Minnesota snow

This sled has been used for many generations.

Julia trying to figure out how she was going to follow the 'big kids' through two feet of snow.

Cousin Brittany taking the girls for a ride.

Aunt Tracy helping Julia find a world record icicle.

John Deere girls

I cannot begin to explain how much these two liked the John Deere. Smiles, clapping, glees. Jocelyn actually started it twice...don't tell Uncle Troy!

FINALLY made it to MN

Happy Birthday Aunt Tracy!

Jocelyn opening her presents.

Julia enjoying some time thinking with Grandpa Rupp.

Tim and Nick....very handsome. ;)

a very, very, very white Christmas

Julia trying to catch snowflakes with her tongue.

21 inches of snow in two days. Our travel plans were altered, but we got the White Christmas we hoped for. We actually got stuck in the snow driving a few blocks to Aunt Laurie's house. Crazy.

This picture makes me smile. Grandma Diana fell down trying to get Hannah unstuck from a snow drift and took Abigail down with her.

Notice the snow in the background! Julia and Jocelyn were chasing the sled!

we love our cousins

We wish you a Merry Christmas

fa la la la la

We let the girls open their Christmas presents this weekend. At first they didn't know what to do; I don't think they realized there was something inside the wrapped box. But, soon enough they were ripping things open and doing the 'happy dance.' The prize present was definitely the talking doll, stroller, highchair, and play crib. Such little girls...

sugar, sugar

Sprinkles, sprinkles, and more sprinkles. I figured they couldn't do anything a vacuum couldn't handle.

Eagerly waiting to taste their masterpieces.

The little cookie monsters.

festival of lights

We enjoyed a night at the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens. It was actually crazy cold; quite appropriate. The girls loved their "bucket strollers."

gingerbread house

We decided to build and decorate a gingerbread house tonight. The girls LOVED it! To my surprise they were really in to it. Julia kept "squealing" with giggles. Oh, how I love my girls...

I helped a little with this side...

Jocelyn's roof side is on the left--Julia's is on the right. Funny, it kind of reminds me of how they did the pumpkins. They were so cute...they kept gathering up their candy from the muffin tins and organizing it on the table in front of them before putting it on.

here comes santa claus...

We went to Holidays in the Park this morning. We told the girls we were going to see Santa and he would give them a candy cane. They clapped in excitement!

I love taking pictures on railroad tracks...Tim thinks I'm an endangering mother. I think they're cute.

Apparently not fans of Santa again this year. At least there were no real tears this time...progress.

Is it the beard? The funky red costume? Maybe next year they'll figure out what this guy is all about.
A nice couple gave us tickets for the rides so we thought we'd give them a spin. The carousel and spinning tea pots were great. Tim will never admit it, but he had a lot of fun spinning that teapot! ;)