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!

Littlest Angels

In honor of World Prematurity Day, we are sporting our purple! 

T.W.O.

The BIG day...in quotes:

"Alright Mom...Here's my last picture as a one-year-old!"

"I went up as 1..."

"The moment I turned 2"

"Good morning, 2 year old!"

"My first picture as a 2 year old!"

"...and came down 2!"

"Mommy took us to Legoland for my birthday!"

"My first 4-D movie at Legoland...it was pretty cool!"

"My birthday breakfast!"  (out of order)

"When Daddy got home, we went out for my birthday dinner!  Then we went home for the best part...PRESENTS!"

"Hmmm...okay, gift #1...big girl undies.  I like them cause they have Elmo....but is this really what being 2 is about?  Responsible gifts????"

"Alright, it's getting a little better...I got my own Doodle Pro for the car so I don't have to fight with Abigail anymore.  This is getting better, but still....."

"Oh, a train whistle!  This is fun.  If only I had a...."

"TRAIN!"

"I love my new train table!   Alright, being 2 is pretty fun!!!"

That was Caitlin's big day!!!!  We took her to the museum and 2 Toots over the weekend for our special family outing...and it was even more special  because Lucy was with us!  We also went to a Barbie event at Grandpa's work...so LOTS more pics to come!!!!

Also, in a 2 update, Caitlin is 21.5 lbs (0%) and  34 inches tall (50%).  She will stay on whole milk another 6 months while we try to "bulk her up"!