Doing Laundry

(Guest post by Kelly.  What happens at Kelly’s stays at Kelly’s.  Or, at the very least, ends up on the internet.)

I’ve seen mom do this.

I just need to shove it all in…

Then shut the door.  Easy!

Wait, I may need a little help.

“Peyton, can you get this?”

“DJ, you’ve got to do it like this.”

It’s kind of like putting on skinny jeans, you have to push, pull, and squeeze.  Like this…

Ta-Da!

Laundry.  Check.

Fun was Had by All!

 Well Kids, Santa stopped by to talk to Dad while he was at the car wash and

just look at what he left for you!

He couldn't fit it in the sleigh with him so he gave it to Daddy to bring to you!

 And....they never looked back!

 Two very happy children.

 DJ singing for his Great Grandpa Nicolai. Grandpa started singing Winter Wonderland and DJ started singing Five Little Monkeys Swinging in the Tree. Neither one knew each others song so they both kept singing till finally Grandpa gave in and listened to DJ.

 Everyone together for a photo op.

Grandpa is messing with DJ.

DJ has a hold of his finger trying to keep him under control.

Happy as can be.

 Dad showing Mom how to work her new Snap On Tool....ooops....I mean Jewelry Box.

 Santa visited the Nicolai Household. He brought everyone gifts, except Cam and I.

Peyton noticed too! She said to Cam "Daddy.....Santa forgot you and Mom!"

Next year we will have to think that through a little better.

Christmas Morning ~ Huh, Santa did listen!

He cried for this Mickey every time he seen it in the store.

 Hmmmm....what could this be?

 We had such a fun Christmas morning at the house.

Peyton woke up first. She came to our bedroom and said

"Momma, he was here" "He left stuff in the living room!" "Come look!"

 A little taste of the good stuff. Or so he thinks!

Working Hard to get the gifts open!

 Peyton modeling her bracelets. Don't mind the tongue sticking out. It is a trend for the Nicolai blood.

 Ok. Ever heard of the game Quelf?

Me either, till now.

We gave it a shot.

We laughed so hard I think at one point we were all crying.

Lois got to make Larry into a dummy and play out a story about a squirrel and a rabbit.

 One of Kelli's rules was that she could not bend her arms or legs. They had to remain straight at all times.

 Cam had to keep his hand in a bowl of warm water throughout the game.

I got to sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in a different language (Dung, Doing, Da Dong Da Doing)

Tyler sang with his belly button.

Holly did some magic tricks.

All in all, we had fun.

Even Peyton enjoyed putting on a show for everyone by mimicking my every move.

  

Huge Sigh of Excitement! 

My very own guitar! 

I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas.

Time was spent with all family.

All sides, near and far.

The kids got everything they wanted and we didn't break the bank.

Everyone laughed.

At one point or another, everyone laughed.

Peyton said "Mom, this is the best day ever!"

DJ said "Santa come again tomorrow"

I can't wait to do it all over again!

Recitals, Christmas Programs and Stitches

Daddy and Brother waiting patiently for Peyton's recital to begin.

There is something about my little boy proudly wearing his Daddy's hat that makes me smile.

 Okay, sideways, but what isn't in this family?? Right?!?!

This is her pose she gave before the recital.

 And........stiff as a rock. No movement at all.

Unless you count putting her fingers into her mouth.....she did manage to do that.

 Still stiff....nothing....no reaction....nothing.

Now this leads up to the question......

Should I keep her in dance? She likes it, she says, but she never participates.

 I have to admit, this is the only picture I have of Peyton with Santa. Nice shot!

Her backside, his outsides, whatever works, I guess.

 Peyton had her Christmas Party at Preschool. I spent the day with her. Don't worry, when it came time to sing and perform, she did nothing, so you didn't miss much.

 Decorating cookies at the Party.

 Making her wreath

 Putting puzzles together

 Spelling her name and counting the dots on the dice

Oh, yeah, by the way.......
My son thinks he can fly!

He told me "I was flying Momma!" "Got hurt really bad, yeah, bad!"

His first two stitches. I am sure they will not be the last.

Yes, for the first time ever, I almost passed out in the room while they were doing stitches.

Peyton had to take care of me.

It got to the point of not being able to see, I could only hear the voices.

She talked to me and rubbed my head while I held DJ's hands in comfort.

Poor guy had no idea that Mom was in worse shape than he was.

I couldn't see!

Words to live by:

Live each day in the moment

Be sure the moment includes everyone you love

Make decisions for you and your family, not just yourself.

This is how memories are made

We took the kids up to Phalen Park to check out the lights. It is such a cool display.
The kids were so excited to see them this year compared to last year.

This one was Peyton's favorite. The prince is putting the red slipper on the princess and Tinkerbell flies through the air from one castle to the next.


And.....we have snow!!
Of course Cam had to try it out too!

Tyler took DJ down for his first time sledding.

DJ loved it!

He went down himself the rest of the time.

He yelled "Weeeeeeee Weeeeeee" the whole way down the hill, every time.

Kind of like that commercial with that pig in the backseat hanging his head out the window saying "Weeeee Weeee Weeee".

Cam took Peyton down for her first trip, with the help of Tyler for some extra speed.

This is the first year that Peyton liked sledding.

All the years past she cried and wanted to go in the house.

She was laughing so hard.

The almighty Berg Christmas tree selection.

Peyton picked hers out!

Just her size.

We will be back for him in a few more years. He needs to grow some more.

And......the selection has been made.

And.......it is down for the count.

Check out those muscles!

Good job guys!

DJ had to show his muscles a little more.

And this is how memories are made!

Pretty cool sequence huh?

I love my camera.

Thanks Tom for the tickets to the game.

Even though they lost, it was fun.

My first Vikings game.