Baby Snuggles

My very dear friend, Carrie had her baby girl in November and I got to meet her yesterday!  Carrie flew home to Stillwater with almost-6 week old Rebecca while her husband, Josh stayed home in Grand Rapids, MI to work.  We got to meet for a light brunch and lots of catch up time.  My parents watched the boys so that I could get in premium snuggle time with the baby.  It was great!

Rebecca is so tiny - just about 9 pounds at 6 weeks (that's smaller than our kids at birth, haha!).  I couldn't get over her crazy black hair - it was so cute!  She looks just like her mommy.  :)  I love remembering how little babies are and how much changes so quickly.  I am so excited for Carrie and Josh to begin the awesome journey of parenthood!  Congrats, Ranums!

Snow Fun

With SO much snow this year - about 30 inches to date.  After the biggest snow came extreme cold which didn't lend much for playing outside with the kids.  So, we took advantage of John's holiday from work on the Monday after Christmas to play outside!

The boys both love to sled!

Bennett puts up quite a fit when we try to get him all dressed in his gear, but once he gets in the sled, he sure loves it!

The neighborhood was quiet and we took the boys all the way around the block.

Logan was the daredevil - riding backwards, forward, on his back, knees, and tummy.

Future Olympic Skeleton rider? (yikes - I'd rather not).  Both of the boys wiped out on their sled while the chanted for us to go "fast, faster!".  When Logan wiped out he said, "Good thing I have my snowpants on, huh?".  When Bennett wiped out, it was game-over for him and we decided to head home.

Lastly, he decided to pull the sled.  And he told me he couldn't pull me - probably true.

Time to shovel!  

Shortly after this photo, Bennett and I went in to start making lunch.  Lots of fun to be had in the snow this year!

Christmas

Our Christmas was busy and packed with fun.  Our original plan of spending extra time in Stillwater didn't pan out this year, so we ended up packing everything into Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  The boys enjoyed the magic of Christmas and celebrating the real reason for the season: Jesus' birth!

The boys were just a little VERY excited to open gifts at Baggie and Bopbops on the morning of Christmas Eve.  Auntie Jenny and soon-to-be Uncle Mike were home from West Virginia, so we enjoyed spending time with them.  We only wish we could have seen them more.  I was lucky because I got to see Jenny earlier in the week when we had pedicures with Deb on evening.

Opening gifts with little kids is always chaotic.  I think I expected Bennett to be more interested in his gifts this year, but he mostly opened one and played with it while Logan opened the rest of Bennett's gifts for him.  It could be a rude awakening for Logan when Bennett starts to care about opening his own gifts!

Auntie Jenny opening Logan's gift with him.

Daddy and the boys opening Bennett's gift.  Both the boys were "daddy's boys" all Christmas - soaking up time with him.

The proof: this drum is Bennett's, but Logan took claim rather quickly...

After gifts, brunch and naps at Baggie's house, we went to church at Trinity in Stillwater and then to a family friends' home for a late dinner.  It was fun to catch up with friends and many of the "kids" who are now our age were there, too.  The boys liked playing with the train set they got out especially for them.  Stephanie must be a great babysitter because the boys really loved playing with her.

Logan and Bennett got super tired and put themselves to bed on this couch before dinner.  We went home for bed so that Santa could visit and leave presents!

On Christmas morning, Logan was so excited to get up early and check to see if Santa came!  In fact, he was convinced on our way to Papa and Nana's house on Christmas Eve that he kept hearing the sleigh bells in the sky!

The boys got some cuddly pillow pets from Santa.

Logan loves to do puzzles...

Bennett loves to eat!

While we all enjoyed breakfast, we caught the kids over in the living room, staking out the presents under the tree and just being crazy!

The boys are so lucky - they got some really great stuff from grandparents and aunts/uncles!

Logan likes to "show Bennett how".

Another crazy day of gifts!

After gifts, we made lunch for the kids and let them watch a new show.  Then it was nap time while the adults had the traditional Christmas dinner of Raclette at Holbrooks.  Unfortunately, Logan - while very tired - couldn't fall asleep with all the excitement.  So, he came to play with gifts while we ate.

Later we played, watched movies, and snacked.  It was a good holiday.  Here John is helping Logan with his Poch-Poch mosaic.

I don'y think I will explain this...I'll just let you think what you want.  :)

Thanks to our families for making our super short trip super fun.  We're so lucky to have great families.

Santa 2010

Today we got to visit Santa at the mall in Eau Claire.  The Santa there really is great and we've visited every year.  Usually, we are lucky enough to choose a time that isn't too busy.  Today, that was not the case!  It was a two hour trip from the time we got to the mall to the time we got back out to the car.  Yikes.  If we hadn't mentioned it to Logan this morning, we probably would have walked out of the mall and just skipped it, but Logan was quite excited to see Santa.  The wait didn't matter too much. The kids were so good!  John took them to play while I waited in line, so that wasted a little time.

Then we used a coupon we had for a free pretzel and by then we were far enough in line that the boys could see the video.

Another 20 minutes and we were almost there.  The boys enjoyed petting the reindeer.

Logan and Bennett were both excited to see Santa...

until it was time to sit on his lap.

Bennett just didn't want to sit.  But, that was just fine with us.  Logan told Santa he wants a "Zamboni" for Christmas.

Logan looks so big!  Look at those long legs!

Santa managed to get a high five from Bennett before we left.

In case you want to take a look back at our blogging years: 2007, 2008, 2009.
*I take it back!  I don't think we saw Santa last year!  Eek!  Here's a Christmas post from 2009, in case you want to see the boys from last year.

Finally...

We finally decorated our tree!  Early this week, we took time to get the lights and ornaments on the tree.  We realized the boys are not really too excited about this tradition yet.  In fact, they would much rather that the ornaments DO NOT go on the tree, so they can play with them!  Haha!

John and Logan finding a good place...

Bennett's favorite was this fish!

The train table was more interesting.

Bennett's favorite place.  This is where he hangs out these days - ON TOP of the table.  Oh my!

O Christmas Tree

My smiley boys.

Self-portrait.

I just had to add this photo because it shows how Logan likes to spend his time!  Cars is the big obsession again these days and he sure does like things neat and tidy!  All lined up!

Logan's First Christmas Program

Today was such a fun day!  Logan had his first Christmas program at school.  We have been so excited because we have been hearing bits and pieces of the sweet songs he has been learning for the last couple weeks.  Of course, you all know, there is nothing cuter than preschoolers singing together about the birth of Jesus!  It was adorable and hilarious and heartwarming!

Bennett and Nana before the program.  Bennett napped early today so he could enjoy the program with us. He loved it and enjoyed cheering for the kids...although he made a couple attempts to break for the stage and join in.  All grandparents were invited to share in Logan's program, but since its a busy week, Nana was the only one who made it.

Logan spotted us in the back and sure was excited to wave!  It was nice the teachers gave them a minute to find their "grown-ups" and wave.  Then they could get on with the program.  :)

Logan did so well!  He sang and acted out most of every song and appears to be the performer we always see at home!  As you can see in this photo...there were a few distractions!

So cute!  Those adorable little stars on their heads had all the parents swooning!

Phew!  All done!  We were so proud of Logan!  We are truly so lucky that Logan gets to go to school at Noah's Ark Preschool - what a special place!

This is Logan doing his happy dance because he gets to help himself to so many special treats!

The whole crew.

And, my favorite...brothers!

Thanks to all our very special teachers and friends at Noah's Ark for a special day!  Thanks to Nana and Daddy for being at the "Party Program" and thanks to Nana for a yummy dinner!  What a great day!