the sky's the limit...

yesterday we ventured into the cities for some indoor family fun. We first visited the "Sky Zone" in Plymouth. Sky Zone is an indoor trampoline park for families. We had a blast and some of us (Bobby and Livia) are a little sore today to show for it! After working up a sweat - literally - we headed to the Eden Prairie Mall for some lunch and a movie. We surprised the girls with tickets to the 3D version of "Beauty and the Beast". It was special being able to bring the girls to the movie that I enjoyed as a child! Here are some photos from our fun family day... sophia and livia waiting in front of the main jumping court (you have to be at least 40 inches to jump in this court- sophia is exactly 40 inches!)
in front of the dodgeball court...
we didn't try this court, but they also use it for trampoline basketball


livia standing in front of the trampoline foam pit

when you arrive, you can buy your tickets in 1/2 hour increments...these pictures are before our jumping time at 10:30am

might as well - JUMP!

ready for some 3D fun!

bowl-a-rama...

last sunday afternoon we decided to give family bowling another chance. The last 2 attempts over the past 3 years with the girls have been DISASTROUS! Each time we have left the bowling alley with one or two crying children. We talked to the girls and decided we would try bowling as a family one...more...time. Well, three times must be the charm because it was a fun and fabulous afternoon. Grandma Pam even joined in on the fun. I am definitely optimistic that we can go bowling again soon! ready to bowl...

bobby loves getting his picture taken...can you tell?

"that daddy!" (as sophia says)

sophia trying to bowl on her own...

uh-oh, is my ball going to make it?

nope, it didn't make it (twice...)

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these are the days that i will look back on and smile :)

a mitten for our kitten...

the last day of school before winter break, livia came home with "the mitten". The Mitten Project is a tradition in first grade, and every family is required to do one. This was our first mitten, so we were pretty excited about tackling it! The rules are that you cannot use any crayons, paint, or paper. You are required to use materials that are unique and time-consuming....okay, so I added that last part, but it does take some time. The family had an enjoyable time putting it together (and eating some of the candy). Here is our first (and probably not our last) completed mitten project. materials: m&m's, starburst candies, and spice drops

copper, my baby boy...

i always joke that copper is my first child and my only baby boy. I tend to forget to take pictures of him with the girls, so as we were beginning to take the christmas tree down, I caught a few shots of my copper - my "good boy"... i love it when his ears perk up, but he knows when the camera is going to flash, so it is hard to catch him. i actually had to use the "grandma and grandpa are here" line, so he would get excited!
hanging out by the tree one last time...

look at how he sits...too funny!

three christmases...

we had a blessed (and busy!) three days of christmases, but they were filled with lots of love and magic. Here are pictures from Christmas Eve with the Schaffer Families, Christmas Day with the Woods Family, and the day after Christmas with the Sederholm and Withers Families. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night...

CHRISTMAS EVE

livia and grandma marilyn...
the grandkids with santa...

sophia wearing her new pajamas from santa...

are you ready santa?

the girls are ready for bed and santa!

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CHRISTMAS DAY

sophia on her new bike from santa...just what she wanted!

livia with her new 3ds from santa....just what she wanted!

ready for mass...look at that smile!

the girls with grandma pam and grandpa mike...

making "santa" cookies...

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THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS

ready to eat a delicious meal at the sederholms...

the girls with grandma nancy...

kaytlin (12) and sophia (3)...

livia (6) and elana (10)...

craft time!

the girls with their finished ornament...

mary, did you know...

sophia participated in her first preschool christmas program on thursday morning. The name of the production was "This is the Stable". To our surprise, Sophia played "Mary" in the play, and she did a great job! We are so proud...

singing holiday songs with her preschool friends

a visit with santa...

the girls put on their christmas "best" yesterday and headed to mall with bobby and me. Sophia was a little apprehensive to sit on Santa's lap, so she decided she would stand next to him. Livia, of course, had no problems sitting on Santa's lap. Both girls did a wonderful job of posing for me (3 pictures only) and later, telling Santa what they wanted for Christmas. It was a lovely visit with santa...