Weekending....

This weekend has been a busy one!  Saturday morning we were part of Franklin's baptism at Hosanna.  Jay and I are the god parents along with Annie's friend Debbie.  It was a good morning and I don't think Franklin cried once!

Ella and I had to ditch the luncheon to get Ella to a birthday party for her good friend Olivia.  It was at Grand Slam in Burnsville and she had the BEST time.  They were able to mini golf, ride bumper cars and jump the afternoon away in the trampolines!   Awesome!!

The remainder of Saturday and into today, Papa Gary came to town to visit.  We were able to go out for dinner and they came to church with us this morning.  Ella had a great time and loves it when people come to visit us!  Hint hint!!

Smurf Elf 2015

Here is a recap of Smurf Elf's shenanigans in 2015:

Day 1 - arrived with a note, the book and a special surprise - Elf PJs!!

Day 2 - with the ornaments

Day 3 - Crazy hair day with Cabbage Patch doll

Day 4 - working on spelling words....

Day 5 - decorating the "tree"

Day 6 - a hunt for hidden chapsticks from Smurf Elf

Day 7 - camping out

Day 8 - making an Elf sized PB&J and a big mess!

Day 9 -Smurf Elf was feeling sick with a cold and used up lots of tissues!

Day 10 - Smurf Elf hanging around with the flying dog

Day 11 - keeping an eye on things

Day 12 - Doc McStuffins and Smurf Elf with the big book of booboo's to help Cinderella

Day 13 -Smurf Elf brought some paints for the shower

Day 14 - NO Peeking!!

Day 15 - cleaning off some books in the office

Day 16 - wrapped up in lights to decorate the tree

Day 17 - Smurf Elf decorated the kitchen!

Day 18 - bundled up to stay warm!

Day 19 - Smurf Elf brought the Rudolph book and wore his own red nose to honor the theme of our family Christmas card this year!

Day 20 - Smurf Elf was trying to get Olaf's arm back from the Minion

Day 21 - growing some candy canes

Day 22 - NOT SURE!  This is what happens when I don't update the blog in a timely manner.  :)

Day 23 - walking in big shoes with Doc McStuffins!

Day 24 - sledding anyone?

See you next year!

Baking in the new year

The mild winter was fun while it lasted, wasn't it? I loved not having to worry about the weather, but January has brought some arctic temps to MN!  A few weekends ago, it was too cold to be out and about, so I spent a lot of time in the kitchen baking. 

I baked some cornbread, cinnamon banana bread and also the cupcakes pictured above - S'mores Cupcakes!  They had a marshmallow filling and I made a homemade chocolate frosting and topped with mini marshmallows.  They were so fantastic!  The base was a box mix though, and I haven't been able to find them again!  If you find them, totally try them.  Your family and friends will love you!

Ending out the year 2015 (and New Years Day!)

Christmas Vacation - Ella and Jay hung out the early part of the week (even went bowling!) and then I was off on New Years Eve to get ready for the Abbas Christmas celebration on New Years Day.  

We were finally able to make it over to Annie & Andrew's house on the 28th to meet our new little nephew: Franklin Wendell.  Ella loves babies!

And clothes with pink & sparkles on it!

A few Bunchems creations that Ella and Jay built during Christmas break....

HA!

New Years Eve - none of us were really up for much, so we ate locally and were home by like 6:30!  HA!  We didn't stay up for the ball drop either.  Maybe next year?!?!

New Years Day / Abbas Christmas

This year we celebrated at Tara and Mike's and the menu was Mexican themed.  We had Chicken enchiladas, chips and dips, Mexican pizza, Mexican corn bread, tacos and all the fixings!  And of course, Christmas cookies galore!

 So, I just realized that Harrison totally photobombed this picture!  Hilarious!

The kids drew names, and this year Dylan drew Ella's name (and vice versa). 

She got Shopkins - she was thrilled!

Apparently, Harrison's goal was to photobomb all the pictures!  :)

It was a fun day to get together and eat some delicious foods!

Happy Belated New Year!

Christmas Season 2015 Recap

So I left off with 15 days to go before Christmas!  It was busy but we all had a good time.  A few events from before Christmas:

Ella had her annual Holiday party at the dance studio.  The girls exchanged mittens and performed a winter ballet dance for us - very sweet.  :)  Ms. Ella is in the black leotard center back line.  She continues to LOVE dance.

Then Ella got a sinus infection which took her out of school for a few days.  :(  She was not feeling good for a couple of days, but thankfully the medicines started to work and she was feeling better for the busy holiday week, including her Sunday School Christmas program!

  (she didn't wear this to her Sunday School program though - ha!)

 

There she is - can you see her?  Second row!  Notice all of the parents in front of me with their gadgets?!?!  A bit insane!

 She sang her heart out and the kids did a great job!

Christmas Eve, I spent the morning prepping pea soup and baking bread.  We attended the Hosanna service with the live nativity scene, which we love!  Ms. Ella was all dressed up in her Christmas dress!  

 

 We didn't get a family picture.  :(  After church we had a quick lunch at...wait for it...CULVERS!  HA!  We are so fancy.  Later in they day, I baked up our Santa cookies - the reindeer cookies.  Ella had no interest in helping me, so I don't know if this tradition will continue in 2016 or not!  Spending the entire afternoon in the kitchen by myself isn't exactly fun on Christmas eve!  That night, Jay's parents joined us for pea soup dinner and then we opened our gifts!

 Spreading out the reindeer food!

An early present from Grandma Jolyn!

Christmas Morning!!

 She was super excited to open gifts from Santa!

And she got all kinds of fun toys that she wanted SO badly.  :)  Puppy in my pockets, Shopkins, Bunchems, Calico Critters, Legos....

After a delicious breakfast of a french toast bake, we packed up the Dodger and headed to Worthington!

Merry Christmas!!  We all wanted to be festive

And Jay couldn't stop smiling.  HA!

We spent the afternoon with Papa Gary.  It was his birthday too!  

 Ella & Chase getting ready to open gifts - apparently hats were required!

 Lexi was there too, but she insisted on eating and holding her can of Puffs the ENTIRE time we opened gifts.  What a goof ball!

A quick picture with Santa - Lexi was not a fan of Santa!

The 26th - Christmas with Grandma Deb!

 

We had a chili lunch with loads of yummy treats and then opened some gifts.  Santa even stopped at Grandma Deb's and left a few gifts for each of the kiddos - they were so excited!

Well...Lexi doesn't look that excited here, but she really was.  :) 

 

It was a fun weekend of celebrating and spending time with family!