Reunion with highschool friends

There is something special about friends who knew you when...

Sledding The Day After Christmas

Not a ton of snow but ample enough for an epic sledding day. I love this little family of mine.

Christmas 2014

 Christmas cookie decorating on Christmas Eve Day

 We spent Christmas eve at my parent's house

 Red Fish played the piano while we sang Christmas carols. It is so fun to hear how much progress she has made. She really has an ear for music.

 We played games including a decorate your own santa game that was hilarious.

 The kids went a little crazy turning Pop Pops into Santa.

 Our family on Christmas eve

 The traditional nativity play. Poor Two Fish had to play donkey and camel. New Fish wanted to be Mary and Thing 1 was Joseph. Thing 2 was a shepard.

Red Fish wanted to be a wise man following the star this year.

 Christmas morning

Red Fish got a sewing machine from Santa. I'm not a seamstress at all but Red Fish loves to create and she really wanted to learn how to sew so I guess we can learn together. She is already working on a pair of pajamas and the she will be pretty much caught up to my skill level.

New Fish in her new chair from Memine and Pop Pops

New Fish got a scooter for Chistmas.

Red Fish loved holding our squishy new Noodle baby.

 In the afternoon we went to Two Fish's mom's house to spend time with his side of the family. The cousins all draw names and exchange presents.

Merry Christmas!

Blue Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, New Fish, One Fish

The Sunday Before Christmas

The girls all ready for church today. 

Pajama Day At 1st Grade

Polar Express themed Christmas party at school today and all of the kids wore their pajamas.

The Diva

 New Fish had her preschool performance.  She work up sick of the morning of her performance last year so she was really looking forward to being there this year. I was so worried she would catch something that I woke up in the middle of the night to check on her and feel her forehead. New Fish is definitely a performer. She loved being up on stage and we could hear her above all of the other kids. She had little dance moves and got really into her part. She also loved that so many family memebers came to show support.

 After her performance, New Fish got to go pick out her first bouquet of flowers with her great grandma- Mimi. She was very excited about her Christmas daisies.

 New Fish had a demonstration day in her ballet, tap and jazz classes.  I can always watch through the window of her classes but it was fun to go in and have the kids put on their little program.

I love that her little tongue sticks out when she is working hard and concentrating.

Santa Lucia

For the last few years we have celebrated Santa Lucia.  We also take the opportunity to share the fun with our neighbors.  Some of our neighbors probably think we are a little odd showing up with our kids decked out like angels but most of them appreciate the little bit of extra cheer and the girls have a great time going from door to door.  We always buy and or make all of our favorite Swedish treats.

 This year we shared some of the fun with Lovely L and her kids.  We took our Swedish treats and outfits to her house and had a little brunch. It is always fun to share traditions with friends!

35 Years

We had a little party to celebrate the December birthdays on my side of the family and we also celebrated my parent's 35th wedding anniversary.  My Mom had all of their wedding decorations, albums etc. out and my parents cut a cake.  They also smashed it on each other's faces.  

I'm grateful to have good examples of lasting love and strong family bonds for my kids. I'm grateful to have parents who have worked hard to stay in love.  I'm grateful for family. In the world we live in, a strong happy marriage is not something to take for granted.

Peter And The Starcatcher

We aren't very good at selfies but we have fun together. We saw Peter And The Starcatcher tonight as part of Two Fish's birthday date. I was a little disappointed- three goofy plays in a row.

When Girls Play Superheroes

It involves 4 pairs of leg warmers and leopard print berets.

Another Ill Fated Trip

I think we should just stay away from down town this season!  All of our Christmas outings seemed to be rather ill fated this month.  There was confusion with the Christmas concert my brother got us tickets for and our seats were filled so we ended up watching it on tv.  As you can see from the picture New Fish was pitching a fit and we trudged through freezing rain.  Maybe we should stay home until New Years!

He's 35

 I should rescan these pictures but instead I took these lame pictures of a picture on my cell phone.

Twelve years ago I surprised Two Fish by sneaking into his apartment and making breakfast for him and his roommates. He was a huge grumpus and said h would rather eat cereal and sleep in. After over eleven years of marriage and two kids he is much less grumpy about his birthday breakfast. Thirty-five looks good on you babe! Happy birthday! Let's spend the next fifty plus together. I promise to always wake you up and make pancakes.

Piano Recital

Red Fish had her piano recital tonight.  She played Fur Elise and Pop Goes The Weasle.

Feeling Grateful

Today was far from perfect or extraordinary but it has left me feeling especially grateful for my life. The crazed dance between family, friends, work and responsibility is difficult to navigate at times but I am so blessed to have so much abundance in my life. Thank you to all of the people who support me and help to make this balancing act work for me and my family. I count myself lucky to have such lovely people in my life. I have a good feeling about 2015- it is going to be a good year.

Lovely L In The Morning

Painting with friends in the morning. We are having so much fun with Lovely L living nearby. We have fun morning visits before school.  I just wish Red Fish didn't have to go to school.