Christmas with friends

Emily, Jim, and Reese had all of us over for a fantastic Christmas dinner. The kids had their meal first, and then the adults had their fancy meal while Callie "babysat" the kids (Callie is almost 4 years old!).

The girls played really well together and even posed for this picture! Easton and Evan were in their own worlds.

Here are my three best girlfriends: Kara, Emily, (Me), and Arja.

The kids exchanged gifts, the parents enjoyed the white elephant game, and everyone loved our first cookie exchange. Thanks, Emily and Jim! Minus our crying and moody kid, that was the best Christmas party yet. Emily, you can out-do Martha Stewart any day!!!!!! Your dinner and decorations were FANTASTIC!

Best holiday lights ever

Ben took me to see these holiday lights near Turtle Lake. This is really someone's house!! They actually built a frame for the front of their house that held this incredible light display of a castle.

goofing around

Ben bought me (us) a new camera for my birthday. I've been trying to get to know it. Digital Camera technology has really changed in the last four years. The camera I got can do some funky things, like only showing one color in the picture (1st three pics), and it can turn an object a different color (last pic--Mary's [purple] hand). I'm still learning a lot about it, and how to download to my computer.

My 30th Birthday

Being pregnant, I didn't feel like having a big celebration for my 30th birthday, so Ben and I finally went on a date and did two things that I've always wanted to do. We ate dinner at the Melting Pot in Minneapolis....

and we went on a wintery carriage ride in the snowy streets of downtown, Minneapolis. It was so romantic!!!

advent calendar

Emily, Kara, and I got together for a craft day and made these advent calendars out of felt. All of our kids love checking it each day. Evan always makes sure to remind us!

Surprise!!!

We're having another BOY!!! I was completely shocked to find out I am pregnant with a boy. My motherly instincts, all the signs, and the Chinese Calendar were WRONG! Here are baby #2's first photos. Sorry for the slightly inappropriate one. It's just to prove that we are indeed having a boy :)

Thanksgiving 2008

We went to my parents house for Turkey day. It was fantastic! Thanks, Mom and Dad!

We always get a picture in front of the turkey. Ben and I with our kid, and Mary with hers!

Evan and Lance took turns hanging out in Ludo's kennel. Evan thought it was the best!

Nickelodeon Universe

Emily envited Kara, me, and Arja and our kids to enjoy an afternoon at Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America last weekend. Evan loved the rides, which surprised me because in June, he hated the rides at the zoo. Ben and I took our turns with Evan on the rides....thank goodness, because I'm not a ride person anymore!

Thanks, Emily! We had a blast!

two more lake views

I'm sorry if you are not thrilled to see another lake view, but sometimes I am too amazed by the scenery to let it slip away without taking a picture.

Halloween 2008

Evan was a pirate........and so were Mary and Ludo, by pure coincidence.

We took Evan trick or treating, even though he doesn't even know what candy is. It was fun seeing him learn how to do it, and he loved to hold the candy in his hands. After a few houses, he kept saying "more....more!" Can you tell that he's clueless about candy from his face below?!!!

1st Gopher Hockey Game

We had a late night on Saturday as we took Evan to see the Gophers vs St. Cloud State. Our seats are right next to the glass, so Evan was "in" the action for the entire time! He loved watching the student section, and he bounced to the music the whole time.

Evan thought Goldy was a bear. He was a bit scared of him. I wonder what he'll be like with Santa!!

Apple Orchard '08

We went to Pine Tree Apple Orchard on Saturday for our annual pumpkin pickin' and apple goody buyin'. It was the best!!!

baby #2

OK, so this was me when I was about 7 months pregnant with Evan. Right now, I'm 13 weeks pregnant with our second (due April 19th) and I feel like I'm this big already! That stinks! I probably won't be taking any cute pregnancy pictures this time around!

somewhere over the rainbow

my poor baby

I have never seen a 2 year old's face as beat up as Evan's until today. It brought tears to my eyes when I first saw him. I was SO sad that I wasn't there to hold him after the incident happened. Apparently, at daycare, another child was walking around with a big toy and he fell down while Evan was getting his diaper changed on the floor. The toy smacked him right in the face. The inside of Evan's ear is even bruised. It breaks my heart to look at him like this. :(