Valentine's Day 2011

Valentine's Day (like most holidays around here) came a day early this year. We celebrated this morning over breakfast. The kids got some cold hard cash from Grandma Jane, and a few little presents from us. It seems they liked the money the best! Check out those smiles!

Matthew got a new red "skinny shirt", and Amy pick up a new red nightgown with black hearts on it & matching ladybug slippers. I saw it on a clearance rack a the Gap not too long ago, and I just had to have it. She is such a girly girl these days. She put it on immediately, and wore it to bed tonight. Such a funny kid.

Enjoy the photos, and enjoy the ones you love!

1.17.11 - Date Day!

Well, I guess the official title of the blog post should be Martin Luther King Jr. Day ... but I like to just call it "Date Day" with my son. You know, I have been amazed at the number of days that Matthew gets off of school, but there is an upside to it all - I get to spend a ton of time with him 1:1.

Today was no exception. I dropped Amy off at daycare, and Matthew and Arik got donuts and coffee while I snuck in a quick workout. After that, Matthew and I headed out to the Mall of America. We went to Underwater World, ate lunch at Noodles, got some shopping done, and even went on a few rides. Overall, it has been a very fun day.

Matthew thought it would be a good idea for us to go on the log ride. I couldn't believe it! I took him up on it before he changed his mind. He was pretty nervous while we were standing in line ... but again ... it was his idea. If the ride would have ended after the first hill, he would have loved it! He was squealing with delight. However, there was a second hill. This one was a bit steeper than the first, and we got a little wet at the end. Add to that the fact that he bumped his face (not hard) on the padded thing in front of him ... and you guessed it ... there were some tears. He claims it was the worst ride ever, and he is never going on it again. We'll see about that.

After the madness of the log ride, we made a quick escape and headed home. He has been happily playing with his legos, and I have gotten a ton of stuff done in the kitchen. Cookies are baked, pasta salad is made, and things are prepped for dinner. I could get used to this whole "not working" thing.

Enjoy the photos!

1.14.11 Matthew Plays Basketball!

Ok, so we officially signed Matthew up for a sport Arik can relate to - Basketball! There are 12 kids on his team, and 4 of them are in his kindergarten class. He is having a blast. He really doesn't seem to understand the game, but what can you expect from a 6-year old? The important thing is that he is having fun. They spend a 1/2 hour doing some drills, and then a 1/2 hour playing 3-on-3. It is pretty funny.

In the pictures you will see Matthew with James and Braden - two of his little buddies from kindergarten. James has a twin brother, Patrick, but he had stepped away for a few minutes when the pictures were taken. We'll catch him next time. These boys have so much fun together, and it has been really fun for Arik and I to get to know their parents.

I hope these boys maintain their friendship for many many years. One day they will look back at these pictures and laugh at how little they are. Such precious memories.

Flowers

Check out the gift my hubby delivered to my office the other day! Aren't they gorgeous? I recently got a second desk in a different building, and I was complaining that it was a little bare. This was his way of filling it with love. Thank you Arik!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year 2011!!

For me, there is nothing more refreshing than the start of a new year. It is like the slate of life is wiped clean, and you get to start again. New goals, new ideas ... new everything!

In the spirit of starting the year off right, I thought I would share a funny conversation the kids were having in the car on New Years Day. It pretty much sums up our existence with the two of them:

Matthew: "Mommy ... when I get bigger, I am going to be a construction guy. Amy, what are you going to be?"
Amy: "A bunny."
Matthew: "You can't be a bunny! You can't change into an animal. Mommy ... Amy said she is going to be a bunny when she grows up. She can't do that!"
Amy: "YES I CAN! I can put on a bunny costume!"

Good point. I love them. Happy New Year!

New Years Eve 2010

This year, we decided to spend most of our New Years Eve in Uptown with Aaron. Our first stop was Bryant Lake Bowl. We were afraid it was going to be really crowded, but we were pleasantly surprised to find the place rather empty. We had a little time to fill before our dinner reservations at Rinata, so we parked ourselves at the bar for a couple of rounds (just one for the driver, of course) and some lively conversation. We just love that place.

As we approached the 8:00 hour, we headed down to Hennepin Avenue to find our dinner destination. Rinata isn't big, but the food they serve is fantastic. Nothing like some high quality Italian fare to close out 2010! We ate ourselves silly, and then headed back toward our house to celebrate the ringing in of the new year at the Town Hall Tap.

We met up with our friends Leah and Sunny at our final destination, and had a fun champagne toast at midnight.

Hello 2011! We look forward to all of the excitement and challenges you will bring us in the next 365 days!

Happy New Year everyone!

Christmas 2010 - Round 3

Our third round of holiday fun was at my Mom's house. We spent all of Christmas Day hanging out with her and Rocco and Meg. Another fun day of eating, drinking, playing games and just catching up. We busted out the dominos, and got in several rounds of Toy Story 3 Uno. Even little Amy held her own with the games this year! It is amazing how quickly they grow up!

After an awesome dinner of filet mignon, baked potatoes and salad .... it was yet another round of GIFTS!

Again, regardless of whether or not it was requested or appreciated, the kids helped everyone with the unwrapping. The highlight of the night was Matthew's new orange cones and roll of caution tape that my Mom gave him. I think our house is going to be covered in yellow and black for a long time to come! He was in heaven!

We got our membership to the Zoo renewed, and so many wonderful gifts.

Nothing like two full days of family fun at Christmas. Again, we are so lucky to be able to do this every year. I don't know what we would do if we lived far away from our parents and siblings. It just wouldn't be the same. We have much to be thankful for this year ... and every year.

Merry Christmas!