Snow adventure

After TOO.MUCH.CHRISTMAS (more on that later) we woke up Sunday morning and it became very clear we had to get out and DO something. Kasper was completely against doing anything that wasn't watching Berenstain Bears on the iPad but I eventually wrestled him into his snow stuff and we headed out the door with 2 crying children.

Grumpy kid


Of course Papa and I were spot on and getting outside was the exact right call.










We were assuming we'd walk most of the way and sled if the opportunity arose but Kasper rode the whole way hanging on with one arm while the other acted as a snow plow. He said he was making the trail nice for everyone else to walk on. What a helpful kid, huh??












Marlo and I had fun with the carrier. She is such a trooper.


The fort all covered with snow!






A plane!




"It look likes there's an animal on your head. Papa."

Finally a little sledding to end the adventure.




A lovely morning and the perfect end to our busy holiday.

Marlo's birthday

I forgot my camera in St. Cloud when we came home yesterday. Such a bummer! I can share some pictures from Marlo's birthday, though.

Marlo's birthday was a very full day! There were things I wanted to do for her to start some birthday traditions, we had to close some other traditions, I had to do some baking and cleaning, etc, etc, etc. In the end we spent the day all together and that's all that matters.

We started Marlo's birthday with the customary animal pancakes!





After breakfast we tried to take Marlo's 12 month picture.


As I mentioned before, she was NOT into it.

We had to try a couple times during the morning and the picture I included in her 12 month post was the best I got.


LOOK AT THAT FACE. If that is not a sassy one year old then I don't know what a sassy one year old looks like.

The kids went down for their nap around 1 and Rob and I did some last minute preparations - I got the cupcakes together and put up some decorations, Rob finished the video.

(My icing skills are severely lacking.)

The beginnings of a giant gift pile.


We invited family to celebrate the birthday with us. Everyone showed up around 3 while Sleeping Beauty slept until after 3:30! I changed her clothes, putting her into this ridiculous get-up, and walked her out to the party. She was SO cute as she walked into the kitchen. She just stopped and took everyone in.





She warmed right up to everyone. With a little help from brother.

(In between these 2 photos, Kasper ran away and put his Cuddl Duds on. He is OBSESSED.)






We ordered pizzas for dinner then it was time for the main event!



Kasper totally cried when we sang happy birthday when he turned one. Marlo just wanted to dig in.


She was so cute and dainty, picking at the frosting on her cupcake.







She only liked the frosting. No thanks to the cake.


Brother devoured his. In fact, he might've had 2.


I wish I had a picture of the enormous gift pile before Kasper started to tear into them as he "helped."


Marlo LOVED this quilt from Grandma Sandra. She lays on it and points out all the ladybugs.


When it was time to go to bed, everyone went home. Kasper stood by the window and waved as everyone left. When the last car was gone he said "Bye bye everyone. Thank you for loving me." That kid is the cutest. And is SO ready for it to be his birthday.

And just like that Miss Marlo turned one! The rest of the evening I looked through pictures from the night Marlo was born. And had a good laugh.


Whew! Birthday #1 down.