Christmas Wrap-Up

We packed a lot of family time into a short span for Oliver and Stella's first Christmas. Here is a mostly photo recap of the wonderful holiday that we had!

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve in Minneapolis and headed over to the Christensen household for the evening. We enjoyed lots of yummy appetizers and O & S had fun watching and "playing" with their cousins, Owen, Lydia & Anna. 

Oliver chillin with Lydia & Anna

Stella modeling her (ridiculous) tutu

O & S scheming about how they are going to open all the presents

Stella & Lydia (Lydia told her mom "Oliver & Owen are going to be bffs. And Anna, Stella, and I are going to be bffs. We are going to teach her everything." - SO cute!)

Dad & Oliver

Stella is only 5 months old and already thinks she is too cool for her mom!

Christmas Day

We kicked off Christmas morning with a 225 mile drive to Wisconsin to spend the weekend with the Krueger clan.

There was no shortage of arms waiting to hold O & S when we arrived (Uncle Jeff & cousin Hannah)

And lots of little girls for Stella to play with

Lindsey had Chop for the gift exchange - she picked out the perfect gift......caffeine by way of a gift card to Starbucks

Grandma Krueger loved her new earrings

O & S almost missed Santa

Perfect way to end Christmas day with a little cuddling before baths

Auntie Sharon taught Stella how to play "Schmear" the next day before the Packer game

While Oliver enjoyed a nap in Grandma's arms

Post Christmas

We then packed up and drove another 190 miles to the Lodge in Cumberland, WI for Christmas with the Christensen's. Uncle Jeremy & Aunt Suzette made the trek from LA so the whole family was there. 

Oliver keeping Grandpa and Uncle Jeremy entertained

Want to know the way to Chop's heart? Buy him a pizza oven!

The best gifts we got this year

Stella & Oliver approve of their new toys

After a few days at the Lodge we headed back home to Minneapolis to settle back into a routine (and when I say routine, that means nothing since no day is the same yet!). Despite a few episodes of screaming in the car, it was a successful road trip. It is hard to believe that next year they will be on the move and actually opening their own gifts. And do we dare say sleeping better on the road?! Ha - we know better than that!

Ho, Ho, Ho

Merry Christmas from Santa's little elves!

Time flies......

.......especially when we are having this much fun!

 

O & S are FIVE months old today!

Stella has continued to be our go-getter and never seems to stop moving.

Oliver is still our smiley, laid back boy.

With the craziness of just surviving every day, Christmas seems to have sneaked up on us. But it will be an extra special one this year and we are looking forward to spending it with family. 

To all of our blog followers, friends, & family - we wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with love & laughter!

Twin Talk, Screams & Giggles

We haven't been very good at taking video of O & S. Or maybe it is because up until now they haven't done anything exciting enough to capture on video! In the last few weeks we have started hearing more talking. Then came the giggles. And then over the weekend Stella discovered her scream. We joke that it was funny for about the first 10 minutes and now we realize we are in for it with this little girl.

To catch up on the lack of videos, here are a few for your viewing pleasure!

Water Babies

We ventured out on dad's day off last week for a little fun at the pool. How did it go? No crying or tears = success! 

Oliver is ready to swim......or maybe rumble in the ring.

 

Introducing Stella to the pool.

Our little fish- or should I say big?!

1 + 1 = 2

Exactly one year ago today we found out there we would be having not one, but two babies (that story here). For the next few weeks, we would look at each other, mutter “twins” and start laughing. Wow, how our lives have changed in just one year.

Can't imagine O without S.

Or S without O.

The best part, we don't have to because we were blessed with two amazing, healthy babies.

Snowmageddon!

I'm just going to say it: I love the snow. All of you winter haters can be upset with me, but I just think an over the top snowstorm like the one we got this weekend is the best. Not just 6 inches of snow that makes it a little more difficult to get out, but the kind that makes it next to impossible to step out your front door because the snow drift is so high that the door won't open. 

We got that snow storm this weekend. A total of 17.1 inches fell from Friday night to Saturday night. Not only was it enough to declare two back to back snow emergencies, but the snow also collapsed the roof of the Metrodome. And went down as the 5th biggest snow storm on record.

Since O & S aren't quite old enough to get out and enjoy the snow day, we decided to stay toasty warm in the house. The timing was perfect, as I have a cookie exchange to go to this week so baking was in order for the day. 10 sticks of butter later, we have somewhere around 13 dozen cookies and 2 loaves of banana bread. Whew!

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies anyone?

Oliver helped out.....

And then dreamed of the day that he will get to venture out and build a snowman.......

While baking went on in the kitchen, Stella and dad had some fun of their own.......

It was fun to sit and watch the neighbor walking up and down the street snow blowing it so cars can get through......

And then there is always the person driving a VW Golf that decides to battle the snow......by getting towed down the street.......

It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here these days. I love sitting in our living room and looking at the Christmas cards from family & friends. Puts a smile on my face! 

Baby Talk

(Warning: LONG post)

We have been keeping mom and dad super busy so they have had little time for blogging. So to all of our blogger followers, here is a note from us.

S: I am Stella hear me roar.

O: Whatever, Stella. I'll show you who is boss.

S: I am so excited that I finally fit into this John Deere shirt. It's pink.

O: Mom & dad always say I look like an old man, so I tested out some glasses.

O: They also always say that I look like the old man from the movie "Up". What do you all think?

O: Hey Stella, I am tired of this tummy time too but you need to keep your head up. 

S: No thanks. Mom & dad always talk about wanting us to roll over, I would rather just suck on my hand.

S: Check out my jeggings. Mom says that since she can't pull of the look of jean leggings, that I might as well.

O: Sometimes I fall asleep when I am being fed in my bouncy. Mom and dad say it's because I don't like to take proper naps during the day.

S: Don't hate me because I have chubby cheeks.

S: Hey Oliver, cheer up and check out this guys beard.

O: I like maroon and gold, I don't want to be seen with anyone in red and white. We don't need no stinkin' Badgers.

S: Mom got me this awesome Gap jean overall dress. I like it so much I thought I would eat it. Oh, and Sophie the Giraffe is awesome too.

O: I like to hang out in the bouncy on top of the stove in the kitchen. But don't tell the baby police, they would frown upon that.

S: My bff is Lena. My mom and her mom are bffs. They sit around and talk about tummy tucks and how to get us to sleep longer. We just lay around and kick our socks off.

 

O: Mom makes us do tummy time this way at least once a day. She's crazy.

 

S: Hey furry yellow thing over there. I don't know what you are, but I can't wait until I can get a hold of your tail.

O & S: Bye bye!