Emma's Birthday

Emma turned 3 on December 26th. Here are some pictures of our lunch date with her!

Christmas Pictures

I finally got some time to upload some pictures of Christmas! I hope you all enjoy them.

World Wind Week!!

We hope that everyone had a great Christmas. We sure did! The kids are still in overload mode but we are working our way through it. We started our Christmas celebration with the Otto's on Christmas Eve. It was so much to hang out and just have a relaxing day. We sure missed Zak, Susan and Lydia this year. The kids had a great time and we were home at a decent time. We got them all ready for bed. We set out the cookies and milk for Santa and off to bed they went. I thought for sure that Braeden would wake us up early saying..."Mommy and Daddy Santa came!" Boy was I mistaken. I was up at 6am waiting for my kids to run into our room. I was still waiting at 7am. At 7:20 Nick and I hear Braeden yell for us from his room. He didn't want to get out of bed. We told him to get up and just come in our room. He came in and we asked him if Santa came. He said he didn't know and didn't want to check. The poor kid thought Santa was still in the house. He was so freaked out! He said I have to go potty so bad will you come with me. I felt awful! I didn't think of him getting scared at all. We had to explain to him that Santa just drops the presents off and leaves. After we talked to him he ran out to the tree to see all the presents. Then he woke up his sister. We had a great time opening presents. After opening presents at our house we headed off to my parents' house for the day. The kids got so much stuff but had a wonderful Christmas!

Yesterday my mom, Patsy and I went shopping in the morning. I believe we have been getting up early to do after Christmas shopping for the last 7 years. We have so much fun and just enjoy getting some deals. It was also Emma's birthday. Nick, Braeden, Charlie and I took her to Applebee's for lunch. It is her favorite place to go. They even sang Happy Birthday to her. She thought that was the best! Last night we spent the evening with the Hoffman's. We love getting together with them every year. It was so fun to hang out and catch up with everyone!

Today is our 5th wedding Anniversary. I can't believe we have been married for 5 years already. The time goes by so quickly! Nick's mom and dad are coming over to watch all 3 kids tonight so we can go out for a nice dinner and maybe a movie.

I will try to post pictures at some point today. I think naps are in everyones agenda for the day today!

Helena Clare

Here is a picture of our new niece. Isn't she so adorable and sweet looking. I love the hat and pants!

Welcome Helena Clare

Nick's brother and his wife had a baby girl this morning. What a wonderful Christmas present!! She is 8lbs 20 1/2 inches long and I am sure beautiful. We all can't wait to see pictures and meet her. Congratulations Zak, Susan and Lydia!

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. It is hard to believe that it is already that time of year. It goes by so quickly. I try so desparately to soak in all the memories each year. Braeden and Emma are so excited for Santa to come. Every year their reactions get better and better. Christmas is about the children and giving. Remember to be thankful for what you have because in these hard times our country is facing not everyone can celebrate.

Merry Christmas!!
Amy

Otto Family Rock Band.....

A few months ago my kids asked Papa from the lake to build them a stage. This was after our trip to the Dell's. They loved being able to sing and dance on the stage at the restaurant we went to. Papa told Nick and I that he would love to build them a stage. We were going to give it to them for Christmas but decided to give it to them earlier. Last night the kids had a blast dancing and singing on the stage. We have our own little rock band!

Check out that smile on Charlie. He loves to be able to play with his brother and sister!

Emma's Blizzard Birthday

Emma will be 3 on Friday and we had her birthday party on Saturday. It was nice to see that we had a blizzard again for her birthday party. Every year it snows on her birthday party and turns into a blizzards. Nick and I frantically got things ready for her party all day. He was out shoveling a few times to keep up with the blowing snow. Grandma Pete and Aunt Mary were not able to make it down for her party. We were glad they chose not to risk the drive. Everyone in Mankato were able to come. Emma had a blast and got everything she wanted. Maybe next year we will be able to avoid the blizzard.

Christmas Program

Braeden had his Christmas program on Thursday. He was so excited. I took the day off so that Emma, Charlie, Nick and I could all go and watch him. Braeden did a great job but looked less than enthused to be singing.

BURRRR.....

I have asked myself several times today why I/we live in Minnesota during the winter. I don't know why anyone purposely puts themselves through these temperature changes. Saturday was a beautiful day. It was 40 degrees and sunny. A lot of the snow we had melted. We were able to get the cars washed and cleaned out. Sunday rolled in and so did drastic temperature changes. We started the day in the 30s and quickly went downhill from there. This morning we woke up to -35 degree wind chills! That is 75 degree difference from Saturday. Please send help. We are obviously insane and need help. We don't take the kids out in this weather if we can avoid it. I ventured out this evening to finish up all of our Christmas shopping. It is so nice to have it all done but what a cold night to finish!! I just wish that after Christmas spring would come so it doesn't get any colder here.

Tooth Fairy!

Braeden lost his first tooth on Saturday night. I can't believe that he is already old enough to be losing teeth.

SANTA CAME!!

We had a special visitor this morning. Santa stopped by to say hi to all the kids and my daycare kids. It was so much fun. The kids were so surprised. We had them all play down the basement so Santa could come in without them knowing. We were able to fill his bag with presents so the kids would be surprised! My sister Molly went down and told all the kids that Santa was here. Braeden ran up the stairs first. He was mesmorized by him and just kept starring at him. He just couldn't believe that Santa came to his house to say hi.Then Chance, one of my daycare boys, came running in. He screamed "SANTA...I have to tell you everything I want." It was the best reaction a kid could have. We hope his dad got it on video tape. Emma could've cared less. She is our shy kid and we don't know where she gets that from at all. She wanted nothing to do with Santa even if there was a present involved. We had a hard time even getting a picture with her in it. Charlie still could care less about anyone. He isn't in the stranger phase yet. He just loves to be held so was thrilled Santa was holding him. When it came time for a group picture Charlie was hungry and mad. Santa sang songs with the kids, took pictures and gave them presents. What a great day for everyone! Then when Santa left we all had cookies and juice. I am so glad that I had him come. I will make sure to do this again next year.

Dear Santa....

I was a really good girl this year. I would like you to bring me:
Dora Castle
Barbie Castle
pink guitar
pink dolls
clothes
sleeping beauty lamp
babysitter for Charlie

Love,
Emma

We worked on our Santa lists the other night and Emma's made me smile. She loves to have alone time with Mommy so I assume that is why Charlie needs a babysitter ;)

Loose Tooth...

Braeden has his first loose tooth. He discovered it last week. We never thought he would be loosing his teeth already. It was such a big day for him when he found out his tooth was loose. He was very dramatic about it and didn't eat supper. We knew he was really concerned because we had chicken nuggets that night. He was really worried about his tooth falling out and not having a tooth there. We had to explain to him that another one would grow in. I checked his tooth tonight and it is really loose. He wants to lose it the night before Christmas so Santa and the tooth fairy can come in the same night.

Big Boy...

Charlie is growing so fast. I can't believe that he will be 7 months on the 9th. The time is just flying by. I am so thankful that I can be home with him and watch him grow. He has learned to sit up on his own now. He is not a newborn anymore that is for sure. He loves to smile, jump in his johnny jump up and giggle at his sibblings. I know that crawling is just around the corner and I wish there was a way I could bottle him up for awhile! We are so blessed to have 3 healthy children. I am so happy that he is growing so well but I wish he would slow down a little.

Girl time....

Emma and I went to Liv Aveda Salon last night and enjoyed the customer appreciation specials they had. Emma hasn't done anything like that with me before and it was so fun to bring her. She watched as I got my eye brows waxed. She said to me..."mommy I don't want to do that." I just laughed and said some day you will have no choice ;) We then went and had hand massages with lotion. I can't wait for her to get a little older so we can get manicures or pedicures together. It sure is fun having a girl to do things with.

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We were able to see most of our family so it was a great day. The kids were up late but slept in on Friday. I decided to venture out to the stores Friday morning. Next year I will sleep in and wait until the crazy people go home ;)

We have a busy month coming up but I love this time of year. I was able to get all my decorations up before we went to Wisconsin Dells. I know that the kids and I have really enjoyed them. Nick hung up the outside lights yesterday while it was snowing. I baked Christmas cookies all weekend. The kids had fun helping me unwrap all the hershey kisses. Emma would unwrap one, then smell it and say "they just smell so good mommy."

My friend Misty and I are having a dessert open house on December 6th. We are hoping for a great turnout. It is from 1-4, at my house, so feel free to stop by anytime and enjoy the dessert samples! I hope everyone is able to enjoy this busy season!

Thanksgiving

Wisconsin Dells