Thomas’ School Concert

Thomas had his school Christmas party and concert today.  Before they went to sing they decorated pictures, made wreaths, and had a holiday themed snack as a class.  Thomas was pretty excited that Elin and I were there to watch in his classroom and that Mike was going to join us for his concert.  He happily sang along with the other kiddos.  It was fun for Mike and I to watch him in his “first concert” too. 

After the concert, Elin and another little sister of Thomas’ class, Olivia showed that they too were ready to be on stage. 

Mitch the Snitch

Again Mike and I the kids had fun with Mitch the Snitch who was sent our way from the North Pole via Santa.  Mike had fun on the first night making a video of Mitch repelling down the banister.  He then left the kids a note and said he would be here checking in on them and watching them continue to use their kind hearts.  We did a little bit of the Mitch is watching you, you need to behave, but didn’t go over the top with it. We did a few big things this year and otherwise Mitch just hung around.  He did make the trek with us to Minnesota and then after Christmas he went back to the North Pole again.  The real bummer is he took all the “Christmas Candy” with him!  Can’t wait for next year and he and the Christmas Magic to return!

Skating with Mike Modano

There was a surprise visitor at Thomas’ hockey “practice” on Saturday.  We showed up and low and behold, Mike Modano, was there looking after his program, the Little Rookies.It would also be the one time that I go just to watch and didn’t bring along my good camera!  Darn, I did however have our video camera and thankfully my iPhone came in handy. 

Thomas and many of the younger teammates really didn’t know who this Mike guy was, but Mike and I were pretty excited.  More so excited because we knew that someday T would look at it and think it was a cool experience.  It was also nice to be able to personally thank him for this amazing program and all he does for hockey in this community. 

While we were talking with Mike Modano he asked Thomas if he wanted to race, Thomas quickly responded “I don’t want to race you because I am so fast.” 

Thomas continues to do great with his skating and as long as Mike is out on the ice with him he is happy to participate.  He still isn’t quiet sure about going out with just the coaches.  Here is a couple videos of Thomas skating with his other teammates. 

Puddle Fun

 

Thomas and one of his favorite partners in crime, Tripp, enjoyed a fun afternoon running and stomping in the puddles that were left as the ice melted.  They spent about 30 minutes giggling, laughing, and shrieking as they enjoyed themselves and their little brother and sister enjoyed some warmer swinging.    When they were finished they were soaked and freezing.  We scrambled and got them home and into the bathtub to warm up.  

NorthPark Mall

We headed down to NorthPark mall in Dallas trying to go to “Story time with Santa” however we stopped once spot early and ended up in song and music time!  It was a funny mom flop and thankfully the kids were excited about the music and dancing and didn’t remember the Santa bit.  After that flop we headed over to the part of the mall that had the ducks.  There was also an wall that the kids all played and climbed on.  Apparently it is the thing to do as all the kids were doing it and Anna remembers doing it when she was young!  We then went to the Ronald McDonald house Trains at NorthPark.  It was cool to see a the Rocky Mountains and the Midwest represented in the train set up.  After lunch and an ice cream treat we were all ready for a nap.  The kiddos had a great time and so did their Mama’s!

Big Papa and Nana J come to town

We had the pleasure of having Mike’s Grandparents join us for just under a week during our big ice storm!  After arriving just before the storm on Wednesday night after a long day of driving we took off running on Thursday.  With the ice storm we got lots of home/chill/play time in on Friday.  On Saturday we all ventured out for Thomas’ first Little Rookies hockey practice (more on that on a different post).  After hockey we again retreated off the icy roads back home.  We then stuck close to home and did a few errands or dinner out just to not go stir crazy!  By Tuesday most of the ice had been cleared off the roads and we made our way downtown to the Dallas World Aquarium.  A super neat experience and I can’t wait to go back.  There were fish, monkeys, sharks, a crocodile and even a manatee.  It really had a wide variety of fish/animals and things that we had never seen before, there were even things Nana and Papa hadn’t seen!  After a full day out and about we were all a bit tired and we headed home to wait for Mike to get off work.  After checking the roads and mapping their route, Big Papa and Nana J headed back home on Wednesday morning.  It was great having them come in and we were able to make so many wonderful memories.  Can’t wait for their next adventure with us!

Elin’s Drama Faces

Our First Dallas Ice Storm

It started to rain on Thursday afternoon and almost as soon as it started the roads got slick.  Mike’s grandparents had arrived safely from their drive down from the Chicago area and we were getting ready to hunker down.  On Wednesday night I ran to the grocery store and it was already so picked over, milk, bread, and all the other staples were in high demand.  While Thomas was in class that morning, Joan, Larry and I ran a few errands, had lunch and then drove around downtown Dallas while Elin napped.  We then made our way back to get Thomas.  Then it was time for Thomas and Elin to go Christmas shopping with Big Papa and Nana J. Don’t know who had more fun, the grandparents or the kiddos!  By the time we got home on Thursday night the rain hadn’t let up and the ice had started to form on the grass and trees.  We woke up on Friday morning to a city that was completely shut down and a 2-3 inch layer of ice that looked like snow.  We quickly headed outside to check our house/trees and see if everything looked alright.  Our trees in the front were heavily being weighted down by ice and many trees in the neighborhood had broke under the stress and weight. We were successfully iced in.  Mike worked from home and the kiddos got lots of play time with Big Papa and Nana J!  The kids liked going outside and “skating” in their boots.  Although it was cold it didn’t stop them from going outside and playing around. 

Smorgus Board of Our Lives

There are some amazing cloud days here

A Pinterest idea to make a spider web turned into a volleyball game for my sports lovers

Sleeping angel in her Daddy’s arms…my heart melted when I got up to bed.

 

Boot Hockey after skating

Just a couple of super heroes

“uh oh Mommy”

She loves to be naked, thankfully the weather has been cooperating.

She has a rough life

If she would only wear them and keep them in

 

Hockey boy and Undie girl

Morning at the dog park

Mike and I had a lunch date with the littles

Go Sioux!!

Pok-O-Dot Jammies

Turkey Art Project

Stella didn’t look very impressed

Red sparkle shoes

Super heroes to the rescue!

After Thanksgiving Christmas begins…

Mitch arrived…

We went to home depot to get our Christmas Tree and Lights…the kiddos also got to make their own tool boxes

I don’t have many pictures of our house decorated but here are a few

Mike finished organizing the garage

The lights at night.  I couldn’t convince Mike to climb a ladder and hang lights on the house…maybe next year?!