Happy New Year!

Not too much to report. We had an awesome Christmas! This was the first year in which Dane fully understood Santa and the joy of giving to others. This made the spirit of the holiday come alive! We spent a lot of time with great people, enjoyed immense amounts of wonderful food and fully reveled in the magic Christmas brings! We are very blessed and spending time with those who are so special, really reinforces those blessings!

The weather has been very mild making it a little difficult to skate. The rinks are just now opening, but the ice isn't very good to skate on. Still doesn't stop all 3 guys from going!

Lacing up!

Here come the few Christmas pictures we actually took!

Happy 2012! Hope it brings health, happiness and many blessings!

MIA no longer!

Sometimes, when you get so far behind, it's just seems easier to not do it at all. That's where I've been. Between Dane going to school 4 afternoons a week in Rogers and Cash going to school two mornings a week in Elk River, I'm running all over the place, like, all.day.long. So besides that taking up so much of my time, we've also been busy. Weather has been mild, so we've gotten to do more outside things (although I'm dying for some snow). Here's a long update...

A few weeks before Halloween, we went to a super cool place in Champlin. The kids had an awesome time!

Dane waited in line for 45 minutes to do this. All of the other pictures are blurry, but he was a flipping machine! Super fun to watch!

October 21st, Ross and I, along with 4 other couples, went camping at Gooseberry Falls. It was cold. Super, duper cold-at night. But during the day-for our hikes and biking-the temperature was actually pretty good.

Despite the cold temps, we had a great time. But next year, we will be going earlier in the fall!

Pumpkins were carved the week of Halloween. They both wanted similar looks, however, Dane added the "mask" for a Raphael look (the Ninja Turtle)!

Annual event-Trick or Treating in Elk River with friends!

Halloween Night! The only picture I got of the two of them. Darth Vader and Bumblebee!

Mid-November and here we are with no coats, playing and picnicking at the park! Amazing.

We went and cut our tree down the day after Thanksgiving. Again, the weather was so mild. Insanely odd...

Dad and his boys. Pre-cutting.

Here's the one!

Our little hoodlums.


The decorating of the tree!

Our most beautiful tree yet!

My loves snuggling up for "The Grinch!"

Visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus!

A little Holidazzle Fun!

Dane is at a church preschool this year-and they had a Christmas Program! I've been so excited since I heard they were doing it. Look how sweet they are!?

Our two little angels!

Merry Christmas!

well...

Super behind, but that's the story of my life. Lots has been going on. School started. Fall officially started (I say officially because while we've been doing some fall activities, the temps have been way above normal so it doesn't really feel like fall-80 yesterday. October 11th. Cr-azy)!
I'm still on the PTA for ECFE where Cash goes, and we held our 2nd annual fun walk/run this past weekend. Another beautiful day spent being active with your family-awesome! Other than those things, we've just been busy with every day life.

Dane started his 3rd and final year of preschool at Kid's of Peace in Rogers. He has a class designed just for 5 year olds that turned 5 during the summer. There are 6 kids in the class and their schedule is much like that of a kindergarten classroom. He loves it-we love it. It helps make me realize that we made the right decision have him wait one more year.

First day of school.

Cash started his first year of preschool this year. He was so excited! He showed everyone his new Transformer backpack for a few days before school even started! And the day of, I was very nervous. He's my little clinger (the 2nd clinger) and so I was worried. But...I shouldn't have been. He said "bye Mom. Love you!" and ran inside. I know my jaw dropped. It was like, whoa. I've got two big boys.

101 market time with friends Ayden and his Mom Becky!
The boys love playing with Ayden-he likes to wrestle just like they do!

We also visited Apple Jack Orchard in Delano, with our friends Addie, Brooklyn and Caren. Played, picked and ate. Another great time had by all! And the apple donuts were to.die.for!

Our pickings were not going to waste. We made applesauce. And it was delicious. So fresh. Here's my little helpers!

And lastly, here are a few pictures from our walk/run at Handke! It was a busy day for me, but so extremely rewarding seeing people I love spending time together at an event that took a lot of work!

Kelli and Nicholas

Crazy hair

Playing at Storyland!