Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

December was its usually flurry of activity!  I took Hana to see Disney on Ice again and she liked it even better this time (perhaps it was because she got a new mermaid?)  She went to a birthday party where the "real!" Elsa came for a visit.  She even gave her "fairy dust"!  We went to my friend Marie's house in Conifer and cut down Hana's very own (small) Christmas tree that she got to decorate and put outside her room!  And then she even got to ride on one of Marie's horses (again, since her very first time on a real horse, was also at Marie's house!)

A big highlight of the month for Hana was our annual trip on the train downtown to see The Nutcracker.  It was a little different this year and I took Hana and her two best friends from preschool, Bleu and Ryvers.  They were fairly well behaved and had a GREAT time!

We had a great Christmas with the family!  We spent Christmas Eve at Karina's house.  Hana even tried the meatballs!  She loved all of her Doc McStuffins stuff and wants to be a vet again (this week, anyway!)  It was too much of everything, as usual! 

Christmas day was spent at the Nelson's.  We ate too much ham and other wonderful things as well.   Then, Knute and I were off to Michigan!  Hana spent a couple of days at the Nelson's house with her cousin's and had a great time!! 

Big things are happening in 2015.  More later! 

Thanksgiving Trip

We had a busy November and a fun trip to the Midwest for Thanksgiving.  Hana and I flew to Minneapolis the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  The first night, we stayed in Cottage Grove.  Aunt Gayle and Uncle John brought amazing pizza over to out hotel and then we went for a swim.

The following morning, Hana and I swam again (after a huge breakfast!) and then went over to John & Gayle's house for lunch with my cousins Michael and Jennifer (and her husband Nick and son Jackson.)  Hana enjoyed playing with Jackson and we had lasagna and cupcakes for dessert!

After that we went to Maren's house in St. Paul.  Karla was there too.  We went to dinner at a fun place that had board games for us to play.  Of course, Hana choose Candy Land!

Monday, we went to the Mall of America's Nickelodeon Universe and rode the rides ALL day long!  5 times on the main roller coaster and 3 on the log ride!  We went to dinner with Karla and later Maren joined us as well. After everyone ate, Aunt Gayle left and Hana STILL wanted to ride the rides!  Maren and Karla joined us for a couple.  Fun!

The following day, John & Gayle drove us to Nelson, WI to meet up with Knute.  We had lunch there together (John Balk even joined us) and then headed to Decorah.  We had Mabe's for dinner (of course) after a swim and then headed to Glenn & Jane's house for (my birthday) dessert.

Wednesday was "cookie decorating day" for Hana with Grandpa.  She wiped her hands ALL over grandpa's clothes!  Funny.  Then, after Leif, Ann, Solveig, Karina and Marvin arrived we went to.... you guessed it.... Mabe's for dinner.

Thanksgiving day was lovely.  We ate and ate and gave thanks for being together. Thursday night brought the Balk's to Decorah and Friday "early Christmas" with Glenn and Jane.  Also, "7 fishes" which translates to a LOT more food!!

We left Saturday morning (after an early birthday breakfast for Knute at Glenn & Jane's house) for Denver.  A long, long drive.   Thankfully the weather was great and we were able to make it in one day.

Last night I took Knute out for an early birthday dinner.  It was a surprise, because Karla came up from the Springs to watch Hana while John went to the hockey game.  We went to Del Frisco's and ate like royalty!  Not sure what we'll be doing tonight for his birthday.  Probably something mellow!
This month is crazy, insanely busy.  We'll see if I can write again before the new year!?!