Merry Christmas!

Christmas card picture.


Christmas morning...still dark outside!

















Santa got Logan the Wii...I think it helped that I really wanted one also. Now I just have to get Mario cart!


Playing Super Smash Bros.


Me and Kelly. We had Christmas dinner at the Smith's house.

Naughty or Nice?

The boys were so exited to visit Santa this year! I love this age when they really believe in the "magic" of Christmas. Although Logan is starting to question a few things. When we were in line he said, "Mom I think this Santa looks different than the Santa from last year." How can he remember that far back? He was right though...and I have to say I liked the Santa from last year better! :) He's careful not to question too much though, because you can tell he really wants to believe! I have a feeling this might be our last Christmas playing "Santa" with Logan. Hopefully he'll enjoy playing along with his younger siblings next year! :)





Carson was a little intimidated at first, but as soon as Logan went up he followed. Santa spent a few minutes chatting with them which I thought was nice.



I'm going to miss this part as they get older!

Logan is turning 6!!

We had an early birthday party for Logan on Saturday. The kids all had a blast eating pizza and ice cream cake and then topping that with some bowling and playing arcade games. I was surprised at the bowling skills of the kids (some of them didn't even need the bumpers!) Thanks again to all of Logan's friends that were able to come and celebrate his special day!





I had to get a picture of the ridiculously large bowling pin cup Logan got!


Getting ready for some yummy ice cream cake!




Present time...thanks for the great gifts everyone!





Future North Branch, MN bowling league! :)


Look at that form! haha


This is Carson's happy dance which he would only do if he knocked at least 4 pins down!


Hmmm...too many games to choose from!

The perfect tree!

Every year we get our tree at a Christmas tree farm that's across the street from our neighborhood. Weston and I love the convenient location and the boys love the candy canes and hot apple cider! O.K. I lied...I go for the candy canes too! :) I'm so glad we finally got some snow this last week. It's just not as fun hunting for a tree in the dirt!

What do those elves do all day?

Every year the Macy's in downtown Minneapolis creates a holiday display on their 8th floor. This year the theme was "A Day in the Life of an Elf." It was great! The boys had so much fun and it really gets everyone in the holiday spirit. Our friends Molly, Quinn, and baby Georgia joined us this year. We got to see Santa's Toy Workshop, The Sweet's Shop, The North Pole-Stall Office, The Christmas Tree Forest, and the Elves' tiny little bunk beds! Thanks again Molly for coming with us!

The bump as arrived!

Here I am at just about 3 1/2 months. I don't remember my belly sticking out this far quite so early with the boys. Does that mean it's a girl or just a sign that it's my 3rd and my body just knows exactly what to do? I have to say I really do enjoy this stage of pregnancy. I'm past the nausea and fatigue and I no longer look like I'm carrying around a spare tire around my middle...I actually have a little bump! If only it could stay this way...I know I'll be looking like the good year blimp soon enough!:)

A visit from the tooth fairy

Last night the boys were playing with their Star Wars laptop computer and of course a fight soon broke out. Carson felt like it was his turn and tried to grab the light saber wand out of Logan's hand and ended up "accidentally" (I think?) whacking Logan right in the mouth! Didn't their mother teach them to share for crying out loud?! Well the force of the hit was enough to knock out Logan's front tooth! This tooth was already slightly loose, but no where near ready enough to come out on it's own! Are these the kind of fights I have to look forward to as they get older? I can't tell you how many bones were broken in Weston's house growing up with 6 brothers! To give the story a happy ending, Logan woke up with 5 gold dollar coins under his pillow. The tooth fairy felt he deserved a little extra since the tooth was lost in such a violent manner! :)

Happy Thanksgiving

On my menu: turkey, stuffing w/ bacon,apples,sage, and caramelized onions, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, spinach salad w/ avocado,bacon, and pomegranate, homemade rolls, chocolate cream pie and pumpkin pie.





I know it's silly, but I wanted to document my first Thanksgiving meal...who knows when it will happen again? :)



Carve it up honey!



Carson being silly at the table.




Mmmm yummy homemade rolls are Logan's favorite!




The boys enjoying the 1st Star Wars movie after their big meal.



In the 11 years that Weston and I have been married we've only missed going home to Oregon for Thanksgiving on two other occasions. The first time was when we were living in Ft. Worth, TX and I wasn't able to get time off from my ultrasound externship. That year was quite depressing as we ending up going out to eat for turkey day...I don't recommend that! The next time was right after we moved to MN and I was 8 months pregnant with Logan and couldn't fly. Luckily that year our friends Ryan and Kelly took pity on my "lack of cooking skills" and invited us over. Kelly let me off easy with just a salad!:) Which brings me to this year. With the economy the way it is we just didn't feel right about spending 2 grand on plane tickets to head home, so I prepared my own Thanksgiving feast for the 1st time ever! It was just the 4 of us which was nice, because there was no stress or pressure in case things didn't turn out that well! Luckily for my family my skills in the kitchen have improved some in the last 11 years. I'm proud to say that everything on my menu turn out just how I'd planned...yay for me!:) It turns out I can cook after all...who knew! There is just something about roasting a turkey that is very intimidating you're 1st time. We missed our families a ton this year, but I'm glad I had this opportunity to "provide" for my little family. I'm even more impressed with my mother-in-law who always hosts every year for no less than 30 people! I have a long ways to go before I'll be up to that level! Now that I've had this experience I hope we are able to make it to Oregon next year! Some things are just better left to the experts (ex. my mom-in-law!)

My thoughts on Twilight...

Here are my thoughts on the movie: **SPOILER WARNING** I wouldn't recommend reading this until after you've seen the movie!

My overall excitement about seeing this movie was pretty much through the roof! However, having said that I went into it knowing it was a VERY low budget film.

Here are the things I didn't like:
1. The special effects were extremely lacking and I was disappointed in Edward's sparkling. My friend Anne summed it up with "He looks like a Christmas ornament!" However, we really can't expect much more for the budget this film had.

2. Which brings me to the meadow scene. It was much too short and severely lacking in any intimacy and sexual tension. There was no conversation, they didn't even touch each other! I mean that chapter in the book is what started it all people! I just didn't feel like it was done justice!

3. The overall pacing of the film seemed extremely fast. It felt like they were trying to cram too much in a 2 hour time slot. I could have done without several of the added scenes (ex. biology field trip) in order to have more time on the pivotal scenes...hello meadow! There wasn't nearly enough character development. They didn't even mention Jasper's abilities and left out his best line: "You're wrong you know..you are worth it!" Bella and Edwards relationship felt much too rushed. If I hadn't read the books I'm sure I would have been like " Are you kidding me...they're already declaring themselves?"

Now on to what I did like:

1. Can we say EYE CANDY!!!! All of the Cullens were beautiful!! I was a little worried about Jasper, but even he was drool worthy! Emmett and Carlisle are down right HOT!! Alice, Esme, and Rosalie were gorgeous. And Edward was PERFECT!! Robert Pattinson really embodied Edward...and those eyes...SEXY!!

2. Charlie was a very pleasant surprise. I thought he nailed the whole awkward father/daughter moments. The scene where Bella has to hurt her father in order for him to let her leave really was heartbreaking.

3. The humans were pretty good also. I just wish they would have developed Angela's character a bit more, because in the movie she is very forgettable, and I loved her in the books!

4. Finally to the most important part. Edward and Bella's chemistry was amazing!! Having read Midnight Sun I could actually feel Edward's pain as he is trying so hard to be close to Bella, yet fight the urge to kill her! As far as the kiss goes I'm not sure I was breathing during that scene. It was so well done. I think it's hands down the best on screen kiss ever! Edward was so hesitant and tender, yet incredibly passionate all at the same time. This alone was worth the price of admission!

So my final thoughts are this: Was it a bit cheesy? Yes. Did I care one bit? NO! I LOVED the books and I LIKED the movie. Here's hoping that this movie makes a ton of money so New Moon can have a budget worthy of making these great books into great movies!

A "Wicked" good night!

Last night we were able to see Wicked on Broadway with our friends Jon, Anne, Boyd, and Kathleen! It was amazing!! I've been dying to see this show for a few years now and it did not disappoint! Not only was the music phenomenal (I highly recommend the soundtrack), but the story was so fun and clever! There were a few fun twists and surprises! I'm so thankful we had this opportunity and even more grateful for a wonderful husband and good friends to share it with!




Anne and I freezing while posing for this picture. I was a little dissapointed Weston didn't get the friendly bum who was serenading us in the pic!




Before the show we had a fabulous dinner at The Capital Grille with Jon and Anne. I think we all agreed that the cheesecake was "heaven on earth." :) We missed you at dinner Boyd and Kathleen!