Skating

In the Fall of 2013 both boys took ice skating lessons at our favorite lesson spot, Minnehaha Academy Ice Arena. This was the third year for Soren and Sevi's first. 

     Skating at Centenial Lakes Ice Rink. 

Mr 7 Year Old!!!!!

Today Soren turned 7. What a year he had from his violin musical debut, to graduating from Kindergarten and loosing five teeth. It is with amazement that we watch him grow more and more independent and come into his own skin. He is strong willed and wonderfully healthy, keeping him in the 90th percentile for his height and weight, yet his favorite thing is to climb into a lap and be smothered with kisses. Our first grader is quick with numbers and loves the challenges that learning provides. He is creative in his storytelling and not a day goes by that he doesn't visually create something with his hands. His favorite words are epic and awesome, and that our dear Soren, is exactly what you are. We Love You.

This is the year of Lego's for Soren. Here he is opening a Chima Lego set.

Since this past Fall, Soren has been diving into Harry Potter and we are now on book four. He wanted a Harry Potter movie viewing for his birthday party theme. It was a perfect choice considering the temperature today was in the -20's. I booked the lecture hall in the Art Department at St Kate's University (the perks of being a faculty member) and he had a private movie showing for his guests brave enough to venture out.

In the entrance of the building we hung a "Welcome Muggles" sign.

Watching the movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone".

The shy Soren while being sung Happy Birthday to. 

The party guests Amanda, Grayer, Max, Joey and Soren

Grayer's mom went all out and made a Gringotts bank for Soren that had shredded real money and golden coins.

Happy 2014!!!!

Winter Family Escape at the Audubon Center of the Northwoods in Minnesota

We spent the weekend away at the Audubon Center up in Sandstone, MN in their Winter Family Escape program. It is an all-inclusive four day weekend that provides loads of winter activities from horse drawn sleigh rides to XC skiing, rock climbing to snake handling. The first two days the weather was perfect to spend the whole time outdoors. The boys loved skiing, kick sledding, snowshoeing and tunnel digging in the snow. Randy and I loved all that as well, but you couldn't beat the prepared meals and no worries about meal planning for four days. The last two days turned frigid with -20 degree temps with the wind chill. Randy and I snuck out for a quick snowshoe hike while the boys did crafts and tested our limits with their constant pestering of each other. All in all it was great to get away and unplug for a few days and reconnect back with nature.

View from our room on the first night.

Soren dancing with intern Ellen during the contra dance.

The boys loved that our room had four bunk beds.

Randy and Sevi kick sledding on the lake.

Sevi taking a rest by the Sugar Shack.

Soren crossing the bridge that connected the main hall to the barn.

Soren handeling a snake during the herp class. The boys also played with a rabbit and a porcupine named Spike. We also went to a animal winter adaptation class that had an eagle, owl and American kestrel bird.

The upstairs of the barn had a climbing wall! Soren is climbing with his favorite intern Ellen.

Soren skiing.

Sevi did awesome on his first ski adventure!

Family pic after riding on the two horse open sleigh.

Sevi action shot on the sleigh ride.

Soren is testing out the hand carved wood snake that they painted during craft time and then went outdoors to see how far it slithers in the snow when thrown.

Christmas 2013

Christmas note and letters to Santa. This years wish list was filled with Harry Potter, Lego's, Playmobile and Trains.

Murrill Family

Uncle Chris reading his book gift to Sevi.

Auntie Mari came all the way from Alaska to join us this year delivering a print that Auntie Lisa found in NYC that has hand drawn cartoon figures that draws in the viewer in in a giant search and find game.

The youngest cousins (Tyler in the middle) from the Lewandowski family.

Presents, presents presents!

Sevi in his favorite present- the train engineer costume.

Christmas Jingles Jam

All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth!

Christmas Cookies

We went to Gramma Anne's for the annual gingerbread cookie baking. Uncle Alex was there as well to help with the festivities.

Decorating the gingerbread men.

This year we did a kids cookie making class at Whole Foods. I loved it because all the mess could be left behind and we walked out with a box full of homemade cookies. Here the boys are making the dough.

Rolling the dough.

Cutting out the shapes.

Visiting Santa

We just love the Santa at Bachmann's. He is so warm hearted and he does a wonderful skit with his elf Albert before he sits and visits the children.

Can you find Soren on stage singing with Santa and his elf Albert?

Holidazzle

This is the final year of the Holidazzle Parade that has been marching down Nicollet Mall since 1992. We braved the cold, packed up Gramma Anne and Grampa Bob to celebrate it's grand finale.

Gramma, Randy, Bob, Soren and Sevi with curbside seats.

Soren Twinkles Recital

Soren seems to have hit a stride with his violin practice this last month. It was a bit of a rough summer and early Fall with the motivation to stick with it. We are wrapping up a 100 days of practicing challenge and I think that has really helped. The other morning Soren came into our bedroom at 6:40am to play a song for Randy and I. When we asked how he is liking playing he said "It is Epic and Awesome"! I will take that any day over the frustrating battles we have had in the past.

Soren playing his Twinkles with his teacher Miss Kelly at the piano for her winter home studio recital.

Miss Kelly's Twinkles students.

Let it Snow!

Grandpa Bob's 90th Birthday

Gramma Anne, Soren and Sevi at Grandpa Bob's 90th Birthday celebration.

Mr 4 year old Sevi!!!!

How can it be that my little one is turning four? Sevi is such a ray of sunshine, so loving, thoughtful and with a pinch of what we lovingly call "pickle" attitude to spice things up. It is hard not to melt into his chocolate brown eyes. I love and drink in every moment that I get to take advantage of him still fitting in my lap and kissing me in public without an ounce of embarrassment. We are so blessed by his love and cherish him deeply. Happy Birthday dear one!

Birthday party banner made by the talented Katie Reilly. Sevi is wearing one of his presents, a spiderman outfit.

Going off the race car banner theme, I made a race car for Pin the Tires on the Car game. Each tire had the birthday guests first name initial on it to know who placed the tire where.

Randy joining in on the Pin the Tire on the Car festivities

The party guests Griffin, Oliver, Tommy, Soren and Sevi doing a spin art project.

Sevi choose an ice cream cake from Ben and Jerry's for his cake.

Sevi with his BIG birthday balloon and the one present he really wanted, Alphabots. These are alphabet letters that transform into little robots.