Our "Family" Week

The week between Christmas and New Years is a special week for our family.  Steve's company shuts down so we have a "family" week. We planned for the week writing each day down on the top of a sheet of paper and then jotting down all of the ideas we had onto sticky notes and placing them where we thought they'd fit.  I loved it - I loved the time here in Milwaukee with all of us home.  In fact... I'm already looking forward to next year.

MONDAY: 

Monday we drove home from Steve's parents to find that Santa had visited our house.  We unpacked the car and then sat down to open gifts.  This picture is perfect because Olivia managed to get ahold of every present Norah opened before Norah did. :)

This was my favorite present that we gave Olivia. I had this hat made for her. :)

TUESDAY:

We took the kids to Adventure Rock.  It was so fun to watch them climb all over the place.  Braden has a fear of heights for some reason but did a good job trying his best.  

Steve and I even got a few climbs in and Norah tagged along, climbing some of the rocks from ground level.  This is definitely something we'll do again.

WEDNESDAY:

Each of the kids planned a meal.  This was Olivia's from her new cookbook.  It is "mouse" twice-baked potatoes. They were delicious!  

She also asked for kiddie wine! During the day today we went downtown to the Central Library where we played and checked out a boat load of books.  Then we went out to lunch at Botanas, a favorite Mexican restaurant of ours.

THURSDAY:

We met the Olsons at Red Arrow Park to give Ice Skating a try.  Norah wasn't sure about it but did hold Andrew's hand for a short stride.  

It was a BEAUTIFUL day outside.  The boys shed their jackets and had such a good time.  Braden showed a lot of perseverance and got up each time he fell.  By the end he was skating on his own.

Olivia also did great. I am impressed how quickly kids pick up new things.  She fell though about 30 minutes after beginning and broke her wrist.  We weren't sure it was broken at the time so we just sat on the bench outside the rink and watched everyone while sipping Starbucks.  She is such a trooper.

That night we had some friends over for dinner. The kids ran around, ate some pizza and left the adults to actually talk and enjoy some camaraderie.  It was really fun - we don't do that nearly enough.

FRIDAY:

Friday morning our neighbors Katie, Rory and Sabrina came over.  The kids watched Tangled in 3D while Katie and I were able to catch up.

Braden looks like a super dude! 

That afternoon I took Olivia to get her cast put on.  She hasn't really skipped a beat.  With the exception of the hassle it is fitting it into her many chosen outfits each day, I don't think she minds it at all.  She got a unicorn named Rainbow from her friend Ava (that you can see in the picture).  Olivia doesn't mind the extra attention! :)

SATURDAY:

Saturday Braden and Steve went skiing.  Braden took a lesson and really enjoyed it.  In fact he can't wait to go again.

That night Judy came down, we went over to Dave and Busters to play games and then came home, made a delicious dinner and played games until we went to bed - just shy of the new year!!

I loved our "family" week.

A Whirlwind

We started Christmas week with Olivia's holiday concert.  She did such a good job!! We were really impressed with the number of songs and movements that the little 4Kers remembered.  We happened to end up sitting directly in front of Olivia so had a clear view of her smiles and could hear her beautiful voice ringing out.

Norah kept busy with a squeeze fruit pouch from Nana.  Nana and Papa made the trip down. :)

Olivia was so proud of herself.  It was heartwarming to watch.

This is one of her best buddies Ceili.

We were even able to grab Braden from his classroom for the performance.  Olivia was lucky to have such a big cheering section!  

Later that night, after Nana and Papa left and took Norah with them, Braden, Olivia, Steve and I got all "fancy" and headed out for a surprise night.  We went for sushi and then to the Nutcracker.  

Dinner was fantastic.  It was a treat to have a whole conversation with Braden and Olivia without little interruptions!  We ate way too much sushi but it was delicious.

Then we went to the performance.  The kids did GREAT!  Olivia stayed up until the middle of the second half.  She then climbed onto my lap and fell asleep.  It was so sweet as she doesn't do that anymore.  I was in heaven watching the ballet with my family and a warm little girl snuggled into my chest.  

The next morning we woke up and headed up to Appleton to celebrate my dad's birthday.  Poor guy has to fight for attention each year as his birthday competes with Christmas.  

A babysitter came and took care of the kids while we went out for a really nice dinner.  It was wonderful to spend that extra time together during this busy time of year.  I feel so lucky to have such a loving family and family that I truly enjoy being with.

Day after that we traveled up to Steve's parents to celebrate yet another birthday - Marc's!  This is Marc and his new fiancé Kathy.  They weren't engaged at the time but are now and we couldn't be happier about welcoming Kathy into our family.  She and Marc seem just perfect together.  Best of all, she has two young boys - Brett and Will who Braden and Olivia already adore.  The first thing they said when they found out about the engagement is, "We have new cousins!!!"

Mixed in with Marc's birthday was our Christmas celebration. Nikki, Steve, Lola, Jillian, and Chris joined us as well.  It was mass craziness as the presents were opened one after another.  As you can see Norah was pleased as punch with these goldfish from grandma.

Lola got a baby doll from her great-grandma.  Doesn't she have the most beautiful eyes?  Olivia and Norah just adore her.  They talk about her often at home and were very excited to play together.  I think she and Norah are going to be double trouble in a few years.  

On the actual day of Christmas we traveled into town to see a movie.  Afterwards we went to the zoo to see the lights.  I LOVE Christmas lights and we definitely saw our share this year.  Our special tradition as we drive through things like this is that the kiddos get out of their seats and we eat candy canes. I didn't have candy canes along much to their dismay but they did snuggle up on laps for the ride.

On the way home we turned around to see both Braden and Olivia passed out in the back seat.  I think we plumb tuckered them out.  We had an amazing few days together and this proved it!!   

A Glimpse of Christmas

I'm not sure where Christmas went this year... It came out of nowhere and is now gone.  I loved our house this year.  I use the same decorations each year but find new places to put things and this year just seemed "pretty."  Here are a few glimpses of how Christmas made it's mark inside our house this year...

I have everything down and ready to get packed away for another year.  I loved the decorations this year - not too much, not too little - it was perfect.  I am still however wondering how the entire month of December has come and gone - let alone 2011.  

I guess it's time we welcome 2012!

Christmas in Appleton

We rotate where we spend the actual day of Christmas and this year it was at Steve's parents so the weekend before we drove up to Appleton to celebrate with my mom, dad, Sam, Em and Lincoln.  It was a wonderful weekend with great food, fun gifts, lots of playing and conversation.  

All Olivia asked Santa for was an American Doll but Nana had already taken care of that so she was absolutely delighted.  The doll was literally ripped from the package and not set down once.

Norah has her eyes on the "prize."

Norah and Olivia are feeding Lincoln.  They just can't get enough of him.  I really enjoy watching them interact with him.  Even Braden gets a kick out of entertaining Lincoln.  Good thing Lincoln doesn't mind lots of love.

I love this shot of Norah - completely screams "Look at ME," which is perfect for Norah at her big TWO years of age. She love attention and is going to give Olivia a run for her money in the SPUNK category. I love it. :)

The girls and their dollies.  

Lincoln is entering one of my favorite stages.  He's starting to giggle, really interact and show his personality. I love 9-12 months so much and just wish it didn't go so fast. 

I obviously didn't get pictures of everyone... I guess I was too busy to pick up my camera. :( I'll have to work harder on multitasking!  It was the perfect weekend.  Non-stressful and so great to have time with family.  I feel so blessed.

Braden's Christmas Concert

Judy made the trek down for Braden's Holiday Concert at school.  We sat in the audience and watched as the kindergarteners through third grade sang song after song.  Braden enjoys singing and we had great seats so it was a very enjoyable afternoon.

Thankfully we were seated on the aisle so Norah and Olivia could stretch out.  Norah was very keen on watching the different grades file onto and off of the stage.

Braden had a special part during one song. He played the xylophone.  We were really impressed at all of the songs and how well everyone did.  The music teacher at McKinley obviously works really hard with the kids.  

Santa

This year we saw Santa at the dentist... it was GREAT!  We did some crafts, enjoyed yummy treats and then got some one on one time with Santa. There was a professional photographer there but we haven't received the actual photo yet. I'll post it when we get it.  

Press Here

We love books and have found a new favorite.  Norah actually got it for her birthday but as you can see I'm a little behind on posting!  

 Press Here by Herve' Tullet is an interactive book and both Olivia and Norah LOVE reading it.

 Page by page you are greeted by bright dots and some instructions.  

 Norah just plays along, Olivia thinks it's magic and Braden has figured it out. :)

This is by far Olivia's favorite page.  You get to "blow" the black off the page.

If you're looking for a January pick me up check it out from the library - or if you need a gift for someone this is a GREAT gift for kids 4 and under. We highly recommend it!