Freddie

Freddie returned this year, just as expected.  Bennett and Harper anxiously awaited his arrival, and then his pesky adventures each night.  Our scout elf kept a close eye on those two kids, and reported their behavior each night to Santa.  Freddie had B and H reminding each other to make good choices, and Mom and Dad pondering what his next shenanigans may be...

The Saturday Morning List

I was raised with a Saturday Morning List.  Every weekend, Nicole and I each had a list.  That list included dusting, vacuuming, cleaning a bathroom and some other chore (burning the garbage? folding some laundry?)  Growing up, this list irritated me, because I usually had to rush so I could call Renae at 10:45am.  But, I always got it done, and made the call in time.

Thirty years later, on the the last Saturday morning of 2012, I got up and made the list - and it was long.  I was not even close to done by 10:45am, and again, I was irritated.  I had a lot to do, so when Andy came and asked if I wanted to go sledding with the kids, my initial response was "Are you kidding??  Have you even seen THE LIST??" and I'm pretty sure I stormed off.

Then, I had one of those moments, where you make a life altering decision, and I dug out my snow pants.

The Saturday Morning List got done, but I'm not really sure which day that week.  When my kids are older, I hope they learned from their mama what I learned from mine.  Make a list, and be sure to get it done.  But, when a good sledding day occurs - take full advantage.

Safar Family Christmas

Somewhere in the shuffle of the iPhone 4S and the iPhone 5, I lost all my pictures from Christmas 2012.  I think I have them at home (shhhhh.... don't tell I'm blogging at school...), and will insert them in this posting when I find them.

Yes, we went home.  Of course, AP came with.  And, Santa stopped by.

ho ho ho.

Barbie & Stacie

 The FedX delivery man arrived with Christmas from the Jacobsons.  In typical T & T style - there was no ordinary socks and underwear in the packages.  Bennett unwrapped the ginormous box to find his very own, big kid, basketball hoop!!!!  Yeah, he can't wait until the snow melts, but until then  plays in the garage.  His very own hoop, and the upcoming Saber basketball camp, he will master his ball skills before then...

 And dear little Harps?  Well, she got her very first Mommy and Harper dolls!!  I have tried to convince Harps that their names are "Barbie" and "Stacie", but she is pretty sure I am wrong.  Harper just loves her Mommy and Harper.  And who wouldn't? Our hair looks incredible.

Prose Family Christmas

 While the pictures of our Christmas tell part of the story, I wish I had taken more.  I wish I had taken a picture of the beautiful table, adored with red ornaments and pine cones.  Picture the enormous turkey and stuffing and wicker bowls of fresh baked bread.   I wish I would have captured Papa and Grandma and all their grandkids.  I wish I could have taken a photograph of the giggles, and chatter, and whispers between cousins.  I would love to bottle the noise - it's the best sound in the world.

 Fortunately, we have the memories locked down - and the Cinderella princess dress - to remind us of this Christmas.

We missed Matt and Steph and the boys, due to illness.  There was something missing...  The year of 2012 marked the last Christmas on the River.  Wes and Rita have graciously decided to pass the turkey to the kids. 

I am honored to invite the Prose Family to celebrate in Sartell, December of 2013.

Twas the Night of Knitting

Prose Family Christmas has traditionally been held on Sunday afternoon.  Every year, Amy and I talk about how this just doesn't seem like enough time.  Now that we have the bunk house, we decided that 2012 was the year to (finally) extend our family gathering.  SLEEPOVER!

It was decided that the kids and I would meet Amy and the girls at the River.  We got clearance from Grandma and Papa, and developed a plan that included pizza and knitting.

I have been wanting to learn how to knit.  Amy is a master, and she promised to give me some lessons.  She brought me some fancy, purple needles, and I brought some wine.

Seriously, one of the best nights of the year.  We laughed, and Rita and Wes told us stories from the Prose childhoods, we solved the problems of the world, and I learned to knit. (kind of).  The kids entertained themselves.  Gotta love cousin love.

 This is a tradition we will continue.  I have to finish my Barbie scarf sometime...