Christmas 2013!

We didn’t need to dream for a white Christmas in South Dakota! It seemed to snow a little bit every day. But it was the cold cold temperatures which forced us to wear all 8 winter coats that our family had packed. You can tell I’m from South Dakota as I even start out my blog about Christmas with information about the weather! 

We really enjoyed spending a full week with family and friends in SD. Evan and Jaden were spoiled with attention. 

Before we left I downloaded toddler apps to my Nook. Jaden LOVES puzzles. Would love to hear suggestions of good apps for kiddos. 

Cousin Elliot

They also learned what presents were- of course it didn’t matter whose name was on the gift, they’d help open it! Luckily they did get to ‘give’ not just receive as they helped deliver meals-on-wheels (on the warmer days!). 

Seeing the kitty-cats, bales of hay, snow piles, horses and mochas (moo cows) was an adventure for the last couple days. They both cried when the tractor ride stopped and they had to get out. I think Grandpa has a couple summer hay-making helpers to look forward to!

Everyone got their steps in Christmas Day giving Evan and Jaden rides in their new red waggon. Thanks, Great Aunt Bondell!

 Thanks family for all of the wonderful Christmastime memories.

Also, thanks to all our friends back in Normal for keeping our fish fed and driveway shoveled while we were gone.

 And thanks, Aunt Laurie, for the quiet ride home! 

December Snow

 Saturday morning we woke up to about 5 inches of snow. Evan and Jaden were excited to put on their boots (Thanks Aunt Laurie!) and play outside. They loved it.....especially Evan! Jaden got a little cold.....it would have helped if he would have kept his gloves on! 

Playing catch in the snow is a whole new ball game! Especially with gloves that are too big!

 We even got to play with Cannoli!

 When it was time to go in, Evan ran down the sidewalk---he could have stayed out all day! But Jaden's hands were beyond cold. I finally caught up with Evan five houses down when he stopped to take a bite of snow.

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving was a wonderful weekend filled with all of our family from South Dakota visiting us! The time clearly went too fast. Evan and Jaden enjoyed having so much attention.

Reading the 'Worlds largest book'!

 Watching the Macy's Day Parade.......Evan of course found someone to feed him a snack!

Thanksgiving! All that work and time into preparing the meal.....and in minutes it was over! We did add our leaves to the Thankful tree. So much to be thankful for!!

More Pie!

 Let the shopping begin!! Clearly our shirts are outdated.....since shopping began at 4PM, not AM!

On Saturday we went to Morton to visit Nathan's extended family. These are Evan and Jaden's 2nd cousins once removed (I think that's the correct title!)

 I got the tree up.....but opted for no ornaments. Eventually it did get a nice bow on top and ribbon!

Family, Friends, Football: Fall in S.D.

 After the Vikings Game in Minneapolis, we drove to Brookings, SD for the weekend. 
Friday I met with senior nutrition majors at SDSU---recruiting for the MS program at Illinois State University! Then we
hung out with Cousin Elliot!

We attempted to get a picture with Grandma and her grandsons.....but E & J wouldn't sit still. This is the best I could get!

Ella came to play Saturday morning. 

 She was such a sweetie. Evan thought so too!

 Getting ready to cheer on the Jackrabbits!

Ummm. Yes, it's true--the Pride of the Dakotas played 'What Does the Fox Say?'!!

 The boys came at halftime to watch Grandma Linda receive her Honorary Letter Award from SDSU Athletics!

 Congrats Grandma Linda!

 Later Saturday we went to Watertown. Great-Aunt Bondell came to play 'farm' with the boys. 

 The boys enjoyed coolwhip 'pie'.......and of course loved it!

 Best Buds!

 Checking the cows!

 Getting ready to leave, the boys RAN to the tractor! Couldn't wait to get a ride!

Fall Fun!

The boys got rakes for their 2^nd birthday and finally got to use them! They really seemed to enjoy playing in the leaves. They even had races running thru the piles of leaves. Raking? Well, of course the rakes are like swords to them!