A Visit with Santa

While we were in Duluth last weekend, we headed to the Bentleyville Tour of Lights. We had to drag the guys there, but once we were there, even they had to admit it was pretty stunning. You walked around a huge park with Xmas music blasting and beautiful lights everywhere. Plus, the kids got to meet all of Santa's reindeer and the jolly man himself!

Lauren was really excited to see the penguin. You see, about a month ago when we were talking about where Santa lives, she asked what else lives on the North Pole. I told her penguins, but I really wasn't sure. Whew! Looks like I was right:)

Ella had fallen asleep on the walk, but it was probably better this way! And my big girl Lauren surprised us and walked right up and hopped on his lap!

It might have had something to do with Santa giving out free hats... she seriously loves her hats!!

While the weather outside was frightful...

Last Thursday we headed to Duluth with our friends Gary and Angie. We stayed at a waterpark and the kids had a lot of fun!

Lauren and Leah ready to head to the pool.

Ella enjoying the water

Dan and Lauren- Lauren loved being in the big pool- she is getting a lot braver and actually floated around by herself for a bit.

He's Here!

Another cousin for Lauren and Ella! Cal Thomas was born November 19th (a pretty special day in my opinion:) After celebrating my birthday in the morning, I got the call that Becky's water had broke and it was time to pack up and drive to Dodgeville. To our surprise we actually made it for the delivery, and mom, dad, and baby did great. We stayed at Becky and Eric's until Tuesday so we had plenty of time to bond with sweet baby Cal. Now we are back home and ready to get settled into our routine... and make up for all those naps we missed:)

Big brother Leyton is so proud of his new baby!

One More Week

Lauren only has one more week of gymnastics left until they break for the holidays. It starts back up again in January. I was finally able to get a picture of her on the beam (she usually wants me walking right along next to her ever since we had an unfortunate fall), but today she was ready to do it by herself again! Good thing she forgets quickly, she had quite the scrapes and bruising on her inner thighs... I was also able to get a picture of her and Leah together- Leah is in the preschool class right after ours.

Savoring the Mild Weather

These last few days we have been outside enjoying every last bit of "warm" weather. That sure is a relative term, pretty sure when it hit 60 degrees on those summer nights I thought it was freezing! Anyway, I am so happy we have been venturing out because Ella can now use the swing set! She climbs the ladder all by herself and then walks right over to the slide and goes down feet first on her tummy! She absolutely loves it. And she loves walking/toddling around outside. The kids had a blast and are currently taking long naps!

She gets so excited up there!

Could she smile any bigger???

Shutterfly Holiday Cards

It is already that time of year when one needs to decide on Christmas cards! It is something that I really enjoy putting together, and I honestly LOVE receiving them in the mail. I actually look forward to trudging through the snow to the half-buried mail box during the holiday season in hopes of finding photo cards from friends and family! As a result, I wanted to let all of you know about this great deal for fellow bloggers. Shutterfly is offering 50 free cards to bloggers. Shutterfly is a great photo site, where I do the majority of my everyday 4x6 photo printing. Their site is very easy to use, and their card designs are the best year after year. They offer fun and cheerful designs with an elegant flair. I am having a very hard time choosing this year. I definitely love the folded card because unlike other photo cards it allows space to write a nice holiday message.

I love the collage cards…Found here...Found here...

But there is something so simple and elegant about one photo...

Found here

They literally have hundreds of designs to choose from, and I have a feeling I am going to be receiving LOTS of Shutterfly cards this year! Can't wait to see yours:)

So bloggers, head here to sign up. Write a blog post and 50 free cards are yours!

A Brand New Cousin

We went to Eau Claire yesterday to see Lauren and Ella's first cousin on the Weimert side... A baby boy! He was just a tiny little guy, 5lb. 6oz. and just so cute!

Gavin Thomas

The proud parents
We are so happy for them!

A Pink Poodle and a Busy Bee

For Halloween we stayed at the farm in NR and my sisters and I took the cousins trick or treating together. We came up with WAY too much candy, thanks to everyone- we only had six stops and somehow our buckets were overflowing. We ended the night with pizza at grandma and grandpas.

Ella went as a poodle

And Lauren was a crazy bee (this somber photo was before the sugar)

All six cousins

Lauren asked me to dress up, so I was a very simple cat.

We had a frightful visitor when we got back to the farm... it was hilarious. Grandpa pulled a rat out of his big gourd.

Doesn't look like the kids were too scared of him afterwards:)

Trick or Treat

We did our Rice Lake trick or treating a bit early since we are heading to NR on Halloween. Only 4 stops and it took 4 hours! Yikes, I hope we are a bit more timely on Sunday! Lauren got a little crazy, which was nice for the great-grandma's to see her that way, she is normally so shy when we go to their houses. And Ella did not fight the costume at all, so overall, a successful (but draining) day!

Lauren's costume didn't get in the way of her gymnastics...

With great-grandma Bev

Grandpa Joe and Grandma Karen

Cutest giraffe I've seen!

And with great-grandma Beatrice

I didn't get a great shot of Lauren in her costume, so if you can't tell what she is from these pictures I promise a better one after Sunday:)

Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Last week we went to the local pumpkin farm. We went on Thursday so it wasn't very busy, and the girls had a good time. We already have our pumpkins from Uncle Greg and Aunt Diane, so we spent most of our time in the petting zoo.

Ella really liked the bumpy pumpkin!
Ella inside the big playhouse pumpkin.

Lauren had the tractor bounce house to herself.

Ella made friends with this goat.

Okay, it helps that she was feeding them corn!