for everyone to head home. What a wonderful way to end the day.

This week will be busy with us traveling to yet another Christmas at my parents when my brother arrives home. We are so thrilled for him to come home and Sophia can barely wait to play with her uncle Ryan.

Breakfast with Santa

Yesterday we went as a family to Breakfast with Santa. This is our third year that we have gone to this event. It is put on by 3M at Tartan Park Clubhouse. The breakfast is normally the same each year, but it is awfully wonderful food.
I look forward each year to this new tradition we have started. It is such a relaxing morning to sit and have a breakfast together as a family without rushing. We got to breakfast and I instantly felt that calm come over me. It was fun to see Sophia recognize Santa right away.


We sat down and had our breakfast and saw our friends the Hickels. They have also done this the past three years with their family. I went to high school with Katie, Hal works with Katie's dad, and my dad used to work with Katie's husband. It is fun to catch up with them and watch their family grow.

After breakfast we patiently awaited Santa's arrival to our table. When he came Sophia was thrilled to see him. She again asked Santa for a stuffed animal. It seems to be the new thing for her. Despite the fact she has a bed full of them, she continues to ask for one.


Santa was wonderful with Sophia and even gave her a candy cane. Then it was off back home to enjoy the rest of a relaxing day.

Today we will finish up some last minute shopping and go out for dinner this evening to celebrate my dad's birthday which is on the 22nd. Only six more days.......

Mountain of Snow

I don't think I need say more. We got too much snow in Minnesota and now we have a mountain in the middle of our circle. It is almost as tall as the tops of the trees. Sophia and Hal ventured out on Sunday to climb up top of it and then slide down.

This week has been a busy one with Hal sick, Sophia and all of her programs for dance and gymnastics, and everything else on top of it. The holidays are taking us over.....I don't mind though. I still have a work party to attend to, holiday light tour with the family, and breakfast with Santa. Much more to come throughout the week, but for now a short post to keep you entertained on our mountain of snow.

Santa, Santa, Everywhere

Yesterday I had a cookie exchange with all of my girlfriends from the neighborhood. It was a wonderful time for us to all get together. I hope we can do it again next year. I walked away with a plate and then some of all different types of cookies.

After the exchange Hal and I took Sophia to see Santa. She again was not the least bit scared and ran right up to him.

She asked him several questions like what do the reindeer eat and then told him she wanted a new stuffed animal for her bed.

We also met her friend Peyton at the mall. The girls looked just adorable together!

Peyton also just adored Santa. It was so fun to see how much the girls looked up to Santa.

Then we left the mall and headed home for lunch. We all ate lunch and then it was nap for Sophia. I went to workout and Hal worked on the house. He is currently working on a huge project! He is so incredibly handy. He put up chair rail in the house and is painting underneath it. He is working so that it all gets done before our party this weekend.

Sophia woke up for nap and we went again to see Santa at the Stonemill Christmas Party. It was awfully funny as we walked in Hal and I thought the Santa looked almost the same as earlier, but we knew that it couldn't be possible as Stonemill has the same Santa each year. Not so I guess, because.......it was the exact same Santa from earlier. Sophia gave him her list and they discussed the presents she

wanted. Santa told Sophia that he really enjoyed Buzz Light Year as she had the figurines from Toy Story 3 on her list. It was pretty cute.

She sat on Santa's lap and he gave her a treat and a picture of himself signed. To her, this was the most exciting thing in the world. She couldn't believe that Santa gave her a note with a picture.


We finished up with Santa and then went outside for a sleigh ride with the real reindeer Dasher and Prancer. It was a bit chilly outside, but the memories will last a lifetime.


After this fun event filled day, we came home to Hal finishing the house projects into the late evening and I wrapped presents. We were both exhausted.

It will be a busy week with Hal doing some DIY for work with painting and I have an event for school, haircut, and party stuff. Sophia has her usual gymnastics, dance, and then party at Corey's house on Wednesday night.

Happy busy holidays!