Christmas at Three Cedars Farm

We are busily preparing to go to Germany tomorrow! Yeah! So this will be a quick update on last week and what we have done so far this week. Our main highlight of the week was going to the Three Cedars Farm over the weekend. I also did all of my workouts indoors this week due to it being cold and having the means to do it.

We started the week with our usual storytime at the library. This was for Soren age, and he really enjoyed it. As you can see by the two photos below, they were not really in sync, but having a great time anyway.


One funny thing that Keira mentioned today was that she was upset that it was too cold to go out to play. We made an attempt to go to the playground, but Keira was really the only one who was happy.


On Tuesday, Keira had school. We had some silliness afterwards as usual.


On Wednesday, we had a another repeat of Monday. Miss Kathryn had this fun puppet for 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.

Soren was very excited that he got a sticker at the completion of Storytime. He usually eats them, so I don't even have him get one, but he walked up to Miss Kathryn and got one, and kept it on for a decent amount of time.


On Thursday, we had another really busy day. While Keira was at school, I went to church to do the bulletin boards. Fortunately, I felt prepared so that it went really well. I wasn't able to finish my binders (which have been all consuming it seems), but they are at least back at church and not all over the house. Soren had the WORST hat head at church. It wouldn't lay down, but fortunately fell over time.

After I picked up Keira from school, we had to shoot over and get the last dose of our H1N1 flu vaccines. It feels like a relief to get that taken care of, especially before our trip.

This week got even more busy as Friday arrived. I was able to get in a nice long workout and then met up with my visiting teachers, Amber and Michelle, and their children at the mall. Keira loves Zach, and really missing being in nursery with him. She will be in Kindergarten with him provided neither of us moves. Soren will be in nursery with Sydney next March. I didn't get very many good pictures, but here is what I have.


On Saturday, Ryan tried out his studded mountain bike tires for the first time. They made a huge difference, however, winter riding is still more challenging than other times of the year. I was happy that the tires worked out for Ryan, and was able to get in a 5 mile run at the gym. It is hard to do long runs on the treadmill, but the TVs and iPod jacks certainly help. I did have a reason to cut it short, as I attended a baby shower for Rachel right after.

As if we did not do enough already, we went to Three Cedars Farm to see their Christmas display and visit with Santa. It was such a fun time. I really enjoyed it. We had hot cider and donuts, and they were AWESOME! Keira and Soren played outside on the train, and had so much fun. We felt like we were constantly trying to convince Keira that the next thing was better than what we were currently doing because she was having so much fun, she didn't want to stop. We went inside the barn where they had it all decorated, and visited with Santa. Keira and Soren were both really afraid, so our picture isn't the greatest. We will definitely be back next year.






On Sunday, we went to church and then to Kris and Linda's for a yummy breakfast for dinner of french toast made with chocolate chip brioche, eggs, and bacon. I love french toast, especially this french toast! Soren ate quite a bit, and we also learned that he takes after his mother and ate an incredible amount of whipped cream all by itself. We also enjoyed listening to Christmas music. Soren was so funny. He figured out he could climb onto the coffee table and just danced and danced. It was hysterical!



On Monday, we worked to get things ready for the trip. We did do the storytime, but then did a ton of errands. I met up with Linda at Ikea, and she was able to watch Keira for me in the afternoon so I could pack and get things ready.


Today we spent more of the day packing. Keira went to school, and brought home some gifts. Here is the ornament she made for Ryan and I.


Keira and Soren are also really enjoying going to the gym with me. Keira has learned to ride the tricycle they have there. She is actually big enough for it, and can pedal it very well. We also had a special treat tonight. Our neighbor, Ariana, and her Girl Scout troop teamed up with another troop and caroled at our home. It was so great, especially because two of the girls from the other troop were from my GOTR team! They didn't even know it was my house, so it was a great suprise for everyone. We are feeling really ready for the trip. We are really excited and can't wait. Our next post won't be until we get back. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

December is Here!

December is finally here, and we feel super busy since we only have a short time before we leave for our trip. This week started out slow with Soren recovering from being sick, but things picked up and we had a couple cute baking projects this week, a party, and a visit with Santa.

On Monday, we stayed in all day to let Soren rest, so no storytime today. Keira and Soren both enjoyed playing with the new decorations. Within less than one day of the tree being up, Soren had already broken an icicle ornament.





On Tuesday, Keira's school went on a bear hunt, and everyone was allowed to bring a bear from home. Keira had a great time, and has been singing about going on a bear hunt ever since. She made bear themed crafts at school too. I had a presidency meeting while she was at school.




We were able to get out to Maybury before it got dark, and got everyone bundled up. It was great to run in the light outdoors, but it got dark fast. Soren loved seeing the headlights light up on Ryan's truck.

On Wednesday, Soren slept in super late and we missed the library storytime. We hit the gym as soon as we were all awake, and then stopped at the mall to meet up with Valerie, Katie, and Luke. We stayed until Soren needed a nap, as you can see in the last two photos.





On Thursday, I caught Soren being "dangerous" in the kitchen. He loves to stand on these chairs, and it makes us all nervous, plus he can climb up and get more things now.

Keira had Gingerbread Day at school today. She decorated a paper gingerbread house, and was so excited when she learned that we had a gingerbread man cookie cutter (good thing she didn't see remember the whole 3D sleigh with all the reindeer that I put together last year). We did work on my snowmen pops for Ryan's work party in the afternoon. Keira is sporting her gingerbread hat and mitten set outside. I think we will finally be able to get her to wear a hat and mittens this year!



I got them all finished in the evening. They turned our really great!

On Friday, we had a super busy day. We got up really early to be at the gym when the childcare center opened so that Cristina and I could get in a great swim workout. My main accomplishment of today was that I was able to swim the length of the pool without taking a breath. After that, we rushed over to Kindermusik. We were a few minutes late, but it went long, so I am really glad we went. Sometimes if you are late to those, it can be a complete waste since they range from 20-25 minutes long, but this one finished up almost 45 minutes after the scheduled start time.


After that, I dropped Keira and Soren of with Linda so that I could head to Thunderbowl for the BCE Party. Ryan and I are not good bowlers, nor were our teammates (one was a first time bowler), and actually took the honor of lowest scoring team. At least we got giftcards as our prize! Here is part of our team with Ryan's chief (in the Grinch hat).

Soren has also learned to fold his arms. He will do it before mealtime prayers, and when he sees us folding our arms. He isn't super reverent yet, but it is still super cute.

On Saturday, I started the day with a long run with Valerie in the cold. Ryan followed up with a mountain bike ride, and the ground was frozen perfectly for riding. Soren loves playing with the book with a piano built into it, and played with it a ton, which kept him away from the Christmas tree while Ryan was gone.


Afterwards, we headed out to the Dixboro Store for a visit with Santa! Keira was super excited all day long, and kept asking when we were going to see Santa. In typical 3 year old fashion, as soon as we walked into the building, she became very apprehensive. This shot was at home while she was still excited.

Soren cried immediately as we held him towards Santa, but then calmed down once everyone sat down together. This was our best group shot. Both of them look stressed, though.

We were able to get one shot of Soren with Santa in the background, but Keira just wanted to be held the whole time.

Sunday was Stake Conference, so we were able to attend morning church. We sat with Linda during the session, and it was nice to have help with Keira and Soren.
I asked Keira to change dresses after church, and she requested, "one more twirl", so I had to take her picture.

While Soren napped, Keira and I decorated the gingerbread cookies that she had been wanting to do all week.




Soren loves this reindeer. Keira loved it too her second Christmas, and it was even in some of her Christmas portraits. Fortunately Soren isn't that bad about it.


We tidied up the office a bit today, and also enjoyed the Christmas Devotional in the evening.

Next week is our last full week before we leave, so it will be filled with Christmas preparations, as well as the usual activities.