Christmas 2012

The girls were just a little bit excited when they opened their iPads!! Their faces are priceless!

 

Chloe is in love with Monster High dolls right now!

My dad and Corey taking their turn

Is that a smile dear?

My sissy

Maggie and Corey watching the girls open their Santa gifts

This ham was out of this world good!!!!!

Baking cookies for Santa

Homemade rolls

A beautiful Christmas island

Chloe playing games with Grandpa

I love Christmas!! It is a hard time of year for me. The last time I saw my mom was on Christmas Day eight years ago. Those are my last memories of her. But this time of year is still beautiful to me even though it will always be touched with a bit of sadness. I love making the holidays magical for the girls. I was lucky this year and had over a whole week of vacation around Christmas. We had my dad and sister over on Christmas Eve for a delicious meal and to open presents and they both came over on Christmas Day for more food and games. I spoil the kids, but I can't help myself. They loved their gifts. I love spending the holidays with my family and friends! Merry Christmas!

Macy's Santaland and the Holidazzle Parade

 

 

 

 

The first Friday in December, Corey and I and the girls drove down to the Cities to see Macy's Santaland and the Holidazzle parade. Santaland was truely magical. The girls had so much fun seeing the singing trees, the elves' sleeping quarters and Santa's workshop. The tour concluded with a chance to write Santa a letter and mail it to him and a visit with Santa himself.  We had dinner at the Sky Cafe that overlooked the lights of downtown and then found a warm spot in the skyway to enjoy the Holidazzle Parade. It really put us in the Christmas mood!

Storm Magicians

 

 

Chloe wanted to try out some sports this fall just like her big sister was doing, so she signed up for soccer and basketball this past fall. To be honest, the soccer was a bit lame and cold to sit out on the soccer field and the basketball turned wasn't what we thought it was going to be. The basketball class called themselves the Storm Magicians. They practiced almost every Saturday morning from October through December, but they really didn't learn any basketball skills. Her and her friends practiced a routine set to Harlem Globetrotter music that they performed at half time of a Sauk Rapids high school basketball game and at half-time at two SCSU Huskie basketball games. Oh well! Chloe had fun and did learn some ball handling skills and it was fun to go to some basketball games. 

Gingerbread House

 

 

 

 

In December, Chloe and I signed up for a community ed class to build a gingerbread house. Our ingredients were candy, so nothing could have been more perfect for Chloe. We had a blast and Chloe's gingerbread house turned out very nice. I love spending some quality one-on-one time with my little girl! 

High School Dance Shows

 

 

 



 

The first three Saturdays in November, the girls were busy participating in high school dance shows. They danced at Tech, Apollo & Sartell.  Love watching my girls dance!

Halloween 2012

This year for Halloween we decided to decorate our pumpkins instead of carving them. Nice spider Taya!

 

Chloe decorated her pumpkin like a kitty cat!

 

 

Taya was a zombie baseball player. Nice zombie face Taya!

 

We went over to Cold Spring to go trick-or-treating with the Velanders. 

 

I love Halloween! It's always been one of my favorite holidays! I'm not sure how much longer Taya will want to go trick-or-treating. She is getting old you know! I wish I could keep them little forever!As long as she is willing, I will dress them up and take them.