12/29

John and I have had an argument recently.

I'm not sure how we got on the topic, but I suspect that at thanksgiving he overheard me telling someone that this year will be our 11th wedding anniversary.

John believes I am wrong. This is a dangerous position to be in.

Therefore, he has spent the last month or so trying to carefully and logically explain how LAST year was 11 years. This year is 12.

It cannot be. If it is true, I have been cheated out of a year somewhere.

Anyhow, we made arrangements to go out for dinner at the local pub to celebrate the big day. Without children. We had adult beverages and shared a salad with spicy dressing. I took a super dark picture to commemorate the event. Doesn't it look delicious?

So, here's to you John! Happy anniversary until we celebrate our 12 (me) / 13th (you) anniversary of marriage together.

The gift

Several days ago, William came running up and said, " mom! I made you a present and I forgot to give it to you!"

And then he presented me with this.



Do you know what it is?








It is a diamond bracelet of course.

Gemma's new word

Is "no"


It is maddening and totally puddle inducingly cute.

Sent from my iPhone

Tooth #7

William lost tooth number 7 on 12/23/13.
It was the upper right incisor (I think that is the right name?).

The tooth was loose for daaaaaaaaaays. He wouldn't let anyone near it. Finally, he was taking a bite of a roll at the Texas Roadhouse when the tooth finally popped out. (Yes, on a bite of bread. Soft, fresh bread).

Sent from my iPhone

All these gifts and I want to....

The gifts weren't all even opened yet when Gemma found her preferred spot. She settled in to read her new book to herself on the coziest spot she could find...

Christmas!

The kids loved having another Christmas at home. They were so kind and thoughtful and made sure to take turns opening their gifts. They were getting along wonderfully (not so true in the proceeding hours in the drive home).

William absolutely adored his Lego idea book. He didn't or couldn't pay attention to anything else after that. He would halfhearted open a present with his eyes still on the pages of his book. We finally took the book away from him and made him open the rest of his gifts before giving it back to him.

Gemma got a new baby and she was delighted (thank you GranGerry). She couldn't wait for it to be out of the packaging and in her arms. She has carried it around under her arm ever since. She also had a few regifted items. She didn't really need a whole lot and I wanted to send a message to the big kids:these toys are Gemma's now. She loved the toys and didn't complain at all.

Amelia was in love with all the new American girl doll clothes she now has. Even though she didn't make this set of pictures, she was having a wonderful time!

Christmas dinner at home

We came home earlier than usual this year. We have quiet the line up of things on our winter holiday agenda: I want to refinish our master bathroom, we need to work on a science fair project, and build a Cub Scout pinewood derby car. For the first time in a long time (maybe ever), we came home before the last minute. Usually we are sliding in at the last minute with a mountain of laundry and jumping right into work/school/home stuff the very next day. John rarely (never) just has a day off when we are home. We try and save everything for going to see family.

Anyway, we came home and cooked up some festive tree shaped ravioli. We ate on our Christmas dishes, used our Christmas napkins, and lit up our spinning angel decoration for the first time. Grandma even sent us home with delicious lefse, that everyone loves. Gemma had her first lefse this year, I'm pretty sure she loved it!

After we cleaned up, it was finally time for gifts! It is too much work to haul everything with us, so we always leave everything behind under the tree for when we get back. Even if it would make our lives easier (new games, videos, etc).