Santa is in Town Early!

Every quarter, the Adoption Group we belong to does an event for our families.  It has been an Amazing group and support system for Kris and I ... and Kasey has met many friends at these events too.  We found out that Rebecca (the Founder of the group) is tight with a Very Special guy.  His name is Santa Clause!  She talked him into coming to town a bit early (Dec 9th) to attend a special gathering with just our friends.  For Weeks, the boys were talking up a storm about what they were going to ask Santa to bring them this Christmas.  It was non-stop chatter on the way to the hospital, but once we got there - I don't know where those two boys went.  Instead, we had the shyest, most quiet kids in the room.

We slowly warmed up to Santa, but as we couldn't get the boys to sit with Santa by themselves - we did a Sneak Attack photo!  (Santa's Idea!)  Finally, the boys got enough courage to whisper in Santa's ear what they were hoping to receive this Christmas.  Kasey explained that he really wants a "A Big Race Car, Like a Car, Like a Shoe Car with Tracks" and Karsten wants a "BIIIIG Track-Tor".  And no, we don't know what a Shoe Car looks like.

"Like a Big, Like a Race Car with Tracks"

"BIIIIG Track-Tor"

During the day, we not only got to catch up with Santa and some good friends, but also made some Reindeer Food.  Rumor has it; cookies are out ... and feeding the deer is the way to get on Santa's good side.

Christmas is in the Air!

Black Friday for a lot of people is about running around and getting the best deal around.  Amy used to enjoy this... until one day she tried it with George.  She was ruined for life (Ha).  Ok - so maybe that isn't why she didn't do it this year, but had to pick on George a bit ;-)

This year, we spent the day putting up Christmas Decos with the help of two beautiful kiddos and Gma and Gpa Cannode.  Made the day go quickly and in no time; we were sitting down enjoying our well decorated home.

That night, as is tradition... we opened a nice bottle wine (from our recent trip to Napa) to enjoy while we decorated our tree.  Our Christmas tree is not the one with matching or themed ornaments.  Nope, our tree is our journal and our ornaments are our stories.  We enjoyed putting up one by one (glass ones high... kid friendly ones lower) and thinking of the stories that belonged to each one.  The kids really enjoyed putting them on the tree too!

Kasey loved helping string the 'popcorn' (made by Gma!)

Some of us take decorating "Seriously"... Others Don't
Just sayin'

Karsten's ornament he made at school this year

Here you go, Brother!

Amy also found an idea on pintrest recently... it was to make a felt Christmas tree that the kids could decorate over and over.  She convinced her good friend, Erika, into joining and got to work (while the four kids entertained each other).

I think they like their tree!

I'm a Big Kid Now!

Kasey moved to his big bed during a trip to the MN lakes when he was 18 months old.  Mommy welcomed the new stage of life for her big guy.  No time to be sad... she had another little dude just down the hall in his crib.  Karsten turned two... Amy STILL wasn't ready to get rid of the crib.  We compromised and moved Karsten's toddler bed into his room, but Amy refused to take down the crib.  She finally realized he was Not going back into the crib.  I think Karsten got through to her after waking up 15 days in a row shouting to the world that "I Sleep in my BIG Bed!"  Serioulsy, those are his first words Every Day!

 Thank goodness the kids were so willing to help work on breaking the crib down.  They were great at measuring and using the screwdrivers.  Good supervisors too!

 Well, Amy is seriously sad there are no more 'babies' in the home, but she does Love the new set up in Karsten's room and ~ as you can see from the wall ~ "as long as we are living, My Baby You Will Be!"

Final Two CSU Home Games

Our last two home games were held on Nov 10th and Nov 24th and boy were they different!  We noted that the Nov 10th game coincided with pheasant opener in Colorado.  So, we decided to make a weekend of it! 

Our family and Jim and Sarah decided to grab a hotel up in Fort Collins for the weeekend.  We arrived to the hotel on Friday night with a Papa Murphys Pizza and hopes of rooms next door to each other.  We got settled in our rooms, ate and got the kids ready for bed.  We thought we were incredibly smart bringing a baby monitor to the hotel.  Since our rooms were next door to each other... we would put one part in each hotel room.  After we layed the boys down, we headed to Jim's room.  Amy listenend to the monitor smiling.  She heard Karsten cry... then Kasey say "no, Karsten.  Don't cry.  We need to go to sleep".  It was so cute! Until... the next thing she heard was a deep male voice.  Amy threw the receiver down and ran out of the room towards our room.  Standing outside was a nice young man asking Kasey "Well, where is your mommy?"  Evidently, we didn't bank on the fact that the kids would be able to open the door to head outside to go find us! Whoops! Thank God we heard it happening and were able to react so quickly!

Jim, Sarah and Kris were planning on searching for pheasants on Sat and Sun morning; which left Amy and the boys in the hotel for a fun morning swim!  Rosemary and Amy decided since they meet for coffee every Saturday, that this would be no different.  Rosemary grabbed some beloved lattes and headed to the hotel with her beautiful girls to enjoy breakfast and the pool.  The kids had a blast as you can tell!

The kids enjoying some pool time...

...and some hot tub fun.

The hunting crew got back after enjoying their morning walk and showered up for tailgating.  We got the cars loaded and headed to the stadium.  The closer we got... the colder and snowier it was.  By the time we arrived at the stadium we took a vote and all decided to tailgate from our hotel room (and swim!) and return for the game closer to 5pm.  It was one of our most unusual tailgates, but I think had one of the highest attendance factors of the season.  Evidently, when you throw a pool into the mix during tailgating... there is no passing up that opportunity!

A new way to tailgate ~ WARM!

The kids found a way to enjoy the tailgate too
New fun game is Hungry Hungry Hippos
(anyone else remember playing this on an iPad as a kid? ~oh wait)

Hot tub time

and some more pool time

Game was even Great! We Beat UNLV!

How do you stay warm?

Step 1 - Get a big group

Step 2 - Huddle together

The last game of the season was right after Thanksgiving and we were All Thankful that the weather was so nice!  We all bundled up and at one point were down to T-shirts... that is before going back to our winter coats and hats for the 5pm game.  Amy was not happy with the 5pm games this year, but we have already heard a rumor of earlier game times in 2013! (YAY!)

Alisa and Kris cooking chili for the last game

The weather even cooperated today

Where are you taking us Camden?

Who says the kids can't be entertained? iPhones are Great!

Karsten showing his Ram pride in front of the Aggie 'A'

This game was a close one, but the Rammies were able to pull out a Big "W" for the win!  That left the Rams with a 4-8 overall record for the year.  Not the best, but we were pretty proud of our team this year!  Amy was just excited they beat CU this season and are in hopes of a rematch with NDSU in the near future!

Karsten cheering the Ram's on to a last second win

The Lambda Chi's with our college Chef, Billy & his 2 sons

Karsten, Amy and Cassie enjoying a "sell out" crowd