Throwback Thursday: Merry Christmas!

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

(Im)patiently waiting

Josie built a fort in the living room and insisted on sleeping in it last night. She said she wanted to be close to the Christmas tree. 

Can you find her in there? 

Now she's asking to sleep in a tent by the tree tonight so she can wait for Santa. 

Glad she's feeling better and full of Christmas spirit! 

Ready, aim, miss!

She lines up the shot....

let's it fly....

and retrieves the dart from the wall. 

Hustle and bustle

Its definitely the holiday season! 

A visit with Santa

Ringing bells for the Salvation Army

Christmas caroling with church

Building gingerbread houses

Throwback Thursday: Christmas memories

First let's look back at the cookie frosting efforts of the mid 80's.

See any similarities?

Next let's talk about bucks.

Ted would be totally disappointed if you gave him a $5 bill but thought he was the richest kid alive if you gave him five $1 bills. The more "bucks" the better.

Think we can still get away with that trick today?

Elf antics

Just a few snapshots of our time with Christopher so far...

Birthday cake

Desperate for hot chocolate 

Egg decorator 

Throwback Thursday: December 4th

My parents often describe it as the best day of their lives. 

A day that will stand the test of time. 

A day they wish they could re-live for the rest of their lives. 

A day that the best, most important thing happened. 

Its easy to understand why.....

Its the day that I was born! 

Apparently I had a big mouth back then too. 

Smile! 

Sorry Ted- now that you're 30 I figured it was safe to tell you. Apparently November 21 just didn't make that big of an impression on them but it sure did on me! 

Parts and pieces

Note to self: when buying a used item with plans to pawn it off as a new gift, don't lose one of the tiny freaking parts in the car! Especially if you lose them in the car directly in the seat where the recipient happens to sit. 

Crap! 

Luckily Christopher is back and she thinks he must have left it for her. 

Phew! 

Elf Fun

Minnesota Ice

We  have had the pleasure of an early cold snap (and by pleasure I mean unfortunate event which will cause winter to be longer than any sane Minnesotan should have to tolerate) so we already have some ice on the lakes. And ice on the lakes means one thing- skating!

You thought I was going to say ice fishing, didn't you?

I could have also said hockey.

But no, I'm talking about skating because Jo is enrolled in Learn to Skate classes!

Safety first! 

Steady.....

Now she's got this! 

Look at that smile! 

Oops! But still smiling! 

Concentration! 

How do I know? Because the tongue is out! 

She can't wait for the lake to be ready! She has high hopes of skating to all of the places we fish at during the summer but between you and me I think she'll barely cover an area the size of a skating rink. A girl has to dream though! 

I am NOT a turkey!

As you prepare for your Thanksgiving feast, be sure that your turkey is truly a turkey. 

Josie and her class came up with quite a few good disguises!

I am not a turkey I am a leprechaun.

Don't you see my pot of gold, And the rainbow behind me?

I only come out in March and I am funny.

V-i-c-t-o-r-y!!

We had a vested interest in the Sheriff's election this year and made sure to include Josie in as many activities as we could. She attended a meet-and-greet event, campaigned door to door, went along as I voted (and made sure I filled in the correct bubble for the Sheriff's selection) and then attended the victory party. She saw firsthand what the election process was all about. 

In a cheerful little voice she reminded everyone to vote and offered information about Deputy Torgerson. 

Selfie at the victory party! 

Packed house! 

There's a new sheriff in town! 

Throwback Thursday: Someone is turning 30!

Happy (almost) 30th Birthday Teddy! 

Best sister ever! 

It appears that he used to be fed from a dog dish. 

Styling! 

I still see this look often.....

Golden Birthday

November 1st was Ozzie's first birthday. Josie quickly latched on to that idea and insisted that we celebrate by throwing a Golden Birthday Party for Oz. He was underwhelmed with the sentiment.

Patiently waiting for party guests to arrive...

Finally coaxed out of hiding by the wonderful aroma of canned cat food....

Josie opening the gifts

Some of the other fools, I mean special guests who attended the party