Merry Christmas (Parts 2 and 3)

Ok, Christmas Day was full of fun, once again! After the kids slept in and opened their gifts from Santa, we traveled to my aunt Doris' to celebrate on the Langreck side. Lots of food, fun and The Hangover movie:) It was then off to mom and dad's for our family christmas.... more food and more gifts! Us kids played cards while our kids watched movies. Eryn and grandma started sewing her "build a bear."

On Saturday we had the Carolan Christmas. This year Gerry and Gail were the hosts. It was a GrEaT Time!!! It was fun to catch up with my cousins, as most of them live farther away. There was also a new baby at Christmas, so Carter got in on the fun as well!! Eryn had a great time playing with Mike and Beth's dogs, Buddy and Jewel, and Dave and Kim's dog Chloe. Nolan had a great time playing photographer and taking pics of the family. 2010 will be a busy one for the Carolan's with three weddings and wedding receptions!

Merry Christmas (Part 1)

Merry Christmas everyone:) I will have to post our Christmas in two, maybe three parts just because we have a lot of family gatherings to attend!! It began yesterday with our own family tradition of opening our family gifts. The kids were soooo excited, I should have counted how many times they asked me to open gifts before Randy got home from work! This afternoon, we went to Sabelka's for Christmas Eve. The kids had fun playing cards and playing in Landon's new tent!! Nolan didn't take a nap and by 8:00 it was easy to see that he needed to go to bed. So we headed home in the snow. When we arrived, there was a gift at our back door.... we didn't know who it was from (well, I did but it was a secret...); it was a John Deere Tractor for the kids!! Thanks "Friend"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This morning the kids actually slept in (they needed it!) They had a blast opening yet more gifts! I made cinnamon rolls as I usually do on Christmas morning, but this year I bought the HUGE ones (as you can see. They sure were yummy:)

Today it is off to the Langreck Christmas and then Christmas with my immediate family. Have a wonderful Christmas:)

Nolan's "New" Bed

You know your baby is really not a baby anymore when they are ready for the twin bed. Nolan was happy to say goodbye to his toddler bed today and move on up to the twin bed! He has to crawl up to get into it, but is really liking it! Better yet, he can now see out the window from his bed:)

Yesterday the kids stayed at my parent's while Randy and I ran some errands and wrapped Christmas gifts. We even enjoyed a nice supper out, just the two of us:) The kids had a blast sledding, and Nolan rode with Grandpa in the tractor "hauling poop."

I spent most of today getting ready for the busy week ahead. House is clean, laundry done, baking bread and soup is in the crockpot:) The light snow was also pretty to see from inside (and not having to drive in it:)

A Better Picture

Thanks to Aunt JoJo, here is better pic of Eryn at the Christmas program yesterday...

Christmas Concert

Today was Eryn's Christmas Concert. This year went MUCH better than last. Eryn was not afraid of the crowd at all! We are SOOOOOO PROUD of her:) We celebrated by having ice cream at Culvers; (Nolan needed to get his boosert H1N1 shot in Decorah). Unfortunately I didn't get very good pics due to a taller boy standing in front of Eryn; the pics are also kind of darf... so you can play "Where's Eryn" with the one pic.

We took some gifts and goodies down to Eryn's room after the concert and she had a suprise for us. She made us her handprint:) It was really cute!!

Pajama Party

Last night we went to the Library for the annual "Pajama Party." We read stories and sang Christmas songs, then SANTA stopped by for a visit! This was the first year that I actually got the kids to take a picture with him and not be afraid:) Nolan brough along the Toysrus flyer and Eryn brought her letter to Santa. It was a fun time!!

Landon's Birthday

Last night we celebrated Landon's 2nd Birthday. As you can see, all of the kids had a blast playing with Landon's new toys! The kids played "go fish" with grandma and grandpa too. It was a fun time!!

Christmas Cookies 2

Most everyone had a snow day today, (since the state was under a Blizzard Warning) and that included us! This morning we made a double batch of those awesome Christmas cookie cut outs. (thank you grandma for sharing your great recipe!)The whole family joined in on the fun!

This afternoon after we got plowed out, the kids wanted desperately to go and play in the snow. "Uncle" Scrub made sure that there were some big snow piles for thd kids to play in! It didn't last long however, as it is pretty cold out!! They came in and warmed up with some hot cocoa!

Christmas Past

Since I haven't been doing this blogging thing for very long, I wanted to post a "Christmas Past" picture of Eryn's first Christmas sitting with Santa. I love to look at old pictures, and especially ones of the kids. They grow up so fast!

Christmas Picture

This year Lana had the kids dress up as angels for their Christmas card. It's adorable!!!

Christmas Cookies!

This weekend was full of Christmas baking..... Saturday I took the kids to the Merchant Movies in Decorah, and they had a great time! Then we came home and I made some chocolate sandwich cookies and peanut butter cups. The kids and I went to church and when we got home Randy was home from hunting... no big buck yet:)

On Sunday we went to Stacy's and baked with her and Jodi. It was such a great time! The kids played while we baked lots of cookies and candy. It all tastes sooo great. I would love to be a full time baker:) I don't have any pics cuz I forgot my camera:( Oh well, either way it was a great time.

The kids are really anticipating the next snowstorm.... I would be too, if I could stay at home with the kids and snuggle up on the coach and watch a good movie.... ok back to reality....Just looking forward to February when we will be in much warmer weather, blue skies and the beach............