Winter Weekend in Brainerd

Last weekend we went up north to visit my college friend Janna and her husband Erik. Janna and Erik finally moved back from Montana last year after finishing their residency and fellowships in Billings. They both signed contracts with the Crosby Hospital and Clinic and then bought this beautiful home on the lake in Baxter. Trevor took this picture of the sun coming up over the lake.

 The Vilens do not have any kids yet so while the Knights were up at 7 am having breakfast the Vilens were up stairs sleeping. Not exactly sure how they slept through all the noise my kids made?

 Then after a few failed attempts to get out on their lake to fish we loaded everyone up (including their dog Chuck) and drove over to North Long Lake to do a some ice fishing. The kids were amazing! There was not a lot of room in Erik's ice house and they just hung out, had snacks and fished for 2 hours.

                                       

 Olivia started outside of the ice house and Trevor made her right at home with her snack,chair and blanket. She lasted about an hour before she decided to join us in the warm ice house.

                                                 

 After a couple hours Janna and I took the kids back to the house to start dinner. Of course we did not catch anything but as soon as we left the fish started biting. The big boys came home with 7 walleye and Erik made us a great fish fry on Sunday for lunch before we left.

 On Sunday morning Ben was starting to get a little stir crazy and so Erik and Trevor took him outside and they walked all over the lake. Then they came back, picked up Olivia and went for a walk down their long drive way.

                                      

      After a while Janna and I took Jameson out to find the rest of the crew. He sure does love to shovel! 

                                                
                                                

 Then it was inside for some hot coco and lunch before heading home. Before we left Ben asked Erik if we could come back EVERY year! Thanks Janna and Erik for a wonderful weekend!

Hague House Dinner

Every year the Roommates get together for dinner. This is the 2nd year we landed ourselves Jess and Al's condo for a little swimming and taco pot luck. It has worked so well to have access to the pool and party room so none of us have to prepare our home.

Sarah L-S,Rachel,Maddy,Jess B, Sarah K,Jess P

 Over the years we have added a few to our get together. We now have 12 boys, 2 girls, one more boy on the way and one unknown on the way (hopefully another girl to even things out)

It was a great night with my girls. Some I see more often that others but we always pick right up where we left off last year. 

Rink Rats

Even with all the cold weather we have made great use of the rink this year. Ben can't get enough time out there. One morning we had the Murrays over to enjoy a couple hours outside. Cullen was excited to get back on his skates after a long fall recovering from a broken leg. Ben was just excited to have his buddy over.

 The girls enjoyed their time outside too. Most of their time was spent playing in the snow and having some snacks.

 Group snack before going inside for lunch

 

 Ben also just finished a 4 week "Rink Rats" clinic through the park and rec department. He got to play outside for 1 hour each week. I went last week in the freezing cold to get some pictures of him out there. It has been really fun to watch him improve as the winter progresses.  

Crazy Christmas Season...

This Christmas season was crazy as always but this year felt a little more nuts with the late Thanksgiving. Every year the Christmas season starts with our visit to Tonkadale Nursery the weekend after Thanksgiving to visit Santa. Santa is so good with the kids! He takes time with everyone, goofs around a little with the kids and invites the whole family for the pictures. We learned a few years back that if Trevor and I just start in the picture with the kids we avoid a lot of tears.

 

Then we went to the very last Hollidazzle parade with the Moseleys. It was not near as cold as two years ago. The kids did great and loved all the music and lights.

 

This year Ben got to be a Wise Man in his little Christmas show at church. He was so excited to carry his gift of Myrrh.

 

Olivia and Jameson also had a little Holiday Concert.

 

Then it was finally time for Christmas. We started our celebration early with the Alms the Sunday before Christmas. We had a nice dinner followed by gifts and dessert.

 

 Jameson has Grandpa's new gloves on and is wearing Daddy's new hunting boots on his feet.

 Then it was down to Fairmont to spend Christmas Eve with the Eisenmingers. Olivia got to put the Baby Jesus in the manger this year.

 

Even though the Christmas Season gets a little crazy it is always filled with lots of Friends, Family, Love and Laughter. Here's to a great 2013!

Jameson turns 2

Our Little Guy is 2! It is crazy how much he has grown up in the last couple months. He is talking all the time (even when no one is listening). He gives lots of hugs and kisses now, asks us to "snuggle for 2 minutes" at bed time, pushes and shoves his siblings when they don't leave him alone and has a new obsession with gloves (anyone's gloves)!

 

 He received lot of gloves for his birthday and he rotates which pair he likes to wear each day.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

She is 4!!

Our little girl has turned 4!! I cannot believe how fast she has grown up. She is sweet, cuddly, funny, curious, stubborn and sassy as ever and we just cannot get enough of her! Jeff took some picture of the family this fall and Olivia definitely stole the show. Here is a little glimpse of her personality at 4.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year Olivia had her first party with a few close friends. The party included the Moseleys, Modrows, Murrays and Juliens. The kids had a great time decorating their aprons and chef hats, making pizzas and having cake and ice cream. We were not sure how Olivia would do because she does not like a lot of attention on her in large groups of people but she did great. The party was a success!

 Happy Birthday Sweetie!