An outing to Skate.

We did it - we got the boys ice skates and took them out. Husband has wanted to do this since Silly Pants was born. I thought that it would be a good idea to wait. (Although looking back we could have started Silly a year ago - but that's neither here nor there)

One Sunday afternoon after church I took Silly to get fitted for skates. Hadn't really planned on buying them...should have told him that. We walked out with a pair for him and a training pair for Monkey - No Mini C doesn't get skates yet. Sorry Husband!

So we took them to a skating rink over by our house to give it a try. I honestly was not to optimistic about it - only because I figured Monkey was too small and Silly Pants does not like "failing" or falling. Boy was I wrong!!!

They both took to it so quickly I was amazed. Ok honestly think about it. Pause and seriously think about it...If you were to picture the first skating experience with Silly Pants wouldn't you think it would go more like - Gets on the ice - falls down - screams - gets up - falls - yells - gets up - falls - crawls off the ice - states I don't want to do this again. Sounds more realistic? Not what happened. Now Monkey - Gets on the ice - falls down - gets up - cries - falls - gets up - tries to hit or push someone - falls again - yells - crawls to the side - starts taking skates off. Totally NOT what happened. I have included both pictures and videos of the wonderful day and how well both boys did on the ice!

Here we start with Monkey - He takes off with Husband onto the ice. He was pretty uncertain of what was going on but was really excited about it. It didn't take him long to figure out he could do it by himself. Even when he would fall down he would get up all by himself and off he would go. His balance was amazing - at one point he decided he wanted to jump. He jumped straight up in the air both feet off the ground and landed without falling. It was really great to see and he was so proud. He was too fast for me or I would have gotten a picture of video!

After he had his turn for a while he decided that he needed a little break and wanted to watch Silly Pants have a turn with Husband on the ice. Although the sitting didn't last long!
Once he realized Silly had also gotten the hang of the ice he wanted to join him - it was not easy getting him off the ice when we had to leave.

The boys had a puck that they would throw back and forth to each other. They each got their turns and they each had to skate to go get it. Like playing fetch - only they were doing it to each other...

Here's Monkey getting the puck -that kid was great!

Then it was Silly Pants' turn to try his feet on the ice. He was very uncertain - even more so than Monkey. But he went into with excitement and a pretty open mind. I could see him clenching Husbands hand but that didn't last long. Soon, just as Monkey did, he let go and wanted to be free to do it alone. He got the idea of sliding his feet really quick. All he kept wanting was a stick to play hockey (they both wanted one!) but we informed them that we wanted them to be more comfortable with skating and then we would get

them each one. That seemed to tame that desire. Now we just have to keep bringing them skating so that they can get their sticks!

Here Silly is trying to show that he can be silly and skate at the same time. He thought he was so cool that he could skate just like Husband. It was so much fun!!

Here is Silly with his turn to get the puck. He kept wanting to throw it to the far goal. A bit too ambitious for the first time!

Silly Pants getting his turn with the puck!

Here the two boys are taking a moment to regroup before they did their final skate at the end. It was just a joy watching them skate and truly have fun. I can't tell you how many times they each fell and how many times the each just got up and started off again. They both figured out how to get up all by themselves. I was truly impressed with that. It is not an easy thing and well for those little guys it was amazing.

One final video clip before I finish up.

Here they both are hands free of Husband

And we finish this entry with the end of the event. Husband having to get a few minutes on the ice by himself. I took this picture was I was bring one of the boys to the truck. He continued to skate until all the boys were in the truck with skates off - then he joined us in the truck. Not sure if he was skating for the fun of it or if he was just trying to get out of the work involved in getting the boys to the truck and skates off...You be the judge...

What a wonderful time....

Yea, another Christmas gone. So quickly it came and went. It was almost a blur. Thankfully I took pictures to keep the memories alive. I have always enjoyed Christmas time. I love the snow, the family time and just celebrating the TRUE meaning of the day.

So the day started early from Monkey - I heard him at 4am in the living room by the tree. I got up quickly and directed him back to his bed to sleep for a while longer. He actually went back to bed. So then at 530 I hear both boys playing and talking. Well Husband and I had bought them a train set and it was set up under the tree as a surprise so we wanted to get up and show it to them. As we are going into the living room Monkey says "Daddy can you start the train?" Go figure he had seen it at 4 that morning. Thankfully Silly Pants didn't know what he was talking about.

Here Husband is showing the boys how it works...here comes the train!!!!

The two of them were absolutely giddy about that train - both saying "look, look it's Polar Express!!!" Which was a good thing as we didn't want to actually buy the Polar Express train but were hoping that they would feel this one was the same.

Here's Mini C watching the train come around - and LOVING it & here he is opening one of his presents

After the joy of the train set in it was time to open presents. What a wonderful thing to watch. first they opened things from Santa. They got fun things, practical thing and goofy things. They each even got a movie - which they were thrilled about. Then on to what Husband and I had gotten them - First they opened their new pajama's...I love that they get excited about such little things. After that was "THE BIG ONE." Silly Pants has been asking for a scooter for the better part of this year. So yes, we did indeed get them each one (I never thought I would have twins...and as of now I don't, however, with two boys fairly close in age - if one has it the other has to have it...so of course we bought two of just about everything this year) Silly Pants went crazy! So much so that both Husband and I got a HUGE hug and a wonderfully sweet thank you.

After the excitement of it all we sat down and watched A Christmas Story until it was a little more into the morning and we could go to BF's.

We got there and started our traditional breakfast of egg bake, fruit and some other things. We also had champagne with orange juice...although we all agreed next time we had better get a higher quality one...then we all opted for Sparkling Apple juice and orange juice.

We had such a wonderful day...we opened presents after breakfast. The boys were so excited about all they got. The remote control vehicles were such a great thing...they LOVE running them around the house. We had left the boat at BF's but Monkey is insisting we bring it home so that it can go in the bath...I will be sure to take pictures and post them...it will be hilarious!!

I am in love with my knives...you ask me....Knives??? Yes I got knives.. They are freakin' awesome!! I am so excited I got them...I continually try to figure out what I can make so that I can use them...Truly wonderful!! Thanks BF!!

Husband got a new Gopher hat (thank you soooo much BF...seriously the one he had looked like it would fit Silly Pants better) and Gopher Shirt and pajama pants...Husband being the goof he is - refuses to wear them since they are new and they belong under the tree....Seriously??? - Yep!

Mini C got a Little people boat for the bathtub...I was unsure as to how he would respond..but when he is in there he grabs hold and doesn't let go...SIL, Brother & Prits got the boys a bathtub soap set thing from Crayola...oh my! They color themselves, the walls and Mini C!

Who cares though...it's soap and they are getting clean!!

Below are some pictures of the day and the good time had by all!!!

Here's Brother riding Monkey's scooter w/ Silly Pants around the dining room & kitchen

Here's Brother with Monkey - helping him learn how to ride his scooter...if you look Monkey has his left leg up - he REFUSED to put it down...so he spent the whole time like that...LOL

Here are Brother, BF, Monkey, SIL & Mini C lounging on the couch...

Husband spent a lot of time "relaxing" on his lounge with the boys... 1st w/ Silly Pants & then with Monkey...Look closely - Monkey is totally asleep...That will happen when you get up before the sun, take no nap and run crazy for hours!!

It was Brother's & Silly Pants turn for a nap...Brother napped on one side & Silly soon fell asleep on the other

Finally here is SIL - relaxing at the table with BF, Prits & me...

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as mine - and I wish you a very happy new Year!!!

See you in 2009!!

Our first real time playing in the snow...

Public Service Announcement-

So if you have been paying attention - I am a little behind on my blogging - so I will remind again, I am posting all that I should have in the past few weeks. So make sure you are scrolling down to see all that is new...

Knowing I am a bit behind - this blog actually happened a couple of weeks ago - so yes we have been going out side - it's not that we have been cooped up so far this season...

So if you had read my blog about winter you would know that we really enjoy going out at night. The first night it was a good temp with little to no wind we were out there!

Got the two big boys bundled up and shoved them outside while Husband got ready and I got Mini C ready. Mini C wasn't liking the extra layers that were required but as soon as we got outside he was mesmerized byt he falling snow.

As husband was clearing the deck off Monkey was playing with the snow on the slife and well...you guessed it - eating it! What is it about kids and eating snow? Unfortunately I just don't remember what the wonder is about that. But hey as long as it's not yellow snow all is well!

While Monkey was doing his thing Silly Pants decided that he was going to make a snow angel.

Although when he was done he needed a hand getting up so that he wouldn't break it.

Here husband& I are with Mini C

We didn't last to terribley long outside that night. He was tired and wanted to be able to roll around. So soon after I took him in so he could go to bed.

Here are the two big boys sledding down the hill in our back yard. It was so cute watching the two of them. Silly Pants would help Monkey bring his sled up and then they would either go down alone or Silly would hold the sled so Monkey could get on and they would go down together. I was so fun so fun to watch. It was so hard getting them in when it was time.

Although like any other time - you mention Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows and they pretty much go running!!!

So this was our first real night of fun in the snow!

Decorating the Chirstmas Tree!

We went the went the weekend after Thanksgiving and got ourselves a tree...This is the first year we managed to do this task so soon...we are usually way behind - GO US!!

We went to pick it out and of course the boys only lasted 10 minutes outside - so we left Husband out side to pick one out while we found candy canes inside. (In case any one does not know, Husband was a boy scout and he would sell trees every year...well that translates into him trying to find the PERFECT tree - no matter how long it may take) Finally he found one that would be suitable for him...although I am certain he would liked to have spent $15 more to get the Fraser fir..but seriously $50 for a tree...not on my watch!

We get it home and put up. We MUST wait until the next day to decorate because it needs to settle. Does he know who he is married to? I mean seriously? Wait? I don't remember a year growing up that we did that but maybe an hour...but OK I will go along with it.
Finally Monday night we are allowed to decorate the tree. We got the bins out from under the crawl space - which took almost an hour by itself with the boys trying to "help" get the bins...LOL I was on the couch laughing the whole time!

Anyway to we all go upstairs and I pull the stuff out. Last year I started each boy with a container that has only their personal ornaments in it. That's what we had them start with...Monkey spend through his bin in record time

(Mind you there are only 9 in there but still)

Silly Pants...well...not so fast...I think he got 2 on and then decided he needed a break form what apparently was a very labor intensive task. (Who would have thought?)

While Silly Pants was sitting on the couch being a potato (LOL) Monkey was helping me and Husband get the tree all prettied up. As we were going through this task Mini C was right there...trying to eat all the ornaments.

He found that he was most intrigued with the snow flakes that were on the bottom...although I can't imagine they tasted that great.

So this is our tree...if you really take a good look at it you can see where the boys did the decorating...it is very "full" and well decorated on the bottom portion of it. Husband wanted to fix it when they went to sleep that night but I refused. They decorated it and to change it would be so mean. They were so proud when they finally finished it!

So now we have a beautiful tree decorated by our boys. Truly I believe this is our FIRST tree as a family. Reason being the boys are both so involved and are so proud of it - that it was a family thing not just a Husband and me thing. =)

Winter...

I truly am looking forward to winter. I love the snow, the cold, (not so much the wind chill - just that wonderful cold), taking the boys ice skating (although I am told we are building our own rink), going sledding, building snow forts, having snow ball fights, quality family time by the moon light and this year Silly Pants will be trying skiing.

The last two years we have had the most fun after dinner when its dark, the moon is up, the sky is clear and the moonlight is hitting the snow beautifully - almost as if it is daytime, we can see everything and the glow off the snow is so breath taking! We go out all bundled up and dig, shovel, push, form, mound, throw, toss, sculpt, create, bury, roll & have a wonderful time!

We will build snow men - most likely the whole family this year! I will have to remind the boys to keep their hats, mittens, scarves & coats on. Husband will have to save one - if not both - from a face first in the snow, some how it won't bother them - they will just brush off the snow and eat it. There will be snow angels to make and pictures to take. We (husband & I) will stay out until our bottoms start feeling numb and then have to convince the boys that it is time to go in and that we will be back out another night. The thing that will get them moving the fastest is hot chocolate - with a LOT of marshmallows. We will go in - trudging snow with us - peeling off the snow boots, mittens, hats, scarves, jackets, & snow pants - have to catch a sneaky sock that managed to stay in a boot - and grab our hot chocolate. (Mommy always remembers to put on the kettle with hot water before we go out - then it is ready when we return) The boys will take a handful of marshmallows - only a few will make it to the cup. They will huddle around it as if it were their own personal fire to warm by. Depending on how long they convince us to stay out we may throw a board game on the table (my guess this years game of choice will be Sequence for Kids) That will be our night - and with all hopes we will have many nights like that this year....

This to me is the best season - it allows for memories that can never be had in any other season. Yes, to some the weather is too cold, the snow is a nuisance & the days are too short. For me the cold allows for bundling & cuddling, the snow gives way to an endless imagination, with so many creative thoughts & although the days are short, the moon and it's light is given a beautiful canvas in which to paint amazing pictures.

To me this is probably the number one reason I love Minnesota. This year I plan on taking an obscene amount of pictures - if only to capture that one that will define the season for us this year...