Relaxed Time Together...

We spent the last week of December in AZ, playing with friends and cousins and Grandma and Grandpa. It was wonderful to have relaxed days together...

At the Baldridges' hobby farm...

Annie loved feeding the animals

 Painting nails...

Eric took a little side trip to Colorado to help his little brother Greg celebrate his wedding to Maddie

When Eric returned to AZ, the my sister and her family had arrived from South Dakota as well...

Christmas in Arizona!

On the 23rd, we headed to the airport for our flight to Arizona.

While waiting for the plane to leave, the girls enjoyed goofing around...

We arrived at my parents Sunday evening--we were all delighted to see them and my brother and his family who'd arrived about a week before.

The next morning--Christmas Eve--my dad's family all came over to celebrate Christmas. It was wonderful to see everyone, and the kids enjoyed decorating their gingerbread houses.

Annie, true to form, was quite meticulous and creative

Siri kept saying "I need to eat 1 piece of candy to get a new idea." Guess how many "ideas" she had?

After a fun morning of playing, eating, celebrating together, we rested and got ready for Christmas Eve at my parents church.

Ahh...Candlelight service in AZ means getting to take the candles and "Silent Night" outside

Then, we returned to Grandma and Grandpa's for cookies, Advent candles, and story time...

Christmas morning, we all enjoyed opening stockings, giving presents, and playing with our new toys...

Oh...and, of course, because it was beautiful day, why not check out the pool...

Advent and Christmas in Minnesota

December was a wonderful month as well. 

Advent with little kids is pretty amazing and they loved all the rituals--lighting the wreath (which they had helped make at church), reading our Advent book, discovering what ornament was hiding in each day of the Advent Calendar. 

And, oh! the planning--trying to decide what gifts to get each other--the girls learning how to pick presents for someone based on what the receiver would like instead of just what they would like (Siri was convinced she needed to get Eric a dragon costume, unfortunately none was to be found, so she settled on a dragon so he could play with her.) 

The girls loved playing with our nativity scene, loved singing Christmas songs, and decorating and redecorating our tree. We celebrated St. Nick's day -- a bit at home, and Annie found he had visited her school as well. We celebrated St. Lucia day, and the girls talked eagerly about when they're just a bit older and can make the treats and coffee all by themselves. We all had a wonderful time meeting Santa and celebrating Christmas with friends at the Carsons' Holiday Party.

This year, the whole family was involved in the church Christmas Pageant. Siri as a lamb, Annie as a star, Eric as an accompanist, and Jenia as director.

We loved going to see the Holidazzle two times--once at the beginning of the season with the Larsens, and once right before our trip to AZ with the Simons, Kahnerts, and Carsons. 

We celebrated with Eric's family the Saturday before Christmas, 

and then Sunday after church headed to Arizona.

It was a full and crazy month--we loved all the outings and time with friends and family. 

And, we loved the quiet moments on the couch together at the end of each day to do our Advent reading and the calendar. 

The girls ready to wake Daddy up on St. Lucia's Day.

Siri being silly at the Carsons' Party before meeting Santa

The Christmas Pageant! Siri as a lamb, and

Annie as a Star

One week before Christmas, Eric and I got to attend the girls' dance classes for Parent Night. They both seem to love it, and it was a blast to watch. 

Siri, Annie, and Ella heading into the Macy's 8th Floor Display: A Day in the Life of an Elf

And, then, after a tasty dinner--all ready to watch the Holidazzle!

And, then, the Saturday before Christmas, we celebrated "Christmas in Minnesota," opening a few presents at home before heading over to Eric's dad's and then mom's...

...as pirates...

...and a big hug...

reading with Uncle Jeff

And, with Grandma Barb

 Since we were going to be gone for a good chunk of time, we took our Christmas tree down and brought it outside. The girls prepared pinecones with peanut butter and birdseed, a string of cranberries, and some carrots and we decorated the tree in our backyard so the animals would get to have their own Christmas tree. Given the size of the squirrels and the now-empty tree, I'm pleased to report that they seemed to enjoy it!

Ah...this picture goes up towards the top, I'm not sure why it ended up here...Here is Annie at tap class...Doesn't she look old? Yikes.

Thankful People

We had a lovely November. It was filled with baking and celebrations and lots of talk about what we are thankful for! We of course, are thankful for our little family, and the time we get to spend together. We are thankful for our health and for the roof that is over our heads. 

We are thankful for the school experiences both girls are having--which challenge and nurture and inspire.

We are thankful for friends - and were so happy to celebrate our 11th annual Thanksgiving with Friends.

We are thankful for our larger family - and were blessed to spend time with Eric's family this Thanksgiving, and for technology which helps connect us to my family far away.

Each year, I feel like I love November a little bit more...It might just become my favorite month.

Here are just a couple of pictures from our month!