Winter Fun

Happy Birthday Celtin

Celtin turned 6 a couple weeks ago, I can't believe how fast he is growing up. He is so sweet and smart I am so happy he is part of our family. We all love him so much. His awesome Aunt Carli, Uncle Ryan and cousin Hayden joined us for cake and then he opened presents on his actual birthday. The following Saturday he had an Indiana Jones birthday party with some friends from church and school. They went on a treasure hunt and I think he had tons of fun.

Christmas goodies

Lochlan had his first taste of Oberweiss ice cream. They have this cinnamon ice cream that is soooo yummy. It surpassed mint chocolate chip and is my all time favorite. Here he is eating a chocolate covered pretzel. Yummy

Fresh vs Fake Christmas Tree

I love picking out fresh Christmas trees and I love the way the smell fills the house and how each one is unique.

I hate watering the tree everyday, vacuuming up the fallen needles and finding a place to throw it out at the end of the season.

A few years ago much to my chagrin we bought a fake tree. Adam hates having to deal with fresh trees. This year we tagged along with Adam's sister and her family as they went to a fun little tree lot to look for a fresh tree. We went on a horse drawn hay ride, met Mrs Claus, saw a reindeer and walked through the tree lot. Celtin tried his hand at being a tree and Anika spotted a 99.9% dead tree with one little green sprout. It was lots of fun even though we did not get a fresh tree. :)

Thanksgiving

We had a really enjoyable thanksgiving. Adam's sister and her family came over and we stuffed ourselves with yummy food then played an intense game of sorry. We ate more yummy food then watched a movie. It was very relaxing and super enjoyable. We love spending time with their family. The best part is that my sister in law cooked the turkey so I am still going strong with this whole never having to roast a turkey thing! :) I wonder how long I can make this last?

Ryan trying to figure out how to carve the turkey...

Adam wasn't much help

Anika and Celtin were done with their first plateful before we sat down to eat.

Totem Pole

Anika had a school project last month. She had to make a totem pole that told a story. She decided to tell the story of her move from Utah to Illinois.

• First she had a seagull to represent Utah
• Then a tiger paw to represent her school Sandburg Tigers
• Next a picture of her
• A cardinal for Illinois
• Last a tree for Big Hollow Schools

It turned out really cute and I think she did a wonderful job. I glued to cans together but she came up with the pictures for her story and colored them and cut out the wings. Fun stuff!

Lochlan's First haircut

I finally gave Lochlan his first haircut (9 months). It was about 5 and 1/2 inches long on top so it was definitely time. Adam was so worried it would make him loose his curl but it had to be done. His hair still curls, although not in ringlets anymore. We started out upstairs on the counter but after he got bored with the toothbrush we had to finish up the haircut downstairs while he watched one of his baby Einstein videos. I think he looks older but very handsome. Anika was not happy with me when she came home from school. She doesn't like that he looks older. :)