Jello Shots! Triple Flips! The Tooth Fairy! Hooray!!

Christmas morning at our house was especially exciting ~  No more than 15 mns. after tearing into presents, Henry lost his first tooth!  It had been loose for awhile, but what a special day to lose it.  That lucky kid got Santa one night and the tooth fairy the next.  And if you ask me, five is probably the best year to believe in both of those magical people.  :)

The special "tooth box"

Here Violet is showing off her new big girl bed.  We assembled the bed a couple of months ago, and she hasn't fell out yet!  Haha.  I did put a couple of extra blankets on the ground the first few nights though, just in case.  Anyway, both kids got such awesome gifts for Christmas including this super sweet owl/bird/hedgehog quilt and pillow set, and wall decals from her grandma and grandpa.  It's so sweet to look at - I wish I were 3 again!

Community Ed. gymnastics wrapped up for both kids (the only year they could be in the same class).  A winter session was offered and even though they both said it was fun, they didn't want to rejoin.  That was OK by me, I hate driving on our snowy roads at night!

They walked the high beams...

And practiced the bars...

Violet spotted Henry in a triple flip...

And jumped around on big mats...quite fun!

For those of you who might have missed it on Facebook, the X-mas celebration at my Aunt JoAnn's was very memorable.  I only get to see my Grandma Dina (who is a blog-follower) about twice a year so it's always special, but this year even more so with all the fun and laughs we shared as a family.  Here is my 90 year old grandma, Aunt Jo, and mom balancing cookies on their head while taking a Christmas-colored jello shot.  It was my grandma's game, I swear.

I'm not sure who came up with this idea, we can just blame those darn shots again, but here the family gets my grandma geared up for a snowmobile ride! Her FIRST snowmobile ride!

Hang on Grandma - Jere's driving!  However, you can feel secure in knowing that he was a professional pizza delivery guy in the early 90's. 

Again... She's 90!!  Everyone was chasing them up and down the driveway with flashing cameras.  It was worse than Paris Hilton and the paparazzi.

Grandpa George and Grandma Dina, front and center.  What a great time!  Love you Grandma and Grandpa!!!  Promise no more extreme sports 'till we see you again!

More Sugar Please!

Isn't this sweet?  Violet had her Christmas dance recital at the studio.  The snow was falling outside and it was warm and cozy inside... perfect!

OK, the next three photos I added for pure enjoyment when laughing at other peoples kids!  Check out the girl on the right.  I think she may have had pixie sticks for supper.  She was all over the place including face down on the floor, just laying there.  I can laugh cuz I've been there.  :)

Again, far right..

Oh, that girl was crackin' me up!  There's always gotta be one!

They all pulled it together though for an excellent show.  Grandma Sue always does such a nice job!  Love you Grandma Sue!

Third Time's a Charm... or not.

Henry and Violet had their preschool program a couple days ago.  Henry was a Shepard and Violet a Lamb.  This was Henry's third time as a flock-watcher when you add in the Sunday School performances.  I assured him this was because he showed such excellence in this particular part and he was sure to do an amazing job this time with all that experience.  He didn't buy it and we watched him yawn his way through the program.  Yes, he yawned.  A couple times.  He literally looks so uncomfortable it's hard to watch as a parent, but we still get a couple laughs out of it anyway.  Violet however, took her lamb role quite seriously and enjoyed a front and center place during the singing portion.  She isn't shy and doesn't seem uncomfortable on stage at all.  That's her in the red cowboy boots that she chose to wear.  Fitting, huh?  How can two kids be so different??

Henry, it's baby Jesus at his birth!  Try to show some enthusiasm!

Cute little lambies... Vi is far left in photo.

Merry Christmas Everybody!

Cookies and More

Grandmama Judy took us to the Swede after Sunday School last weekend.  Violet's pancake was bigger than her head and she ate every last bite, along with 2 eggs and hot chocolate.  Deeelicious!

Our perfect tree - Henry cut it down himself as Violet played mitten puppets.

Every year the kids get tired of walking, fall over, cry because they're cold, it's always a mess.  But we carry on because it's tradition, dang it!

This would have been the best photo if not for the blur on one side - all eyes were open, big smiles from all kids and grownups alike - just squint your eyes a little, it's PERFECT!

Max is weighing in at 54 lbs!  He's 5 1/2 months old and such a sweet boy.

Grandma Judy's annual cookie decorating (wine drinking) party! 

My lovely sis-in-law Brenda making my favorite peanut butter chocolate kiss cookies.

Henry concentrating super-duper hard with the canned frosting.

My sweet little niece Em!

Violet kept saying, "Just one more final touch" about 50x.  This picture was not even close to her finished gingerbread house/palace.  Such a perfectionist.

Just one more final touch.

My handsome baby brother, Grizzly Adams.

Grizzly's woman, Anna!  She's really sweet and nice and all, but needs major lessons in the art of graham cracker house decorating... sorry Anna, I'm just saying...

Grandma Judy was totally proud of her house (she was upstaging us all) "Take my picture, take my picture!" she boasted....

Bam!  Oops, not as architecturally secure as you thought, huh Grandma?!  Haha! Sorry mom, had to throw this one in there! 

Pretty, aren't they?

So pretty that my mom's dog, Rosie, stole one in the middle of the night and smeared it all across the carpet.  Just spreading some Yuletide cheer, I guess.

Gingerbread cookies!

Happy Cookie Day!