Cookie Exchange and Christmas with the Girls

Our weekly Girls Night turned into our Cookie Exchange and Christmas together. We decided to exchange names with the kids this year since we have 6 kids 2 and under. We had a great time watching the kids open presents, eating Jen's homemade mac & cheese, and exchanging cookies. We are very lucky to have such amazing friends in our life.

Baking with Mom

Claire and I had a blast making sugar cookies last week. This is a tradition I remember doing with my mom every Christmas, so I thought Claire and I could start our own tradition this year. She knows to pull her chair over to the counter so she has her own little cooking stool. She did a great job dumping the ingredients in and rolling out the dough. I even offered her some dough to eat, but she turned me down. I'm starting to doubt that she is our kid because Pete and I love sweets. I love that Claire and I can do these fun activities together now. I look forward to many more baking adventures together.

Santa with the Friemanns

Last Sunday we visited Santa with the Friemmans. We were hoping to go on a sleigh ride, but it was a high of 1 that day so we thought we better pass. We did enjoy breakfast, coloring, decorating cookies, bingo, and a very quick visit with Santa. Claire wasn't a big fan so dad had to hold her, but we figured that would be the case.

More Christmas Pictures

Our new Twins shirts from Cousin David.

Wrestling with my cousin.

Aunt Mae-Mae reading us a Christmas story.

My first sleeping bag from Uncle Andrew and Aunt Mae-Mae

Opening presents with Grandpa.

Cheap labor (A Christmas to remember.)

Adorable Cousins!

Sorry, but I had so many fun pictures so I had to post more.

Berling Christmas

Grandpa Rich

I love my dad.

Isn't my cousin Carter adorable.

Sweet little boy.

Riding my new bike with Uncle Andrew.

So cute!

Brunch

Grandma Robyn and the twins

Berling boys cooking

I sure hope this one's for me.

We hosted Christmas with the Berlings last weekend and of course we had snow storm. We weren't going to let anything stop our fun so we made the best of it. We even had extra help to clear our driveway several times during the day. It was a wonderful day of fun, family, food and lots and I mean lots of presents.

Funny Girl

Claire is coming in to her personality more and more every day. She thinks she is pretty funny and we would have to agree. I love that wants us to laugh at what she is doing and she works hard for it. She loved trying on her dad's gasses and laughed so hard every time. I enjoyed the pictures, but they sure put any doubt to rest about who her dad is. (Like there was any before.)

First Time Babysitting Carter

I am one lucky mom and aunt!

I think Pete doesn't look happy because Carter's shirt is so true. :)

Megan and Andrew went to the Nutcracker with her family so Pete, Claire, and I got to watch Carter. We were very excited to have him to ourselves that night. He is such a sweetie and we had a great time together. Claire wasn't so sure about sharing her mom with Carter, but she adjusted pretty quickly. I hope this is the first of many nights with our little guy.

Never Enough Bethany Time

I love him SO much.

She didn't go far from Bethany all night.

We invited one of Claire's day care providers over with her husband and son. Claire loves Bethany and was very excited to have her to herself. I also enjoyed getting my baby fix with her adorable son Jackson. We are very lucky to have someone so wonderful taking care of our daughter.

Bathing Beauty

Claire loves her bath so it is a very nice distraction when she is having a crabby night. She loves playing in the bubbles and filling her cup with water and dumping it on herself. She also loves laying on stomach and "swimming." We start swimming lessons in January and I think she will love them.

Football Gathering

Pete's cousin Jon was in town from D.C. so we had a little get together to celebrate. It worked out nice because the Vikings were playing the Redskins that weekend. Erick, Becky, Cameron, and Dominic also came up for a night to see Jon so the kids had to wear their matching Vikings clothing on Sunday. The moms weren't that excited about it, but they were very cute.