Looking at others blogs is more fun than posting on my own...

So as my husband would call it I have a computer addiction, but the first step is admitting it right? So yes I love to check email and could sit all day looking at scrapbooking, crafting, cooking, etc. blogs...

But I guess I better get started cataloging our Twelve Days of Christmas. Not really, but it sounds fun!! Jumping around a bit, but oh well, on Sunday we went sledding at my parents. Eli has never really played in the snow, but he loved everything about it and was sooooo happy. Isn't Lydia adorable in the sunglasses?! We went down several times as a family and then Lydia convinced Gma LuAnn to take her down the hill. I don't think my mom has sledded in years :)






The weekend before Christmas we celebrated with my family and my Dad's family. So nice to spread out the festivities and not feel like you are watching the clock as to get to the next event.





It was a relaxing day opening presents with my family and obviously watching the Colts!!




Eli has gotten some much needed "Boy" toys - trucks, trucks, and more trucks. YEA!!


At my aunt and uncles we played a gift opening present where we had to wear mittens and try to unwrap the present. My dad ended up getting the last of the paper off and it was a digital photo frame which we had all submitted photos for. Great idea Deann!!!



We also celebrated Christmas with my Mom's family on Christmas Eve in Redwood. It is always so much fun to see my cousins and now their own kids. They all play so nicely together. Santa even stops for real!! Lydia sat right by him and talked with him, but Eli wasn't too sure. I don't have pictures because we forgot our camera, but I think if everyone sends me a few from their cameras I will be able to scrapbook some good memories!!

Then on Christmas Day we spent the afternoon with Charlie's family. A first for us to spend the day together on the 25th. It was very nice to see everyone that made it and the kids enjoyed playing with all their new toys.





Next is Gingerbread barn pictures. I found this adorable kit at TSC and splurged. Guess what? Big mistake! The milk cartoon gingerbread houses with graham crackers are the way to go. After many attempts to secure the sides and roof it ended up like this...




Here is how I feel about the turn of events...





In the end we decorated the front and Lydia enjoyed eating the candy decorations. Remind me next year to just stick to the simple, cheap, milk cartons and graham crackers!!






So that's not all because this week we will celebrate Cousin Kyla's 3rd birthday, Cousin Liam's 6th Birthday, Eli's 1st Birthday and ring in the New Year!! YEA! Stop back for more fun soon! Hope the pics. satisfy you Auntie B :)

Our Year in Review...

January brought us diapers and lots of laundry with the arrival of Elijah Andrew on Dec. 30th, thinking about moving back to Saint Peter, and lots of snow.
February went by in a flash with three birthdays to celebrate and our favorite football team in the Super Bowl. Go Colts!! We also found time to watch the 2010 Winter Olympics as we moved in with my parents in Peter town.
March was the start of Timberlake Dairy. Lots of hours and hard work put into the farm, but Charlie loves every minute of it! Oh and we moved our belongings from Saint Charles to Saint Peter hoping a place to rent would soon be found.
April was a wet season for many and caused us to be flooded in at my parents. Walking a 1/2 mile to get to our vehicles makes you think twice about running to the store for a forgotten item! We also took time to celebrate Elijah's baptism.
May brought nicer weather, field work, and some substitute teaching.
June was a month for water, bike rides, starting baby food, and enjoying evenings milking as a family.
July was crawl time for Eli and Lydia enjoyed many a trip to the park and farm.
August was spent attending the Nicollet County and MN State Fair. All that great food, people watching, and animals to see!! I also started a job with the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine at their Dairy Education Center just outside of town.
September was a month for new beginnings - daycare with Maja, moved to a duplex in town, started ECFE classes with Eli, and Gymnastics for Lydia.
October was enjoyed by all in many costumes as Lydia enjoyed playing dress up and couldn't decide between ladybug or frog so went as both for the Halloween weekend. Eli was a frog too!
November went by in a flash with snow already on the ground and so many fun activities to include in our days. "Oh, That's right!" was Lydia's newest expression and Elijah started saying "Mama".
December has been a celebration of the season with Christmas shopping, baking, making, and going to concerts. Lydia and daycare kids even surprised Maja with their own rendition of "Jingle Bells". It has been fun sharing in all of the kid's joy and awe this holiday season. Wishing your family a Safe and Happy Holiday and a Happy New Year!

O Christmas Tree...

The other night we decorated our Christmas tree which is quite a task as you can imagine with two little ones in tow. We only had two ornaments broken, lots of smiles and ahhs from Lydia and only the bottom foot of the tree decorated. Let me explain - I handed Lydia the ornaments while Charlie video recorded some of the occasion so all the ornaments that were put on the tree didn't go very high due to height restraints. Later Charlie held her up and they filled in the gaps and the final step was adding the star at the top. Lydia did a great job!! It was so cute how excited Lydia would get about certain ornaments based on color or size. And Elijah did lots of pointing at the tree, tried to swipe a few ornaments and oops broke one too. Both kids have been enjoying the children's nativity which I would totally recommend to anyone. It is made by Fisher Price and totally meant to be played with!

Last night we spent the night at Gma and Gpa's because there is so much snow. Carissa came for the weekend so we braved the storm in the morning and by evening my car was covered by a large drift. We also had a cookie making event scheduled with my aunt, cousin, and her little one, but obviously the snow kept us from that so we made cookies anyway. Lydia helped with every step of the way and she says her favorite thing was eating the frosting!! :) Charlie enjoyed blowing snow for several hours last night and this morning. Our kind neighbors feed him dinner and thus was our night away from each other...

So many fun things to experience during this wonderful season! Stop back for more updates and maybe a picture or two. :)