framing

I got my paintings framed for the art show this saturday. They look so good. Dennis thought so too- he spent quite some time looking at his portrait and then he gave it a big kiss. Too cute.

Christmas Day!

Christmas morning we wake up to our stockings and presents under the tree! I got to fill stockings this year for Santa... that was fun. Our traditional up north, charlie brown, closest tree to the cabin Christmas tree! We put up the tree on Christmas eve and wake up to presents filled under the tree. I once again was Santa's helper and gained a greater appreciation for my parents. Growing up, our cabin was quite a bit smaller with only 1 bedroom. So all of the kids slept under the tree. It was so magical waking up with presents all around... and we never woke up! I don't know how long we will last all together under one tree-we were filled to the max with presents and I only have 1 kid and Randy & Chrissy haven't even started yet! This year there were only 4 grand kids at the cabin.

playing with the toy from Santa the night before.

It was so fun watching the kids play together. Dennis wanted to help Norah any time that her pacifier was out of her mouth, Dennis was there to put it back in. Norah is 8 months old and she wears the same size clothes as Dennis. Haha.

Then we hurry out the door to Grandma June's party (my mom's side). Where we eat Lasagna, play games, make a video and have Santa come again!

Dennis didn't like the idea of sitting on Santa's lap very much.

But didn't mind looking at his beard.

He never really got used to it.

I miss those curls!!!

With the combination of so many new things, new people and places and getting some molers we have very few pictures of him smiling during this trip. Here is a good one- I'm glad he still has one.

Here is Dennis's cousin Norah.. she is just so pretty that I had to include a picture of her.

The family.

my mom's family.

Dennis got dressed in his jammies and had a bottle in preparation for the long trip back to the cabin.

Thanks Grandpa.

Grandma's Camp

Growing up I was a serious dreamer. I would dream of everything possible- including getting my kids together with their cousins at the cabin for "grandma camp" (my mom's dream). So, this year was my mom's first run at getting all of the grandkids together even though it wasn't at the cabin. First we had some chicken noodle soup for lunch. (yes, I know it looks like I just woke up... I don't think I got a shower in that day)

And we all crammed into the car.

And went to the Aquarium in the Mall of America.

Dennis loved to see the fish that moved.

He especially liked the "Finding Nemo" tank. Or, I should say, that they liked him.

It was a good thing that I went along... it was enough work with two adults- I can't imagine doing it all by myself! We almost lost a kid twice and had to return to the gift shop to return some items that were not meant to be taken.

Back at the house Grandma and Grandpa with ALL of their grandkids. Left to Right: Noah, Norah, Kevin, Dennis, Brooklynn, Rosalyn. (notice Kevin is holding Dennis's head!)

Later when just Dennis, me and Grandpa were left at the house Dennis decided that he would help himself to Granpa's lunch!

"Thank you... I'll have that one."

You can't stop a boy from getting his green beans.

First Hair Cut

Talk about getting hit with a ton of bricks. I didn't see that one coming.
Dennis's hair was becoming a disaster... Ryan had wanted to cut his hair for a long time now, but I loved his little curls in back- they were so adorable. But, I think I pushed the limit of adorable hair too far. The back of his head became so frizzy and damaged that I couldn't get it to curl even with a bath and product--and the sides were getting too long that they just looked straggly. I knew the time had come... and I thought I was prepared... I guess not. I couldn't even look at him because he didn't look like my little baby anymore. All of a sudden he was a boy.

Cabin fun

Of course one of the highlights for the cabin in the winter is x-country skiing! Everyone enjoys this activity whether you want a leisurely stroll through the woods to see the scenery or if you want a rigourous workout cruising accross the land- its for everyone. Here Randy, Chrissy, mom, and Russ enjoyed a long cruise through the woods. Dennis's first time playing in the snow was short lived. It started off okay- he didn't move much- just looked around in amazement

He sure is cute.

He couldn't walk very far because the snow was so deep and his suit was so bulky.

Then, Brooklynn got him in the sled and they had fun while Ryan ran them around the yard. Brooklynn was such a good help for Dennis with her little mothering voice. "oh, Dennis." (wish you could here it)

Then we hooked the sled up to a backpack so that the kids could come skiing with us. Dennis unfortunately didn't like this one even with Brooklynn helping him. So, he stayed on just to get a couple of pictures. Brooklynn and Kevin on the other hand enjoyed the whole trip behind the never ending engine also known as Ryan.

Buster and Bruno had a blast in the woods running around free and coming in when they got too cold. Poor Buster slipped on the front porch and snagged his toe nail- which ripped totally off! I guess dogs have an artery that goes into their nails and so Buster bled and bled and bled. We made a makeshift bandage for him with duct tape.

He wasn't feeling too hot for the day.

And, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a little healthy boot hockey competition on the ice. We have started a new tradition between the two Kannas families (Ron & John). Every year there will be a tournament and whoever wins the tournament gets the trophy axe to mount on their cabin wall until the next year and this will be passed back and forth between the families. This year we were late and therefore lost because of forfeit, and John's team didn't have enough players and lost because of forfeit... so we had to rely on the score to get a winner! They beat us 5-4... but only because OUR Dad was their goalie.

We had some good times in the cabin with eachother too. Here is Dennis with Grandma Robyn.

Our beautiful winter wonderland resort-The Loon Lodge.

Thanks everyone for a great time!

Christmas Eve

Christmas eve we all gathered at the cabin for a ham feast. Forgetting Dennis's booster seat that has a seat belt was a mistake. He spent most of meal time on our laps and now that we are home-he protests the seat belt. The meal was delicious as usual. It was beautiful at the cabin with snow covered pine trees everywhere and it continued to snow throughout the weekend keeping the trees freshly covered. I love being with my family. Here is everyone (except Russ who came later, and Dad who is taking the picture). Left to Right: Me, Dennis, Ryan, Reed, Brooklynn, Larissa, Norah, Kevin, Mom, Randy, and Chrissy.

As a tradition on my father's side of the family dating back to before my dad was born on Christmas eve we gather together (now at my dad's cousin John's house) sing songs and wait for Santa to arrive with gifts. Dennis wasn't so sure about Santa but never cried... just looked bewildered.

Here is everyone at the party this year.

dressing & undressing

Dennis knows that when we go outside he has to wear a hat... so when he wants to go outside, he puts a hat on and knocks on the door. Dennis is learning how to take his clothes off too. Here he is stuck with his shirt half way.

Before Christmas I wrote about the time when Dennis took his pants off in his crib. Well, here he is prancing around the house so happily.

silly boy.