Blizzard

The untimely snowstorm that descended upon Minnesota on Friday and Saturday dumped nearly 18" of snow and cancelled our travel plans to Rochester.  My parents were staying at my house this weekend, and not ones to let a little snow get us down, we changed our plans and turned lemons into lemonade.  I made all of the rest of my jewelry orders for Christmas and my Mom so graciously cooked our Mackey family dinner that we were hosting on Sunday.  Never a dull moment...

The view out my patio door - we have at least 3-4' drift across the patio:

Most of the boys play area is completely engulfed in snow - even the teeter totter and swing!

3-4' drift across our patio and backyard:

The snowplow driver left Evan with a waist high dumping of snow to remove with our tiny snowblower.  Needless to say, Evan's back is a little sore today.  Sorry for the poor quality of pictures in this post - the windchills hovered around -30 this weekend with 40 mph winds and the snow was falling and blowing so hard that most of Saturday was a complete white-out.  I didn't linger outside to take many pictures - these I took from my garage:

Surveying the 'damage' and trying to decide how to move it:

Santa Visit

We had our annual visit to the Macy's Christmas Display, Santa, Target Plaza Dinner, and Holidazzle Parade.  We have gone every year since 2002 when I started at Target (Kyle was 3 at the time).  It is such a fun night and the kids enjoy the lights in the parade so much.  I like the fact that we watch it from inside where it is nice and warm - even the music and sounds are piped inside so you feel a little more like we are right in the action!!!!

Videos from Santa

The boys were mesmerized by the videos from Santa and amazed that he knew all about them and had pictures of them in his book.  If you haven't already done so, consider making one for your kids.  Mine loved theirs!

Ryan's Santa Video

Carter's Santa Video

Carter's Preschool Christmas Party

We went to Carter's Christmas Party at his preschool on Tuesday night.  The boys shopped in the white elephant area for gifts for the family, did the candy walk, and decorated (and ate) Christmas cookies.  What a fun (and fast!) evening for all of us!

Kyle helping Ryan and Carter shop:

Ryan picking out a gift in the housewares section (wonder who that was for??):

So proud of his purchases! 

Kyle's finished Christmas cookie:

Carter decorating his cookie:

Ryan's finished Christmas tree:

Santa on Mankato Street

Santa visited Mankato Street on a fire truck once again tonight.  This is a tradition my kids look forward to.  Every year, we find out the date Santa will be in the neighborhood, but never an exact time - just a range from 5:30-8:00 p.m.  Every year, we think we are organized with jackets and boots by the front door, but we always end up hearing the fire engines at the last minute and running outside unprepared for the cold weather.  This year was no different.  The boys didn't care - they were so excited to see Santa, the firemen, and get their candy canes!  I love this time of year!!!!

Holiday Jewelry Orders

I have never had this many orders on a single weekend.  It was amazing - I took in 24 orders in one day last week.  Can you tell my deadline was quickly approaching????  :)  I was only able to get through a little over half of the orders.  I'm hoping to sneak some in during the upcoming weeks, between all of our functions.  Hmmmm...that restful feeling I talked about a week ago...gone!  Next time I am going to have to move up my deadline!!!!!

Busy Social Calendar

I have a tough time squeezing things in around my kids' social functions now.  Today the boys went to Ryan's school for the Holiday Shop this morning and then Ryan had two birthday parties for classmates of his, both held at Pump It Up.  What a fun (and exhausting) day!

Here are some of the birthday party highlights:

Party number one, Cate's 6th Birthday Party:

Ryan in the boxing ring with giant boxing gloves:

Alexis in the Flintstone car:

Ryan and his girlfriends - he is always surrounded by at least a handful of girls.  One Mom said to me "you are going to be in trouble when he gets older".  Do ya think?  :)

Party number two, Torrie's 6th Birthday Party:

I have never seen so many gifts at a birthday party, it looked like a gift table at a wedding!  I guess that is what happens when you invite 26 friends! :)