A Festive Morning Downtown

Our playgroup met downtown one morning for a round of holiday festivities.  We began downtown at Cathedral Square Park and dropped off letters for Santa.  We really lucked out with the weather and by the end the kids were running around on the playground without coats.  

After that fun we walked a few blocks to BMO Harris Bank.  At their location on Water St. they have been setting up a fun holiday display for 43 years, so we went to check it out.  It did not disappoint, plus free candy canes!

This whole front display was moving.  The kids loved seeing all the little animals in action.

Yay for playgroup outings!

Visit From St. Nick

It is a big Wisconsin tradition to set your shoes outside your bedroom door on the night of December 5th so St. Nick can come leave some early Christmas presents.  This was actually only the second year we've celebrated St. Nick's Day, so we'll see if the kids remember it for next year.  :)

This year the kids each got a new pair of pajamas and their favorite candy.  Initially, Marshall was not happy about his gift, but when we got home from church and the girls put their pajamas on, he quickly joined in on the fun and decided he loved them.  

So many silly pictures.  Rachel's expressions just kill me.  

Silly face time...as if they weren't already being silly.

Love these three goofballs.

Holiday Train

For the first time ever the Canadian Pacific Railroad's holiday train was stopping in Wauwatosa.  Richard was working that night so I braved the crowds, bundled the kids up, and hoped for the best.  The train was awesome, all lit up and festive.

Like I said, the train was awesome...but that was about it!  We had a small encounter with a drunk man who I thought might kidnap Bridget.  Marshall was running and rolling on the grass all night long, even though I warned him against it.  Sure enough, he almost rolled right on to some dead animal.  And to top it all off, Bridget, who had been a real trooper, was freezing by the end of the night.  She cried our entire 15 minute walk back to the car and the entire way home.  We walked in the door at 9:00 pm and I was pooped!  We made some hot chocolate and popped some popcorn though and all was well again.  :)  

Candy Cane Lane

We kicked off December with a trip to Candy Cane Lane and a stop at Krispy Kreme.  It was a good night with this family of mine.

This was the kids' favorite house...for obvious reasons.  

One of my favorite pictures...ever.

November Wrap Up

Random pictures from November...

Love this little lady.

Bridget's self-portrait on the ipad.  I love her eyelashes.

Friday morning doughnut outing at Cranky Al's.  Yum.

I love sleeping children.  :)

Two little girls got into my make up...that I rarely use.  :)

November was so warm!  One afternoon Marshall played football outside and I laid on a blanket and read People magazine.  :)  Perfect.

Rachel cracks me up.

Sisters!  I am so glad they have each other.

An evening out at Le Reve with our dearest friends.  

Someone doesn't quite grasp the concept of snow and cold.  

Sleepover under the Christmas tree!

Rachel is pretty much in full control of what she wears.  Obviously.  

Exhausted.  This is how I feel every afternoon at 1:00.  

Bridget's art work during sacrament meeting.  True love.