Christmas lights

We decided to check out the 2nd annual winter lights at the Arboretum.weve been to the indoor display in the past. With the unusually warm weather it was great to be outside.

Mush!

Eden Lake Outdoor Space

Bill's been working with another parent on getting the old outdoor space at the elementary school renovated so teachers can get the kids outside to learn and explore.  They're moving donated mulch. Bill also replaced some of the rotted wood on the benches. Here's Bill and Colin using some fun equipment borrowed from one of the teachers who is also eager to help. Colin was told he could learn to drive the smaller vehicle next time!

Santa

Santa, when he visits us at the Preserve Barn, does such an amazing job recounting stories about his reindeer, the North Pole, singing songs with the kids, and joking with parents. We really enjoy visiting our real Santa, as the kids call him.

Putting up the Christmas Tree

Sydney was eager to get the tree up because that meant Lenny the Elf on the Shelf would arrive.
Bill did a nice job picking out a fairly well- shaped Frasier fir from Frattellone's.

Trying to keep the kids from loading all the ornaments in one spot. 

Sydney's 'snowman' made out of poster tack

Sledding

Kids went sledding at a friend's house whose dad built a sledding ramp! Sydney took some convincing to try it out. 

Only a few close calls with the fir tree. 

Monster Jam

Uncle AJ hosted us in his company suite at US Bank Stadium for the Monster Jam monster truck show. The kids had a great time together. There was even the app component of online voting for your favorite trucks. Of course, Grave Digger won the night.

In front of the Vikings' Gjallerhorn. SKOL!

Cookie Baking Bonanza

From cut out cookies, peanut butter kisses, rum balls, snickerdoodles to Tippies' great gramma's M'n'M cookies there was a plethora of sugar! 

Happy Thanksgiving

After watching the Great British Baking Show for some motivation, Colin and (mostly) I made a pumpkin pie and an apple pie (with "hard sauce" a whisky butter topping) for Turkey Day. My dough was too thick and hard to roll out after 2 attempts. And, I burnt my arm on the oven rack. But, the insides of the pies were very tasty! And, Colin enjoyed decorating them.

"Leaf pile" pumpkin pie

Tippies hosted at their new home. We had 20 people and two turkeys ;) . AJ smoked those birds in his smoker and they were pefection!

The kiddos entertained us with several performances and songs accompanied by Colin on the keyboard. I thought of recording it on my phone after the fact. Hopefully, I'll remember if they do it again at Christmas. Playing Apples to Apples, a favorite of Colin's:

Enjoying leftovers!

Happy Halloween 2018

The kids were very much into the maker space of creating their own ideas this year. Lots of cardboard required. After several ideas, Sydney settled on an eagle. Her favorite super power would be the ability to fly. Colin and Bill made Shuffle Bot from the 2012 LMFAO video Party Rockin., complete with red, light-up eyes. One parent actually knew who he was as they watch the video all the time with their kids. Colin was pretty pleased.

The parents enjoyed trick or treating, too. 

Sydney enjoyed the ceremonial carving of the pumpkins. She loved scooping out the guts.

As is tradition, I helped carve and Bill made the roasted pumpkin seeds. Always tasty!

Enjoying the fall

These two girls running around outside at the park -

it was not that warm. Kelly and I were bundled up!

Syd and Colin's annual leaf pile photos. 

Running Man

Colin checked out the invitational to cross country running. There was a practice where they ran a few miles and received some tips from the current middle and h.s. running teams.
Race day with the Eden Lake line up.

Getting a pep talk before the race from Hudeyfi's brother who's on the h.s. team. 

Colin finished 5th in 5th Grade Boys with a time of 7.24.4

He kept asking his friends, "Are anyone else's hands shaking?" He was worn out! 

Abby (Nathan's sis) and Syd hanging out with the Eagle.