Pugs and Kisses

We are dog-sitting this weekend! Darla (the pug) and Nellie (the lab/springer mix) came Thursday morning and will be hanging out with us through Saturday...or, if their owners get stuck on I-29 coming home from Minnesota, maybe a little longer! They are super sweet and the kids just LOVE them.

"Mommy, I'm drawing a picture of Nellie and Darla for them to take home with them," says Emily.

"Mommy, doggies really love me!" says Christian.

It's been fun. 'Glad they're only here to play though. Ever since Peanut passed away last January, the kids have really missed having a furry friend around (even though they were constantly getting pestered by him). But, I'm busy enough w/the kiddos and so getting another animal is NOT an option right now. So, when the opportunity to puppy-sit came along, I thought it would be a win-win situation for all! (The kids get their pet-fill for a bit, and the dogs are only here to visit--perfect!) And, I visit teach Darla and Nellie's "mommy" and so the kids will still get to see them at least once a month after this!

(Nellie, licking Emily, while Darla snags a nap.)

Post Office Casualties

It has come to our attention that many of our out-of-town friends and family members have received our Christmas letter and picture in bits and pieces (or not at all--the front of the envelope is all that has survived in a few instances!).


So, along with the resolution to buy better envelopes next year, here is the picture that we sent out this year. The letter outlined the major highlights of the year (and if you're a reader of this blog, you've hit the highlights and the lowlights!). I'm so sorry that so many cards were mutilated and lost to the Great Post Office Abyss and I vow to avenge them next year!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas 2010!

Merry Christmas!

This year the weather cooperated and we were able to have a wonderful, non-snowed-in Christmas with our family. Christmas Eve was spent out at my Grandma's. Dinner was delicious and we opened up a few gifts as well--let the craziness begin!

Once we got back home, Emily and Christian each wrote their respective notes to Santa and we set out the obligatory treats (complete with Santa's favorite cinnamon roll!). We then read "The Polar Express" and the Christmas story in the Bible. Then, it was off to bed!
Santa came with fun toys for all! Emily's quote to Cubby: "Daddy, I'm surprised that Santa brought us gifts this year b/c we were pretty naughty!" We told her that her good deeds must've out-weighed the bad!

Christian's gift from Santa: Spike! He's been wanting one of these for at least a year and a half. Thankfully, Santa loves Craigslist and we had one happy little boy!
After opening presents here (and after Kari took her little rest), we headed over to my mom's for brunch (complete w/Swedish music) and, of course, more presents!

Kari had much more fun this time (when she first woke up, she was a little unsure about what was going on and just wanted her regular "routine" rather than all of the chaos!) After getting to Grandma's though, she got her second wind and enjoyed opening up some of her little gifts.

When it was all said and done, we had some tired kiddos (Christian especially!) We did have some great bonding time and had a fabulous Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Lindseths!

Her Spidey Senses Were Tingling

This Spideybaby was super excited to get dressed up like the big kids!

L is for Lycanthrope

Emily and Christian's book-of-the-week is a book called "H is for Halloween" by Althea Kontis and Bob Kolar. (A bit out of season, I know, but it's what they brought home from the library last week.) In it, the letter "L" is for Lycanthrope, or werewolf. So, today they were pretending to be lycanthropes. I asked Emily what werewolves do. She said, "we go out and hunt at night. If we bite any people, they turn into werewolves too!" (Pretty accurate.) So, after building an appropriate den, off they went on their hunt (downstairs). Here is their catch:

And here is what Emily had to say about their latest kill:

Emily (snarling): This is my meat sandwich. It's red with blood. But, whatever we don't eat turns back into chicken at night!

I got a good laugh out of it and since I usually don't record all of the funny things they say throughout the day, I wanted to get it down quickly before I forgot! I hope you got a chuckle as well :-).

I LOVE SANTA!

Santa came to visit our church ward's Christmas party. Because our oldest is just a TAD bit afraid of the jolly man in red, we have not taken the kids to see Santa before. This year, though, Christian wanted to see him. And boy, was he excited to see him! He ran right over and gave him the BIGGEST hug--just like seeing an old friend! They then got down to business and discussed the upcoming holiday and what a sweet little boy would want (Zhu-zhu pets and robots).


It was so darling! Even Kari allowed herself to get a quick picture. But, you ask, where was Emily??

Watching from afar! Even at six, she still wants NO part of the Santa experience. Well, I guess we'll just see if she ends up with what she wants for Christmas!

Emily did have a nice time, however, with her sweet little friend, Aurora. She was so thrilled to be able to sit by her at dinner!

Jingle Bell Rock

Emily's dance puts on an informal Christmas concert. This year, Emily's class did a cute little tap number to "Jingle Bell Rock." Emily was very excited--they got to wear jingle bells! It was such a cute little dance and she did so well; she really knew how to do each of the steps! In fact, her whole class did great and the tapping sounded loud and clear!

I think she liked pretended to "rock the night away" by playing her air guitar!

That's the Jingle Bell Rock!