A Home in Mound

We had a nice small celebration for Maeve's birthday Sunday with the Burfeinds and my folks.



We gathered at our house, prepare for sledding.



The girls try their hand at our new game.



Then off to the hill, all bundled up. Grandpa pulled the kids around very generously.



Cecelia and Grandma trudge up the hill.



We pushed hard to get the girls to try to pull the sled up the hill on their own.



Sara pulls up Ella and Hans.



Cecelia was a real dare-devil on the hill, including going down headfirst! Dad was so proud.



Grandma races Ella and Avae down.



Cecelia takes a break from sledding.



Jon and Hans head down the hill.



Grandpa defying his age, and gravity.



Sara slides gracefully down the hill.



Back at the house, the kids play as we prepare supper.



Time for the cake! Happy Birthday Maeve!



Maeve showing that she is 5, and mom trying to correct her.




We had a great day. Happy Birthday Maeve!

Finally get a moment to post some pics...



We went to the Holidazzle parade before Christmas with the Mohns. If you don't know what the holidazzle is, consider yourself lucky. It's standing outside in the cold waiting for lighted floats by by... along with a lighted marching band, and lighted choir. It's quite a sight.



Soren takes a gander on his dad's shoulders.



Anika waits in anticpation.



All of us huddling to stay warm.



This is back at the garage as we wait for the cars.



While Janet and I took in a show, the Biehls watched the kids, and put together the gingerbread house.



The girls clearly enjoyed it... taking great care with the candy.



Yum yum!



The church's Christmas pageant also included our girls. Maeve and Cecelia put up a fuss though, making us wonder if they would actually participate.



In the end they did a nice job, and I got a cute movie of it I hope to post soon. Here's the only blurry pic I got of the whole ensemble.



Christmas eve finishes with us enjoying a great meal of German meatballs and Spaetzle with my folks. They gave us the Advent train as a gift. (like a advent calendar, but a train)



Cecelia on Christmas eve.



Christmas morning, what our tree et all looked like.



The girls taking it all in. Oooo... Ahhh...



A big hit was the trampoline.




We also got a number of games, this was puppy bingo.


Maeve showing the baby ducks from another game.



Cecelia showing off her Tinkerbell poncho (for the beach or pool, I suppose)



Got a new tent from the Andersen's. The girls loved this.


Mommy joins the tent fun.


The viewmasters were a big hit as well.



Snow White appeared Christmas morning, no dwarfs though.



Then Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) came too, but no magical fairies.



Maeve makes herself comfortable.



Then to my folks Christmas day, where we enjoyed the train (and train whistle).



Grandpa built a cool new stage for the girls to perform on.


The stage was more fun with cool hats and microphones.



Ella and Avae, by are they growing up!


Hans was there too.



Got a Wii for the girls (ok not a Wii, but a preschool predecessor). The girls seem to enjoy it.



We were also lucky to have Dan and Dawn Carlson swing by for a visit. This is their son, Caleb.

OK folks, more of our Christmas cards are going out in the mail now. After reading, head back here, and take the quiz and win prizes!

Fourth round starts now!

First and Second round winners include -
First one to take the quiz - Jo Linkert, Paula Bies, Roger Grupp
Most correct answers - Mary Andersen, Paula Bies, Roger Grupp
One who lives closest - George and Jo Linkert
One who live furthest - Mary Andersen, Paula Bies

Congratulations!

Click here to take the quiz!

We met with the Burfeinds at a local county park for some winter activities. We brought along the sled, which we haven't seen since last winter. The girls enjoyed it!



Cecelia hugs the snowman, the first she's seen this season.



Maeve finds some candy canes.



Cecelia reaches up to find her candy cane.



There was a small hill that we let the girls go down on the sled. The machinery in the background is remeniscent of something I'm sure the Linkert's would agree.



Dad takes his turn.



Ella observes from a nearby rock.



They had a wagon pulled by some horses that took us for a nice short ride.



It was a very pleasant day, the weather was actually rather nice fortunately.



We then decorated some cookies.





We then ate the cookies... well Maeve at least licked the frosting off hers...



First time with facepainting for Maeve. She did great while she was being painted, but it wiped off pretty quick after this.