Christmas

Well, we made it back to WI after our 9-day vacation for Christmas. Now we are relaxing as best as we can, trying to finish Samara's room, catching up on other things and I am working on finishing my senior thesis for my Masters. Hoping to be done by Friday! We are loving being off for two weeks!

Anyway, Christmas was great! After a difficult ride to MN on Saturday through a snowstorm, we went to my old church back in St. Paul. Mara loved it, but doesn't understand why she has to be quiet during prayer and can talk during worship, so we utilized the crying room, which was very nice. We then visited my grandpa and grandma on the farm and they loved playing with her. That night Mara left us her first present during a bath, if you know what I mean!! I freaked out.

Monday we visited with my high school friend Beth and Grant and their kids. Beth is expecting her 5th! CONGRATS!! That night we celebrated Christmas with my Grandma Lilly and amazed everyone with how big Mara is getting, how vocal she is, how much she eats and how well she plays. Tuesday we relaxed at my dad's with my uncle and yummy sandwiches. Wednesday we had Christmas at my mom's and Mara played with her cousins Kenny and Michael. Trav and Kenny and Grandpa Jerry took to the manmade hill outside as did Mara on her new sled. Later we tried on her new swimsuit and took a dip in the big tub. She loved it and splashed up a storm.

Thursday we were off to Madison to visit Grandpa Jim and Grandma Maria. We relaxed there a few days while Trav tried to snowmobile and worked on his truck. We visited with some of Trav's high school friends and did some shopping. I have learned that the Baby Bjorn, as great as it is, doesn't make Mara weigh any less or make my back hurt less...Anyway, Christmas there was great and Cousin Kameron had a good time making Mara laugh, that is until she bombed out and had to be put to bed. We finally came home Sunday and spent the next day cleaning up the house and putting things away.

Now we are finishing painting up Mara's room while she is playing with her new fav toys. She loves her stacking rings from Grandma and Grandpa Nonn, all her Dora toys from Aunt Shelle, was a hit in her Wild outfit at daycare on Monday, and is anxiously awaiting to get back in her sled (all our snow is melted).

Trav is hoping to get some snowmobiling in tomorrow while I travel to Chicago to hand in my paper. Then Friday we are off to do some skiing while Mara visits at daycare. Mom and Dad need some alone time, too!! Then back to the grind...Argh!!!

Anyway, pictures are coming. I haven't had the time to download them yet...Please be patient.