Winter Visit to Luke and Emma's

Since we only had a short visit with them at Christmas when they came up for the day, and it was a long holiday weekend, we decided to venture down to VA to spend some time with the cousins.  The kids were beyond excited and had a blast of course.  We had some fun eating lots of good food, doing a Wi dance off, riding bikes and really enjoyed some time swimming at the local fitness center.  It was great to get the kids in the water again to keep up with how well they were doing by the end of summer.  Aliyah had gotten a swim thing like Max for Christmas and they both just got right in and did so well with it.  I did have to ask Max to let go of Luke a few times of course.  He basically hung on him the whole weekend:).  Luke is such a sweetheart he never asks him to stop but I know it must get a little annoying!

Harold Swanson

He put up a good fight after being given 3 days to 3 weeks back in October.  We're really glad again that Nate and Max made it out to visit him a few months ago.  It will be something I know Nate will always be thankful for, to have seen him once again and for have Max to see him now that he's old enough to hopefully remember the trip.  We were lucky to have spent his 97th birthday with him 2 years ago in MN and then we spent it via I-Pad last year while the kids sang him a song.  What a wonderful family man to have had influenced all the Swanson family.  He was loved and will be truly missed...

Random winter fun

Most of the posts are always events/trips/gatherings, but I know some day I'll be happy to remember a random old Thursday when we're all just at home.  As much fun as we have doing special things, I very much cherish the few days I get alone at home with the kids, and will forever be grateful for these less 'exciting' memories.  As I watch how fast they grow and realize it's the last year Max isn't in school every day all day, it really makes me want to hold tight to these kind of pictures as well.:)

This was Aliyah setting up a bible study in her room for all her "friends"!

This was Max's 5 year, 3 month and 2 day birthday party, with gifts, lego cake (and real cookies), hats and decorations.... hey, it's been too cold to go outside most of the time so we have to do something!

And one day this January when it actually went into the 30's (maybe) we took advantage.  How do you get a 3 and 5 year old to ride in a stroller (so mom can get a work out in)?  Give them road detectors (aka: sticks) and tell them we're searching for snow piles and puddles to drive through!

And then let them run around in the back yard, getting all muddy, just cause they sure miss playing out there!

Mogel Family Reunion

We once again held the post-Christmas Mogel family reunion.  Luckily the weather held out and almost everyone was able to make it.  Friday evening all the out of staters got in town.  The kids and I went to my mom's to have pizza with Uncle Ron, Aunt Anne, Ryan and Uncle Jim (who was out for the farm show).  Then we went home to wait for our guests.  The kids had a blast with the VA kids!  The sad part was that Nate had to head into town to care for Diana (while Ken was in MN) because of her having some bad back pain.  He was really sad he missed everyone, but the Scott/Michelle Mogel clan was a HUGE help in his absence.  Saturday we had the church again while the rest of the PA family came out for a yummy soup lunch, this worked out wonderfully.  Then most came back to our house for a "picnic dinner" and more time together.  We enjoyed brunch at my mom's before everyone headed home and we all crashed!

 I feel like I'm way too short for this family!

 Karen/Michelle selfie!

 Max learning some moves from G & D!

2014 Farm Show!

As always, something to look forward to once Christmas ends, is the farm show.  We went as a family Sunday evening and then back with my mom and the kids Thursday.  Kids just love it of course:)

 They take their machines seriously!

She was scared and I told him to help her, this was cute:)

East Visit

A few days after Christmas we made some rounds back in Bucks County.  We had a wonderful visit with mom-mom Paul & Julie and were thrilled that Steve, Christina, Stevie and Michelle were able to come.  The kids love playing with them!

 And of course a manicure from Aunt Julie!

 Mom-mom checking out Aliyah's new shoes!

It was also a beautiful day and we got to spend the first half of it at Grandpa Ken's enjoying our new bikes!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  What a wonderful day to celebrate the birth of our Savior.  It was so nice and relaxing and we really enjoyed a quiet day celebrating.

We always enjoy Jesus' birthday cake, especially since we get to eat is as breakfast!

  And of course, Santa did get our lists...

 Aliyah picked out a "sweat pea" for daddy because he "likes pretty things":)

 And all Max wanted to get daddy was a star wars ornament, thank you Hallmark!

  These were the gifts they got for each other:)

 Ugh Santa, a phone (with the "phone" not activated), but in all honesty it is nice not have "Monkey points" pop up on my phone while I'm at work:)

 Grandma Melody made some adorable photo albums for the kids, this of course is Aliyah's favorite page:)

 This is his "why aren't you opening this first" face...

 Great Grandma Nancy makes the cutest things!

 Mom-mom came over so we gave her all her gifts.

 A yummy stuffed salmon dinner!

 And then.... A light bulb went off in my head to solve the "our Christmas tree is SO beyond dead and has been for weeks but I can't fathom not having a tree till at least after new years" problem.  We got out the old fake 3 footer we used to use when the kids were little, drug the dead one out to the porch and the kids had a BLAST decorating a second tree on Christmas day, which stayed up for quite some time by the way!