Christmas 2010

It was such a fun Christmas! Brady was really into the Santa thing, Samantha is understanding the opening presents concept and they were blessed with some great gifts from many who love them! I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!


haven't taken a 4 generation picture since the day Samantha was born
Great-grandma Doris (91), Grandma Jane (64), Samantha (16 mos), Lisa (32)

best pic I got of Brady & Samantha

Anderson cousins
Dylan (4), Grant (6), Samantha (16 mos) & Brady (4)

Samantha & mommy ~ Christmas Eve

Brady opening his stocking

not-too-shabby family pic

both kids got guitars (thank goodness!)

Samantha & mommy ~ Christmas Day

Brady helping Samantha open her big present

Samantha LOVES this music table from her uncle Bobby

December 2010 (before Christmas)

Everyone is always busy in December and we're no different. Too many pictures to share, so I'm separating pre-Christmas from my Christmas 2010 post.

I can't put into words how excited I was to put up our Christmas tree this year. We finally have a place to put our tree in this house ~ YAY!!! There is a perfect spot in front of the picture window at the front of the house in our main level living room and we don't have to try to look through the tree to see the TV like in our last house! Brady has been excited about helping me decorate, even when the tree is "pokey" but I didn't anticipate help from Samantha. Don't know why I was surprised since she thinks she can do everything big brother can :) She actually did quite well and by the time we put ornaments away - only one had been broken, but repairable!

James & Brady doing the 1st ornaments - according to Brady, they have to be the Twins, Vikings, Gophers & Wild ones

Brady trying to get the back of the tree

look at the concentration!

Samantha trying - doesn't quite understand the loop goes around the branch

wondering if the ornaments will hang themselves with a stare

Brady's preschool class went to our local "Santa's Village" in early December to see live reindeer and of course tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas. Made me laugh when I would hear what he'd tell others he wanted for Christmas because it was completely different than what he told me to put on his list!

hugs for Santa

great pic of Brady & Santa

Brady's class

being silly as an elf :)

James & I enjoyed his work Christmas party for the 9th year now! I can't believe I've known him long enough to go to that many with him! We've only missed 1 in the time we've been dating/engaged/married. It really is a fun night ~ great food, free drinks, good friends and a date with my husband. We have noticed it always seems to be the COLDEST night in December and this year followed suit.

Brady had his church Christmas program in December too. This year went better than last. He stood in front of the church last year but rarely moved his lips to sing and never even attempted to do the actions with the songs. This year he did both! Still definitely tentative, but a step in the right direction!

Brady (vertically striped shirt) & Dylan (red, puffy vest)

Brady & Dylan ready to sing

sledding adventure

So - we've learned that there is a fantastic sledding hill just 5 blocks north of our house. We promised Brady we would take him, but it had to be warm enough that we could stay out for a little bit. Trying to find a weekend afternoon that cooperates with weather and a 1 yr old to take a nap and all before it gets dark is challenging! We made it just before dark - but had an AWESOME time! It was a nice "relive our childhood" for James & I also.


to our surprise - Brady went down by himself on the 3rd run!

James & Brady ready to push off on the first slide down

Brady fell off - face got covered in snow and only laughs, no tears!

Samantha was "SO OVER" sledding at this point

James took Samantha down for her first ride

Me & my kiddos - glad we bought a long sled! We even did one slide down with all 4 of us!

my first ride down with Brady

James - trying to act 1/2 his age and do one of the jumps that was built up - love his face on the landing??!?!? :)