Winter play

This has been an exceptionally hard winter in MN with lots of snow and bitter cold. Thus far our district has missed 5 days this year, all in January, due to extreme cold. The Governer mandated one of them for the whole state to close schools as the temps reached -20 degrees.  In all of Noah's school years I think they have missed like 1-2 snow days total in 6 years and this year it is 5 in a month. Crazy. We have 2 make up days scheduled so far but at least they were teacher workshop days snd not tacked onto the end of the year. 

Before the crazy cold hit there was some fun time to play in the snow...never too old for that. And we have our huge snow mountain again in the front...the boys are digging a fort into it until the city comes and hauls it away again. 

Then on Xmas day a bunch of the friends did groups out at Afton Alps since everyone had the day off. Noah tried Snow Boarding but ended up going back to Skiing which was more familiar. He hurt his leg on the slope though midst through the morning so then was indoors and not as happy. Maybe try again next year!! ;)

Even Baxter got in on winter play day dates. One Sunday it felt warm (about 35 degrees...heat wave) and we went to Malms to let the pups burn off some energy in the snow. Fun with the fur babies!!

Baxter wouldn't cooperate for a 3 doggie photo op. Oops. 

Just much snow!!

Spring is coming...right??

Noah's first Band Concert

December 12th was the first band concert for 6th grade. Noah has been playing Saxophone since August and it was fun to see the class progress. It is a large band since all if 6th grade has to pick either Band or Choir. 

This was a Demontration Concert st Tartan so it was just showing the progression of learning for all the instrument groups.

Then they finished with a song that the entire band played. Pretty good for a few short months of learning. Looking forward to seeing the progression this year. Good job kids!!

Mr Evans, the band Director

After the concert...he did good! Proud parents. :)

Chambers visit December 2013

In December my nephew (my sister Sharon's son) Mathew came back to MN for a visit. He is in the Air Force and doesn't get back home often. This visit was extra special since he had his wife Nikki and their new little baby Kaleigh with him. 

We had them over for a meal and to visit and catch up and then we helped Sharon throw a little party for them at Mary's party room to celebrate their wedding Anniversary, Kaleigh's birth and a farewell since they are moving so far away. They are getting transferred to Okinawa Japan in a January for like 4 years. 

It was good to see all the extended family and since everyone brought food there was plenty to enjoy eating while catching up. Mat had all his Grandmas there too, so that was a nice family treat. 

Great-Gramma Kathy got some snuggle time at our house when they came to visit

Noah got a turn too

So little and cute!

Snacks for the party

Sharon made them their favorite carrot cake and made it extra special (they got married when Mat was in Guam so family didn't get to go to wedding)

Yum pizza bites

Our fun spread that everyone contributed to

Monica visiting with her Grandma Jean and Uncle David

Gramma Kathy's turn again

More visiting

The kids had fun, we brought the Xbox

Brent getting Kaleigh to smile 

There it is... Best smile of the day

Gramma Sharon's turn

Fun and games with Monica's kids and Nate's kids

The happy couple

Handmade baby blanket

Cute girl clothes for the baby

More clothes

Time to bundle up for the cold drive

They were in MN for a couple weeks them FL to see Nikki's family then time to pack up and move. They are now settling into life in Japan. We get to enjoy pics on FB to watch them for the next few years. 

25 years!!

In November Brent hit a major milestone...25th service anniversary at Target! He started back at Rivertown Trading Co before we got married and RTC got bought out by Target in 1998 so all the years combine. He got a party budget from work but his group didn't require it to all be for work attendees so we got a special fun dinner out, plus he will get to do a small work group lunch too. Fun reward! Us and Malms went out to Fogo de Chao at City Center in a Minneapolis on a Saturday night. Oh my! What good food! It is a Brazilian Steak House. The waiters wear "Goucho pants" and deliver meat on sword like skewers. You flip your little disk from green to red if you need a break from meat and also a wonderful salad bar. Great friends who have been with us all of these years and great food. Fun night!!