Christmas!

It may be hard to write, and for your sake, read about Christmas when we're already two weeks out, but this blog also serves as something to look back on down the road. Holidays and birthdays sure can be a blur! This year, we were at home for Christmas Eve and then we drove up to Duluth Christmas morning after we saw what Santa brought. We made it to a 3 pm Christmas service and the kids got to open presents from us after. We had yummy pheasant that hadn't even been frozen yet. The girls seemed to enjoy toys from the movie "Frozen" and Minnie, Mickey, and the gang rubber figurines the most. Will liked the wrapping paper more than his new toys ;) . The next morning we found out Santa brought them new big girls bikes and a basketball hoop/basketballs for Will. They seemed happy! Their stocking was pretty full, too- lucky kids.

I'm pretty happy I got two years out of these dresses! (M, S, J)

The gang

He looks downright Scandinavian :)

These remote controlled cars are even fun for grown-ups!

Will with his new Tonka

Dan picked out this scary T-rex for Will. It was such a hit I already need to replace the batteries!

Will and Josie on Christmas morning

Up north, the girls and Will enjoyed opening even more presents from grandmas, grandpas, aunts, and uncles, plus Santa made a personal appearance at their great-Grandma Peterson's house! Can you believe it!? It was only slightly terrifying for the Klopp kids, but Dane and Peter were comfortable with him. The kids were very happy with all their new toys and SOMEhow we managed to get the stuff all back to the cities (with help from Pete AND a new top carrier for our Yukon). On Christmas day we celebrated with Dan's side- both at his parents and his grandma's new house with the extended family.

Cousins!

So many presents!

Cuties! (Peter and Dane)

Will looking at a sweet new toy

A new meow-meow!

Madeline and her new moose! If you ask what the girls want for a birthday or holiday, they will always say cat, dog, and moose without fail!

I had to get a picture with Miss Madeline since we matched

Aunt Lara with Will (her two sons wore this sweater!)

The girls fled once they saw who was at the door!

Dane with Santa

I couldn't believe how nonchalant Peter was with Santa!

Sofia was not quite sure

Will was VERY not sure (which is funny because he sat with Santa a week earlier!)

We celebrated Christmas with my family the day after Christmas. My whole family was able to be there this year- pretty rare. The last time my family was all together was over Mother's Day in Oakdale in the year 2011 and the last time everyone was at my parent's house was 2007.

Dan looking at Sofia's new animal mask

Most of our little family

Grandpa and Will, who is holding one of his new balls!

Will wants to help Madeline open her present...

Dan with Sofia and Madeline

Aunt Aimee reading one of their new books

Part of the long weekend was spent at Dan's side of the family's cabin at Long Lake. It was crazy weather- on Saturday it was in the 30's, but over the next 24 hours it decided to be -20 or colder. That's a 50 degree change! If it went from 30 to 80, it would have been really shocking, but somehow going 30 to -20 wasn't that odd for Minnesota in the winter. Eh.  Anyways, the girls and their cousins Dane and Peter had fun playing in the snow and going for little snowmobile rides. The girls were a lot braver than last year. They are going to have lots of good daddy/daughter time on those things in the future. The good pictures I got at the cabin were for Will's early birthday party so I will put them on Will's One Year post.


We are finally getting mild winter temperatures. After a two week break from school, we were supposed to be back in our routine this past week, but the temperatures and wind were too extreme and school was canceled both days. (On Monday the governor canceled school for the whole state while the districts decided on Tuesday.) It was NOT a coincidence that I booked our trip to Scottsdale this March a couple days ago. My parents are already at their Scottsdale condo, so we are meeting them there.

Have a great weekend, everyone!!