Rawhide Western Town

Rawhide is an authentic frontier town that replicates western life from the 1880's. We spent an afternoon taking in the attraction.

At the entrance with the covered wagons.

Soren in the electric chair.

Sevi driving the wagon jail.

Panning for gold. 

Soren riding the mechanical bull.

The boys riding donkey's. 

Wendy and Randy eating "authentic" french fries. 

Soren purchased a Daniel Boone hat with his Christmas money. He wore that for days after!!

Randy and I were the only ones who ended up doing the zipline!

A boys best friend.

Wendy has a Dalmatian dog named Zoe. Sevi was in love with her and loved feeding and walking her.

Christmas Morning

We stayed with our friend Wendy, who went all out to make sure that the boys had a authentic Christmas experience. Wendy is Jewish and had never decorated for Christmas before, yet she truly out did herself! Everything was so festive and the boys loved waking up and knowing that Santa found them even in Arizona!

Sevi thrilled that Santa got him the Playmobil fire chief car.

We brought our taste of MN with us in a gift of a pillow that had sheep fabric for the MN state symbol. I have known Wendy since Kindergarten and she was our special guest in Ireland, hence the sheep connection. She is also our honorary "Auntie" since we love her so much.

We spent Christmas day hiking in South Mountain on the edge of Phoenix.

Sevi, our little mountain goat, in his element.

Soren with his camera. Notice the dead saguaro on the left.

Group portrait.

Sevi napping in the car ended up being a daily occurrance. Poor guy was wiped out each day with all our activity.

Here we come Arizona & California!!!!

We were due for another Christmas time getaway, as it has been three years since our trip to Europe. This trip brings us to sunny Arizona and California for two weeks. It has been a much anticipated getaway for all of us and you can see the excitement in our faces in the family photo below that was taken on the plane.

Walking to the light rail station.

On board to fly to Phoenix, Arizona.

Mountains and sunset as we arrive in Arizona.

Bachman's Santa 2014

This may be our 4th year going to the Bachman's Santa and Albert the Elf play. They really do a marvelous job and the boys really seem to enjoy it. I like getting the nice Santa pic in a well designed set! This year we introduced Gramma Nancy and Grandpa Henry to the experience and they really enjoyed it as well. Hopefully they can continue this family tradition with us.

The Year of the Snowshoe

This year Gramma Cookie gave the boys snowshoes and walking sticks, now we
just need to get some snow back on the ground to break these in!

We then gave Gramma a photobook that highlighted the summer adventures with her and the boys.

Gingerbread Cookies with Gramma Cookie

Suzuki Buddy Program

The MacPhail Suzuki program has a buddy program that matches up more established violin players with younger students as a form of mentorship. This year Soren qualifies based on how far he is in Book 1. He was matched with a boy named Joey who is 13 and an incredible violinist. They had their first practice together and it was wonderful for Soren. We look forward to many sessions throughout the year.

Oh Christmas Tree.....

Mr 5yr Old Sevi!!!!!

Today the boy we so affectionately call "Love Bug" turns 5. Sevi is our little optimist and junior engineer. He explores all things with gusto, loves the outdoors, and doing tricks on his bike. It is exciting to watch how his little world is expanding and how he embraces such change so wholeheartedly. We love you dear one!

A day in the life of a Dodge Preschooler

I spent the day with Sevi at his preschool on the day of his birthday. He picked a favorite book for me to read to his class and we brought a snack of gingersnap cookies and applesauce. I am always in awe over the beauty that he is exposed to both in the outdoor natural environment and indoors in his Spruce classroom. He may not remember these days, but I know that they shape who he is and build his love and appreciation for the great outdoors.

Balancing on the rope tree tether.

Eating snow with his best buddy, Tommy.

Spelling his name with a stick and the snow as his canvas.

Waiting to have his book "If I built a House" read.

Playing at the light table.

Creative use of art materials!

Playing at the water tub with Ronan.

Sevi turns 5!!!!

Celebrating with Gramma Nancy and Grandpa Henry

Putting together the Playmobile plane that Soren gave Sevi.

Getting a little help blowing out the candles on day two of the ice cream cake.

The excitement to get the gift he dreamed of.....

Magna Tiles!!!!  He LOVES these, there isn't a day that goes by that he
isn't playing and creating with these.

Sevi 5 yr Fireman Birthday Party

Sevi invited his three best friends to join him for a celebration of his birthday at the Fireman's Museum. The spent almost two hours running back and forth from the call center to the firetrucks to the fire pole. We then went back to our house for DQ ice cream cake, a special Sevi request to honor his love of ice cream!

Tommy, Siri, Griffin and Sevi

Tommy, Griffin, Siri and Sevi

Sevi driving in the tiller bucket.

Sevi on the fireman pole.

Soren and Sevi

Playing at the train table.

Firetruck theme ice cream cake.

Sevi with candles.

Enjoying the cake.