Carlson Family Christmas

It's always a joy to be together and catch up with Jon's Aunt (his mom's sister) and her family.  Every year we get together to spend time with on another, open gifts, and celebrate Christmas with Grandpa Bill. This was our second chance to Celebrate Christmas and open gifts, with Thanksgiving with Betsy, Dave and Justin, being the first. I'm pretty sure Brianna was loving the extra opportunities to dig into wrapping paper. 

 

 It's SO fun because there are a ton of kids... so laughter and noise permeate the room! With Brianna able to walk around and interact more this year, she was off with one or the other of the older kids. They were so responsible and if I came looking, they politely said where she was and who she was with (as if to say, no need to worry, we got her!). THANKS to everyone who helped her feel apart of the big kid group and played with her. She loves you all!

Grandpa Bill and Vi were delighted to have everyone around and be able to share in the Christmas spirit. We sang carols, had yummy snacks, and the kids exchanged gifts. What a blessing it is to have these memories!

 

This year, the gathering also landed on Jon's mom's birthday. So we were able to extend the festivities with a delicious flourless chocolate cake and birthday song.

And let's not forget Uncle Jeff - he's very popular with Brianna. For days after this weekend, she kept asking, "where'd Uncle Jeff go?" You are very loved.

Smiley Guy

You can always find ways to get Carl to smile. I think he just loves to show off. Here are a few pictures from the middle of December. You can also just start to see his two bottom teeth poking through in the top picture. And below is nap time. He wasn't in December, and still isn't, sleeping all the way through the night, so I have to make every nap count. I guess I decided to take pictures instead of nap myself! Can you blame me!?

Here he's trying so hard to figure out how to move so he can keep up with his Busy Sister B... at least he was right before I started recording.

Roll Over

One evening, we were just hanging out and playing in the family room in front of the cozy fire when Brianna decided to give daddy a back massage. It's not the first time, she frequently sits behind us and runs our back gently - of her own free will I will add. It's so cute, and actually feels good! But on this night, she kept climbing on Jon's back then just sitting there. After she would get off, Jon would start to roll over, but Brianna quickly started pushing him back to his tummy say, "over... over daddy!" She thought it was hilarious. 

Our cozy fire!

Carl was just hanging out while all of this was going on. This was before he started leaving the comfort of his blanket for the unknowns of... where ever he can scoot too... but more on that to come.

Decking the Halls

Our 2011 Christmas season was doubly as special. Not only was Brianna a lot more interactive this year as compared to last - she did also turn two(!), but we had Carl to join the fun too. 

We thought is would be fun to have a real tree this year, so Jon went out one afternoon during nap time to get one. When he got back, Brianna was extremely excited to help with the tree, that and it was snowing so she wanted to touch the snow. Here they are checking out the first set of lights we put on. We switched them out for white ones not long after these pictures!

I took her outside with me while I shoveled the deck off from the recent snowfall (which as we know all melted before Christmas). Since I didn't let her help shovel, she insisted on eating the snow. She stood there a long time before we could go inside again.

After we got undressed from our snow gear we took another glimpse at the tree before bed. She was in awe! All she wanted to do was "shake hands" with the branches. She was very gentle. We can't always say the same for Eko, although he did very well this year. Only got a few branches...

Our 2011 Christmas tree, donned with (mostly) peanuts ornaments!

Tim... the Godfather

Tim is awesome - need I say more!!!

Well, ok, I will. I found these couple of pictures on the internal memory card of our new camera. I'm so glad we have these. We realized, a bit too late, that we didn't get dedicated pictures of Carl with his Godparents on his dedication day, so these are special. Carl has an amazing and talented Godfather to look up too. Thank you Tim for who you are and what you mean to our family. We can't wait to see you again soon! (P.S. Lori, You're awesome too!)

 

Daddy Playtime

Most evenings, and/or weekends, Brianna prefers to spend most of her time with Daddy! She loves playing, reading, cooking, following, and whatever else she can talk him in to doing wither her. And since she is so communicative, it's pretty easy to understand what she wants you to do!

On one such evening, she was practicing her jumping. It was fun to watch her get so excited to "show off" her vertical. Carl was also pretty happy to be in on the action. I love this shot. Carl and Jon's look are almost identical.

Here's her showing Daddy how she jumps:

It starts by getting a steady balance and bending at the knees...

 Not quite far enough down, squat a little bit more... then propel yourself upwards...

 Finally getting some air, now recover and repeat! 

Hours of fun to be had by all, I know we couldn't stop giggling!

Three's Company

Super yummy GF pumpkin muffins.

Just before Thanksgiving, we were struggling with Carl and what seemed to be a lasting sickness he just couldn't shake.  With the holiday coming up, I wanted to make sure whatever it was, wasn't contagious and we could be around people, so we headed to the Dr.'s office. Turned out he was developing or had a double ear infection. It wasn't full blown yet, but was definitely causing some issues. Knowing Brianna had similar symptoms and was then diagnosed with an ear infection, I thought it might be good to go see our Chiropractor and have Carl tested for possible food sensitivities. Sure enough, gluten was a problem source, just like Brianna, but then on top of that was apples and caffeine. The gluten I could handle, since we've already cut out a lot from household, but the apples and caffeine??! It was baffling! Apples are such a great snack and caffeine... well, I guess I can do or should do without.

So Brianna now has company being completely gluten free. Thanksgiving was a little tough with all the great gluten containing turkey accompaniments, but we managed and enjoyed it just as much. Now we're trying a lot more recipes and finding more restaurants that have gluten free menus. I know some companies are making money off this allergy, but I do appreciate it when they list specifically those ingredients that contain gluten. It makes it that much simpler when out shopping and checking labels with two little ones.

Sunday Dedication

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, November 27, was Carl's dedication. We've recently become more and more involved at our church and were excited to dedicate Carl in front of (almost) all of our family, our friends and our new church family. Carl was a little ham. He was in such a good mood and showed everyone is smiley face. Some thing just caught his eye and made him happy! As mentioned in the previous post, our good friends Tim and Lori, Carl's godparents, came all the way from Illinois to help celebrate with him. We were so blessed they were able to make it and stand with us for the dedication.

Showing the congregation what a wonderful morning it was!

Helping Pastor Chris remember (or rather distract him from) what comes next!

Sitting still while being annointed with oil and prayed for.

After the church service, we enjoyed lunch and cake at our place to continue the festivities. Brianna just couldn't get enough of Tim. She took an instant liking to him from the moment they got to our place - it's hard not too, he's so playful! The special Red Velvet cake from Woulette's was also a hit.

Any great celebration isn't complete without a cozy nap. He was a trooper during church but took a well deserved nap before opening gifts. Gammie was kind enough to snuggle with him. She asked if I wanted her to lay him down, but thought that it was his dedication day and he should be spoiled. I think it was the right choice!

 Thank you to everyone for coming and blessing us on this very special day, even a midst the holiday weekend. We are so grateful for your love, support, and prayer for our entire family.

Time With Friends

A little over a month ago we enjoyed a visit from our good friends, the Schneiderwind's. They graciously made the trek from Chicago the day after Thanksgiving to partake in Carl's dedication as his godparents. But before the dedication we spent Saturday touring Mpls/St. Paul.

It was fun showing them around the winter activities! We enjoyed lunch at Pizza Luce; walked around Uptown and found a book store to Tim and Jamie's delight; went to Macy's 8th Floor "A Day in the Life of an Elf" display; watched the Hollidazzle parade downtown Minneapolis; and even found time to install a new dishwasher that had decided to break a couple days earlier.

We had fun hanging out and showing you guys around town! Hope to see you again soon.

Thanksgiving - Crafting - Snuggling - Christmas

What a wonderful Thanksgiving, with so many things wrapped up into one weekend!

Thanksgiving morning, we headed to the family cabin to enjoy all of the day's festivities. As an added activity to keep hands busy, I packed up my shirt painting supplies and brought those for whoever felt inclined to craft. It turned out many were eager to try it. There were even wardrobe changes as shirts dried and were ready for wear! You can see Elissa styling her new "Volleyball Rocks" shirt below. It was fun to pass on this fun and simple idea. 

In between and during the fun, Shelley had her own fun snuggling with Carl. We had just gone to the Dr. the Tuesday before and found out he was developing an ear infection in both ears. He had't been sleeping much, but since he loves to be held... he cozy'd up with his aunt and caught up on some sleep! She may have gotten some shut eye too! it was nice to finally see some improvement in him. In other news, I've also gone gluten free again, because it seems Carl is following in his big sister's footsteps.

Here we are, just hanging out, playing games and crafting!

After we ate some yummy food, it was time to celebrate an early Christmas while Dave, Betsy & Justin were in town - and for Brianna an early birthday gift. From D, B and J, Brianna received a very special tutu; it's even reversible. It took her a moment to catch on to what it was meant for, but once we got it on her, she did not want to take it off. I'll try to post a video soon of her twirling in circles! Since Thanksgiving, she has put it on multiple times and played in it. She loves it! Thanks D,B, &J!

We're blessed to have been able to spend time with family and for Brianna to play with all her cousins.

Camera Trials

Two-way Gravel Travel

Rusty Rusk

Focused Friends

Still

Dock's Eye View