Winter Wonderland and Christmas Fun!

We have survived the Holidays - so far anyway! We were invited to a Friends and Family chili feed in Fishtail a couple days before Christmas, and we got to see some friends we hadn't seen since summer, and some I hadn't seen in years. Gunnar had a lot of fun chasing the girls, and Greta snoozed through most of the party. They had a sleigh ride, but conditions weren't great, and it was getting too cold for the mules, so Gunnar missed the ride. I think if it was too cold for the mules though, it was too cold for Gunnar. :o) Am I overprotective?! Here we are at the chili feed.

On the 23rd, we had an early Christmas Eve with Nana & Papa, since they had a busy night ahead of them on the 24th. We got all dressed up and went over for cocktails and dinner. We got some really great photos of the kids, and Gunnar got a rocking chair that is just the right size for him. All summer long, he was trying to squeeze his butt into a rocking chair made for a doll, so this chair was a welcome surprise!

Christmas morning Gunnar got up around 4:45 to see if Santa had been here. I just couldn't function yet, so I walked him back to bed, right past his presents, and he went back to sleep until 6:30. When he got up, he found that Santa had left him some surprises - a Little Einsteins learning laptop, a Play Do kit, and a little 4-wheeler that plays music and makes revving sounds. I think he was pretty excited, but he was ready to pass out by noon that day.

Then we headed over to Nana & Papa's for Christmas Dinner with Great Grandma & Grandpa and Uncle Arden, Aunt Barb and Cousin Sarah. Dinner was amazing, Gunnar was cranky, and Justin had to head to work at 5, so after dessert, we hurried up to visit Little John, Julie and the kids. Greta had it easy, as everyone wanted to hold her, so she slept away in someone's arms the whole time we were there.

We've had some pretty cold weather recently, and it's finally getting back up to the teens and twenties, which surprisingly feels really warm! The dogs survived the -20 degree weather really well - thank goodness Justin built their dog house with a "back room" so they could huddle together and stay warm. We bought them a heated water dish and blanket, but geniuses that they are, they ripped the blanket to shreds after having it for only 2 days.

Gunnar also got to go sledding for the first time this week. Santa dropped a sled off at Nana & Papa's for Gunnar, so we headed over to try it and he had so much fun sledding down the little hill by the back deck. The snow is melting now, so we just have patches of snow left, until the next snow storm, which could be this week. Hopefully next time it snows, it will be warm enough to play in it!

Here are a couple photos of Justin in uniform with his patrol Tahoe.

Gunnar is the best big brother!

We're all starting to adjust to our new addition, and Gunnar absolutely loves Greta. He really enjoys kissing her (especially if there is a camera nearby), and has started sharing his toys with her. He's quite the helper too, when it comes to entertaining her while I do something else. Last night we read a Christmas story (The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas) and while I was reading, Gunnar gave Greta kisses from his stuffed reindeer. Here are some photos of Gunnar and Greta playing on his old playmat (another way he's sharing).

Greta is starting to show her little personality. She's pretty quiet most of the time, unless she feels ignored. :o) She's showing interest in Gunnar's old play mat with the lighted star with music, and likes to stare at us while we talk to her. We can't wait to watch her grow, and to see how much fun she and Gunnar will have together in the future.

We're so blessed to have two beautiful, healthy children. Who could ask for more?!