Snow Fun!

Christmas Part 2

We definitely missed Matt and Amy on Christmas Day, but it was nice to have their visit to look forward to just a few days later. Ironically, my brother's birthday is on Christmas, so we not only got to celebrate the holiday again, but also Matt's birthday!

Instead of wrapping Brett's presents this year, Uncle Matt and Amy decided to hide them throughout my parent's house. Here Matt is telling Brett all about it :-) 

Here they are checking out the first gift he found...a tent making kit!

He then ventured to the laundry room to find another gift, and finally to my parent's bedroom to find his last one...where could it be?

"I see it! I see it!"

A Play Mobile Pirate Ship!

After Brett found his presents, it was time for my parent's to open their gifts from Matt and Amy. My mom loved her new fleece!

And my dad was extra excited about his new tablet! 

During all the gift opening, Brett was consumed with something else...pirate ships!

My dad and the garlic bread. Don't ask!

After dinner, it was time for our Danish tradition of rice pudding for dessert. Kyle was excited because he finally got the almond this year (another Danish tradition where whoever finds an almond in the pudding gets a prize...Kyle's been waiting to win for over 10 years now!)!

After dessert, the boys had to try out Brett's new fort kit! It's basically a box of huge tinker toys that you put together and then put a blanket over. Very cool!!

Where is Brett?

The night ended with a birthday celebration of sparklers outside in the snow! So refreshing....and so much fun!!!

After sparklers, my mom, Amy, and I took Brett for a walk around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. It felt so good to get out and move after all the eating we had done(!)....and it was so peaceful and beautiful out. Definitely something I hope we do again next year :-) Love this time of year...and love my family!

Christmas...Part 1

Christmas day was a little quieter this year because Matt and Amy stayed in Chicago to celebrate with her family. We missed them very much, but knew that we would get to celebrate with them just a few short days later!

We slept in until around 8:30 (I love that Brett is not an early riser!), and then quickly ventured into the living room to open gifts and see what Santa brought. There is just something so magical about Christmas morning, and it is definitely one of my most favorite moments of the year. We have so much to be grateful for, and looking at all the presents under the tree reminds me just that :-)

I didn't take as many pictures opening gifts this year. I wanted to be in the moment and not constantly clicking the camera, wondering if I got a good shot. Like Kyle says, sometimes all you need is the memory. 

Here are a few I did take :-)

Checking out the cool new tool set Kyle got him!

In between opening gifts, Brett would run back to his new train and give it a run. So cute! Definitely his favorite present this year!

The huge pile of wrapping paper and boxes that consumed half of our living room for days! Ha!

Legos were definitely the theme this year for Brett! Here he is putting together the awesome rocket ship that he got. Since his birthday and Christmas, he has taken apart and re-built most of his new lego sets many times! Future Engineer?

Later in the afternoon, we went over to my parent's house for a Turkey dinner and more presents. It was definitely quieter without Matt and Amy, but still so much fun! I only took a few pictures though which I definitely regret!

This bowl is extra special because my mom made it! I will definitely have it forever :-)

It was another wonderful Christmas and we have so much to be thankful for!