Skating Sunday

Getting back to normal life

The Christmas tree is in the woods, the decorations are stored in totes in the downstairs storage rooms, the lights are wound and hung up in the garage, and our suitcases are unpacked and ready to go for our next trip. This week we returned to our normal routines - work, school, laundry, etc. Although not glamorous - there's something comforting in getting back to the norm. 

We went to a party at preschool on Thursday evening. The kids got their faces painted and we saw a magic show - with a live rabbit pulled out of a hat and all.

The kids started swimming lessons this Saturday at Oak Point Pool in Eden Prairie. Hadley is in Preschool 2 and Miles is in Level 1. The first class was a big success - Miles exclaimed as he got out of the pool - "I loved that!" The kids can't wait to go back next Saturday.

Our family got a new toy this week - a very large toy. We took one quick ride up and down the driveway before the windchill froze our little cheeks. Hopefully in the near future we can take it for a longer ride - with helmets.

Just chillin' - down time felt really good this weekend.

Friday night we made homemade pizza and watched Turbo. Saturday night we played games by the fire.

Snuggling

Holly Jolly Christmas - Round 2

Immediately following our Christmas celebrations here we flew to Arizona for 10 days of sunshine (finally!) and more holiday festivities. This year all of Mike's sisters and parents were at his parent's house for Christmas - the whole family together doesn't happen often. We had a full house and a ton of fun.

We took an early morning flight so jammies were in order - we like to fly in comfort!

And we're off!

Miles and Hadley decorated cookies with Auntie Annette to get ready for Christmas.

All ready for church on Christmas Eve

This is more like it.

The service at Mike and Mariann's church is really nice with lots of singing, children acting out the Christmas story, and even real candles!

The kids left cookies and milk out for Santa which were gone in the morning - he found us in Arizona!

Santa brought the kids electric toothbrushes, bath puffs, Hadley a Fur Real Kitty named Daisy and Miles a racetrack.

They also got a game, books, bikes to use in Arizona, stickers, and little toy kittens. Hadley also got a Doc McStuffins doll, princess figurines, and more. Miles got Play Stix and a SpiderMan action doll, and more!
The kids were very lucky this Christmas.

Although this was one of the colder trips to AZ we've had - some days were really nice and we loved being out in the sun and warmth. We played a lot of games this year and this is our new favorite - cornhole. Hadley and Miles were big helpers during the games.

Everyone together for Christmas dinner.

The Smith family

Miles and Auntie Tina

The whole family on Christmas day

Mike and Mariann with all of their grandchildren who were present - Miles and Hadley got to hang out with big cousins that they don't get to see very often - especially Nick (holding Miles) who was visiting from Oklahoma.

Riding her new bike

Cruising around the yard

This year all of the girls took a painting class which was really fun and everyone went to the Desert Botanical Garden for their luminary festival.

We hiked with the kiddos three times!

Every year my best friend from college, Beth, and I spend the day together - this year we did a spa day - yoga and an 85-minute massage! We also had a sleepover so all of our kiddos could play.

Friends for 16 years.

More hiking with Auntie Annette

Our only rainy day of the whole trip we ventured to the Phoenix Children's Museum. It was fun but a million other people had the same idea so it was very crowded.

New Year's Eve festivities included: horns, party hats, a ham and turkey dinner, champagne, games and fireworks.

The kids LOVED blowing the horns at everyone.

None of us made it until midnight...

Hadley biked to feed the horses near Mike and Mariann's house.

It actually got cold enough that the Superstition Mountains were covered in snow - I don't remember ever seeing this before.

We ate a ton of good food on vacation including our annual trips to Serranos for Mexican and Dilly's Deli near campus for the best soups and sandwiches.

We were blessed in 2014 and are looking forward to what a new year will bring. Happy new year everyone!