Breakfast with Santa

On Saturday, we had Breakfast with Santa at Abigail's preschool.  I was excited to go because last year I was home with the stomach flu so Rob took the girls alone..and came home with NO pictures!

After some pancakes....it was time to see the big man!!!!

Breakfast with Santa went about as well as we thought it would after Caitlin's reaction to Santa at the mall.

Here is how it went:

Abigail LOVED Santa.  They were having a conversation...we still aren't sure about what...hopefully Santa didn't promise something like a new baby or a new dog because everyone knows how quiet Abigail talks so Santa may have just been saying "yes" and not sure what it was to....

And you can see my lovebug, Caitlin....holding on to me for dear life...with her eyes closed the whole time!  We tried to lean her in for a picture but she has an amazing ability to lean her body away and knock me over so this is as close as Caitlin got to a picture with Santa this year!

Abigail told Santa she wants a video game that has a camera...she has been asking for it for months and hasn't changed her mind once...and she DOESN'T want to ask Santa for anything else because that's all she wants!  (Hoping Santa shopped EARLY this year because the LeapPad is the hardest gift to find this year and sells out in seconds when a store gets one!  ;) )

And this is my lovebug waiting in line to see Santa.  So excited!!!!!!

I just love how tight she was holding and not opening her eyes.  Her personality makes me laugh so much!!!

The finished picture with Santa...with the big gap where Caitlin should be! :)

Happy now!!!  I should mention Santa gave Caitlin a candy cane (through Abigial) and Caitlin gave Santa a low wave that probably only I saw....but she sure was happy to have her candy cane!!!!  I wish I would have taken a family picture because we were all decked in red and looked so cheesy it would have been a great picture!

And the holidays continue....so much fun!

St. Nick 2011

Last night the girls put out their shoes for St. Nick.  They got wise this year...after the "heel" Abigail put out last year....

They both brought me the biggest shoe they had...and of course pink and purple!

St. Nick just brought a few fun goodies this year.  A microphone, Xmas socks, candy, and notebooks with their initials on them.  St. Nick wasn't the most creative or exciting this year....

But they were happy! (This amount of candy was being consumed around 7am...so yes, it was a long day).

On a side note, do you see the craziness I deal with every morning with Abigail's hair?  It is really out of control...I know we are due for a haircut soon, but regardless, it's crazy.  She has Rob's course hair (even though it's my color) and it's nutso in the morning.  It's a battle every single morning!  I want to cut it short so bad...but daddy has said no!

Grandparents Day...and More!

I forgot to post pictures from Grandparents Day a few weeks ago.  One reason I love Abigail's preschool is because they still do grandparents day.  It continues to be one of the highlights of Abigail's year.  This year my parents came to grandparents day!  Abigail had a great time!  They made a picture frame, a cross, and a handprint for a classroom quilt.  Then they decorated cookies.  I got an extra bonus because I was a classroom mom helper that day so I got to watch the festivities!  Thanks Mom and Dad for taking the day off to spend with Abigail...she loved having you at school with her...and going to 2Toots after!

(Sorry about the pic dad...It was the best I had)

On the way to grandparents day!

Here are some other "catch-up" pictures from my phone:

The girls have really been into Xmas projects and crafts this year.  Here is a little Xmas tree they decorated that they were very proud of.  They also each got their own Xmas tree in their room this year which they LOVE...so if you come to visit, they will probably want you to come see their tree!  I also will post some pics of Elfer, our Elf on a shelf.  He has been very naughty this year...everyone is having a lot of fun with Elfer!

We took the girls to the lighting of the Xmas tree in our town square.  It was a fun night with hot chocolate, smores, carols, and Santa being brought in by fire truck!

An action shot of Abigail from a recent visit to Jumpin Jungle!

On Sunday, the "girls" went out for lunch at Rainforest while Daddy was at the Bears' game.

Tonight we have to put our shoes out cause it's St. Nick's Day....hopefully we've been good and St. Nick brings us something fun!!!!  Pics to come. 

Oh, and also pics from our Breakfast with Santa this weekend.  Do you remember last year's picture????  Get ready for a repeat...sort of!  That picture still makes me laugh so much...and still is the best picture ever!!!  We even have it framed.  One day Caitlin will laugh....but apprently not this year!

Ready, Set, Xmas!

Over Thanksgiving weekend, we took the kids to the Museum of Science and Industry.  I have always wanted to go and see the Xmas tree display...so it was really fun to see it for the first time with the kids!

We got there before it even opened, so we were one of the first in the museum.  For the first hour or so, we literally had the run of the place.  To the point that we were wondering if exhibits were open because we were the only people in them!  (That didn't last long...by noon we were holding on to the kids for their dear lives).

The kids had a great morning exploring the museum....and I think Rob and I had more fun than the kids.  The 2 main things the kids wanted to do were the trains and the fairy castle!  We accomplished much more!  We even took the kids to our old stomping grounds of Taylor Street for lunch.  Very crazy to be there with kids...most my memories were us with Kramer!  :)

Merry Xmas from the Wennerstroms!!!!

The main tree

Trains!  That was at the top of our to-do list because of Caitlin's love for trains!  It didn't disappoint!

The storm exhibit was AMAZING.  This is a real tornado, right in the middle of the museum.  The kids were controlling it...it was awesome! (And GIANT..the picture doesn't do the size justice)

The storm exhibit had so many fun things...I swear half the time I couldn't find Rob cause he was off playing with something.  Abigail kept saying "Daddy's lost again!"

The Slovakia tree.  They have trees from around the world...and the details on each tree is remarkable with ornaments from that country!

The foam curtain!

The tractor.  The kids loved the farm!  (But beware...they have a video of a pig being born but they give no warning so 1 minute the kids are watching the cute movie about pigs..and then BAM...baby!  All the parents reaction was priceless!)

Farmer, maybe?????

Their first time on a plane!  Only the MSI would have a real plane just hanging in the museum!  I think they are ready for a plane trip!

Our visit to the MSI was a great start to the holiday season.

We also got some of our lights up at our house, and some of our decorations!  My mom and I even hit the mall for a while on Black Friday, but Rob had to work so I had the kids...it was dangerous!  ;)  But I have a lot of my shopping already done thanks to the amazement that is Amazon!  And our Elf on a Shelf, Elfer, even showed up this morning!!! Come on Xmas, Bring It!!!  (I know I am a crazy lady for saying this and will regret it later, but I really want snow now...it seems crazy seeing all these Xmas decorations without snow.  As much as I'd love to live in a warmer place, I would miss snow!)

Happy Holidays!!!!

Dear Santa,

Abigail wrote her 1st official letter to Santa!  Mommy helped her with the spelling and added lines after we lost control of the world please, but she did it all by herself!  I have a feeling we will be writing lots of letters to santa in the next month!

Dear Santa

May I please have a

video game

with a camera

Love

Abigail

Thankful. And just plain Full!

This year I have lots to be thankful for.  I am thankful to be married to my best friend.  I am thankful for my 2 beautiful daughters.  I am thankful for my family who supports and loves me unconditionally.  I am thankful for my niece, who makes me smile daily!  I am thankful to get to be with my kids all day everyday....and for the sacrifices my family makes to let me do this!  My plate is full!!!

And I am still full from our Thanksgiving dinner.  My mom outdid herself...again!!!!!  Thanks mom (and dad) for all you do to make our thanksgiving perfect!!!!  And as always, we are so blessed that Rob's parents join my family for Thanksgiving.  It's always great for the families to catch up (and I think we had a drink or two....) and for the kids to spend time with both grandparents at the same time!!!

A random view of the "chaos" that is thanksgiving!

Deep in talk....probably waiting for a turkey to be done!

Rob getting in good with the chef!

Caitlin cudding with Nana!

The turkey "before"

The turkey "after"....deep frying is the only way to cook a turkey!!!!

The thanksgiving crew!!!!  (Dad, I know you LOVE this picture)

I have so much to be thankful for...but these 11 people top my list!!!!

Barbies to Bears....and all inbetween!

Wow...Get ready for A LOT!

This is all from last weekend..I'm not even sure how we fit so much into last weekend!  Maybe that is the reason that this weekend we had the laziest weekend I can EVER remember....

Our weekend (last) started off with Miss Lucy joining us Friday morning!  Rob and I were so lucky because Lucy stayed with us all weekend...it was so fun to have the 3 girls together!!!!!

We headed over to Grandpa's work because they were having a Barbie Party...and what 3 girls wouldn't want to go to a Barbie Party?????  (Well...Lucy could have done without Barbie, but liked all the other things)

Abigail and Caitlin with Holiday Barbie 2011 (Xmas gift idea here)

My dress-up Barbie girl

My other Barbie getting "crowned"...and yes, she picked EVERYTHING red because it matched Elmo.  She also made an ornament here with all red decorations for Elmo....God I love her! 

Thanks Grandpa for having us to your work..it was so fun!  And thanks for lunch!

After the Barbie party, we headed over to pick up Olivia who I watch on Fridays, and then the 5 of us headed to Abigail and Livi's gymnastics class.

A cute pic of Lucy being so good while the big girls did gymnastics. 

After gymnastics we headed to get my last friend for the day, Asher...and then tried to get these 5 to take a nap, feed meals, etc.  Yes, this might have was the part of the day when I started dreaming of my wine after bedtime!  :)  But wouldn't trade it for the world...these 5 kids are really the BEST kids and I love every moment I get to be with them!!!!

Saturday morning started with lots of cuddles!!!

love

and fun baths...and fun playing time!

The 3 girls!!!! 

That afternoon, we headed to the Children's Museum...

and then Two Toots for dinner!  Lucy found her BEST friend here...

Uncle Rob introduced her to a milkshake...hey, at least she's getting her daily dairy intake!

And the best part of the night was when they played the birthday song throughout the restaurant and Caitlin got delivered a birthday cupcake.

She was in birthday heaven!!!  Officially...the 2 year birthday celebration has come to an end for our Caitlin Bug!

Sunday, my parents headed over to our house and we headed down to the city.  The girls (all 3) were dropped off at Jules and Joe...and then my parents took Rob and I to the Bears Game!!!!

Bear Down!!!

It was our first one of the year (a few years ago it would have been crazy if we wouldn't have been to a game before November) and we enjoyed it

until.... 

Joe was putting Vikings things on our daughters....BAD Godfather!!!!!

What a great weekend!!!!

Monday started off a little rough.  Abigail woke up with her eye swollen shut.  She got an infection in her eye.  Luckily, we had a pediatrician appt for Caitlin already scheduled for that morning, so Abigail was able to get seen. It looked REALLY REALLY bad, but she wasn't in pain and she wasn't contagious so it was good!

We hit Starbucks for hot chocolate while waiting for Abigail's medicine.  I LOVE seeing my kids drinking out of starbucks cups...it's NEVER too early to get kids into Starbucks!  And holiday cups none the less.  Good day!

Cute random moment.  I was showering and came out to find the girls sitting at the table in Abigail's room, coloring.  I love them!

By Wednesday Abigail was back to school, and all was back to normal!

Cute picture of Caitlin and Rosie (who I watch one day a week...but it's coming to an end soon and I think Caitlin is really really going to miss her BFF.  Good thing her mommy is one of my closest friends so we will get lots of playdates to keep the BFFS together!)

So...that was our weekend.  BUSY!  But PERFECT!