Christmas Day

We started Christmas day with opening presents. It's amazing how quickly Esme transitioned from toys and girly stuff to clothes and tween stuff.  She was elated with her gifts.

Parker rounded out his appliance collection by adding the Fisher-Price fridge!

It had some stationary clips that I used to attach his school picture and a grocery list with his favorites.

We headed to my parent's to celebrate with my family.

Esme got some gift cards, a book and her big gift was an inflatable paddleboard.

Parker also got some gift cards, a light up star gazer and some sweet mac and cheese socks.

Prime rib and all the sides for Christmas dinner.

We finished the day with pizza dip and win over the Lions.  We are out of the postseason, but we'll take every win we can.

Esme wanted to check out her paddle board and is so excited for the weather to warm up.

Merry Christmas!

It's Almost Christmas!

Christmas week started with a gathering of the high school gals at Dani's mom's house. Myself, Brianne, Stacy, Dani, and Kayla got together for brunch and catching up.  Dani and Stacey recently moved back to MN so it was great to have a chance to catch up.

We had out final week of stocking gifts. A new set of marbles for Parker and press on nails for Esme.

Reuben dip for the Vikings win over the Giants.

Once again the kids got a SkyZone membership for Christmas. They started it early so it would cover all of winter break.

The potluck returned at work and I decked myself in cows for the festive wear event.  I whipped up this skirt the night before and it was the cherry on top!

We spent Christmas eve morning at Jimmy's sister's house and grabbed a clearance ferris wheel for the Christmas village.

We enjoyed Christmas Eve service at church.  Parker has really come to enjoy the candlelight part.

Parker on Parade - Floor Hockey and Orchestra

We made the trek down to Mankato for Parker's game on Monday. This was a very fun venue in an older school building. The court was smaller and all the spectators were on the second level.

Esme was a trooper on our drive down and wait so she got a slushie.

We lost 0-10 and are still chasing our first goal of the season. The confidence is growing!

Wednesday's game finally brought those goals for the Robins!  Caleb and Preston scored in the 2-11 loss to New Prague.

Then on Thursday he had an orchestra concert.  I honestly had no idea he was truly participating in orchestra.  His school offers unified classes where special education and general ed students learn together.  I figured he'd be playing percussion and was shocked to see his name listed next to bass on the program. I was holding back tears watching him walk up to him instrument and play.  His teacher later told me he chose the bass which doesn't surprise me. He loves messing with my guitar and this is similar. I hope they have a spring concert too!

We are all so incredibly proud of you!

Willy Wonka Jr. - Esme as Mrs. Teevee

Esme's next play finally arrived this month. She played a candy man kid and Mrs. Teevee in Willy Wonka Jr. She had a love/hate relationship with the part this fall, but we made it through.  Here are a mix-up of pictures from performances and tech rehearsal.

During her "I See It All on TV" solos.

Grandpa and Nana and Jimmy came to see her while I assisted in the booth again.

We are so proud of her continued growth and gained confidence while performing. She has opted to take a break for the spring, but I have a feeling she will miss it pretty quickly.