Thanksgivukkah 2013

For one time in our lives, Hanukkah and Thanksgiving overlapped.  It made for a busier than usual November, combined with Daddy and Sofia's birthdays, mine and Daddy's business trips and our typical chaos.  We managed to see family and friends though!

I even got to see my side of the family (Grammy, Uncle Larry, Aunt Marlys and Aunt Elaine).

Sofia's 6th Birthday

Our last birthday at Pump It Up... 

We celebrated with lots of kids and presents!  Sofia has come a long way this year and we are grateful that so many could join us!

Mom and Dad's Simultaneous Business Trips

One of the tips for a happy marriage is, "Walk in a mile your spouse's shoes".  In October I was in St. Louis on business for a week.  The trip went okay, but I missed my family!

Then this past week Daddy and I both had to be in Las Vegas for different business conferences.  We left on a flight together Sunday and finally had 2 minutes for a conversation on Wednesday.  I got back on Thursday night/Friday morning and Daddy got back late Friday night.

We spent Saturday out and about together at the Mill City Museum.  The Flour Tower ride was cool, as was the Minnesota history.

Halloween 2013

The pictures say it all.  A witch and a huntress. 

Then there's me still fitting into my old skydiving gear!  Though I was asked by a kid if I was "Iron Man".  Crazy kid not recognizing a skydiver!

Thanks for joining us again this year Papa!

Adventures with my daughters and their friends

I was gone for a business trip all of last week.  Daddy did great single-parenting all week and there were no problems.  The grandparents all helped out too.  We really are blessed to have all the support we do.  I missed my family so much travelling, but it was good to know they're fine without me.  It was wonderful to have everyone pick me up from the airport, so thanks for making that happen!

I was so happy to be home... I forgot how lonely the road can be.

Yesterday we rode our bikes for a picnic at a park.  It was cold and windy, but we still made it fun playing games.  Then I took Samantha to the library and out to a bookstore.  We spent the rest of the day simply relaxing.

Today we began the day with some relaxation and a bike ride to tire Ely out.  Then I took the girls and their friends to a nearby zoo.  There were 5 girls total and they were all fantastic.  After we dropped the last friend off, the girls and I talked about the challenges and what we'll do differently next time.  I was really impressed with everyone's behavior as well as my own.  We ran out of time, but we all had fun and got plenty of exercise walking around.

Sofia's Consecration

It's tradition for Jews to celebrate a child beginning her Jewish education and we celebrated Sofia's today.  She was very proud of herself and it was special.  Sofia just shines.

Husky Hustle 2013

Fundraising for the girl's school is getting donations for a 5K walk/run.  All of us did it last year and this year Ely came too.  I walked and ran with Sofia and her friend Zella while Daddy was with Samantha and Allie. It rained at the end which is why you see Ely soaked afterwards.  He was worn out!

First Day of School (Sofia's off to Kindergarten!)

Sofia went on the bus today with Samantha to her first day of Kindergarten!  I'm filled with emotion and pride thinking about her waving from the bus.  Yes, everyone is right when they say our children grow up too fast.  I understand it's one of those "Circle of Life" things and it's not that I want her to stay young forever.  I consider it one of the greatest privileges to watch my children grow and I love the fact that I truly enjoy the people my kids are.  They are going out into the world equipped with as much wisdom as we can give them and are both incredible girls.

Daddy and I are so lucky!

Labor Day Weekend 2013

This weekend was awesome!  We ended the summer with friends and family time.  Samantha had a friend sleepover on Friday while Sofia went to a friend's house for a playdate.  Sofia swam at her friend's pool and I took Samantha and Allie swimming.  Then we all went out for ice cream.  When we got home, the older girls vegged in front of the TV for a bit before eventually falling asleep by 11pm.

Saturday began with a big breakfast and a bike ride to a local beach, then to the coffee shop.  Then I took Samantha and Allie portaging and swimming to Lebanon Hills.  The hiking went quickly as I managed to carry the canoe by myself.  I was very proud of myself.

We celebrated my birthday with a trip to the Bad Waitress.  It was a fun restaurant that we haven't been to and went to "that park".  It was a good day for us all.

More Summer Highlights

Here are some other highlights from the past season.  I have an awesome family!

Samantha baking with her cousins.

Block Party

The ice cream truck!

Trips to Farmer's Markets.

Happy Father's Day!

 An impromptu parade with friends.

Dinners with Grammy.

A spring anomaly... yes, that's an iceberg.  I know every year the weather seems crazy, but this spring really was nutty!

Time spent with one kid at a time...

Sleepovers

Ely doing his part in the battle with buckthorn.

And relaxing.

Time with friends.

Teamwork in our community... I should add that no one was paid for their work.

New adventures for our family at the Aquatennial this year.

And ending an era of gymnastics...