Back to blogging..

Seeing as I attempted to start my "New Year's resolution" early, and commit to updating my blog more frequently, it looks like I've failed. So much has happened since I wrote last. Obviously Christmas came and went. We were so lucky to be able to celebrate Christmas with every part of our family! This year we changed it up slightly and celebrated Christmas Eve Eve [Dec 23] with my Grandma at her apartment building. She is 93 and not real crazy about traveling all over the place for holidays, so we joined her and had her favorite--pizza! Blake enjoyed running around everywhere and looking at the birds down in the community room. It was a great time!

After cuddling up at home, we were off to my Aunt Barbs house for Christmas Eve. This is the first time I/we haven't had Christmas at my parents house in 30 years! So it was fun to be somewhere new. Blake loves running around with their dog Sadie, and even enjoyed playing the organ. We had a wonderful meal and then off to open gifts, Blake didn't really catch the concept that he had more than one! Which I guess is a blessing in disguise, but after a little prodding he finally opened up all his gifts. We had such a long day that it we couldn't even make it to church! My parents came to our house to spend the night. This would be the first year that Blake would open Santa gifts, so there was an extra stocking from grandma and grandpa as well.

 After a great morning of opening gifts and carmel rolls, we were onto Christmas #3. We went over to Erin and Marty's to spend Christmas afternoon with them. There were great plans for sledding, but seeing as there were 18 inches of snow and a very steep incline, Marty and I were only doing 3 rides for each kiddo. They seemed to have a great time though. Another fun filled day of great food, and Macie and Blake playing with each others toys. No matter what--whatever we get the other kid, our own kid has more fun playing with it. They are both very much into Handy Manny, so there was plenty of playing with the tool box. The house went from immaculately clean to a disaster area after 6 hours with 2 toddlers! [Guess Erin and Marty have to prepare for that any way!]

Needless to say after a full afternoon, Blake was sleeping before we got to the Minnesota border! After a very busy weekend, it was back to work for both of us. This is the one of the first year's that Brian wasn't AS busy at work as he has been in the past. So that is a nice break for us. Usually this time of year brings in a lot of inventory work, but in his new posistion the "busy season" is a little more spread out. So a week after our Christmas extravaganza we were onto Christmas #4/New Years Eve down in Blue Earth. A few years ago we realized that New Years was a time during the holidays that we could ALL get together. So it's kind of become a tradition. We headed out to Jeff and Sharon's first. A full car with Husker and all. Erin, Marty and Macie were down as well. So we celebrated with the Vriesen family and Bob, Carrie and Gavin. The three kids had a good time chasing the dogs, chasing each other and chasing Grandpa Jeff!

  Before leaving Blue Earth we made a stop down in Iowa to visit Brian's grandparents. Both the kids got showered with gifts, and of course need to play on the organ. [Luckily Blake had gotten all that practice at Barbs] Thankfully Marty was the constant pedal pusher, and kept them going for a least an hour. It was so bitterly cold and windy down there and we had a long drive back so we all were glad they got all worked up at Great Grandma's house.

Whew...and that was just the last week in December. January has already flown by, and we're off into February. After the delay in this post, I can already see the difference in Blake. I've been trying to video him talking but he always lunges for the camera. So that will hopefully be my next post!

January did bring a little brush with fame for me though...the second week in January I had to fill in unexpectedly for a co-worker and spent a week in Nashville with a client. The whole time we were there I said "I think I'll see someone famous before I leave" and sure enough on the last night I saw the group that won NBC's show The Sing Off--it was Committed! I have to admit I was slightly starstruck, but I composed myself enough to get a picture and video. It was pretty cool.

Until next time....which won't be that long I hope!

Christmas was a blessing...

So much of a blessing that I haven't had a chance to upload pictures. It's on my to-do list for tomorrow...so new post this week!

Christmas Tree "Shopping"

Thanks to my Uncle Bob for planting some great trees some 15 years ago, because we are now benefiting! Brian and I had previously had an artificial pre-lit tree that he had for a few years, but last year we decided to sell it and start getting real trees. Since it was Blake's first Christmas last year we had our tree on an end table. Considering he is much more curious and on the move this year we decided to do it again. Although we have vaulted ceilings in our house, you'd think this would be a perfect time to get a 10 ft tree. BUT we'll settle with our little 4 ft tree on the table. Last year we got a short needle tree and was able to cover it with all our ornaments, lights and decorations. This year we opted for a long needle tree, something different. However due to our little Curious George we omitted most of the ornaments and just did lights and a few garlands.He just loves it. Every morning we make sure it's lit before he comes out of his room. It's the first thing he runs over to, he loves the lights. He had a little lawn chair that he pulls up to each night with his snack and cup and has a little "time under the tree." Here are some of the pictures that capture our day at the tree farm and us enjoying the tree. [Scroll down for Tree Farm Info]

Blake likes to do things in style

Loves the lights

Bringing in my parents tree

If you would like to venture out to the Quady Tree farm, just google Quady Tree Farm Buffalo and you'll see a link with directions and hours. Basically it's out in Maple Lake, and they are cut your own untrimmed trees. Open weekends, noon to dusk, until the December 18th.