Santa's Village

On Saturday Lane and I took the kids to Santa’s Village at Rheault Farms. Mom met us there with Karisa and Mallorie. It was an extremely cold day but we wanted the kids to see Santa before we ran out of time. Thankfully there weren’t a lot of people there so we didn’t have to wait to see Santa. Each kid took a turn sitting on Santa’s lap and having a little chat with him. MaKena was a little scared at first and didn’t want anything to do with Santa. Thankfully she didn’t act like she did last year and have a complete meltdown. Eventually I talked her into going up and saying hi and then we sat on Santa’s lap. Yes, you read that right, WE. MaKena wouldn’t sit on Santa’s lap right away so Santa suggested that I sit on his lap and then MaKena could sit on my lap. Oh goodness! Well, whatever works. So there MaKena and I sat talking to Santa and telling him what she wanted for Christmas. It’s been several years since I sat on Santa’s lap. The things you do for your kids!!

After the kids told Santa what they wanted for Christmas we moved into the kitchen and decorated sugar cookies with Mrs. Claus. As we decorated, Mrs. Claus told cute little Christmas jokes to the kids. The kids wrapped up their cookies in their napkins and we headed out to the next building. The next building had crafts, tattoos and coloring pages. The kids all sat at the table and made Christmas tree ornaments and then got tattoos. Afterwards the kids sat and ate their cookies they decorated with Mrs. Claus. At the last minute mom decided we all should go on a horse ride. So we bundled up and hopped on. MaKena was in awe of the horses. Saying she loved them would be an understatement.

After the horse ride we headed into the last building and kids got to put money into the train. I think they could have sat there all day watching the trains go around the tracks. Then they all wrote a letter to Santa and on the way out we dropped them in his mailbox. It was a fun day. It’s always fun going to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Hopefully MaKena will sit on Santa’s lap next year by herself!

While we waited for Mom, Mallorie and Karisa we took a few pictures.
MaKena didn't want to stand by the snowman at first.

But daddy talked her into it!

Karisa, Mallorie, MaKena and Jacob.

Jacob and Santa.

Karisa and Santa. She had no fear going and sitting on Santa's lap.

Mallorie and Santa.

Me, MaKena and Santa.

Daddy joined us for a quick picture.

Decorating cookies with Mrs. Claus.

Making a Christmas tree ornament.

Watching the trains go around and around.

Such a cute little elf!

And another cute little elf.

The kids getting ready to mail their letters to Santa.

Putting their letters in the mail box.

A Birthday Party at the Force game

Jacob had his friend birthday party at the Fargo Force hockey game the beginning of December. He invited 7 friends and my mom and I chaperoned. We had 6 boys and 1 girl (no, she’s not his girlfriend) over for pizza, cake and ice cream and then we headed to the Force game. The kids were excited. For most of them it was their first Fargo Force game. Unfortunately the Force lost in a shootout but at least it was an exciting game. After the game one of players was signing autographs so the kids stood in line and got their hockey sticks signed by Tanner Lane. And of course we had to take a picture with him. He was such a nice young man. Once the game was done I drove all the kids home. As I dropped each kid off I think they thanked me at least 5 times. I’m so glad they all had a great time. Maybe we’ll do it again next year.

Eating pizza before the game. At one point the kids were being so loud MaKena told them to be quiet.
MaKena joining in on the fun with the big kids.
Singing Happy Birthday to Jacob.

At the Force game. We had really good seats.

A picture with Tanner Lane after he signed a bunch of stuff for the kids.

Hanging out by the Force sign.

MaKena videos

One night last week after bath MaKena was in her room reading some books. So I asked her sing a few of her songs she's learned at daycare. She gladly agreed so I grabbed the camera and taped her singing.

This is a video of her singing Old McDonald had a farm.

In this video she is singing her Turkey song.

This is a video of her saying her colors in English and Spanish.

Karisa's Karate

Below are some hilarious videos of my 3 year old niece Karisa. (Jason and Jerene's youngest.) The three little girls were doing gymnastics on Thanksgiving in the living room and Karisa decided to show us her Karate moves. I couldn't help but show everyone else. Too funny!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

After Jacob’s birthday party we dug the Christmas decorations out and started decorating for Christmas. They kids were excited. We turned on some Christmas music and got busy singing and decorating. It reminds me of when I was a kid decorating for Christmas. We’d always turn the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas tape on and sing and dance all day while we decorated. Hopefully my kids have fun memories of decorating for Christmas like I do. MaKena really got into helping this year. She helped last year but she lost interest after awhile. This year she was all about putting the decorations on the tree. It was cute. A majority of her decorations she put on only made it to the bottom of the tree. I remember the first year Jacob helped decorate the tree; all of the decorations were at the bottom 3rd of the tree and in the front. That’s all the higher the little peanuts could reach! Lane even got in on the decorating and helped put the tree together and put the lights on. I always get so dizzy putting the lights on, going around and around the tree! I was glad when he offered. Before we knew it the tree was decorated and all ready for presents.

MaKena and daddy putting the branches on the tree.
Me, MaKena and Jacob setting up the tree.

MaKena putting decorations on the tree. (Notice she still has her princess boots on!)

Jacob putting decorations on the tree.

Family Birthday Party for Jacob

We celebrated Jacob’s 10th birthday with family Sunday after Thanksgiving. I’m still having a hard time with him turning 10. He’s no longer in the single digits. WOW! And the sad thing is it feels like just yesterday he was crawling around. The time sure flies by. Jacob had a good birthday and got a lot of fun stuff. I’m finding out the older he gets the hard it is to shop for him.

MaKena even got an early, and much needed, birthday present from Nana and Papa!
New princess snow boots that light up. She didn't take these off until she had to take a bath and then after bath they went back on her feet. She loves them!
Wearing her princess boots.

Jacob with his present from Grandma Kathy.

Jacob with his present from Grandma Ivy.

Sioux sweatshirt from Jason and Jerene. (Lane really liked this one! About as much as he liked the Vikings sweatshirt they gave Jacob last year!)

A Nerf gun from Brad and Anita.

Getting ready to blow the candles out.

Our first Thanksgiving

This year Lane and I decided we’d host Thanksgiving. I was a little nervous about cooking and getting everything ready but thankfully mom came over Wednesday night and helped me out. This was the first time I’d cooked a turkey and I didn’t want to mess it up! Everything went perfect! The food was good and the company was even better. Of course a majority of us over ate but that’s to be expected on Thanksgiving.

It turned out!!
Grandma Ivy making the gravy and Lane cutting the turkey. (I refused to make the gravy as I didn't want to mess it up!)

Lane cutting the turkey.

Visiting before dinner.

Relaxing after dinner.

MaKena, Emma and Karisa coloring after dinner.

Jacob and Mallorie playing a game.

Karisa, Grandma Ivy, MaKena (on GG's lap), Nana and Papa visiting and coloring at the table.

This is how I found MaKena at 6:45 Thursday night. She was one tired little girl after the big Thanksgiving day.

Happy Birthday Honey!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband. I hope you have a great birthday, you deserve it. We love you so much!!

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Halloween

This year was MaKena’s first year going trick-or-treating for Halloween. The past 2 years we dressed her up but instead of trick-or-treating we went to our family and friends houses. Before we went out we headed to Nana and Papa’s house to show off the kids’ costumes and take some pictures. Once we got home grandma Kathy was there waiting to see the two munchkins. We snapped a few pictures and off Jacob went to met up with one of his buddies to go around the block. I managed to catch him and Andy for a quick picture and then I didn’t really see him until it was time to come back in. Jen, Emma and Gunnar met up at our house and the girls went trick-or-treating together. At some houses MaKena would say trick-or-treat and then instead of waiting for someone to put the candy in her bucket she just started grabbing. How embarrassing! Oh well, she’s only 2! She had a blast going door to door saying trick-or-treat. I can’t wait to do it again next year!

Jacob, Alexis and MaKena at Nana and Papa's house.
Alexis helping MaKena look at all her candy from Nana and Papa.

Jacob and MaKena by the Halloween decorations at Nana and Papa's.

Jacob and his friend Andy.

MaKena waiting for the door to open to say trick-or-treat.

MaKena and daddy.

MaKena and mommy.

Emma and MaKena.

Emma and MaKena peaking in the door to see if anyone is coming to give them candy!

MaKena and Emma getting a ride in the stroller to the next house.