Happy Holidays!

Reflecting back, 2012 has been a good year.  Both girls have grown so much while entertaining and challenging their parents along the way.  We have family close by (either next door or a hour a way) and are able to spend a lot of time with them.  Going out with friends, whether it be volleyball, to a restaurant or just hanging out is something we get to do weekly.  Thanks to all who have enriched our lives, and we look forward to 2013!  Happy holidays!  Below are some pictures from our holiday card and a couple pics that didn't make the cut- thanks again Bliss Photography http://www.blissphotographymn.com/

Catching Up Again.. Duluth and the Cities

We were able to take off a bit early on Friday and actually get up to Duluth before the kids bedtime!  Friday night the kids had a great time hanging out and got to bed a bit late.  Elicia and Rachel were able to relax and visit, while Brett watched Shawn ref a highschool hockey game.



Saturday morning we all headed to Home Depot for their kid craft time.  Each of the kids made their own holiday frame- with mom and dad's help.  Saturday afternoon the kids played and got excited for Bentleyville.  Unfortunately, Shay started not feeling so well (she told us her legs and head hurt), but wanted to go.  At Bentleyville she really started feeling sick, so she and Brett headed back early.  But, we were all able to see Santa, Ms. Claus, and get cookies and hot chocolate!  We were so bummed for Shay, because I think she was the person most excited to see it.  Its a good reason to make sure we come back next year!




Shay not looking too well


Good looking, healthy Burns family


Only family shot we got since Shay was a bit sick

Next year-- we are aiming for a whole group shot!


Last weekend we headed up to cities to celebrate Angie and Pete's birthdays.  The girls stayed with grandma and grandpa while mom and dad joined Amie, Pete, Angie and Evan for a fun night together.  We were able to have lots of snacks (thanks Amie) along with some good drinks.  We ended the night at the Lookout Bar where Brett and Angie were able to dance.
Sunday was a crazy weather day- but it didn't stop Shay and Rachel from heading to the ballet with Kristina and Faith.  The girls did a great job during the show, ate well at Baker's Square afterwards and endured our almost 3 hour trip home (because of the snow storm)!


Shay and Mom all ready for the ballet

Baby Gus is 1!

Brett and the girls were able to celebrate Gus's 1st birthday (Rachel was home sick) with a cowgirl/boy party!  Shay enjoyed the cowboy/girl theme so much she decided she will be a cowgirl next Halloween.










This is how Shay wears headbands, can't seem to convince her to actually put it on top of her head


One of Shay's favorite dress up costumes at Olive's house


Brett catching the bouquet

Catching Up... Thanksgiving

We have many things to be thankful for this year... 2012 has been a great year so far.  And as part of celebrating this year we were able to to to 3 Thanksgivings!  On Thanksgiving day we headed to Amma's house for a day of good conversation, great food and fun cousin time.  Then on Saturday we headed to Papa Bill's and Grandma Ginger's house for a fun day capped with a cousin sleepover!  On Sunday we all headed up to Woodbury to see the Sturm family.  It was a relaxing day which included fantastic food, great chats and being able to partake a in a relaxing holiday tradition- watching a football game.  In between our Thanksgivings we were able to put up the Christmas tree, get our holiday decorations out, go out for bowling and drinks with the neighbors and clean the house!  A good long weekend!



Shay enjoying the whole turkey leg


Amma and her grandkids


Carroll Cousins - Lyssa 2, Shay 4, Gus 1, Olive 5, Millie 4


Movie Time!

No More Training Wheels

After seeing Owen ride his bike, Shay was excited to try her out her bike with no training wheels.  She and Brett spent some time on Saturday practicing riding her big girl bike.  The first thing Brett discovered is she needs a bigger bike.  After a few tries, Shay was off biking -- with no training wheels!  Next summer should be pretty fun!

Almost a Complete Strike Out

We had been planning for a few weeks to have a fun day/night visit with the Pengelly family up in the cities.  We were supposed to spend the morning at the train station, eat lunch back at their house, have the little ones take naps while the bigger kids headed to the pool.  After the kids went to bed, the adults were planning to have a few drinks, relax and maybe even play a few card games with Amie and Pete- a couple other college friends.  None of this happened.  Our actual timeline of activities below

Saturday
8:30/9:00- Carroll's still getting ready/packed.  Shay still sleeping.  This is the time we were supposed to leave.
9:30- we actually leave the house
10:30- Talk with Angie, find out Evan is not able to make it to the train thing, he is still at work.
10:40- Get a call from Angie that Anders has thrown up- all over himself, the carseat, etc.  She is turning around with the boys to head back home.  Thinks Anders ate something because he is acting fine otherwise.
11:00- We decide to skip the whole train thing and head to MOA to hit up the rides and Underwater World.  The girls love it.
1:00- Finally stop for lunch.  A bit late, but totally worth it.
3:00- Get to Pengelly house (3 hours later than planned).  Evan's work is messed up, he is still there.  Decided to skip the pool plans.
4:00- Evan gets home and we all head to the park
4:02- Kids fight about which toy to ride/share to the park.
4:10- Rachel completely wipes out on the wiggly bridge.   Hits her back hard, takes her breath away.  Still sore today.
5:00- Head back in the dark, didn't estimate time well.
6:00- Call Amie and Pete, ask them to come later because we still haven't eaten dinner.
7:00- Amie, Pete and Eli show up.  Have a fun time for a couple of hours.
9:00- Amie, Pete and Eli head home because their home has an unexpected showing and they have a lot do to prepare.  No adult visiting with them.
9:30- All the kids are in bed.
9:40- Drink in hand, adults are discussing to start cards or Mexican train.
9:45- Hear Lyssa "mommy, mommy, mommy".  Go down and pick her up.  About 5 seconds later she throws up- a lot.
9:50-11:00- Keep Lyssa close by, make several trips to the bathroom.  We can't imagine she has anything left.
11:00- Brett goes to put Lyssa to bed.  Never makes it back upstairs for games or drinks.
11:15- Evan falls asleep on the couch.
Sunday
12:00- Angie and Rachel call it a night
12:05- Lucas wakes up (unexpectedly), not ready to go back to sleep.
12:30 to 4:00- Lyssa is sick several more times.
5:30- Wake up to Evan yelling.  Trying to get Lucas a bottle in the dark, hits his toe hard.  Thought it might be broken.  After a elevating and ice for a few hours, things seem to be fine.
7:00- Lyssa is feeling great, and wants everybody to "wake up".  She has tons of energy.
8:30- We head home wondering "what the heck just happened". 

 Shay loving her first time on the carousel

Lyssa was a bit nervous at first, but then really enjoyed herself

Lyssa favorite part- touching the starfish

Notice- no diaper bag, just an overstuffed purse.  Milestone.

Crazy amounts of jellyfish

Girls seeing a shark swim above them

We didn't tell them to do this- I swear :)

Hello Cold!

After enjoying a almost 70 degree day on Saturday, bundling up was a necessity on this cold morning.  The girls are home with Brett today since daycare is closed due to illness.  They are pretty excited for a "stay at home" day with dad.

Enjoying a warm fall day

Ready to brave the cold!

Happy Halloween

Cousin Taylor, Papa Mark and Grandma Stacy came down last week to go with us to the Haunted Hallways at the Kahler Hotel, put on by the Rochester School District.  It was very busy, and the girls were able to do some crafts and trick or treat for candy in the "hallway of fun".  Rapunzel (Tangled), the giraffe and the nice witch had a pretty good time!

So hot (especially Lyssa) after Haunted Hallways

Pre Trick or Treat Dinner at Amma's

What dinner really looks like

It was PJ day at Caryline's, and Lyssa wanted to keep them on

Our giraffe ready to go- she made it to about 10 houses, which is more than her 1 last year!

Nice witch

Scary Witch

The Incredible Family

Gus got to eat too!

I'm a Big Girl Now

Lyssa has really grown a lot these last couple of months.  She gave up her nuk, is fully potty trained (day and night- yeah) and loves to talk-- even to herself.  Potty training went relatively smoothly.  She was supposed to be trained before starting daycare this fall (since it is a preschool program) and she made it by 1 week!  We incorporated the same method as with Shay- just did it.  One day, no diaper and after a few days with just 2 accidents- and not going anywhere :), she started wearing underwear.   Unlike Shay, Lyssa wasn't too excited about it and didn't really seem to care that she doesn't have to wear diapers anymore.  She does love, however, the M&M treat after using the "potty".  She could have cared less about a sticker chart, but the chocolate candy worked wonders!

Shay Helping Out