Razzle Hollidazzle

We took Anna to her first Hollidazzle parade this past Thursday. We have tried to go every year for the past few and find it a "fun" family tradition to carry on. Sometimes our "fun" includes tears over wearing fluffy snowpants that are just not cool, other years it includes the fun of peering over 5 rows of other on-lookers because the weather is so nice and we are late, and some years (as in this year) it includs a 1.5 year old who does not like to sit still, had a short nap, and was up past her bedtime. We arrived on time...despite a disagreement in the car about which way to take. We found spots right up front, on the curb, and spread out our blanket to sit on. We let Anna wander around the street (don't worry, it is closed off) while Steve and Alix went inside to get us some hot coffee/chocolate treats. All seemed to be going well. Then...the parade started. Seems like that should be where the excitement really begins. But for Anna, it was where the excitement ended. She did not want to sit still...she writhed, squirmed, squealed (not with delight)with all her might trying to get free. When she didn't get her freedom the tears started. Luckily, just at this point along came the lights...she froze...and stared...and with open mouth quietly watched the float. Until there was a break before the next float. Then she started to squirm, squeal, make a run for it again. Then more lights...awe, quiet, and open mouth. Then break...squeal, writhe, cry. And repeat 10 or so more times. Good "fun" times that we'll remember for a lifetime. I'd show you all pictures of it, but unfortunately to add to our fun the camera was out of battery so all we have are fuzzy, dark pictures from Steve's camera. Enjoy...

HoHOHo

Anna had her second visit of her short life to Santa this past weekend. Last year she smiled away. This year she was not a fan of the big hairy man in the silly suit...no matter how hard he tried to entice her with his bells and belly laugh. After a while of eyeing him from a distance, and holding on to mommy and daddy with a death grip, she would finally get close enough...with daddy (the elf) to sit next to santa so we could grab a quick photo. I think deep down she really wanted to love him, you can almost see a smile on her face ;)

Long Time No See

I have lots of excuses, but little time, so I'll just promise to be better from now on and get on to business. A LOT has happened since I last blogged--namely Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Nana's 95th birthday. On top of that we have also started getting ready for Christmas...which is right around the bend. Here are some wonderful pictures to start you off...everything was so long ago that I'm not sure I can even remember what to say about it all, so captions will have to suffice. We'll work ourselves backward...

Our annual girls cookie baking madness. OK, it wasn't really madness since most of us cooked ahead of time, but it sure was fun. Here are some cute shots of the kids and ladies.








What was suppose to be our annual go out and cut down our own tree adventure turned into our go to the tree farm, be told that the cut your own is closed, and then pick one out of the lot adventure...not quite the same, but It actually worked out pretty well, since as you can from Alix's red nose she was not feeling well. Luckily we found about the most perfect tree that you can imagine. It's a siberian fir and smells wonderfully fragrant and a little bit citrusy. Later that night we ate some pizza and decorated the tree. AS you can see in the last picture it was all capped off by an Anna meltdown...




















Thanksgiving at Gammy's...oh, so yummy!



Nana turned 95 and had a grand party with all her friends and family. She enjoyed sharing memories and connecting with those she loves. It was a great day!







Pumpkin carving and Halloween...what is there to say?! Alix enjoyed going to a Halloween party as a Hippie with her new Middle School friends while Anna, a pumpkin, settled for a trip around the neighborhod with her Daddy.






This is Anna all bundled up and ready to go running with MOmmy and Daddy.



Basketball in her future?! If Auntie Amy has anything to say about it.



Just pure cuteness...if I do say so myself ;)

Long time...

Yes, it's been a long time. Back to school means back to business, and then there's that one year old that NEVER sits still...Anyway, the news (in bullet points...because I am lazy tonight):

*We have moved Anna upstairs to her "big girl" bedroom. We are now using her old teeny tiny room as our closet. Ahhh, it is so nice not to have our room so crammed with furniture! It's the walk-in I've always wanted.
*School is off to a good start for everyone. I am having a decent year...lots of kids who talk a LOT and have very LITTLE control of their bodies, but we are managing. Alix is loving Jr. HIgh...my little social butterfly is making new friends and learning how to make grades fit into the mix as well. Anna LOVES, loves, loves daycare and all her little friends (not to mention her caregiver Kelly.) I think she would be bored out of her mind if summer were to last any longer.
*Steve was kind enough to do well at his job and earn us a trip to Hawaii this winter (February). I have already been googling away on surfing lessons and snorkeling trips. I figure since we aren't paying for the trip we can live it up by doing everything we may never have the chance to do again.
*Did I mention, Anna never stops moving...ever. She is picking up some new words here and there. So far we are good with hi, dog, mama, dada, up...and some others that I swear I hear, but are awaiting confirmation by a second source.
*Oh yes, and there was some little thing about Steve running a marathon. He did great and did not embarrass me and my marathon time...so I will let him live ;) We all had a busy day cheering him on.

Here are some pics of our activities and the cute girlies as of late:

What her sister taught her

Orchard fun

Anna and dad going for a ride out to pick apples

Run Steve Run...here he is (the one in green) at mile 16.5

Run Daddy Run...Anna on her way to cheer him on

All the Happenings

Busy Busy last couple of weeks. I have started back to school :( , Anna has started back to daycare and Alix is soon to start Jr. High at her new school! We are all very excited (even me somewhat) for this year and all that it will bring. But there were a few last things we had to wrap up before we got back to work...

We visited the State Fair so Anna could experience her first mini donut, first ride on the giant slide (with Auntie Amy), first Sweet Martha Cookie, and first visit to ye old mill (a classic!). She had a blast and so did we. She even got to pet her first baby piglet, sheepy, and cow at the Miracle of Birth barn. Luckily she was too distracted to watch the cow giving birth on the TV monitor up over head...YIKES!!

We also finished the basement!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have a few details to wrap up, mostly just decorating, but all the big stuff is done and we have spent the last few nights lounging on our first big boy/girl sofa (not a hand me down!) and sharing some great family time. I'm in love with the bathroom (mix of subway tile and marble accent tiles), the computer area, and the FLOR carpet tiles that were a piece of cake to lay down (minus the few crazy cuts around the edges) and will be easy to take up and clean/change in case of any mishaps (sure to happen with 2 kids and a dog/cat!) We couldn't be any more pleased with the end result. The only thing that would make it better would be if someone would come and paint the trim for me...any takers?!

Well, gotta run eat dinner in front of the TV while I sit on the new couch...yea!!

Fun at The Great Minnesota Get Together









Anna's Crazy Hair...we're trying to grow out those bangs


Our friend Amy was the first of our group to turn 40! We celebrated with a surprise gathering at their place. It was fun to see Anna and Beckett, her son, play together since they were born just a week or so apart!






The before and after of the big basement remodel...began in February and ending in August!