christmas morning fun * 2014

for the 2nd year in a row

we spent christmas morning in minnesota

because we stayed up watching christmas vacation

the boys actually slept until about 8!

they got started right away with their stockings

and then moved on to the 'big' stuff

this was the year of socks.

the boys are really into tall crazy socks this year

so we found lots of fun ones.

ben's won most crazy

and he was VERY excited about them

he got quite a bit of seahawks gear this year

and drew got a lot of packers stuff

they make quite the pair

ben also got tickets to a gopher basketball game

which i get to take him to - YAY  ;)

alex has been asking for an ipod for a while

and we decided this christmas was the perfect time to surprise him

as you can see ...

he was just a LITTLE happy ;)

drew also had a good morning ...

he got some fun clothes

and he got a new screen for his phone

which he and stacey replaced together right away christmas morning

even chewy got a special christmas morning treat  

 3 happy kids

and

1 happy dog

=

2 happy parents

3rd grade santa

alex surprised stacey and i with a gift on Christmas eve ...

he spent his behavior bucks at school

to buy something from the 'store' ...

he was so proud of it

and excited to give it to us

and i love that more than anything!!

thanks, alex!

the elf adventures * 2014 edition

elfred showed up at our house again this year ...

for the past 25 days he has made us smile

and had just a little bit of fun

he decorated little Christmas trees for the boys to have in their rooms

he tried eating chewy's treats

he got stuck in the silverware drawer

he tried to disguise himself as a snowman

he got into ben's halloween candy

he took a nap

he found some elf friends

he played hide n seek

he made himself a ninja turtle

he made us laugh

he had some fun

he took time to hold baby Jesus

he decorated our bananas

he read a book to our little people

and then made himself into a minecraft elf

before returning to the north pole

thanks for a fun visit, elfred!

we'll miss you!

gingerbread builders

we spent this morning building gingerbread houses

AND

i'll let the pictures do the talking - 

you're impressed and wish you could eat all of them, right?!

thought so.

takin' a break

spending one of our first days of winter break at the science museum -

everyone else is still in school

so we have the place to ourselves!

i MAY have just gotten the high score on the marble game

in the design zone exhibit ;)

take that, boys!!

champion!!

with that touchdown

ben just won his fantasy football league's playoffs -

after going the entire regular season without a loss!

a special visitor

tonight stacey's mom came to visit

the boys were excited to see her

and it was extra fun

because it was our first official christmas festivities

the boys got to open their presents from her

and were SO excited to see lots of badgers gear!!

thank you grandma lenore,

we love you!

fluffy

drew's hair is getting long

and he is really needing a haircut

HOWEVER ...

i did not realize HOW long or HOW badly

until tonight ...

he took a shower and styled it

and THIS was the result ...

although you made me smile all night

and you wear it well ...

it is time for a haircut, my fluffy friend