Crafty Day and Christmas Decorating

I'm having a dilemma planning for our Xmas tree this year. We are in the midst of ordering and getting new windows (from the Airport Noise Mitigation). They are most likely going to come close to Christmas. For them to put the new windows in, we have to move EVERYTHING at least 8 feet away from windows (because of the new lead paint laws). Anyone who has been to our house knows that 8 feet is darn near impossible in our cozy house. So, we may have to move the Christmas tree. I don't want to put it in the basement

I decided we won't put any ornaments on it this year in case we have to move it. So today, we made a homeade tree garland out of scrapbook paper and some twine. David had lots of fun helping me pick out the papers, cutting and stapling. He loves to help me with projects. We also put up lots of Christmas decorations so the house will be all festive when we return after Thanksgiving. He wanted to put things in the strangest places so when he wasn't looking I'd put things where they were more aesthetically pleasing : )

Damon is bringing our Christmas tree from the Shack today. They cut one for David's room too! Can't wait to smell the freshly cut Westfork tree. I can't imagine Christmas without a special Shack tree.

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And now I better go up stairs and see what David is up to....it is WAY too quiet up there. Hope I put the Sharpies away.

Model Train Show and Downtown St. Paul Fun

We headed to the Model Train show at the River Center Saturday morning. We saw it advertised on TV and David immediately said he wanted to go. I gave him two options this morning.

1) Go see Santa

2) Go to the Train show

He picked the Train show. Damon has been deer hunting since Wednesday up at the Shack so we've had lots of Mommy and Sons bonding time. Venturing out keeps us all sane, especially Mommy.

In front of Herb Brooks. Mikko was freezing by now because I forgot his mittens and we walked quite aways outside. Poor Mikkers.

I had no idea what to expect. It was huge! There were so many displays we didn't even see.

David was fascinated!

I was trying to get a picture of him smiling at me, but he wouldn't keep his eyes off the trains!

Boy heaven!

David was operating this train!

Play time.

Hot dog lunch.

Mikkers got into the trains too.

The boys were fascinated by the pidgeons when we walked through Rice Park.

Watching them fly away.

We just watched Charlie Brown Thanksgiving so he knew who this was right away.

Last Stop: Candyland on Wabasha.

Could the day get any better. I let David pick out one candy of whatever he wanted. It took him a really long time decide, but he decided on some candy that looked like legos.

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A perfect day with my Boys. Seeing the complete JOY in David's eyes - I'll never forget it.

Mikko gets a haircut

Completely traumatized. Here he is trying to escape the chair. Don't worry, he was strapped in.
Oh boy! Not a pretty picture.

He got his first haircut from Uncle Charles in July. Thought he was due for one before the Holidays so I brought him to Kid's Hair.
Haircut=Torture

Playing with cars after the trauma. Haircut looks pretty good.

As I left Kids' Hair with two boys in tow, a mother yelled to me "It Gets Better, I Promise"

Winter is here.

Damon has a helper now!

Westfork Women's Weekend 2010!

Friday evening champagne toast. We nestled into the "Stuga" as the snow began to fall. We played games, laughed and ate pizza.
Sheryl signing her new Dinosaur book for Amy.

Dice.

We awoke Saturday morning to this beautiful scene.

Beautiful, but it made us change ALL our plans for the weekend.

Luckily everyone is easy-going and we adjusted easily.

Coffee in our PJs just as the power went out.

Instead of shopping in all the cute shops of Stillwater because of the TREACHEROUS roads, we just went to Herbergers and TJMaxx.

Instead of going out for a fancy dinner in our sparkly jewelry, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings for Lunch.

And because the power went out at the Stuga we ended up having to stay Saturday night at the Country Inn.

But we had as many laughs as we always do and I couldn't think of a more fun group of Moms and Daughters. Westfork Women forever!!

Using a case of Coors light as our coffee table. Very classy ladies we are!

Dault girls

Peterson girls

Wagner girls

LIFE WITH BOYS

I was trying to get some shots of Mikkers this morning because I just realized he turned 18 months yesterday. This is a typical morning in our house. Any wonder I love going to work every morning : )

And yes, that is my bra David is playing with.

Year and a Half!

18 months. Didn't I just send out invites for his 1st Birthday party?

Mikko is:

My little blue eyed blondy is sweet, emotional, demanding, adorable.

His handsome cherabic Finnish face makes ladies in grocery stores stop for a peek of his squeezable cheeks. He's got the flirty thing down, that is for sure.

He is nothing short of a mama's boy.

His Pediatrician reminds me at every appointment that someday I'll miss this phase, which I must remember. He tugs at my jeans, cries when I go to work (I can hear him screaming even when I get to the car,) and smiles gleefully when I pick him at at 5:15.

He says "Thank You" (more like "Tat Du") several hundred times a day. He has it a little backwards though and says it when he gives you something.

My favorite thing that rocks my world is when he leans into my lips for a kiss. Even though I get drenched in baby snot, it is the best kiss I've ever gotten - Sorry Damon : )

You make me love you more every morning when I am greeted by your oustretched arms.

Playdate with Gretzky

When it is quiet, is always means trouble. They were playing in David's room...when I came in they were "packing" for a trip and had taken EVERYTHING out of David's dresser.

I wanted to get some scrapbooking done so I set up G & D with their own craft table.

Showing off their paintings, just as Foxy went in for a lick.


Mikko was moved to eat in the living room because my scrapbooking stuff took over the kitchen.


3 kids watching a Barbie movie.
David didn't want to watch it but seemed to enjoy it. No trains or cars but it was still good.

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Carrie and Bobby went to the Vikings game so Gretzky came over to spend the day with us. Kids had fun, as always! They all love cousin time.

Daycare Halloween Party

Cutest Robot EVER!!!

He is with Calvin, a boy about a month younger then him.

Daycare friends.

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Just got these pics from Heather...too cute not to share.