Thanksgiving 2011

As is tradition at every holiday, we tried to get a picture of all the kids together. Gracie wasn't really into it. Actually, she wasn't into much on Thanksgiving. I had cute outfits picked out for the girls, but they stated that they would only leave the house in their Packers shirts. I knew that wouldn't go over well with my Viking fan family, so I concinced them to at least wear a team-neutral Koos for Kids charity shirt instead. Oh well, I can't win them all.

At least I got cute one of my niece, Elara with JR.

After dinner the kids made a paper chain for Nana and Grandpa's Christmas Tree.

Then the glitter glue came out to make a few ornaments.

Bee decided Grandpa looked cold.

The grandkids decorated the Christmas tree too!

I'd say the bottom two feet of the tree look marvelous!

Happy Halloween!

 Our family tradition is to meet at my brother's family's house for trick or treating. They have a wonderful, family oriented neighborhood. Here are all the girls in their costumes. Spider-Man, Rapunzel, Iron Man, and a duck. Lots of people laughed at my girls in such boy costumes, but it was always with a smile. I have unique kids, and I love it.

 We managed to keep track of Gracie's Spider-Man mask for three days, just to lose it the morning of Halloween and find it the day after. Figures.



Brianna's Second Birthday Party

 Happy 2nd Birthday, Brianna!

We celebrated on Saturday with a gathering of friends at a local park. I had hoped to have a bubble art project and lots of bubble making activities but it was too windy to attempt any of that craziness. Instead, we just played and visited, ate, and opened presents. It was a nice way to celebrate and when we got home and were getting out of the van I asked Bee if she had fun. Her response was "Yeah. Miss. It."

 While I was setting up Bee found a big stick to carry around. 

 Both girls love this playground. 

 The cheesy poofs and big rock were the hit of the party. 

 Last weekend we went to the apple orchard with my parents, my brother's family, and my friend Carrie and her daughter, Jolynn. We had lots of fun picking out pumpkins, riding the wagon, eating apple treats, and playing at their attractions. 

 Bee was impressed with the humongous pumpkins.

 Gracie's mission was to find one she could pick up. She kept rejecting them, saying they were too heavy if she couldn't hold them for a while. The picture above she had just dropped the pumpkin at her feet and declared it "not THE ONE." 

 Mission accomplished! I'm not certain it's actually a pumpkin-it may be a gourd, but she was happy and satisfied. She waltzed to the scale without me and tried to pay for it. The worker said "It's one dollar and sixteen cents." Gracie: "ok." Worker: "Do you have one dollar and sixteen cents?" Gracie: "Yep." Eventually, my dad came up and paid for the pumpkin as I was busy chasing Bee and the stroller, with my wallet was a ways away.

 Gracie, Bee, Jolynn, Elara.

 Bee loved this cutout. She kept running into other people's pictures. She kept me busy!

Happy Birthday, Elara

We recently celebrated my niece's fourth birthday by going to Como Town, a small amusement park geared for children ages 2-12. Gracie had so much fun, she really loves playing with Elara.

This video is Bee's first ride, the teacups, with Uncle Tony.




Gracie rode the Frog Hopper, which is a lot like the Wonder Pets ride at MOA.



Gracie loved the cars.




We took a break from the rides to have some cake and sing for Elara.





Then we headed to the splashpad.





Finally, Gracie had to check out the zipline, because "the gang" uses a zipline in the Scooby-Doo movie we have on Netflix.

More From Our Easter

The day before Easter, my brother's family's neighborhood had an egg hunt. If you can call it a "hunt." They put eggs out in a field and the kid collect them. Luckily, they let the kids three and under have the first minute before letting the other kids join the collecting. Once the big kids are unleashed, the little kids are pretty much done. Gracie had a blast, and Bee was pretty entertained too. Above, the cousins are waiting to be allowed to begin.

After the egg hunt we went to my brother's family's house for a while. Gracie loves singing "Happy Birthday," so she was in heaven when she found Elara's birthday cake toy. You can really blow out the candles after singing!

Easter morning both girls got a little basket from the Easter Bunny.

Easter day we went back to my brother's family's house for a family egg hunt and brunch.

Ready to hunt for eggs!

Found one!

After hunting and eating, we went to the park.

After naps, we played in our "back yard" for a while.

Both girls got a decorate-your-own jewelry box from Tony's family, and they wanted to work on them before bedtime. Gracie matched up the shapes of her jewels before gluing anything on.

Bee jumped right in with her stickers!