X-mas 2011

Some quick pictures from some of the family x-mas celebrations...

Daniel's new Twins stocking hat

All the cousins

Andie opening her new Cinderella book

Daniel and Nate got matching warm facemasks for going ice fishing

The kids all excited to start opening presents

Andie only half-awake, but still super excited

Our wonderful family.

December Events

Jen Hoffe and Brooklyn were up for one of Jen's purse parties one weekend, and we were able to find a night when we could all meet downtown for the Hollidazzle parade on Nicollet Mall. The kids thought it was pretty neat to go to a parade at night with the floats all lit up, and it was super exciting to see Santa riding on a great big float at the end.

Daniel found a great spot to stand right in front of the downtown Target store, and I just had to take this picture. It looks like it belongs in the weekly ad for boy's winter clothing :)


After the parade was over, we (and the rest of the thousands of people at the parade) went to the Macy's 8th floor holiday scene thing. This year's theme was "A day in the life of an elf." There was a VERY long wait to get in, but the kids did great and were very patient.

And it was worth it!!! They were in compete awe.



The next week or so, Jen felt it was ginger bread cookie making time. She and the kids made what seemed to be a million cookies or so, but they sure had fun doing it. (and boy were they good)

The decorating was the best part!

Nate took Daniel for a special treat this December. Daniel had no idea where they were going, we got downtown and when he saw the Metrodome he said "are we going to a vikings game?"... "nope, better" I replied. It wasn't until we walked inside and peeked into the lower bowl of the dome and he saw all the MONSTER TRUCKS did he figure out what he was in for! That's right, Monster Jam at the Dome!!! It was the first real Monster Truck experience for either of us, and boy was it cool.

and LOUD!!!!!

Finally, Santa visited the kids' daycare again this year, so we got to go in and visit him as well as do some x-mas crafts in their classrooms. Andie insisted on picking out her own clothes..

Backlog - November

Catching up a bit here... my apologies to our faithful Blog followers (Helen). This November was pretty normal. No major injuries, surgeries, or catastrophes to speak of. Nate and Jen didn't do any deer hunting this year, which is the first time in 7 or 8 years now for Nate, but we got to spend a lot of good quality time with both sides of our families. We had one Thanksgiving celebration at the Fedie farm, where Daniel and his cousin Will spent quite a bit of time 'farming' which included a few chores like feeding the chickens and the goats, watching grandpa feed the steers some corn, and going on a few tractor rides.

Andie also got her share of farm-girl work in.

After the labor of the day was over, she was pampered with a french braid from Auntie Amy

After a day at the farm, it was off to Milwaukee to celebrate thanksgiving with Nate's side, and to also celebrate Emmett's 1st birthday. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins, and Andie loved sharing bath time with Brooklyn.

The typical 'first birthday cake all over the face' picture

Daniel is really taking to the role of being the oldest of the cousins. He can act so mature when he's playing with the younger ones. Sometimes he'll even begin to moderate when 'sharing' spats erupt amongst the others. It's really neat to see.

After we left Milwaukee and arrived home, Jen wasted no time in gathering the Christmas decorations, and up went the tree. The kids did most of the decorating this year which explains why most of the decorations are at their eye level, but it was the most beautifully decorated tree I've ever seen!