Heide Ho Ho Ho

We enjoyed an early Christmas with my side of the family this past weekend. We have been celebrating early for years and that generally means everyone can make it.  The only member missing was my nephew Michael who is living in San Francisco. We changed it up and instead of a traditional turkey/ham we had lasagna. It was a nice change, dishes were done much quicker, and my kids ate like piglets. There were tons left over and my kids ate like piglets for a second time the next day. We watched Grumpy Old Men and Christmas Vacation. My kids got a video game that kept them enthralled much longer than I care to admit. Come….meet my family.

Here is my gorgeous mother. It’s because of her we all get spoiled and fed so well while we are there. Isn’t this a great picture of her? I just love it.

This is my dad and my sister Lisa.

 

 

 

 

This is Lisa’s boy Matthew. With him is Sarah. I am not quite sure what to call her, exactly. But we sure hope she’s around a long time.

 

 

 

 

 

This is Lisa’s youngest Mitchell. He’s all grown up and drove down himself, stayed overnight with my parents, and went back to Lakeville the next day. Cripes, it’s like he’s an adult or something.

 

 

 

 

My brother Rick and his wife Tracy. We used to live next door (yes, directly next door) to them for years. I miss that. My brother and I are almost exactly ten years apart.

 

 

 

 

 

This is Rick’s oldest Cameron. I apologize for the blurry picture. I have no idea what happened. And of course, because he was next to me, I didn’t take any other pictures of him.

 

 

 

My brother’s youngest, Calvin, and my other sister Carrie.

 

 

 

 

 

Carrie’s only child, Devon, and her husband Bud. Could they be more gorgeous?

 

 

 

 

Last but not least, my two wee ones…..

 

 

Again, my speed light was my best friend. Why this little piece of equipment decided to start working is beyond me. I swear I have tried it before and it never got shots like these. No editing on color at all was needed. I am using one of my old lenses (not my new one) and my parents downstairs is dark…I have never been able to get shots this decently down there ever. Love it!!

Hope you have a great week. School was out at noon today. We are getting hit with a huge storm again. Off to watch the Vikes play the Bears on the U of M field. Crazy!!

Love,

LB

Lego Heaven

The Heide Christmas took place this past Saturday. We had a great time eating, watching movies, and opening presents.

Of Course both boys were spoiled by Granny and Papa as usual………

 

Kids got Legos from my parents. They love them and worked hours this morning on them. They set up camp in front of the TV, watching their favorite morning cartoons, and creating their masterpieces. Makes for hours of peace and quiet for this mama.

Can’t post all the pictures from that day as I have to get ready for a fun filled afternoon and evening with my BFF Tammy and Paul! They are in town from Indiana and I have about 6 hours of Tammy Time today so I need to get ready!

A little sneak peek into the Heide Christmas until I get more time to post………..

Martha Stewart, eat your heart out.

Peace Out,

LB

Christmas Begins

A huge snowstorm that pounds us with over 15 inches, so much so that it collapses our football stadium? No biggie. Let’s watch it storm and have our first Christmas of the year!

We celebrated early with Mike’s family this year. It’s always easy and relaxing getting together now that the kids are older and naps, sippy cups, diapers, and bottles are a thing of the past. It was so relaxing in fact that we got there at 10:30 in the morning and didn’t leave until almost 8 that night! It was a little tough getting home (Mike says we wouldn’t have made it if we had still had the minivan) but we barreled our way through the unplowed streets and made it safely home! We were the only ones on the road, and it was evident why! Good thing we don’t live far from each other.

Cindy and Dave

We enjoyed snacks throughout the day and I probably drank a whole pot of yummy egg nog coffee. YUM! We decided it was so much easier to just snack all day than to sit for a whole meal. Good thing we went that route since we were there for basically three meals! We watched Christmas Vacation, opened presents, snacked, and lounged. Perfect conditions if you ask me.

We let the kids open first and they take turns going by age opening and oooo-ing and awwwing. If we didn’t do it this way we would never see what everyone got and it would be a disaster! After they are done, the kids head for downstairs and it’s the adults turn! Again, we take turns and slowly enjoy everyone’s new gifts. I got a couple of great books to read over break (including The Help), and a gorgeous scarf and tote from my favorite store, Ann Taylor Loft (tried to link to these items but they are sold old! Trust me, totally adorable)

Jake……it’s so hard to wait your turn to open!

Actually Jake might just be the most well-behaved 4 year old I know. He waited patiently each time, but doesn’t his face look like he’s in slight pain waiting?

Connor, very serious about his new paper guitar.

This little gem of a machine allows Connor to rock-out LOUDLY to numerous songs. Songs his father likes to listen to. Songs that make the mother cringe and cover her ears.

Noah and his new Twins sweatshirt. He hasn’t taken this thing off since receiving it.

Noah and Brock got the same sweatshirt and they both put them on. They looked like Twins…get it? Twins! Nevermind……

 

Mike and his new fish finder thingy.

Apparently this little number will just plop in the hole and point out all the big walleyes. Mike wanted to purchase this gift for himself about two weeks ago. I had to pretend to “forget” the coupon at home one night when we met him at Perkins for supper. Yeah, didn’t go over well. But, it was worth him being annoyed with me.

Peyton and Macy. So fun to buy girly things for them each year.

I had fun going to the GIRL section of various stores shopping for these two!

Cousins

We hardly see the boys when we get together. They are off playing and being boys. Zach, Noah, and Macy will all be at my school next year. I have been looking forward to that year for a long time! It can’t come quick enough.

Brock and his new shoes that came all the way from China. You should have seen the box.

Brock is at my school this year. It’s so nice to come around the corner and see him smiling and saying hello!

Connor

Corey and Shari

Shari turns the big 4-0 this year on New Year’s Eve so these two are headed to Mexico for a much deserved vacation without their 5 kids! This is the reason we celebrated early this year. Hope they have a blast!!

 

So sweet!

Always willing to pose for his mama.

It was such a great way to spend a stormy day/night.

Thank you Grandma Cindy and Dave for spoiling all of us once again this year! We love you both!

Peace,

LB

*** as a side note, this was the first time I have been happy with my indoor pictures. I did very little editing, which is amazing because I usually do tons of editing of my indoor pictures. I used my speed light and for some reason, it worked nicely. I am sure it was a combination of the amount of light in the room, the distance from my subjects, and the lens I used. Regardless, it made me quite happy I ordered THIS lens with the money my parents give me for Christmas. It’s supposed to help with indoor pictures and creating gorgeous bokeh. I thought it might come this weekend but not even the mailman can get through this amount of snow! Maybe Monday….

Christmas Tree….. Budd’s Style

Traditionally we go and chop down our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, but not this year. Mike had to work on Friday (who made up that phrase banker’s hours anyway? They had to have been a heavy drinker) so we ventured out Saturday morning to Budd’s Tree Farm in Clarks Grove. We have been going there since Mike and I met, and Mike has been going there many years before that. It’s one tradition we have never let go of. We love it.

This year I decided to let Noah take the pictures. He wasn’t super keen on the idea at first but really warmed up to it as he got going.

Me, explaining this would be an example of a bbbaaadddd tree choice.

 

 

 

Mom and dad with attempted bunny ears.

 

 

 

We had about four trees we really liked. Then we would run into another one we liked. This continued until we decided we found the perfect one.

Connor asked to chop the tree down this year…..

 

Dad explaining to Connor how it’s done.

It’s a lot harder than it looks when you have short arms.

Success!

 

 

 

Off for a good shaking.

We put off decorating it until Sunday morning. I always have to do the lights (takes forever, lots of winding around each and every branch) and then the boys pretty much do all the rest, except the highest parts. I am not a collector (the thought of it makes me itch), so I don’t have interesting ornaments, ornaments with lots of meaning, or ornaments that came from 100 years ago. In fact, mine are hand-me-downs from my parents!  I have regular ornaments. And I like how it turns out every year. 

 

Happy first day of December tomorrow!

Love…

LB