Christmas 2011

We went to see Santa a week ago Saturday (17th) and Harper Ann was all smiles as we left!

Unfortunately for Emma, she was NOT all smiles during the actual visit & big sister had to help out & step in for the photo op!

Later that day, Aunt Shauna & Uncle Don came over to give the kids' their Christmas gifts. Harper LOVED her new dress up case full of dresses & shoes & accessories!

Christmas Eve day, we went to my mom's to celebrate lunch time with my family. It was not "normal" as we generally celebrate at night with steak & shrimp, so it was a BIG lunch:) But because it was during the day, my grandpa Olson got to come down from Montevideo MN to celebrate with us. It was fun!

Then, we rushed home to get ready for church. The girls did the obligatory Christmas picture for us, tho we were so rushed, we didn't get a family one this year! Next weekend, we will celebrate with Eric's family here, so they can get our picture for our 2011 picture for the ornament!

Christmas morning (these girls slept until 9!!) we all headed downstairs to see what Santa had left for us! The milk & cookies we left for him were gone! Harper loves her new Dora kitchen! We gave her changing table away today to a needy family, so we now have room for this in her room!

Emma got two big gifts this year! A professional type easel and an electric scooter (shown below)

Harper loves dinosaurs, so Santa brought a couple

Too bad for Emma - she has to wait until spring to ride this outside, but I'm sure it'll be worth the wait!

We are now anxiously awaiting the arrival of Eric's brother & family from Milwaukee! They will be here late Sat night! We can't wait! Our nephew, Josh, is 6 months already! Auntie is itching to hold that chubby baby!

We hope that you all had a safe & healthy holiday season & wonderful 2012!

Thanksgiving 2011

We had Thanksgiving at my mom & dad's in Jackson. Everyone got to come, so it was great! Plus, the weather was unbelievable, so the girls got to enjoy the outside! Harper got pushed by everyone on the swings that day, including uncle Matt!! Man, he's good with kids!

That night, I tried my first experience with Black Friday shopping. I stood in line for 2 1/2  hours at Toys R Us (yes, outside) to get inside finallly at 11:45 to find out the 3 things I wanted, were gone. Lesson learned!

This past weekend, we decorated our Christmas tree.

Harper is a fan of candy canes...carrying them around, not putting them on the tree!

She is so funny right now. She LOVES to watch Elmo goes potty videos, but has NO interest in doing it herself. She tells daycare "change me, I pooped," but won't go in the potty! It's very frustrating! She's so smart, it's like she's doing it in purpose!

She knows so many of her letters & can count from 1-13 (including 5 now!) and she sings the ABC song, but potty, nope, not so much:)

Ah, sisterly love!

Emma is truly the best big sister! She's very helpful watching Harper when Eric & I want to run to the gym. And she truly is showing lots of signs of responsibility! It's great and scary at the same time! My baby wants to wear makeup and have boyfriends! WHAT?!

Emma's at her dad's this weekend, and Harper LOVES all the Christmas lights, so last night we drove around the Falls. It was beautiful!

We made Aunt Bethany some study food this weekend & brought it to her & her friends yesterday. We kept a few cupcakes out for the girls & Harper enjoyed one of hers last night! I took about 100 pictures, because she is so vigorous eating cupcakes!

Christmas is fast approaching! Still no snow on the ground this year:) It does make it a little harder to get into the mood for the holiday, but I'm dealing with it:)

Have a good week