January 2012

Two weeks ago was Family Night at Elsa's school. The kids danced to a DJ with their friends and had a blast. (Elsa, Lila, Gracie, Emmie.)


Last Friday Elsa went to a birthday party at Pump It Up in Ham Lake. Lila was sad that she didn't get to go to the party, but luckily, just a block down the road was Adventure Park. She had so much fun on her "special night" with us and loved running around the indoor play land. Elsa had a great time at the party - too bad I didn't get any pics of her with her friends. She's getting so big! She just turned 5, but all the kids in Kindergarten are of course turning six!


A few days ago we got a couple inches of snow, and that's been the most we've had all year! Still haven't had to plow or use the snowblower - I can't believe it. Lila was sick (poor baby... I blame Adventure Park),


but while she napped, Elsa and I went sledding. It was 45 degrees and HOT! We didn't need anything but gloves and snow pants, but we both wore all of our winter gear anyway. The sledding hill quickly turned to dirt, and while we were sledding we were running over nails, old cans, and barbed wire! We cleaned the yard up really good last fall, but with all of the warm weather that junk got pushed to the surface quick. Yiiikes! Luckily neither of us got hurt, but it was kind of rough out there in post-construction land.




Our snowman. How awesome that at the end of January, this partially dirt snowman is the best we can do. I love it.


Elsa wrote our names in the snow.


Lila, Tim and Elsa in the silo.



I get a lot of 1-on-1 Lila time while Elsa is in school, so after Christmas we busted out some of her new toys and tried them out. I built my first Lego set in...25 years?! Gotta love Sponge Bob.


Rockin' out down the basement.


Can you believe how big she looks?! I could cry.


A couple days ago we brought the kids to Celebration of the Lakes in Lindstrom. They do it every winter, but this is the first time we've attempted to brave the weather and go. They're supposed to have a big hot-air balloon launch, but of course this year it was too windy so they cancelled it both days! When we showed up to the park where it was supposed to be held, everyone was leaving. Luckily they had a few other activities at the time, including Dog Sled rides.

Here they are getting buckled in.


There they go!




After that, we stopped by Grandma and Grandpa E's house to visit and see cousin Avery, who will probably forevermore be known as "Baby Avawee". Lila doesn't even call her that anymore, but we still do! Here's the best photo of them together so far.