First Annual Christmas Sleigh Ride

Shortly after Thanksgiving I started to stress over the thought of Christmas shopping. We have so many special people on our shopping list, we want to keep our gift giving fair but give something that people will like, need and remember! Plus, now that we're parents I wanted to make a point to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, after all, Christmas isn't about all the pretty packages under the tree. 

After many gift giving discussions with Erik we decided the best gift we could give was the gift of time. An experience that would allow everyone to enjoy each others company and create life long memories. We moved forward with plans for a horse drawn sleigh ride. 

We planned the sleigh ride the afternoon before Christmas Eve. It was a brisk 10 degrees but that didn't stop us from having an enjoyable afternoon dashing through the snow. Before climbing aboard the sleigh we filled our mugs with hot cocoa and cider and grabbed a blanket. 

I wasn't worried about Thomas getting too cold with all these aunties willing to snuggle him!

Thomas is wondering why Auntie Lauren isn't sharing, I think she added a little something special to her cocoa. 

I just love these two so much!

Lauren and Stephanie.

We're so glad Erik's grandma Hazel was able to join in the fun!

My brother Drew works ALL THE TIME, we're so glad he was able to get the day off to hang with the fam! 

I was a little concerned with how Thomas would hold up but he did great because he is "SO BIG!"

Thomas and his grandpas checking out the big horses!

I'm pretty sure all little girls dream of having a horse, I think it is still a dream of Hannah's. She was in love with those black beauties.

The whole group! All our favorite people!

Hannah and Lauren.

Thomas wasn't quite sure what to think, maybe next year he'll be a little more excited.

Merry Christmas To: Our Families

Love: Erik, Elise and Thomas

Happy First Birthday to our "Little Man"

When Thomas was first born I can't tell you how many people told us how fast he would grow up. Now I believe them! It blows my mind that our Little Man has been warming our hearts for a whole year! No one makes us happier than this happy, easy going, giggly, cuddly little guy. I think it is safe to say Thomas has brought so much joy to so many people. Most of these people were able to celebrate with us the weekend of Thomas' first birthday. Many were unable to attend due to unfavorable weather. Low birthday party attendance might be something we always deal with on Thomas' January birthday. Luckily, almost all of Erik's family was able to celebrate with us!

These sweet cousins of mine were able to make a quick stop! I think their father enjoyed the adventure of going out in a blizzard!! Thanks for coming girls!

Thomas received so many nice gifts!

Many of Erik's family members celebrate birthdays in January. All of these people were hoping Thomas would be born on their birthday and Great Grandma Rosie was the winner! Missing from the January Birthdays photo is Erik's brother Peter. 

 Grandpa John and Auntie Stephanie are helping Thomas practice blowing out a candle. It's almost his turn!!

The mess was contained to his hands and face until Grandpa John asked, "Thomas, where is your head?!"

Birthday pic with Auntie Hannah and Auntie Stephanie. Too bad Grandpa didn't ask where their heads were! ;)

 Kisses from Grandma C and Grandpa F!

More birthday pictures with Grandpa John and Grandma LaRaye!
Perhaps my favorite part of the party was the photo booth. It was a great way to get pictures of everyone in attendance plus, it was a lot of fun to watch people choose props and pose!

These clowns had a tough time getting a "serious" photo.

 Love birds.

I can't believe my little man is ONE! He has made me so so happy! Mama loves you, Thomas!

Time for a pic with Great Grandma Rosie and Great Grandma Bette! Sure was nice of the great grandparents to venture out in the blizzard! 

Grandma LaRaye and Grandpa John take a turn!

Thomas (and Baby#2) are so lucky to have Erik for a dad! No one makes Thomas giggle like his daddy does!

Stephanie, Kristi and Erin looking very "manly." 

Uncle Drew is a goofy guy!

 

It took a little extra "courage" for Uncle Peter to take a turn in the photo booth!

What a fun night! It was probably more enjoyable for Erik and I than it was for Thomas. I realize he won't remember this special celebration but fortunately we have great pictures to share with him one day. He is so blessed to have all these loving, caring people in his life! I guess now that his first birthday party is in the books it's time to start planning his 2nd birthday celebration! ;)

Grandparents and Uncle Mathew come to town.

We love having company and we were lucky enough to get visitors two weekends in a row. First, Lauren, Peter, Mike and Kylie and the following weekend my parents and brother, Mathew! My parents were able to deliver a new puppy to some friends down here. Before taking the puppy to the new owners they stopped by our place so Thomas could spend some time with this sweet little fur ball. Seriously the nicest, calmest puppy I have ever been around. Thomas loved this little guy, especially from a distance. ;)

 The puppy was cool but Uncle Mathew's braces were pretty interesting too!

It was now time for Grandpa to take the puppy away. The puppy looks almost as sad as Thomas.

Thomas loves to read books and he was so proud to show off his new animal noises to Grandma. I don't think she minded reading the same book over and over, they look pretty cozy. 

Now out for a little sledding! As it turns out, Thomas didn't recognize my mom with that hat on, once she took it off the tears went away. They continued their outdoor fun with a walk around the block.

 

The weekend has come to a close, time to say good bye. 

   

We are so glad they came to see us. Erik and I especially appreciated Grandma and Grandpa staying home with the sleeping baby so we could go to a movie. It was the first time we had been to the theater since Thomas was born. Getting dropped off and picked up at a movie by my dad kind of reminded us of junior high. 

 

Thanks for the visit, Mathew. Come back soon!

   

Auntie Lauren comes to Play

We love having company and this particular weekend we had a lot of it! My sister Lauren came for the weekend which was great because we hadn't seen her since Christmas. She is such a huge help with Thomas and he loved getting to play with her. She took him sledding on his new blue sled. 

I had taken Thomas sledding twice before and he really enjoyed it. He and I rode down the hill on a cardboard box. (we didn't have a sled) He seemed to love it so we invested in a $4 sled. :)

As it turns out, the sled goes a little faster than the diaper box. Shoot!

Thomas was as startled as we were when we noticed them gaining speed heading straight towards the neighbor's brick front porch. Good thing Auntie put on the brakes. They made two trips down the hill before Thomas decided he had had enough. 

Uncle Peter rounded up some Timberwolves tickets and decided to come down for a night too. He brought along our good friend Mike and Mike's girlfriend Kylie. Friday night the boys went to the basketball game and Thomas entertained us girls. They only stayed one night but it sure was nice to see them!

Thomas loved all the attention. He hopes uncle Peter comes back again sometime soon!

We took advantage of the beautiful evening for a picture in the snow before heading off to dinner.

We thought this would be Auntie's last night with us but luckily (for us) a big blizzard came and she had to stay another night! 

What a "LOVELY" day.

It was a happy Valentines Day for the Anderson's! We started off with angel food french toast topped with real whipped cream and berries for breakfast. Sitting down for a meal together was a great way to start the day. I love that we have the opportunity to sit down together for three meals a day. 

 Obviously, Thomas was thrilled about taking pictures before digging into breakfast.

 Happy Valentine's day from our little love bug.

 It was a beautiful day! Thomas and I played outside for nearly 40 minutes. I pulled him up and down the street in his new blue sled. Then we parked in a snow bank and watched the bobcat and pickup plow snow. He would have watched all day if I would have allowed it. He cried when I took him inside which was a sure sign it was nap time.

 It has taken a while but he has come around to the idea of snow. He thought it was fun to scoop it up and then clap his hands together. It is so fun watching him discover and experiment with new things.

After Thomas' four hour nap Daddy came home for lunch! Thomas is always excited when Daddy gets home. Erik surprised me with a beautiful package before heading back to work, a treat for my feet....new Uggs! Erik opened his final card from me. We celebrated the 10 days of Valentine's with a love note a day.

 Quick family pic before dinner. I love these two to the moon and back!

Valentine's Day dinner menu: BBQ ribs, twice baked potatoes, au gratin asparagus, strawberry spinach salad and corn bread. Just a few of Erik's favorites. 

 Erik requested my mom's brownies and ice cream for dessert but this pregnant mama had another idea, Russian Creme and raspberries. I'll make him brownies sometime soon!

 And cookies for a bed time snack. It was a great day spent with my two favorite Valentine's!