Double Digits

As always, there is tons of activity and action around our house!  The week before Christmas, Peter looked like this!  He had a fever and a terrible cough that kept him(and me) up every night for a week.  Then he developed an ear infection.  Thankfully, by Christmas he was feeling better again!

We decided to do a family fun day on the Friday before Christmas and toured the James J. Hill House on historic Summit Avenue in St. Paul.  At one time, this was the largest home in MN and was really state-of- the-art for it's time...it's still really impressive to tour, especially during the holidays. If you ever get the opportunity to get to St. Paul, it is worth your time to take the 4.5 mile drive down one of the most impressive historic streets in all of America...Summit Avenue is a beautiful street with original mansions that have been perfectly maintained or restored to their original glory...my dream is to live in one of them some day....

Christmas was wonderful as we spent it at home with just my parents.  It was peaceful...as peaceful as can be with 5 very excited children!  It's nice when we don't have to do any running and can stay home enjoying the reason for the season!  We did get to visit with one of my brothers and his family as well as my sister and her family too.

Two of the SIX trees we decorated in our home with year!  The kids each had small trees in their bedrooms as they do each year.

Yesterday, my twins, Ricky and Greta, turned 10 years old!!  Double digits from now on...  Greta had a party with her friends at the Water Park of America.  They spent the day swimming and having a great time.  Ricky will have a party with his buddies later in the winter!

I got these adorable dolls for all three of my youngest kids from a fellow etsy seller.  They are so cute and so well-made!  My kids all love them and sleep with their new little friends every night!

I just love these matching snowman birthday cakes that I get for their winter birthdays every year!

Here is some of Greta's birthday loot!  Let me tell you, it's not easy shopping for TWINS 3 days after they just got every gift they already wanted for Christmas!

Wishing you a wonderful, blessed, safe Happy New Year, 2012!!