Late December - fun

First of all, we did finish the Christmas countdown.

Levi helped put the photos to a video with music.
Here's a link: https://youtu.be/xTIqG98n5Yw 

Thank you to everyone who shared time and gifts with us this season. We had a great time celebrating as a family on Christmas Eve at our home church, Oak Knoll Lutheran. Then we went to the Brislins' house in Savage for Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day (still no snow on the ground around here) we stayed at home and mostly made a mess getting out some Christmas presents and playing a game of Pictionary together. We also waited for the snow to start falling. We left on the 26th for Grand Forks to celebrate there. We started with a sledding trip to Lincoln Park even though it was about 4 degrees outside. Burr. It was fun though! We hung out and opened gifts on the 27th in Grand Forks (highlighted by a game of Pictionary too) and then drove back to Minnetonka on the 28th - where we were welcomed by 3-4 inches of snow - which prompted sledding during this week (which is nice because I don't have to go to the office).

Here are some other photos I'd like to share:

Ivy in the Christmas Eve service

Brislin clan

Ice age in GF

Malachi photo bombs Ang and Mom 

Roman on Dec. 30 in our driveway on Cape Cod Pl

Ivy on Dec. 29 big water tower hill

Roman, Levi, Ivy and Ezra on water tower hill Dec. 29 - after first big snow of the winter

Levi and Ezra are especially skilled at snowboarding this winter

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy New Year!
Sam

Day 4 - ring a bell

Levi and Sam stayed the whole time. The rest of us only for about a half hour.

Day 5 - see holiday fireworks

We all trekked to downtown Minneapolis for the Holidazzle fireworks and we even watched a few minutes of Frozen on the outdoor movie screen. And we had fresh-roasted cinnamon cashews too.

Day 6 - go ice skating or sledding

With no snow, the choice was obvious. Downtown St. Paul.

Day 7 - watch a holiday movie

Started with Santa Paws which was a little heavy and sad (orphanage, doll being thrown and birned). Levi topped watching and watched The Legend Of Frosty the Snowman.

Levi was at a blacklight dodgeball tournament, that's why he's missing from the picture.

Day 8 - make a marshmallow snowman

No time and too many sweets tonight at Roman and Ivy's preschool holiday show.

Maybe we'll do it over break.

Day 9 - bake Christmas cookies

Day 10 - make an edible Christmas tree

Turns out ice cream cones are a seasonal thing at Aldi. So, we had to make trees out of waffles. And, turns out I wasn't paying much attention when I grabbed the green frosting, because I grabbed red instead. So, we have red waffle Christmas trees.

Day 11 - read your favorite Christmas book

We found them, but didn't have time to read them.

Day 12 - see a holiday flower show and maybe a reindeer

Como Zoo. We didn't see the reindeer though, too much indoor exploring and play.

Day 13 - make Santa pancakes

Day 14 - camp out by the Christmas Tree

Day 15 - Discuss how to donate $100 to charity

Day 16 - color reindeer for children in the hospital

Day 17 - go to Yogurt Lab for a special holiday treat

Day 18 - make foot reindeer

Day 19 - put on PJs and go look at holiday lights.

Put on PJs and go look at holiday lights.

Day 20 - Put on Santa hats and find four unique places for a picture.

At a sledding hill in Hopkins; By the creek the Burwell House in Minnetonka; At the new Viking's stadium, and at Menards in Golden Valley

Day 21 - make tea treat and have a tea party

Day 22 - see a Christmas show

Charlie Brown at Stages

Day 23 - start a puzzle

And, Ivy made a snowman tonight

Day 24 - get out the Advent decorations

The countdown is set

Catch up

Life has been busy. Here are a few pictures from the past months.

At the beginning of school we went to the park/trail by Big Willow to grab a picture on the bench. This is an update from a few years ago.

Roman, Ivy and Mama at the Minnesota Zoo in October. Notice the short sleeve and tank top!

Roman and Ivy decorating a birthday cake for Kari. They did it all by themselves.

Ezra and Ivy playing on the big chess set at the library.

Roman and Ivy building bridges at a Stem event at Tanglen's media center.

4 on 2

For the first time, our family has four kids on two wheels each. I'm talking about bike riding. Ivy challenged herself very hard last night, even though she was very nervous, and made it happen. It took a lot of guts (and a pair of knee pads to make her feel more safe) but she did it. And it was awesome. Roman made the leap a few weeks ago - and he's a speed demon who stands up and rides and also rides off curbs. It's very neat to see how far they've both come this year.

First days

Well, all kids are once again in school. It was the last first day of preschool for the Black family today.

Double digits!

Birthday bagels for the 10-year old today. A whole decade! Where did the time go? Happy birthday Levi. Love you to the end of the earth.

Our Little Levi is 10 years old today. Hard to believe it. He's such a good boy. He plays piano, golf and baseball with joy and ease. He helps teach his little brothers and sister how to behave and read. He is creative with movies and good at solving problems. He is a dedicated reader, excels at math and spelling and always is quick-witted with a joke. He's certainly, a child of God and we love him.