Christmas Fun

After a very busy, exciting, fun, and thankful Christmas, we are home!!! As much as we love visiting our family, it is always such a great feeling to pull back into our driveway and settle in back at home.

We began our journey Tuesday, December 23rd. We traveled through a snow storm heading north to visit my family in Gladwin. After a drive that took much longer than normal, we made it safely to my childhood home. I was so excited to see my mom and dad!!! My parents transformed their downstairs rec-room into a playroom. Russell and Sloane had an absolute ball playing with all the toys and running around in their new space at Grammy's and Papa's house! My parents also had 3 feet of snow with more coming down everyday so the kids enjoyed playing outside. Russell climbed the "mountains" outside built by the plow trucks while Sloane enjoyed being pulled around on the sled by Papa. Russell and Aron also had fun building a snowman. They used a carrot for the nose, crackers for the eyes, and grapes for the mouth. When I went out to snap pictures, Russell was eating the grapes faster than Aron could put them on the snowman. We spent Christmas day with the Wilcox family. The kids LOVED opening gifts and were especially excited to see that Santa filled their stockings! After Russell did not find a light saber in his stocking, he went over to the tree, bent down, and asked, "is there a light saber in there?" It cracked the entire family up!!! Russell originally had asked Santa for a Diego rescue pack, but the week leading up to Christmas he decided he wanted a light saber. Thankfully, Santa was well prepared!!! Sloane was under the weather on Christmas and ended up having the stomach flu, but she still enjoyed playing with her new doll house and baby dolls.

On December 26th we packed up the car (it was a tight squeeze) and headed to south west Michigan to visit Aron's family in St. Joseph. Thankfully we had perfect driving conditions. We enjoyed a BIG family gathering on Saturday which included family members from Wisconsin and Florida. Due to warm temperatures (60 degrees) and a thunderstorm, the snow melted entirely so we were pretty much trapped inside. We also lost power due to high winds, but luckily it came back on by 7:00 a.m. The kids had fun playing at Grammy Carlson's house as well as at Papa Carlson's and Bevie's house. They love to explore new spaces.

We made it home Monday and found that our snow in Royal Oak was also gone, but were happy to see we had power and no damage done by the strong winds. I was able to spend yesterday taking down Christmas decorations. Aron and I are looking forward to a quiet New Year's at home with the kids. We are grilling steaks and watching movies. Ahhhhhhh...HOME SWEET HOME!!!!!!!!!!!

SNOW DAY!!!

Yippee!!! Our first snow day and it's not even January!!! I woke up to the phone at 4:45 a.m. with our school system's voice recording letting me know not to report to school...YES!!! I was excited to go back to bed and enjoy the day with my family. Aron stayed home too so we began our day with bacon, toast, and clementines (peeled by Russell - he is becoming quite a good helper). By 10:00 Russell was ready to go outside into the beautiful snow. We decided to all venture out into the white stuff. Burr!!! It was fun and deep and STILL coming down heavily. We came in for lunch and then the kids were wiped out and ready for naps. I must admit I settled down on the couch for some quiet time too. I didn't catch a nap, but I was able to get some things ready for the upcoming holidays. I hope everyone has stayed warm and safe during this Michigan snow storm!!!

Russell had a blast shoveling, climbing,

and jumping through the snow!

Sloane was a bit timid. I can't blame her considering the depth of the snow and the wind whipping in your face.

Sloane livened up once Aron had a nice path shoveled to walk on.

We went next door to retrieve Mac from the neighbor's yard and then Russell and Antonio had to get some playtime in! They are quite the pair. Neither boy wanted to go inside. We had to pry them out of the snow!!!

After putting Sloane down for a nap, I began talking to Russell. After getting no response to my questions, I went looking for him. He was sound to sleep on the family room couch. It is amazing what a little fresh air can do to you!!!

A Fun Visit With Santa

Yesterday Aron and I took the kids to the Bass Pro Shop to visit Santa's Wonderland. It was a wonderful family outing. Russell was in Heaven seeing all the boats, fishing gear, hunting guns, quads, and animals!!! He was thrilled to talk with Santa. Upon arrival to Santa's Wonderland we were about 5th in line waiting to see Santa. Russell happily waved and shouted, "Hi Santa, Hi Santa!" When we told him that we had to wait our turn and he needed to think about what he was going to ask Santa for, he began rambling off a list of items. It was hilarious!!! When Russell's turn was up, he ran to Santa and announced, "I want a rescue pack, please!" Sloane on the other hand was having NO part of Santa. She watched and waited politely, but when we attempted to put her on Santa's lap she completely flipped out. We were so preoccupied with trying to calm her down that I forgot to snap a picture of the melt-down on Santa's lap. Luckily the store photographer snapped one that I can put in our photo album. Here are some pictures of Russell enjoying the outing. Sloane enjoyed it too (once Santa was out of sight), but she pretty much stayed in the stroller and just went along for the ride. The Bass Pro Shop is a man's sanctuary for sure!!!

"I want a rescue pack like Diego, please!"

Merry Christmas!

Riding a quad just like Uncle Keith's!

Remote control cars are always a hit with Russell!

Needless to say I was less than thrilled to see my 3-year-old learning how to hunt, but what can I say...it runs in the family :-)

This enormous creature (an elk, I think) had a sign under it stating that it was harvested by a man in Gladwin, Michigan.


Sloane enjoyed the sights.

Here she was watching the train sets going by.

Sloane was whipped by the time we left. She fell asleep before we were out of the parking lot. What a fun place to take the kids!!! (And MEN)!!!

Cozy Weekend At Home

This weekend we were all feeling a bit under the weather. It began with Sloane who had the stomach flu in the night on Tuesday. We thought it was only a 24 hour bug and sent her back to daycare only to have her get sick again Thursday night. Russell was next on Saturday. He is such a happy-go-lucky kid that it didn't keep him down. On Saturday night I began feeling ill and headed to bed early. Aron woke up Sunday feeling horrible. So...with a lot of help from the t.v. (thank you Wiggles and Cailou) Aron and I took turns getting off the couch only to deal with the major sibling rivalries and to feed them of course. Both kids seem to be past it (just tired and grouchy)! Thanks to the delicious fruit my Grandma Sleeper sent, I think we have all had extra vitamins this weekend to get us ready for another week. The oranges and apples are already gone (yummmm)! I have never been so ready to see Monday come! Despite the chaos this weekend, I was able to get Christmas cards addressed and presents wrapped. I also snapped a few pictures Saturday evening when the kids were dressed in Santa pj's and hanging out around the Christmas tree. They are going to be so much fun on Christmas morning!!!

Cudddling together.

After a few broken ornaments, I think they finally know how to be gentle with the tree.

"Are those presents under there for me???"

"What do you mean they're for Grammy and Papa???"

Enjoying the Thanksgiving Holiday!

Our original plan was to stay home for Thanksgiving, but we had some last minute changes and decided we needed to be with our family to really appreciate what we are truly thankful for...FAMILY!!! So, we headed north to my brother Keith's and spent Thanksgiving with my family. It was a beautiful day for a drive. The kids were delighted to see snow as we headed away from the city. Fortunately we packed our warm clothes so the kids could enjoy time building snowmen and hiking through the snowy woods at Uncle Keith's house. It was a wonderful day. We spent the rest of our weekend getting ready for Christmas. We went to the tree lot and found the PERFECT tree and came home to decorate!!!!!!!!!!!!! Russell and Sloane loved the lights while Aron and I enjoyed listening to their non-stop chatter about Santa, reindeer, and jingle bells! We are so thankful for all the blessings God has given us!!! We are looking forward to seeing both my family and Aron's at Christmas!!!

Grammy and Sloane enjoying some cuddle time!

Grandpa and Russell playing football checkers.

(Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears)

Russell was getting ready to build a snowman, but decided eating the snow was more fun.

This is Sloane's first time in snow pants and boots. She was a little nervous at first, but within a few minutes she was walking around like a pro!

Sloane helped Daddy hang the Christmas lights.

Russell put up the Christmas star with help from Daddy.

Busy Week!

After a busy, restless, cold, and not so pleasant week; we are enjoying some family togetherness this weekend! Russell and Sloane love playing together and are busy inventing new games as I type. They make me laugh constantly!!! Enjoy the pictures:

Last week I blogged about our first snow and this week I am blogging about raking leaves...something seems turned around? That is Michigan for you! The kids had a ball raking, jumping in, and throwing leaves today.

Sloane enjoyed every minute of the fresh air (although it was extremely COLD)!

Both kids actually helped out a little with the raking. However, they mostly raked them up just to jump in and scatter them all over the yard again :-)

Today was Royal Oaks' annual Holiday Magic Parade. We bundled the kids (and ourselves) up and met the neighbors downtown to enjoy the festivities. Russell and Antonio were inseparable as they watched the bands, clowns, dancers, and fire trucks go by.

We had to head home before the parade was over because we were all freezing! We didn't even get to see Santa, but we stopped for hot chocolate on our way back to the car...YUMMMMMM!!!
Lately Russell has had to take a stuffed animal to bed every night. Last night, he decided he needed his football with him in bed. He woke up this morning and walked out to the family room with the football in one hand and his Green Bay helmet on. He then asked for his Packer shirt. Uncle Keith would be proud! Russell tossed the football around all morning yelling,
"GO PACKERS! TOUCHDOWN!!!"

We decided on pizza for dinner last night and the kids went with me to pick it up. The cashier gave them both a sucker and cookies. They were so excited to get home and eat their sucker. I couldn't resist, so here they are eating pizza and suckers...everyone is allowed an unhealthy meal every now and again, right??? Ever since our Halloween party, Russell thinks special meals need to be eaten at the kids table. They were so adorable sitting by themselves enjoying their meal and Aron and I felt like we were having a date with only the two of us at the dining table (even though the kids were only two feet away at their table - we don't get out much)!

The First Snow

When I took the kids out today the snow was falling, but it was not yet sticking. Well, by this evening it was sticking!!! After repeatedly hearing Russell say, "I want to play in the snow, I want to play in the snow, I want to play in the snow..." Aron decided to take him out. He LOVED it!!! Both Russell and Mac were rolling around and running everywhere! Sloane and I opted to stay inside and finish our soup dinner. I have yet to buy Sloane snow pants. I suppose I better do that soon because she does not like to be left behind!

Ready to go!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...this is FUN!!!

Attempting to make a snow angel.

Movie Star!

Aron was away all weekend for deer hunting. He goes every year with the men in my family. He enjoys his time away and I enjoy spending some Mom time with the kids. We stayed in all weekend due to the blustery weather. We ended up making cookies and rice crispy treats. We also cuddled in my bed watching cartoons in the middle of the day!!! The kids thought this was a blast and had to bring their stuffed animals too. They thought it was even better, when Mac joined us!!! Another fun moment was when Russell turned us into our own band. We all had an instrument and jammed to the Wiggles CD for almost an hour. Today, we braved the outdoors. Russell was just itching to run around in the snowflakes coming down. We lasted about 45 minutes before he complained that his "legs were shaking." Sloane was hilarious this weekend...she wore sunglasses in the house almost every second of the day. For most of the time, she also needed one of her brothers baseball hats. I think she is practicing to be a movie star on the run from the paparazzi!!! What a character - CHECK IT OUT...

I am adorable!!!

Do you need something?

Thank you, thank you very much!

No autographs, please!

Fun At Home!

We have had a nice weekend at home. Russell and Sloane had fun just hanging with one another and Aron and I each managed to get away with friends for a little time. I got out Saturday evening to enjoy time with some girlfriends and Aron went with some of his buddies to the Lion's game today. Here are a few pictures that I took throughout the weekend.

Friday night, Russell wanted to go swimming... So we filled the tub, pulled out his swimming trunks, and he added the goggles. Too cute!!! What is next with this one???

Sloane is really into the potty (more so than her older brother)! I found her this morning pulling off her pajamas, followed by her diaper, and then she proceeded to carry the potty to every room in the house and sit on it. Here she is in the family room thinking she is pretty hot stuff! I have my hands full with this little girl! I swear she is going to be accident free before Russell!!!

Last night, I decided to try a bubble bath. I was planning on having one child in at a time beginning with Sloane, but once Russell caught sight of the bubbles, he had his clothes off and was diving in faster than I could grab a towel to protect myself from the spraying water.

Here Russell is rocking out with the Imagination Movers on Disney Channel!

Happy Birthday Russell!

Our little boy turned 3 today! I can not believe it!!! Time flies!!! We decided to celebrate with a low key party at home with just the four of us. Russell wanted a Go Diego Go party so we decorated with all the fun accessories including a Diego table cloth, balloon, napkins, plates, cups, and party bazookas! Although Russell does not care for cake, we still got a small one topped with a Diego candle. It was a great party!!!

After a yummy McDonald's Happy Meal,

it was time to open presents!!!

A new backpack! Time for rescue missions with Diego!!!

Mac and Sloane helped open the leaf blower.

This was Russell's favorite gift!

Russell had to rush outside in the dark to try out his leaf blower!

Time to make a wish!

Sloane enjoyed the birthday cake!