Sohre Family Christmas 2012

Here is my family Christmas picture for 2012.

We celebrated Christmas with the Sohre extended family on the Sunday before Christmas. We went on Saturday already and stayed until Monday.

All the great-grandkids with Great Grandma and Grandpa Sohre.

Mommy and her little luv-bug.

All the grandkids with Grandpa and Grandma (it is getting to be a pretty big crew!)

My princess Gracie. Such a little ham.

Zach getting his pirate ship from Grandma Myra and the big hug she received.

This is what Grandma lives for. The big smile and the big hug she gets when the kids like what they got.

This guy is pretty handsome too.

Some singing of Christmas Carols by the grandkids.

Lots of fun for Gracie. She was sooo excited to open this present.

Maesee's pretty curls.

The newest soon-to-be Sohre. Now it is official since she has gotten a shirt.

All the girls patiently await for Grandpa to tell them they can open the gifts from him...

Grandpa telling them they need to be good.

And then they dive in... Barbie doll cases just like all their Mom's got when they were little. Grandpa made these for them and Grandma put their names on them.

All the girls are so excited.

Carter helping Zach put together his new grain set.

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!