MN Here we Come

Our tradition since moving to Nebraska has become that the night before we leave for MN we open our gifts to each other. Below you see Tony and Olivia "patiently" waiting to get started. In order to coordinate our visit with Brian and his family, we dumped the last two days of school. The kids missed their Christmas programs, class parties, movie day, etc... but both were more than willing to give that up to be with family. Good kids.

Our first stop was Elk River. Brian, Amanda and Cal flew in that morning from CT and we were able to visit with them for a little while before they finished the trip up north. Gramma and Papa Thompson came down as well so we could all head to downtown Minneapolis for the Holidazzle Parade.

All bundled up and waiting for the parade to begin.

The kids scored some cool snowglobe lights to get in the spirit of Holidazzle. Jocko was in the spirit too as he was quoted saying " We drove 45 minutes to get there, waited 30 minutes for the parade to start, waited 45 minutes to get out of the parking garage and then drove 45 minutes home - all for a 30 minute parade."

Sunday we teamed up for a little Gingerbread House competition. Names were pulled out of a hat. My team consisted of Tony, Papa Jocko and Jeff. Seriously.

Posing with their messy masterpiece! The shredded mini-wheat shingles gave us the edge I think.

Didn't they turn out great? It was a fun activity for all of us to participate in together.

Later that day we got to watch Celia's first dance recital at the YMCA. She didn't exactly "dance" but we were thrilled to be there anyways. All the little girls were adorable and seemed to have fun. (when they weren't crying, or laying on the floor, or picking their noses, etc...)

Such a sweet picture of CC and her daddy. Check out Papa Mike behind Jeff's shoulder wondering what the heck he just drove 3 hours to see.

After the recital we headed up to Mt.Iron to begin our Christmas week up north. Tony gave Gramma Sally her yearly birthday puzzle early to they could get to work.

On Monday we visited with Chris' sister Jen. We were excited to see her new home and of course our new nephew, James. He's a BIG boy at only 6 weeks old.

He really is a sweetie and Chris and I both enjoyed holding him as much as we could and then gladly gave him back to his mother when it was time to go.

Just a shot of our "tween" being bored to death.

Uncle Jeff....do you know there is a Blackberry on your nose?????

We all went to dinner on the 23rd to celebrate Gramma Sally's birthday. Cal looked so cute in his sweather.

We tried desperately to get a picture of the kids before we left....no luck. The "mom-evil-eye" seems to work better on children over the age of 5.

However, all the kids, young and old, did great at dinner and we enjoyed a nice long, delicious meal together. (photo provided by Amanda)

Christmas Eve was spent in Hibbing with Chris' family. Above our nephew Drew models the boonie hat and pop gun we gave him. The pop gun is our FINAL "get even" gift for the farting chair his mom gave Tony a few years back. It seems like I've been blogging all day, so again this picture is out of order. Sorry. Once you get this far in, there is no starting over!!!!

So anyways, going back in time, here are four of the Maras grandchildren waiting to rip into their gifts.\

Tony cannot wait to try out his new tool set. He's got a Pinewood Derby car to get started on so I'm sure they will come in handy...especially the safety glasses!

Auntie Jo getting in some snuggle time with our new little Christmas present.

It is so much fun when the four (I mean, 5) of them are together. I am sorry it doesn't get to happen more often, but we love them to pieces and are hoping to see them this spring!

Tony wanted a Snuggie SO BAD this year. Luckily Auntie Jen came through and of course ding-dong Chris had to test it out for him.