Rock-a-Bye

Emma and Allison got rocking chairs from Great Grandma Lorrie for Christmas. Here are a few pictures of the girls in their Rockers! And one of the girls with Grandma and Grandpa B.

Merry Christmas!

Hey Everyone! Merry Belated Christmas! I hope everyone had a GREAT Christmas whether you ventured out into the snow or stayed in and had a change of plans! We had a change of plans due to the weather... Fortunately it worked out for most everyone to get together at my Grandma Berntson's on Wed. night instead of Thurs.(Christmas Eve). Jesse was the only one who couldn't make it, he got home late from work Wed. and had to be up for work early Thurs. morning. So anyway, Allison and I ventured out to Grandma's. Wed. if you remember wasn't the nicest of days either, and we probably should have taken Jesse's pick-up. The drive there was not bad, but I was worried about getting home. My WONDERFUL parent's brought us home safely. My dad drove my car and my mom drove ahead of us in the Explorer. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to them!! My car is NOT good on snow and it was drifting. It wouldn't have been so bad to be stranded at their house, except I had to work Christmas day and didn't want to leave Jesse home alone! So anyway, we had Christmas with the Berntson's on Wed. instead of Christmas Eve. It was a little wierd not going to church first and so we weren't all dressed up. But I was very glad to be able to celebrate together. My Grandma Lorrie is my only grandparent left. So Christmas Eve we went to our church here in Willmar, which was nice, but it wasn't the same as going to my hometown church, First Lutheran in Hector. Where I know everyone and get to see SO many familiar faces as everyone comes home to spend Christmas with their families and goes to church. After church we opened the few presents we had at our house. Allison had a few and Jesse got me a Snuggie (see pic! I was reading one day and commented that it would be nice to have one, turns out he does listen to me!). Then we were lucky enough to be invited for in informal Christmas get together at the Rath's who were also "snowed in" in Willmar and not doing their usual Christmas Eve. We had a very non-traditional evening of Pizza and Rock Band! It was so fun, I wish I had pics from that night, I will have to get some from Holli! It was funny to watch the kids interact now that they are getting older! (Turns out Allison is a bit of a bully!) Anyway, then I worked Christmas Day 13 hours (but it was SO worth it for the pay!) and Jesse and Allison ventured to the Mages' Christmas in Olivia, they didn't stay long as it started to snow, but they no sooner got home then it quit, they probably drove home in the worst of it! Oh well. We still have Christmas with my family this coming weekend and one more probably the weekend after. We wish everyone much love and happiness this Holiday Season! And have a Happy New Year!

Ear Tubes

Well, it's all over with and I survived :)! Allison's first surgery! She had bilateral ear tubes placed today at the surgery center in Willmar by Dr. Pesola (ENT). I swear the whole procedure lasted 5 min.! Allison did great, she was quite fussy as she was waking up from the anesthesia, but returned to herself quickly after getting home. Grandma Nancy was nice enough to come with and help us out since Jesse couldn't get the day off work. It was so nice to have her help because she took Allison home while I ran and got the ear drops (and a toy :)) for her. I got Nancy and I white chocolate mocha's from Caribou as a treat! (as most of you who know me know, I don't drink coffee but with all the chocolate and whipped cream you could hardly call it coffee! Plus silly me, I gave in and worked extra until 11:30 last night, didn't get to bed until after 12 and had to be up at 6:15!!) So anyway, Allison is doing GREAT now, she was so tired though, she fell asleep as I was reading to her. The poor thing, Dr. Pesola said she still had infection in her (R) ear and drainage in her (L) and this is after being on 2 different antibiotics (the first one didn't clear it up and the 2nd one is having a hard time!). So we definately made the right decision on the tubes!! She has been SOOO good though, I thought for sure the ear infection was gone. Anyway, hoping this is her last one! And now at least if she does get another we can treat with ear drops instead of oral antibiotics. Although it is no easy task getting drops in a 1 yr. olds ears!! We have to do them for 3 days 3x a day now after surgery! Here are a couple pics from the morning.

Snow Day!

Yesterday afternoon Jesse decided Allison should have a sled. So while she was napping he went and bought her a sled and then of course when she got up they had to go use it. She really seemed to be loving it, "whee" and smiling! He said she did get one face full of snow, but she just licked at it. It took us longer to get her in her snow suit and all dressed to go out then she was actually outside, but oh well.

Ice Fishing Begins!

Hunting no sooner ended then ice fishing began! I thought with the warm Nov. that it would be Jan. at least (wishful thinking, I know!) but Jesse literally got home from his hunting trip the first week in Dec. and said, "on the way home we say ice houses on the lakes!" Ugh! So, first I am a hunting widow, now I am an ice fishing widow! Ok, I am overexaggerating (sp.?). He really doesn't get to do either as often as he would like anymore and he spends tons of time with Allison, taking care of her while I am at work. And I play VB 1 night a week, so he takes care of her that night too (although some weeks I don't have to leave until after she is in bed). It actually is just the fact that I feel bad that he doesn't get to go as much as he would like that bothers me. But I know one day before we know it our babies won't need us as much and then I will long for these days again. But anyway, he did get to go on Sunday and had fantastic luck on Onion Lake (ha! that is what he tells me to tell people! Fishermen!!). Caught some nice Walleye's, they were delicious!

Happy Birthday Holli!

Happy 30th Birthday to one of my best friends!! She turned the big 3-0 Dec. 10! And did it with Style, of course!! We had a fun party for her at the Legion in Willmar with music courtesy of Larry the DJ guy! And a FABULOUS cake! Too young to be a Cougar, but "Proud to be a Puma!" Holli, You ROCK!! Love you!

Vrrrooom!

At Josh and Katie's wedding Allison had so much fun playing in this car. If we had room for one, I would get her one! And here is just a picture of Jesse and I from the wedding. It is pathetic, but my battery (and it is a rechargeable lithium battery, so I don't think I could just go get another at Walmart) in the camera went dead that day and I have NO pics of Josh and Katie and NO pics of the three of us. I am SOOO glad the photographer got one.