Thanksgiving in Minnesota

Wednesday, November 26: We had an evening flight to Minneapolis. We were supposed to leave around 6:45, but didn't end up leaving until 10:45!  There were mechanical issues with the first plane they were trying to repair, after an hour they decided we better get a new plane. So we had to wait for that, and moved over one gate. However, once it got closer to boarding time, they said our flight crew left and we needed to wait for a new one... they would be landing about 9:30 at a different terminal. Oh my word, meanwhile we have a restless toddler whose normal bed time is 7:30. I thought for sure he would sleep on the plane, but by then he was so tired, he wouldn't sleep. I think he fell asleep for about 20 minutes before the plane started to descend. : (  Jen and MK picked us up about 1:00am. By the time we got back to their house and settled it was at least 2:00am before we got to sleep.

Thursday, November 27: Happy Thanksgiving!
We had a few hours of sleep and up by 7:00am. Grandma & Grandpa Janssen, Debbie, Bradley and Garry were also at the Swanson's for the Holiday.  We had lunch, took some naps while others watched football, played some games, and boys went to Target for "Black Friday " deals. While we were there, Andrew stayed in Allie's room. They had already bought her a toddler bed although she was not using it yet. They were best buds the whole week.

Friday, November 28: We drove to Crystal for day 1 of Kuklenz Christmas. Spent the whole day there enjoying food, gifts and games.

Saturday, November 29: We drove to Crystal for day 2 of Kuklenz Christmas. It was more food, fellowship and games!! So good to see everyone!

Sunday, November 30: We spent the rest of our vacation with the Swanson Family. Since MK had to go back to school on Monday, we ventured to the MOA for rides!  A first for Andrew!!! We went on almost every little kid ride. We finished with the log ride (MK's idea).  Andrew was tall enough to ride.  MK, Josh, Andrew and I rode, although I hesitated because that was going to be a lot of weight for the boat and I new we (or atleast whoever was in the front) was going to get wet. MK and Josh in the front, Andrew and I in the back. Sure enough, MK got soaked. We had to take her to the bathroom to dry her clothes as we were fixing to leave and it was only 7 degrees that day. Poor thing froze! Came home for lunch and naps. Just played and rested for the afternoon and evening

 Monday, December 1: I bundled up and took MK to the bus stop. BRRRRRRR
Josh and I met MK for lunch at school and spent the rest of the day at home. That evening, the Swanson's watched Andrew while Josh and I went out with my friend Sarah and her boyfriend, Eric, We went to Old Chicago - delicious pizza!

Tuesday, December 2: We met with travel agent to start planning our Disney Cruise with the Swanson Family. We decided on 5 day trip on the Disney Dream starting February 1, 2016. Then we headed to Pizza Ranch for lunch and back home for naps. That evening Josh watched Andrew and Allie while Jen and I took MK to her Christmas play rehearsal at Church. Ended the evening with Starbucks hot chocolate. Yummm

Wednesday, December 3: Our last day of vacation. Not much happened today, just hung around the house and packed up our things. Went to the airport that afternoon after an early nap and got home around 6:00pm. Luckily no flight delays this time.  Thanks to our Minnesota families for hosting us. We had a wonderful time!!!

Mary's Visit

Mary had the whole Thanksgiving week of from College. She came to visit us Friday evening thru Monday morning. We didn't do anything that exciting, but it was nice having her visit.

Our Little Turkey!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I have ALWAYS wanted lights on our house growing up. Now that we own our own home, I was determined to finally have them.  Nothing fancy, but festive.  I LOVE them!

An early snow fall

We got a little bit of snow in North Texas... just a light dusting. Thankfully there was no ice on the roads so everything stayed open the following day.

Soccer Starts

Andrew is starting a new sport,Indoor Soccer!  This weekend was just a practice to get them used to it. But normally it is 5 on 5 games with 8 minute quarters.

A Chilly Ride

I picked Andrew up from Daycare and he wanted to play outside. Of course it was like 29 degrees outside and very windy. The windchill made it like 20.  We rode around the block and had very red cheeks when we got back.

Girls Weekend

Friday morning mom, Jackie and I hit the road towards Houston to have a fun girls weekend.  On our way down we stopped in Corsicana to visit the Scrappin' Goodtime store. It is a scrapbook store and retreat. http://www.scrappingoodtime.com/ This store had many brands and a large variety of double sided paper than we've seen anywhere. We were there on the day of the owners 13th anniversary of opening the store. It is quite a place and we will definately be stopping at this location again!

Then we were off to Applebees for lunch and then visited the Collin Street Bakery where we tried to purchase a pumpkin pie. They only had pecan, apple and fudge pie.  So PLAN B, we will pick one up with groceries in Houston.

We arrived in Houston around 2:45pm, shopped for some groceries at HEB (to surprise Audrey with our early arrival and dinner).  We got to Karl and Audreys house around 3:30pm, unloaded the truck and proceeded to start dinner.  It was a quickly prepared (mini-Thanksgiving) meal: Turkey,  potatoes/gravy; baked sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Friday evening we showed everything we brought for ftuture Baby Girl Kuklenz.

  I brought her a big green tub of baby toys, bottle rack, sippy cups, changing pad and covers, boppy pillow and cover, receiving blankets, breast milk refrigeration package, musical activity center, pack n play, and infant car seat and base.

  Mom gave her a baby album, some stuffed animals, mommy to be 2014 - Hallmark Christmas ornament, girly outfits and a large supply of bibs. She also got her the crib bumper. Jackie brought a ton of Auntie and Uncle onesies, some stroller/carseat toys.

 

On Saturday morning, Karl and Audrey made breakfast burritos while I made pumpkin dip.

After clean up, we began crafting. Jackie made wine cork angels

 Attach ribbon

 Attach hanger.

 She made a whole container full.

 and then was PHOTOBOMBED by Karl.

I made two types of wreaths. A Christmas (tied ribbon) wreath and a peacock wreath
 (christmas gift for Josh's grandmother to put on her nursing home door)

 Add narrow width - purple glitter deco mesh

 Add peacock and peacock feathers as embellishments.

 

 Mom also made a tied ribbon wreath. In addition to two Christmas wreaths.

 

I purchased two picks: 1 ornament balls, the other was twists/curls in the same colors.

Audrey disassembled an old Christmas wreath and spruced it up! Then she saw my deco mesh wreath and wanted to make one for Valentines day. So off to Hobby Lobby we went then back home to finish the wreaths.

All our crafts!

We finished up crafting by 5pm and got dressed up to go out for dinner.

 Dinner reservations at 7pm.  J. Alexanders - Houston.