Vikings Game

We got 4 free tickets to the Vikings vs. Bears game from Jay's stepdad.  Of course, we were going to cancel all plans to attend.  (Sorry, Shannons!)  Unfortunately, the day of the game, there was a huge snowstorm.  We were bound and determined to go; and we did.  It took about three hours each way, but it was worth it. The game was so fun and they won!  SKOL!  We brought Jack to his first game and the fourth ticket went to my dad.  Grandma babysat Luke.

For Jack's first Vikings game, he HAD to get a souvenir, right?!#@

Santa. Santa. Santa.

This December we saw three Santas.  Jack was a little concerned about why they all looked different and which one was real.  We explained that the REAL Santa sends all these other Santas to do his preliminary work so he can rest up for his big night.  All the helper Santas then report back to the REAL one!

Our Rochester mall has an amazing Santa.  He looks so real and makes for great pictures!  Both boys have had their pictures taken with him every year!

For the third year, we went to "Breakfast with Santa" at the school I teach at.  Each December the Century student body raises money for Bear Creek Services and this has become a nice fundraiser for that cause.  There are little activities for the kids to do and they get to sit on Santa's lap...again!

We tried a new "tradition" this year and that was watching Santa arrive on top of the Old City Hall in downtown Rochester.  The Rochester Fire Department rescues him and then he and Mrs. Claus head down to the Galleria to greet little kids!  We just watched the fire department rescue him.  It was actually a lovely Saturday afternoon.  Good weather.

Elf on the Shelf '12

Elfie came back this holiday season.  It was so fun to see Luke get into it this year as well.  "Get into it" is a gross understatement for Jack.  Jack LOVES Elfie.  He loves him so much he actually got teary on Christmas morning when he was gone.  Poor buddy!  Here are some fun pictures of the entertainment Elfie provided us with this year!

Elfie arrive with a little typed letter.  Jack just investigated that thing to death.  "I'm sure he wrote it at the North Pole because we don't have that color and our printer doesn't look like that!"

Jack was questioning all the different Santas this year, so we told him the same "white lie" as last year.  All the Santas ARE different but that's because the real Santa sends them to do all the before Christmas work so he can rest up for his big night!  Jack wanted to know if the REAL Santa wears glasses, so he wrote this note to Santa and Elfie delivered it.  He "sound spelled" it in his best kindergarten penmanship!  "Dyr Santa I was wondering if yuo wear glasses? Jack"

Elfie responded with the big "YES"!  The next night he was relaxing in a marshmellow bubble bath!

Jack and Luke were a bit naughty one day, so Elfie hung from the bathroom mirror with a message in Mommy's lipstick.  "Jack, BE GOOD!  U 2, LUKE! Elfie"

The next night he cleaned the mirror!

This night Elfie left a note for the boys.  "Check your Mommy's email!"  We did so and Santa had left the boys personalized videos from the North Pole!

This was Jack's favorite!

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Christmas Jammies!

Every year I buy holiday wear.  I can't help it.  I love dressing the boys for the season.  These jammies I found at Crazy 8 are just priceless.  Too bad the boys weren't into my photo session, though!  

ed

My Mama's for OBAMA! Election Night 2012

I pulled out Jack's retro "My Mama's for OBAMA! '08" t-shirt for Election Day this year.  Luke looked as adorable in it.  I couldn't help putting together a couple comparison collages.  And, thankfully the elections results leaned our way!  We were equally as thrilled with the two VOTE NO campaign results!  Happy Election Day around here!

Halloween 2012

I'm a little behind on blog posts.  So, in the name of speedy updates, here are several pictures from Halloween!  The night before Halloween we carved pumpkins.  We made Luke a special Mickey Mouse pumpkin since he's so obsessed with him!  Jack just choose normal "Jack-o-lantern" look!  On Halloween evening, we took the kids around the neighborhood with some neighborhood friends.  It was a lovely night and Luke walked the whole way by himself!  Once his candy bucket started getting full, he'd hand it off to daddy, but he did make it the whole way! Jack was a pirate and Luke was an owl.  The owl costume was homemade!  Jay's sister, Breanna made the hat and my mom put together his feather cape!