It seemed like Christmas morning came quickly. We were awake and moving around by about seven. Lindsay and Matthew first noticed their stocking filled with all kinds of treasures. Then we moved on to the presents under the tree. We had a great time exchanging them with each other. 

Lindsay and Matthew with their big candy canes and bears out of there stockings.

Joe with his stocking full of just fun size snickers bars!

Lindsay loved her new water colors!

Once Matthew opened his new cars, that you can shoot off across the room, he didn't seem to notice much else!

We had a wonderful Christmas all day long! After presents and breakfast and getting ready for the day, we drove out to Grandpa and Grandma Blomstedt's house to enjoy dinner and spending time with family!

Christmas Eve

Celebrating Christmas Eve as just our family was a new thing for us this year. We have always been with grandparents and other relatives on this day. This year Joe had to work until early afternoon. While he was at work the kids and I had fun wrapping the last gifts, singing all the Christmas songs we could think of and making our special dinner. We wanted to have a nice almost formal dinner for Christmas Eve. The kids always love it when we use the "good" dishes and glass glasses, so this was to be part of the dinner. On our menu was Corned Beef Roast, Scalloped Potatoes, Lettuce Salad, and Green beans. Sparkling Juice to drink and Cheese cake for dessert. It was a very nice meal. I love it when the kids use their manners and it is just a wonderful time! 

After dinner we had a lesson about Jesus and how Christmas is to celebrate his birthday. We read the story of his birth out of the book of Luke. 

After the Christmas lesson, the kids were both given their Christmas Eve present to open. As a child receiving pajamas on this night was one of my favorite traditions. So, we kept it around!

Getting ready

Cinderella! Yay!

Mater! McQueen! 

Posing in front of our Tree in their new Jammies!

After opening their new jammie's it was time for a family movie. This year Joe picked the new movie, his choice was Mega Mind. I think everyone mostly enjoyed it. 

Over all we had a very relaxing Christmas Eve together as a family.

Visiting the North Pole at Cody Park

Unlike years in the past, Lindsay was very excited to see Santa this year. It was getting close to Christmas and we hadn't seen him yet and she was actually getting nervous. It was a good that Santa was at the "North Pole" the Saturday before Christmas!

Lindsay with Santa. She asked him for a dream lite pet. 

Matthew was still a little to shy to ask for anything this year,
 but was happy to sit on his lap to get that candy cane!

Coming out of the ginger bread house.

On the carousel

On the horse pulled sleigh looking at all the lights.

On the swings

Lindsay the snowman.

Matthew the snowman.

Riding the carousel

Santa Lindsay on Snowman Matthews shoulders.

Daddy pulling the sleigh!

 After such a fun time and some hot cocoa it was time to snuggle in the blankets at home!

Blomstedt Family Dance 2012

The weekend before Christmas most of the Blomstedt family was able to get together. We had a whirl wind of a day with all the activities planned. Friday was ended with a family dance.  I failed to get my camera out very often so I only have a couple of pictures. 

These first two pictures are of most of the cousins sitting down to eat. After all the activity of the day everyone was ready to eat! 

Grandpa and Ashley Dancing

Grandma and JJ Dancing

Kian (? correct me if i am wrong) and Emma dancing. I love the look on his face

Lindsay loved dancing. She also loved taking a cookie break.
 Someone brought her favorite, sugar cookies!

We, as always, had a great time seeing everyone who was here and missed those who weren't. We can't wait until next time!

Bathroom Floor

We unexpectedly had to redo the main bathroom's floor this last week. We were planning on doing it next spring because we knew the laminate in there wouldn't late long. The laminate had not been installed correctly.  But, due to a slow sink leak and a toilet with a bouncy ball, we had the privilege of fixing it early!

Since we were not planning it at this time I failed to take before pictures. This Picture is from when we moved in  in July. You can kind of see the fake pink swirly tiles with glitter in them.  They went shoulder level around the room. and you can see the laminate floor as well. 

Here is a close up of the laminate. I grabbed my camera after most of it was pulled up. 

The linoleum that was under the laminate. 

Under the linoleum was a layer of tar paper and then the wood sub floor. 

 We just had to replace a couple of the boards. Most of it was still dry because of the layer of linoleum under the laminate. I did not take pictures of the sub floor going in.

Tile being laid

This was when we got to the tricky part. Joe did a very nice job cutting the tiles just right for this little space. 

 A few after pictures. 

The fake pink tiles all painted white!

Here is the bathroom all done for now. I am sure as time and money permit more changes will be made in the future.  For now the floor is fixed, the leaks are all gone and no more 80's( or maybe 90's can't decide) pink on the walls!