Happy Birthday Mommy!

This video says it all. My sweet sweet boys sang Happy Birthday to me...I love those little buggers.

Mommy's Birthday Cake

The boys insisted that Mommy's birthday cake have red, yellow and blue balloons plus candles. I found it!

Michael & Justin Trees

The year that Michael was born (2004), Mom and Dad found a small pine tree pop up out of nowhere right next to the front steps of the Wadena house. This past summer they replanted it out in the backyard. Michael is now taller than his special tree!

As fate would have it, the exact same thing happened the year Justin was born (2007). His tree will not be replanted in the back yard until he's in Kindergarten (like Michael). These pictures show his tree just peaking through the snow.

The boys love seeing their special Wadena trees when we visit up North. What wonderful memories they are creating!

World Celebration Day

I was lucky to have our wonderful family friend, Mary Rstom, come with me to Michael's World Celebration Day at his school. This was during the time Justin was at Children's Hospital for RSV/pneumonia and Auntie Karen was keeping an eye on him.

Michael, Mercedez and Belle all worked together on their Hanukkah poster and were proud to show us their menoras, dreidels and chocolate golden coins.

All the kids then entertained us with songs.....the favorite being "Toodee-Tot, Too-dee Tot, a Toodee-Ta Ta!"

Papa Jim, You Awake? Papa Jim?

After a long flight from Jacksonville to Minneapolis and a three hour drive up to Wadena, Papa Jim was EXHAUSTED. As the boys put on their pj's, Papa Jim laid on the couch and fell fast asleep.

Annual Holiday Gingerbread House

Every year we purchase the gingerbread house kit and the boys and I enjoying frosting and placing each candy piece on the house. This year Justin actively participated and concentrated very hard on putting his candy in just the right spot! The best part? They always enjoy their finished creation and that's what it's all about!

Justin & Pitiful Pearl

Look what Mom and I subjected Justin to....sitting and posing with Poor Pitiful Pearl. Pearl is my mom's childhood doll. I also played with her endlessly as a little girl. We found her in a drawer and thought to ourselves "Wonder what Justin would think of her?" Let's just say he pacified us for the photos but that was it. I guess Justin didn't fall in love with her little homely self like my Mom and I did. ;)

Giddy Up Horsey!

"First the horsey walks, then the horsey trots, then the horsey GALLOPS!" Justin loves, loves, loves this game/ride on Nana's lap - can't you tell by the all-out grin and giggles!

O' Christmas Tree

Mom did a wonderful job of picking out the tree, putting the tree in her truck (all by herself!), hauling it in the house and decorating it. I helped mom with a few other decorations once we arrived (over the archways, banisters,etc...) and it really made the house festive and fun.

Skyping w/Papa Jim

Justin and I headed up to Wadena the weekend before Christmas. The morning of Dad's birthday we "Skyped" him on the computer as he was still down in Florida. Justin always enjoys seeing Papa Jim and I think it was a wonderful start to Dad's birthday!