Amundsons

Christmas in Wisconsin this year with Grammy and Baba.  Jake's grandma and his cousin Julie were able to join us which made for a festive experience. Charlotte's highlight was the easy-bake over (aka. gender role generator) that Santa brought her.  I would probably protest more (or purchased a tool set for her) if I didn't love cupcakes so darn much.  Charlotte learning to bake really is a win-win for everyone anyway.   This is her first batch of red-velvet cupcakes... hindsight I should have placed a penny next to these so that you could appreciate the size of these "cupcakes".  However even the tiny cupcakes led to a grand tea-party. The other favorite gift was that I downloaded the new Taylor Swift album onto the iPod.  On iTunes you are able to see how many times a song has been played... at last count, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" had been played 55 times.  wow.  just wow.  I tried and could barely get though the who

If you do something 3 years in a row it is a tradition, right?  Well Daniken Tree farm is one of my favorite traditions, even if there wasn't any snow yet on the ground. The angel was my grandmother Elizabeth's.  Growing up I always thought she had the greatest Christmas tree, filled with red velvet ribbons, white lights, tinsel and topped with this golden angel.  It is only right that Claire ELIZABETH gets to start the tradition of putting it on the tree every year. 

For thanksgiving this year we got to head out to NY and spent some time with the fam.  Papi took the kiddos to the horse farm at the college and they got to ride horses that were not attached to a Merry-go-round.    The matching jammie photo. 

Andie has taken our pictures for two years.  Here and Here.   We thought it might be fun to try one of our favorite places in St. Louis this year.   And yep I am currently mesmerized with orange and pink (why oh why do they make me so happy!?!??!?!) 

Claire turned 3 meaning: the jig is up!  No more waking in the middle of the morning to stumble down the stairs for warm Aunt Abby pancakes... no more hanging out watching Max and Ruby in her PJ's til noon ... no more because you are heading to school.  We drop both girls off in the morning at school together.  Matching coats in case they get separated, obviously.   But the preschool brings her home on a preschool bus.  It seems crazy that she is 3 and riding a bus, however it is only other 3 year olds on the bus and she can throw a mean elbow.   So she got off the bus and like any mom I immediately bombarded her with questions:  Did you meet a friend?  Was your teacher nice?  Did you play games?  Do you know the capitol of Illinois yet?  However the only thing I got out of her was, "I need cheese."  Don't we all Claire, don't we all. Beautiful Bear!