I've been right about a few things

In this case when I gave zada my phone to take pictures at the aquarium last week, I just knew I'd end up with at least one picture of the moose's butt. Game over, I'm the winner!

A full field

There was a full field for racing today. It looked good for the Japan car early, only for a surge from one of four Lightning McQueens in the race to break the contest wide open.

How we all feel after Ikea

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At Ikea with a list

The good news is we made it to Ikea. The bad news is everyone else did too! Ai!
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At the rink

Zada and I skated a bit today at the Duluth Heritage Sports Center. We had a handful of adoring fans.
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Elves at work

Grandma Margie had one more decorating job for the kids to do today. We arrived here in time for lunch. Church is at 4pm, with dinner and Bentleyville (Duluth's holiday harbor light display) to follow.

Holiday break pajama party

Now that (almost) all our chores are done, we went over to the neighbors for an impromptu pajama-wearing, popcorn-eating, grinch-watching good time.

Grrrrrr

Not sure what makes me more upset, that she wrote on the car or that she spelled Troy's name wrong!

Should I wear my new hat to church?

Holidazzle!

We've resumed a couple of our Minnesota holiday traditions, including going to the Holidazzle parade with Uncle Russ and Aunt Sue. Merry Christmas!

That's my boy!

Hat hair is the best!

I heart coffee and my kids

Zada and Darby are in a dead heat to be my favorite kid today. Zada jumped up two levels in her ice skating classes and was asked to participate in an enrichment reading group at school.
Not to be easily counted out, Darby was called "a joy to work with" by his school district speech therapist (with whom we met for a half-year review) and he asked for an extra hug and kiss goodbye from me at his preschool.
For all of the lousy anxious days I've had on both kids' accounts, today is a real treat. So I'm at Caribou celebrating with a small, half-caff, mint skim latte. Cheers!

What we leave behind

As the rest of the snow melted this week, we had a good view of our express route to and from school.

Birds of a feather...

flock together!

Too enticing to refuse

When I got home today and opened the front door to let the sunshine in (and Uncle Russ out) I found this sunny spot on the rug too tempting to refuse. After lying prone for two minutes, regrouping from my hectic morning, I grabbed my knitting tote and coffee and finished my current project (shh, it's a Christmas surprise) with the sun on my back. Small wonder sunshine, it's always a winter mood-booster for this cat.

Not a moment too soon

My new long johns arrived yesterday during our first legitimate cold snap (wind chill was -5). I believe these duds and I will be close friends this winter. I also wrote Santa for some new Smartwool socks. Here's to a toasty new year!

Classic kids' lunch

Snow White on Parade

We finished off our trip to Illinois with a small-town Christmas parade featuring the theme, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves." The parade was a hit with all parties, and fortunately the rain held off just until we were headed back to our cars.

Turkey Day 2011

We have had an excellent time celebrating Thanksgiving in Illinois this year. First there was the tasty turkey dinner Thursday, served at noon for optimum afternoon relaxation, then the sunny Friday of outside fun topped off with frosted sugar cookies. We still have about a day left here, but below you will find photographic evidence of our already logged good times.

Newborn Santa hat

My latest creation - this one is in newborn sizing. I am considering holding it for ransom until I receive advance knowledge of the intended baby's proposed names. Then again, maybe the holidays will work their magic and lead me to a more generous mood, say by December 11?

First snow

Troy lined up the usual suspects yesterday while they were playing in this winter's first snow. It turns out our hills that were buggers to sod are just right for sledding. 

Apple hat photo

Yep, I made this! Nope, I can't believe it either!

Fwd: Todd and kids

Todd made us all one of his specialties this morning. Give me an Mmmmmmm for monkey bread! 

Sleepy roadtrippers

I had a quiet ride home from Duluth today, especially with Darby who fell asleep on the way up Thompson Hill, basically in the middle of saying how NOT tired he was. Zada made it all the way to North Branch, where the sun really started slanting into the car. I'll admit it - I was jealous. Wait! It's Sunday and I'm already home. Oh hello, NASCAR nap!

Happy Halloween!

Our friends Tina, Aaron and their son Noah joined our neighborhood gang for some trick-or-treating Monday night. It was super fun and very reminiscent of the days when Tina and I would trick-or-treat around our neighborhood. 

Zada's Target list (with a lunch stop at Subway)

What a weekend!

Friday morning started with a bang, literally. I hit an eight-point buck on the way to a root canal appointment. Long story short, I was fine, the Armada was not, but I still made it to the appointment and we did not keep the deer. Now in retrospect, it might have been cool to hang the antlers in my sewing room, but so much for that thought.

Saturday we met up with my Auntie Kathy and my parents at the Anoka Halloween parade, all while having our basement sheetrock taped and mudded. The weather was entirely perfect for the parade and the kids were getting the hang of grabbing parade candy by the time we left.

Sunday my parents were still here and cousin Chrissie and her son Lucas stopped by to look at some slides my mom had brought of the good old days in 1960s Duluth. Todd and Naomi also drove down to do some quick repair on the Armada to make it road-ready for the drive to Duluth and Todd's place of business, an auto body shop.

All in all, we were quite busy and fortunate really. Thanks to all who made it special.