Hello December!

The three little beetles are busy welcoming the winter months and holiday season!

Like most holidays, Ben is ready to embrace all things Christmas - thus our tree, garland and Christmas lights have been up for several days now! We also welcomed our very own "Elf on the Shelf" yesterday. I swore up and down I would never invite one of these little guys into the house, but seeing how crazy Ben went over St. Patrick's day and all things leprechauns, I felt like I would be jipping him on something if we didn't provide him the "Elf Experience." The little dude arrived after bath last night by ringing the doorbell as only an elf would (over and over again in a crazy, maniac like pattern). As expected, Ben has fully embraced the elf, naming him "Elfie" and pretty much hasn't stopped talking about him since his arrival. This means mama has to get creative with what mischief the little guy can get into each night...luckily there are lots of good ideas all over the Internets. 

We visited Santa and took a sleigh ride over Thanksgiving weekend. The magic of Christmas is very much with Ben - he asked me if the sleigh might take off for a few minutes because "the reindeer can really fly, right mama?" Santa was so sweet and patient with our three little beetles and made a very big to do about how he has been watching Ben all year be a very good big brother to Harper and Sam and what an important job he has to be a big brother to not one, but two babies. We watched our oldest boy stand a little taller when the big man shared this observation. 

We also had our first big Minnesota snow of the year. Good thing more will be coming in the next couple days because Ben was so excited, and insisted on going out for just a few minutes before soccer practice to try and build a snow man. The base is ready and waiting for more additions tomorrow! Harper and Sam seemed to enjoy the snow, too and especially like the first few steps outside when they realize the white stuff is falling from the sky!

Lots more fun to be had the rest of the month, experiencing the holidays (snow and all) through the eyes of our little beetles certainly adds magic to this time of year!

Sleigh bells ring

Santa 2013 - H&S 15 months, Ben five years

Isn't the snow great, Harper? - Ben 5 years, Harper 15 months

Learning to walk in the snow is tricky business - Sam 15 months

Snow bunnies - H&S 15 months

6 months of Beetle Life

Somehow 6 months have slipped away without a post - summer in Minnesota will keep do that to you!  Hot summer days have left us and the snow is falling now. We spent lots of time outside during the dog days of summer, celebrated first birthdays and became proud kindergartner parents!

Sibling love and one of the first times standing -  H&S 10 months, Ben 5 years

Lunch time laughs - H&S 10 months

Fun in the sun at Auntie Amy and Uncle Jason's - Sam 10.5 months

Bathing Beauty - Harper 10.5 months

7 years anniversary celebrated

Fun family pictures taken by the talented Jamie Stoia on one of the only 90+degree MN days this summer (notice the rosy cheeks!)

Yoga camp for the oldest beetle - Ben five years

Sweet dimpled Sam smiles - 11.5 months

Harper giggles - 11.5 months

Hot summer evenings - H&S 11.5 months

One year old birthday babies

Our sweet kindergarten boy - Ben 5 years

Proud daddy on first day of kindergarten

Harper and Ben (or "Bob" as she calls him!) happy to be reunited after school - Harper 12.5 months, Ben 5 years

Messes Made - Harper 12 months

Cheering for big brother at fall soccer - Harper 12 months

Early nostalgia setting in - School BBQ, Ben 5 years

First steps - Harper 13 months

Pumpkin patching and apple picking with Grammie K - H&S 13.5 months, Ben 5 years

Taking advantage of two babies in diapers with tower building - Ben five years

Halloween Puppies and Red Power Ranger - H&S 14 months, Ben 5 years

Fun with good friends - H&S 15 months, Ben 5 years