Instagram

More Instagram photos to share:

Ryan at Urgent Care on Christmas Eve.  He had a very sore ear.  Turns out it was not an infection, but rather an inflammed ear canal.  We gave him drops for several days and the soreness was gone.

Silent Night at Kroschel Church on Christmas Eve:

Bentleyville with my boys:

The boys checking out the tall tree:

Grandma and her boys at Bentleyville:

I took the boys sliding on the hill in Hinckley I grew up sliding on:

The Edge

Every year between Christmas and New Year's Evan, Kyle, Dad, Uncle Rich, and Shane go fishing in Lake of the Woods.  Mom and I take Ryan and Carter to a waterpark in Duluth to spend a few days relaxing and enjoying the "warmth" inside!  This year, however, the waterpark's HVAC system was having problems and it was freezing inside - I was layered and was still freezing.  I attempted to swim with the boys for a little while, but it was almost unbearably cold.  The boys toughed it out for two days, but we did check out a day early - we were all coughing from an over-chlorinated pool.  As much as the kids love the Edge, I think we'll be looking for a new waterpark for next year...

This year my Aunt Bev, cousin Kim, and her daughter Olivia, also stayed at the Edge the same time we were there.  The boys loved playing with Olivia!!

Ryan on the obstacle course:

Both boys and Olivia on the obstacle course:

Carter was so excited to finally be over 48" tall, which he could go down all of the slides and in all of the pools by himself!

Mastering the obstacle course:

Standing underneath the giant dumping bucket:

Standing underneath the kiddie pool bucket:

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

We celebrated Christmas Day at my Aunt and Uncle's house.  As usual, the spread was amazing and I ate wayyyy too much!  The kids loved the dice game we played after gift opening and their cousin Noah had the new Skylanders Giants game, so they were in a Skylanders coma the rest of the day.  We didn't hear or see a lot of any of them! :)

Family photo:

Ryan opening his gift - Bunker Beach passes for 2013 - woohoo! :)

Carter taking it easy on our bed, reading his Lego book:

Christmas Eve

We celebrated Christmas Eve at our house with my parents.  The kids were so excited, especially Carter.  It was fun to watch them.  I love seeing their reactions to the gifts!  We also had a quick trip to Urgent Care for Ryan.  We are not quite sure what is wrong - he has a very sore ear, but it is not infected.  They did give him drops to help with the inflammation and reduce risk of infection.  He is not himself, but the Skylanders are pulling him through it like a trooper!  :)




Angry Birds iPod Case:

So many lures, so little time:

Skylanders trading cards were a hit:

Caribou gift card:

Cities 97 Sampler CD, Volume 24:

Gander Mountain gift card:

Skylanders!

So excited about his hunting sets!

Dad and Mom with their photo calendar:

I bought a trip for Evan for his birthday, and actually managed to surprise him, at least I think I did! :)

Hankies?

Kyle opening his new trail cam:

My family at Christmas:

Our boys:

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!!!

Ready for Santa

The boys are soooo excited to get up tomorrow morning.  They left chocolate milk and winter Oreos for Santa tonight before bed.  Little do to they know, Santa already came and I caught him in the act!  :)

Charlie

Charlie (our Elf on the Shelf) has been with us since late November.  He has gotten into a lot of trouble.  The kids love seeing what he's been up to the night before.  Here are his antics for 2012:

Charlie left tonight and this is the note he left the boys:

From the Desk of

Charlie
                                                                     

Ryan and Carter –

Last night while you slept, a little Christmas magic happened in your house.  I flew back to the North Pole for the last time and made my last report to Santa.  He got on his sleigh and headed around the world to spread Christmas cheer.  This morning when you woke, I am gone and presents are in your stockings.  I know there are presents because I have told Santa what good kids you are.  He did his best to find the perfect presents for all of you because he was really happy with how hard you tried to behave this year.  Work on listening to your Mom and Dad, okay?  Remember, Santa and I are watching you all year!

I loved being your elf this year and cannot wait to see you next year!

Merry Christmas, Ryan and Carter!

Love,

Charlie