Gingerbread house contruction

After the Christmas programs we had some work to do at home:  

GINGER BREAD HOUSE CONSTRUCTION!

This was a first for everyone. No one had ever done this so we were in for a treat.

We even got Grandpa involved. And I think he had a lot of fun (although he probably won't admit it!)

                                      Grandpa and Zach are going for the fully covered icing look.

We teamed up: "the boys" and "the girls"

Gracie and Grandma are going for a swirly look on the roof.

So much fun we are having.

Grandpa and Zach's finished house.

Gracie and Grandma's finished house.

Putting on the final touches.

Christmas Program at Church

Gracie and Zach participated in the Children's Program at our church on Dec. 16th at the 10:30am church service.  Grandma and Grandpa Sohre came to watch.

Both Gracie and Zach were little sheep. Thus the sheep ears. Little Jared got to wear some sheep ears too. Amazingly he left them on and I kinda think he actually like them.

The sheep were sleeping in the field near-by which means they got pillows to snuggle up on during church.

The manger background scene.

Singing some songs.

Here is the cute baby sheep again.

And I think the best part for Gracie and Zach... the goodie bag they got as they walked out of church.

It's Christmas Tree Cutting Time

Iverson Tree Farm by Belview, MN is where we go to get our tree. 

This is the third year we have embarked on this adventure.

We have never been there when they are doing the sleigh rides (aka horse and trailer).

It was a beautiful December day with no snow and no wind. Temperatures were great... a perfect atmosphere for cutting a Christmas tree. (Well maybe not really... generally snow is more appropriate, but for the sake of the health of the kids we will take the warm weather!)

Shelly, Joe, and Jesse were visiting for the weekend so they got to enjoy the outing as well.

 All these trees... it is amazing we seem to always find the "perfect one".

 And then their is little guy whom I just can't seem to get enough of :)

 We enjoyed our sleigh ride. The horses were huge!

Then off to the forest of trees we go. Marty as always did his manly duties and sawed away and strapped that tree to the top of the vehicle.

And here is the finished product.

I think we did indeed once again find the "Perfect Tree" for our home at Christmas.

The kids had a blast decorating it. It is a joy to see them get out all the decorations and oh so eagerly put them on the tree. The are now starting to get a collection of home-made (or preschool made) ornaments. They very much enjoyed looking at them and remembering when they made them.

 And then here is my kitchen decorations. I just love the lights and the change of scenery.   I just puts the spirit of Christmas in the air.

Marley graduated dog school

Marty and our hound Marley have been going to dog school. I think it was a 10 week course. 

Every Monday from 7-8 pm at the local elementary school gym Marty and Marley tried to learn.

The key work is "try".  The first few weeks after getting home Marty threatened several times to not go back.  Apparently Marley has a thing for the ladies (and men).  He likes to sniff and lick certain private parts on the other dogs just a little to much.  Marty was just a little embarrassed.

But, as a determined owner when Monday night rolled around, Dog and Master went back to school.

A couple weeks ago was the last class and Mr. Marley got his award: Honorable Mention and Most Improved.  He did indeed learn a few things, such as sit (see the picture above? look at how good he is being?), heel, stay, lay-down, and come.  Marty also learned how to train him. I think is was beneficial to them both.

Now if we could just get Mr. Marley to understand that his is not a human... and dogs stand on 4 feet, not 2!

Gosh he is cute though isn't he?

Another "Don't Tell Daddy" moment

 So I know there have been some posts where I say we shouldn't tell Daddy about things Zach has done, which may seem to some a little girly... well my Jared is following the footsteps of his big brother.

 I am busy doing something and suddenly think "Where is Jared?"  Turns out my Jared is being the perfect angel, playing contently by himself, (here is the kicker) with Gracie's dollhouse toys!

He is just having a ball. He plopped himself down in the middle of "Doll Land" blankie and all and went at playing like it was just where he was meant to be.  I of course think it is adorable.

And look at that face with that adorable smile?  A happy and content toddler = happy and content Momma!

Visiting Santa

We got our visit in with the guy with the Red Suit. Amazingly the kids weren't super shy and they actually sat on his lap and talked with him... this is the first time ever!

Gracie told Santa she would like some furniture for her dollhouse.

Well, Jared he wasn't super excited about Santa. He gave me the look like "Mom- get me away from this guy RIGHT NOW!"

Then Zachy who is always super shy with people he doesn't know, hopped right up on his lap and he says:

"I want a bow-tie!"  Now what 4 year old asks for a bow-tie... I guess my Zachy does. Santa lets out a chuckle and says he wasn't sure he had any bow-ties, but he would certainly see what he could do!

I guess that means someone is going to have to go looking for a  bow tie too!

Christmas Caroling...

The fun of getting out the Christmas decorations.

 Theses kiddos come up with this all on their own. 

Aren't they just they just top-of-the-line fashion coordinators!

Complete with reading from their mini Bibles.

Work Christmas Gathering

Here are my co-workers from the Willmar Diabetes Center. 

We did an early Christmas gathering this year and this is the majority of us.  Three are missing from the picture.  This year we went out to eat at a restaurant and then did a cookie exchange. It was so much fun. I highly recommend a cookie exchange instead of a gift exchange. I went with 4 dozen of one kind of goodie and come home with 7 different kinds. 

It is a pleasure to work with such a great group.

Gracie's first dance recital

Gracie is in dance this year. It is her first year of dance. The last two years she was in ice skating, but since the program didn't have a teacher this year we needed to point Gracie's skills in a different direction and what little girl doesn't like Dance?

Certainly not mine. She LOVES dance. Every Thursday we get home from school, work, daycare, rush to eat supper and off Redwood Dance Studio for dance lessons from 5:55pm to 6:25pm.

Look at my Sweetheart? She has quite the posses! She is so cute. We curled her hair up complete with the pink bow.

The winter recital was: the WINTER WONDERLAND showcase.

All the girls danced to Christmas music. Gracie's group danced to Rock'n Around the Christmas Tree.

 She had quite the audience as Grandma Betty and Grandpa Joe came as well as Grandma Myra and Great Aunt Claudia. Then of course Mommy and Daddy and the 2 brothers.

I was amazed at how much Jared liked it. He loved the music and was so engaged in the bright outfits and moving girls on stage.  Zach liked it too and when the instructor announced for the preschoolers to come up, he would have gone if I would have let him.  He wanted to dance too!

Cousin Makayla is in Dance too, so Gracie was so excited to see her preform and to get a picture taken with her.

Here is my Star  and proud brother Zachy!

Thanksgiving fun

Thanksgiving weekend was spent at the Malecek house.  The Malecek family is growing (we are getting some step cousins officially added!) so more cousins are around to play with. These kids spent pretty much 3 entire days together playing.

 Auntie Jana provided a fun craft project finger painting leaves on trees.

 Not sure what exactly this game was, but I think it is a spin off of 'dodge ball'... the inside-the-house version.

Even Jared was trying to play along.

 He is getting just oh so cute!

 Then their is my crazy Indian and Pilgrim folks...

 They are dancing and having a good time, as I sure they did on the first Thanksgiving.