Happy Birthday No 5 to Dawson!

Our no longer baby - Dawson, turned 5 on January 30.  He was very excited for the events of the weekend!  We first opened some presents at home...

This is what Dawson woke up to on the morning of his birthday.  It was exciting because he had pulled out every possible book that we have pictures of birthday parties in..and said that he wanted decorations like those pictures.  (My attempt was nothing like what he showed me...but it worked for him I guess.)

The next day we had a birthday party with all the cousins on J's side and both sets of Grandparents.  Here are all the wild and crazy cousins.

Present time

Mmmmm frosting!

Meanwhile, here is Jamie...eating as usual.

Other birthday stuff, etc....

We went to Grandma and Grandpa V's house to open presents after the big cousin party...they had a suprize in the basement:  A big bouncy castle!

I think if you ask they might just be interested in renting it out for parties, open houses, weddings, etc... =)

We forgot to mention someone else had a birthday in January...David.  Here is his cake and candle from the celebration we had with his parents.

One more thing to mention: Dawson has become an extremely organized person.  (I feel a little at fault for this...but it can't be a bad thing right?)  All of his organizing ideas come straight from that big head of his.  This is just one example - he has labeled his drawers and drew pictures of what goes in them.

Ice Festival

Grandpa and Grandma O came over this weekend to watch the kids...it was bitter cold out, but they went to the Plymouth Ice Festival and saw all the sculptures.

Spongebob Squarepants

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Skating

We went Ice Skating...sort of...this weekend. (it was more like ice walking, and trying not to fall down, for the kids.)

Since Dawson can't really do hockey on ice yet, they play in the street.

Biggest Snowman I've Ever Seen

Merry Christmas!

I'll post Christmas pictures soon...but for now, check out this huge snowguy that the kids made at Grandpa & Grandma V's house!

Christmas 2008 No.1

We missed what would have been family Christmas party No. 1...(the annual Oele side big Christmas party) because of bad weather. We started Christmas presents last night at our house. Ooohhh the excitment! (and there is still more to come! they can hardly stand it!)

Dawson was so excited about this one (since it is something to do with drawing/art) that he started working on it first thing in the morning today....

Here is the very meticulous finished artwork...

Lot's of Snow = Sledding!

We are lucky to have a really great sledding hill right by our house, so we took the afternoon to go sledding...

Feeling Better, sort of.

Dawson either thinks Jamie is completely nuts (which she is...although I remember a picture of Dawson wearing a belt as a sweatband, thinking he was pretty cool.)...or he is totally annoyed that she is feeling better and he still isn't at 100%.

Tis the season....

....for sicky pukey kids.

Dawson has been sick for over a week now. He has spent more time on this sofa than he should ever have to, missing a lot at preschool and other stuff. He has strep throat right now (with pukey, headachey, sore body symptoms). Jamie was sick a couple weeks ago with pink eye and an ear infection. David and I don't feel good either, 3 out of four of us are currently or were on antibiotics. How come Christmas and sickness always come hand in hand? I remember having the flu during lots of Christmases growing up, I hope that doesn't happen to Dawson & Jamie too. Hopefully we will all be better in a week just in time for the Christmas festivities!

IKEA Christmas Party

I wanted to prove to those of you that I complain about work to all the time...that I still actually enjoy it sometimes, and adore most of the people I work with. =)

While David was in Baudette, we had our work Christmas party. It's a great time because no one is wearing yellow & blue, which is always a bonus since we get so sick of the yellow everyday. I do have a great time with these guys, I just miss the atmosphere we had 2 years ago at work. We still no how to have fun though, and I'd have to say that the girls clean up well.

Baudette

I brought a camera this time.


Isn't it beautiful? There is so much to do in the city, there isn't enough time for work.



Lake of the Woods Ice Arena.

Winter Stuff

We only lasted a few minutes outside because it's so cold and everyone here is sick, but the few minutes were full of smiles.

Audrey, our neighbor came over to help make ornaments with Dawson & Jamie.

Cookies

Because we have so many things to get in before Christmas I enlisted helpers...Christmas cookies & decorating the tree/house can now be crossed off the list. Next, they can help me address Christmas cards, there are a lot to do!

By the way, Jamie was a total disaster at this project, check out her face & hair, she is such a spaz! This is so typical Jamie...and Dawson was meticulous as usual - making sure every cookie was just right. (Jamie just stuffed all the cookie dough into the little sprinkle jars and drove me nuts!)