Starting the Living Room

This past week the fish tank had a little leak in the caulking around the bottom lip. Because of this leak we had to drain all the tank and re caulk all the edges (just to be safe). While the tank was down for the count I decided that I wanted to relocate were it sits in the living room. But, before i moved it there, I realized that we were not moving it again. So, we went to Menard's and picked out a paint color and started in on doing the walls in the living room. We took down one layer of sheet wall paper and one layer of border wall paper.  Spackled, primed and painted and now the first section of the walls in the room is complete!

A close up of the sheet wall paper.

Corner with fish tank in new place. Complete!

The layers and different stages of the process.

Where fish tank was before.

The mint green paint and the flower border wall paper that is under the sheet wall paper.

One corner down, 3 more and some wall in between to go!

Baby Mikayla is here!

My sister, Katie, had her baby Mikayla on January 2nd. Lindsay, Matthew and I traveled to Lincoln to be with her for a little while. Mikayla was born at 32 weeks because of complications that Katie was having. She weighed 4 pounds and 4 ounces. At the time of her birth she was expected to be in the NICU until at least her due date which was to be the end of February. 

While I was in Lincoln I spent most of my time with Katie and helping her prepare to leave for home with her sweet baby still at the hospital. The day that Katie was released from the hospital we headed for home since Lindsay had preschool start up again. 

Lindsay showing Katie some cute Preemie and New born outfits we found. And some that were given to her from others!

Katie meeting Mikayla for the first time!

And then this is the day after we came home, she was able to hold her for the first time at five days old!

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!