Christmas with the Minnesota Siblings

Yesterday/this morning we celebrated Christmas and birthdays, Heather and Karlie's.  We had a blast, however, I didn't get any pictures with the whole family.  Totally bummed because they are so important to me.  This is what I did get and I apologize that Ben and Heather aren't in pics.  They had to leave last night to get home to Carlos (their furry baby).  Beautiful snow this morning that we couldn't resist playing in.  

Thank you so much for spending the evening/morning with us.  We loved every minute and appreciate the generous gifts!  Merry Christmas!!

Uncle JP tucked everyone in for the night.

Good Morning Birthday Girl!  Karlie turned 9 today.  We had delicious monkey bread JP made for us and talked about what we were doing the day she was born!  I was having surgery and Tim, Heather, and Nama were driving back and forth from Hutchinson.

Time for the snow!

Claire and Linc making angels

Time to climb some trees

We love our new backyard!

Karlie and Charlie could be brother and sister!  That nose and the squinty eye smile from Papa Jon.

Uncle Tim rounding up the kids to go home.  Claire didn't want to go.  

Cooper and Pilsener had a great time together.  They missed Carlos though.

2013 Olson Christmas/Swedish Institute visit

Christmas with the Olsons was early this year but it got the ball rollin' for us and got us in the spirit.  The boys were spoiled as usual and had a crazy good time with cousins and second cousins.  The adults enjoyed a fun white elephant game thanks to Em.  I was so excited to win Grandpa Rol's old remote, which is ENORMOUS!  Instead of turkey, we did a breakfast feast and it was delicious.  Aunt Nancy got us ready for the Swedish Institute by making Swedish pancakes with Uncle Art.  Her gift to her great nieces and nephews was tickets to the institute.  We had a great time and can't wait to go back next year.  Love to all!

The boys love huggin' on Claire Bear

Grandma Millie and Avery snuggling

Lil ones open first

Lots of goodies past around

Uncle Eric and Tim trying to get Tim's dad's reel to reel working (some days we are lucky and others we aren't)

Listening to music at the Swedish Institute 

Beautiful!

There is a different fireplace in every room - very cool

The only two that would sit with Santa was Charlie and Grandma Millie

Aunt Nancy and Max have quite the bond lately.  wonderful to watch

The kids got to meet the snow princess and learn how to dance like a Christmas Troll

Time to make Christmas cards for our teachers.

Week #44 Play

Our kids love playing games as a family.  The newest one is Scrabble Junior.  Love it!

Week #43 Give

A time to give and to receive...

I love the homemade gifts that the boys come home with from school.

"Mama it's for you, open it!  NO, don't open until Christmas.  BUT I want you to have it now!"

Week #42 Selfie

Our Christmas card Selfie!  Good ol' tripod and timer worked like a charm.

Week #41 Selfie

Aunt Becky and Me throwin' a few back!

Week #40 Empty

This is our popcorn bowl Tim painted.  And it is always emptied at the end of the night, especially after the dog has had his share.  

Week #39 Everyday

Everyday we are busy, busy, busy! 

Week #38 Sunshine

"You are my Sunshine, my only sunshine.  You make me HAPPY when skies are gray.  You'll never know dears how much I LOVE you.  So please don't take my sunshine away."

Week #37 Fear

Maxwell's biggest fear is SPIDERS!

Week # 36 Time

Time...time is slipping away.  Can't believe this was last Christmas.  Time is slipping...

And here they are this year, growing so fast.

Week #35 Fashion

This is one of my favorite dresses to wear (so comfy), pair it with any color cardigan, a long necklace or scarf, black tights and brown boots.

I stayed home for 5 years, wore yoga pants and t shirts everyday.  Now that I am back at work, I LOVE dressing up and feeling good about looking good!

Week #34 Secret

Grandma Arlene always said "Secrets don't make friends!"

Week #33 Out of Focus

I love this picture we "accidentally" captured while taking our Christmas card pic.

Linc is a blur, Max is a ninja turtle, Charlie showing his love, and WE have a moment in the chaos.

So I think it fits the criteria - Out of Focus!

SURPRISE!!

I got the best surprise on Halloween when my front door opened and my big sister walked in with my future brother in law!!  I have to admit it was scary at first but such a fantastic surprise.  Jason brought fish to make the boys his famous dish and it was a hit as usual.  Max loves to help him in the kitchen.  

We had a great girls' day out with Heather and Emily, to the Women's Club in Minneapolis.  It was a wonderful day and a great way to reconnect with sisters.

Thanks to Aunt Becky and Uncle John, we were able to have a date night as well.  Chino Latino!!  

Tina and Jason- Thank you so much for a wonderful surprise and an amazing weekend!  We love you so much and appreciate you coming here!

Jason and Max busy cooking

Of course we catch deer in our backyard when Uncle Jason visits

Getting our hair done during the party at the Women's Club

Really great day for us...

Max and his Auntie Tina

Charles T. loves his Auntie hugs

Such a connection between these two

We love Auntie Tina and Uncle Jason.  

We can't wait to see them say "I Do!"

We love visitors!

We were lucky enough to have Aunt Mary, Mak, and Zak visit us for a weekend.  Then Papa and Grandma came for a week.  We all have lots of fun and fresh air!  It was a great opportunity to celebrate the Fall birthdays on the Haggar side.  Then we spent an afternoon at Uncle Terry and Aunt Colleen's house.

We very much appreciate family willing to make the drive to see us, wherever we are!

Aunt Mary and Baby Zak at zero gravity

Linc and Daddy discussing the next jump

Uncle Tim with Zak - best buds

Mak and Charlie judging Tim's last flip (on the left)

Aunt Mar and Max making birthday cakes

Zak and Uncle Tim loved playing "tag"

Grandma and Zak out for a stroll

Time for cake!  Thanks Auntie Mar for making their cakes again.

Max, Charlie, Mak, and Linc having lunch

Papa's present - a chess board

Fall birthdays - Tim O., Max, Lincoln, Papa (and Uncle Tim H who was in Vegas)

Max and Lincoln's new bikes

They are unstoppable now!  No training wheels!

Shark twins

Papa delivered Charlie's new headboard he made!  Thank you!

He designed it to look like an old whiskey barrel to go with the Pirate themed bedroom.  Charlie loves it!

Charlie is determined to beat Papa the next visit!

Mom was busy the whole week making us curtains for the basement.  Thank you!

Charlie in Uncle Ter and Aunt Colleen's tree

Max and Sloane checking out a ladybug

Max and Linc are just a few weeks younger than Sloane.

Max the monkey

Sloane, Max, Isaac, Linc, and Charlie enjoying the day

Papa, Uncle Terry, Aunt Teresa, and Isaac

Grandma and Max staying warm

Thanks for a great day guys!

brotherly love...