And so this is Christmas...

Usually, we don't think of Iowa as a picturesque winter wonderland. But in tiny waverly, my in-laws' backyard extends down to a willow lined river's edge that sparkles and crackles with ice and snow. It's delightful, especially when viewed from the comfort of their sun-drenched living room. At night deer come right up to the basement windows for a view rivaling that at an African safari, minus the poachers and machine guns.

We got to Iowa early this year in an effort to avoid the worst of the storm, and as a bonus got to enjoy a quiet morning with Grandma and Grandpa. The rest of the gang trickled in over the next couple of days, as the noise level slowly rose in the house. At some point it got to be too much for Millie, who did not sleep at all for three nights. We hysterically tried to shoosh her in the middle of the night so she didn't wake up the rest of the household. But she behaved very well during waking hours and had a wonderful time. Which is really all that matters.

This is my in-laws' back yard.



Helping Grandpa fill the deer food.



Chillin' out with Grandpa. Don't let this photo full you, this was just moments before the quiet turned to chaos when the rest of the family showed up. Chaos in a good way.



Taking a moment to relax.



Millie and her cousin Kate take Ring Around The Rosie very seriously.



The cousins stop for a Kodak Moment with Grandma and Grandpa.



After what can only be described as the upteenth meal of the day (cookies don't count), it's gift opening time!

Can you say "sensory overload?"



It's madness, I tell you, madness!



But Millie loves it.



This is the view from their basement. Yes, the deer are that close.



...A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear.

Merry Hanukkah!

A Stockholm Christmas

First thing is first: Meet Santa. When Santa asked her what she wanted, Millie quietly said, "P.Q." (Translation: computer.)

You don't have to be a body language expert to see that Millie was a bit uncertain about sitting on a strange man's lap, especially one holding a giant rod of jingle bells. But as the day went on, and we kept running into him around Stockholm, they became great friends and were on first name basis by the time we left. "See ya' Millie! Ho Ho Ho!"


And here they are, taking a "sleigh" ride, Wisconsin style, with Bogus the dog.


Playing nicely together at the farm. This moment was far less rare than one would think. We have great kids.




On the way home, I was hoping, no, praying for a nap. But alas, it was not meant to be. So we played hide and seek. This is how Millie hides.


And this is what she does when you are done counting to ten. She thinks it's great fun.


Jorg took great pics of Millie that I hope to post soon.

Ho Ho Ho

Her First Happy Meal

A Happy Meal, a Vikings t-shirt, a Sunday spent at the Mall of America. Millie is officially the quintessential Midwestern child. We might as well buy a minivan and move the suburbs.

Tony looks strangely proud.



This is all she had of her Happy Meal.







Yes, she is licking the pole. Swine flu anyone?

Starting early

Out of the 38 pages of ridiculously over-priced clothes, shoes, and sparkly belts (yes, for two year olds) Millie picked out her favorite item: a yo yo. That's my girl.

Bi-Lingual Millie: New from Mattel

Dan will understand this, the rest of you will just have to trust me when I tell you she does a decent job with her favorite Hebrew children's song about rain.

Beware: Post Halloween Sugar Crash!

After about a month of build-up, trick or treating is behind us. Although it was colder than last year, Millie was more aware of what the deal is this time so it was really fun to watch her go off with her pumpkin in her "Teeny Tiny Bat" costume, along with Coco, Elliot, Lucy, and Betty. Saba and Safta joined the festivities and even though we had less kids than I would have expected on a Saturday, it was a really fun night. Thanks Zach for stopping by in your awsome cookie costume!

Group shot


Little lion, you look confused.


Happy Monkey!

Rumspringa

Once again, we were fortunate to be included in Angie and Jorg's annual pumpkin carving festivities at Rumspringa. We've been looking forward to it since last year, and the day did not disappoint. The weather held out nicely so we were able to get in all sort of Norman Rockwell-esque activities including, but not limited to: enjoying breathtaking vistas of rolling hills, changing fall colors, streams and fields. Feeding horses with apples picked fresh off the tree. Playing gleefully on giant hay bales. Second...ok, third, helpings of delicious chili, corn bread muffins, and a life-time supply of candy. Tractor rides around the never-ending property. And of course, carving home-grown pumpkins into our very own Jack O' Lanterns.

Exhausted two-year old dropping off 15 minutes into the drive home: check.

Rumspringa in all her glory.


Our little musicians.

Belting it out with daddy.

We heart Elliot. Can you blame us? Just look at that face!

We see horses!

Hello Glenn.

Finally, it's time to carve us some punkin's!

I'm supposed to carve this?

I sigh deeply just thinking about this day. Thank you so much Jorg, Angie, Coco and Elliot!

Let the cookie season begin!

It snowed today. Really snowed. Seemed as good a day as any to make cookies. I used this opportunity as a practice run for the upcoming holiday season. Since this is my first foray into cookie decorating, I took Alissa's advice and used store bought dough, which freed me up to enjoy the decorating process. As you will see, it's very much a freshman effort on my part, but Millie was an old pro, pouring out a half bottle of sprinkles per cookie. I also made two Challah loaves and three batches of bars. Baking is both relaxing and creative, I am really enjoying it. Now if I could only bring someone in to do all the dishes that have stacked up...

First, we pretend to roll out the dough.

Then we smear.

Then we pour it on!

Yep, I think that's enough sprinkles. Too much?

For the next piece, she goes minimal.

"This one is for daddy."

"This one is for me."

"This one is for Betty."

The loot.

Sugar rush anyone?

Frolickin' with David

It appears that yesterday was the last nice day we'll have for a while, so it seemed wise to let the kids run wild and burn off as much energy as possible. Then of course, it was time for pizza.

Separated at birth.

It upset Millie's sense of order to be covered in leaves. This actually made her cry...for a minute.

But she got over it.

It's Alive!