Skiing in Mankato

Barry, me, my dad & Brody, ready to hit the slopes.

Brody & me

Brody gets ready to get on the lift for the first time. On the ride to Mankato, he was telling Omi & Papa all about chair lifts.

The handle on his backpack is perfect for getting him on the lift.

Success as Omi looks on. Side note: On the last chair lift ride of the day, his skis got stuck under him and they popped off. The chair lift guy had to stop the lift to run give them back to Brody. I was very happy that Brody didn't freak out at all.

First run down.

If I'm being honest, the chair lift was Brody's favorite part.

Barry & Brody ready for their last run, which turned out to be a bigger hill than we thought.

Whoops...probably should have saved this hill for next time.

To finish out the day, we all went tubing. Brody had a BLAST! Those tubes go flying down the hill, I was surprised that he wasn't scared (cause I was a little bit).

We went skiing at Mount Kato, Brody's first adventure at a ski hill. He did really well considering it was his first time, he's not even four yet, and how long we kept him out there.

Christmas with the Parks

Steve & Cindy spent Christmas Day at our house. The boys enjoyed having three different gift opening sessions!

Christmas Morning

The boys woke up on Christmas morning to find their stockings full and a big package from Santa. They were both excited to open their loot, especially the kitchen. Brody has the best reactions when opening gifts, he jumps up and down with joy!

Christmas Jammies & Books

The boys got matching jammies from Omi. Here they are with the books from Omi & Papa that have Omi & Papa reading to them.

Farm Fun

The weekend before Christmas we spent some time at the farm to enjoy a bunch of outdoor activities. Brody went skiing down the driveway and sledding down the hills, but his favorite was the snowmobile ride. Maverick enjoyed the fruits of our labor inside; the krumkake.

Docken Christmas 2013

We hosted the Docken Christmas this year. We were able to get a nice photo of the four of us and one of the whole crew. Mara and Mav wore matching Santa diapers. The look on Mav's face when Mara has on the elf headband is priceless!
Award for most enthusiastic reactions while opening presents goes to Brody. He was particularly excited about the combine. We passed them every other day this fall on the drive home and he really really want a great big one!

Jammies!

Brody wanted foot pajamas and Omi found matching ones for the boys, score!

Brody was cooperative in taking a nice photo in his new jammies.

Book time before bed with daddy.

Mieska Christmas 2013

All nine kiddos in one shot.

By now, Maverick had ditched the group, but the big kids were all doing the motions and Mara was watching.

"Check out these shiny green things!"

The boys all get in a shot. There's mischief in Maverick's eyes, I don't like the looks of that.

My boys both sitting and smiling.

The girls join the picture, we're missing Mara though.

I've been taught that skittles make a great bribing tool for photos.

Omi & Mav share a gingerbread cookie.

Yum!

Me and my boys.

We celebrated Christmas with the Mieska side about a week ago. The nine Minnesota cousin's kids put on a little Christmas concert and a few of them stuck with it to the last song. The kids did projects and opened a small little present, the adults had an ugly sweater contest (my Grandma won!) and we all had fun eating and visiting.

Brody's First School Christmas Program - 2013

Brody said, "What can we give to Jesus this Christmas?"

He finally spotted me and cracked a smile.

Then he waved:)

They were supposed to be praying. In preschool they must fold their hands together and close their eyes when they pray.

Shepherd Brody

Omi & Brody....Thanks to Omi's coordination and the help of many others, Brody is able to get to/from preschool each week!

Brody had his first Christmas program with school last week. I was nervous for him because he can be reserved, especially in unfamiliar situations with a lot of people and when he knows his parents are around. He got the role of a shepherd and he had his line, so we sent him on his way and crossed our fingers for him. He did great! He walked into the church proudly, he followed directions, he stood still the entire performance (20 minutes; an eternity for all of the other 3-year-olds, but doable for the 4/5-year-olds) and he walked up when it was his turn to say his line. His line was "What can we give to Jesus this Christmas?". I was so happy for him that he was able to do it all and I know he was really proud of himself! I hope he continues to prove me wrong when I doubt him:)