Post Christmas fun

The day after Christmas we stayed down in Minneapolis for the day to enjoy some time with my brother and his girlfriend. We spent the day at the Mall of America and Lucy had a BLAST. She seriously hardly napped at all and was a CHAMPION - she was ridiculously happy to be hanging out with everyone. She alternated between being held and riding around in her carseat (she got hot being carried and eventually we stripped her down to only her onesie). We went and walked through the Aquarium and Lucy was AMAZED to look at all the fish and the different colors, Uncle Cubby was thrilled to carry her around and explain her to all about the fish (Uncle Cubby is working on becoming a Vet). We also ate lunch at a delicious Italian place in the mall.  We had a great time walking around and talking and hanging out.

Uncle Cubby & Lucy
Jellyfish

Uncle Cubby & Lucy 

Lucy had the magic smile to convince Grandma that
she needed this stuffed baby golden retriever (which is super cute)

Christmas

Christmas has come and gone. Christmas has happened and it was WONDERFUL. If I could only give my description of Christmas one word I would say: Family. And then of course Lucy Lucy Lucy.  My grandparents, Lucy's great grandparents even made the long drive up to spend Christmas with Lucy (and the rest of us, but really Lucy). I wish I could adequately capture the love that everyone has for the sweet girl. And SHE LOVED Christmas or really she loved playing with the paper, being held by everyone, blowing spit bubbles, talking with everyone, and being in the midst of the action. It was indeed an outstanding Christmas. 

On Christmas Eve I had to work some, but after I was done (7:00pmish) I came  home and my mom had a feast of appetizers for us all and we opened gifts. Christmas day we went down to my Uncle's house in Minneapolis and then spent the night at my brother's house. We had a great time.

Here are some photos from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Lucy & Grandma & Grandpa

Lucy showing off her standing skills

Thomsons

Teaching Lucy how to play hearts

Lucy's favorite part of Christmas gifts:
the bows and the wrapping paper

#family

Four Generations of Thomsons

Selfie with my Favorite after
Christmas Eve worship

How was your Christmas?

O Christmas Tree

 Our Christmas tree has been up since the Sunday after Thanksgiving. However, it apparently has taken me until now to get the pictures up here, who knows why, I am going to blame the infant and my lack of sleep.  While in my dreams I had hoped that we would go to a Christmas tree farm and cut down our own tree, however, that didn't happen. Mostly due to the fact that we couldn't find a Christmas tree farm within a couple hours of us. Naturally AFTER we had our Christmas tree someone told us about one, so next year perhaps we will get to cut down our own Christmas tree. 

We got our tree at Costco, we looked at several places and due to our ridiculously wonderful and high ceilings, we didn't want a small or short tree.  We wanted something big, something huge, and something that would fill our space a little bit. We also didn't want it to cost us our kidneys and a limb or two. I was a little impatient for the first couple days. I desperately wanted to put lights and ornaments on the tree. However, Marc talked some sense into me and we waited a couple days while the branches settled down and the tree drank at least 1.2 million gallons of water (it felt like every little while we were filling the base with water). 

Our tree is nothing crazy in terms of decorations, however, it is filled with much love and most of the ornaments tell a story (okay not all of them and we do have some filler ornaments but I would bet 75% are story tellers). For example here is the bell ornament my Godparents gave me the year I was born, it is engraved with "1984" and "Baby's first Christmas"

This is one of Marc's ornaments he really does "Live to bike" and he got this ornament from his grandparents one Christmas (or so he told me).

 You had to anticipate seeing at least one of these, I seriously LOVE these HUGE Mickey head ornaments. I got this one a couple years ago when I was down in WDW for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon.

This ornament is also from my Godparents (I actually have gotten a Christmas ornament from them every year since I was born), they gave this to us the year we were married. They have given me the entire Lenox collection of the 12 days of Christmas as well as several other Lenox ornaments. I think these ornaments are GORGEOUS and LOVE putting them on our tree every year. 

I think Marc found this ornament last year just after Christmas for a quarter or something goofy, it was PERFECT, we had just moved into our current house days before Christmas and we were still unpacking on Christmas. 

This ornament my mom brought up for Lucy. It is in the Lenox collection again and is a "Baby's First Christmas" ornament with "2014" and "Lucy" written on it. Perfectly sweet.

Here is my favorite thing about our Christmas tree, I can sit in our chair or on the couch, stare at the Christmas tree, snuggle my sweet babe, and crochet. I will miss this tree when it is gone.

Do you like having a Christmas tree?
What kind of ornaments do you have on your tree?
Do you have any favorite ornaments?

Santa

Lucy at a mere five months really just loves to be held and frankly doesn't overly care who is holding her, I would like to think that she cares when Marc and I hold her, however, I am not even 100% certain that is always true - she just loves to be held and loves to watch people. Last night I got the opportunity to work at the Spaghetti with Santa dinner for my local Lions club. While setting up and the crowds began to stream in and eat dinner I was chatting with Santa (who by the way was an AMAZING Santa - check out that beard, plus he was OUTSTANDING with the kids, they all loved him) and he and I were talking about how he has 79 visits to make during the month of December alone (although if I were looking for a Santa at an event this guy would be on the top of my list) and then he was making faces at Lucy. At one point he exclaimed - "do I get to hold her or do I just have to stare at her cuteness" - so I placed her down in his arms. Lucy while, the pictures don't necessarily capture it, blew spit bubbles at Santa, babbled, and snuggled right in and nearly fell asleep in his arms as she sat there for about twenty minutes. It wasn't until I had to leave to go clear the tables that I thought I should probably snap a picture (oops) and so hence her photos look like she is half asleep - because she is.

I was excited to be able to get a couple pictures with Santa  and not have to pay an arm and a leg in order to get them. While I don't know that I would have intentionally gone to seek out a Santa (at the mall or somewhere) to take Lucy's pictures with, I think I will be thrilled to have some pictures a few years from now. Being unprepared I am thankful she was in a bit of a neutral outfit yesterday as I didn't even think to pack an outfit in order to get her pictures with Santa. It will be fun to have a series of photos each year of her with Santa, hopefully next year she isn't afraid of him.

Have you been doing anything Christmasy lately?
Any plans to visit Santa?

Have you found a rockstar Santa?

CHAOS abounds

I love Christmas.
I love the Christmas season.
I love having family around during the Christmas season.
I love my family.
I love my call.

This week we have a ridiculously large funeral, read a beloved pastor from the synod, today, tomorrow we have three worship services and I get to (although on Christmas eve it sometimes feels like have to) lead worship at two different nursing homes in the morning, and Wednesday we have one service at the church. On top of it all my dear friend was here Thursday through Saturday, my mom arrive on Friday (thank God, because our new house needs some serious decorating help and my mom rocks at that), my mother in law arrived on Saturday, my father is set to arrive today as well as my brother and his spastic dog. Thank God my mother is here because she loves (or at least volunteers) to cook and help around the house. Thank God for a second bathroom - while yes there is still some waiting for the bathroom it has been greatly reduced.

I am will be more than ready for the 25th in the afternoon, then I can finally relax.
Fingers crossed this week we will get above 0 degrees so we can get outside a little bit.


What do your holiday plans look like?
Are you able to be outside where you live?

Christmas Decorations

Confession: I would LOVE to have my house all decorated for Christmas.

Reality: With moving last week, I am happy to have a bed to sleep on, so long fair well beloved thermarest may we not meet again until we are camping for real, not in my mostly empty house. I am elated to have my pots and pans back, I am beyond excited to have a couch to sit on. Boxes are all over my house, particularly in the basement (Mom and Dad when you visit - it will be like sleeping in a box fort, perhaps we'll make some progress before you arrive).

Really, I am more worried about unpacking my things, finding the extra toilet paper, finding my pants for work, and getting things put away. This year's Christmas decorations are going to be pitiful - I think I know where the Christmas stockings are. Goal: Find the Christmas Stockings before Santa comes on Christmas Eve (I believe they are in one of three boxes I have set aside in hopes the stockings are in there).

Next year, I shall really decorate my house for Christmas. I am doubtful that this year we will even get a Christmas tree up. We are now mid-month and it is sort of beginning to seem like a waste to go get one and put it up. Rather, I will find bedding and towels for our guests who are coming, I will find drinking glasses and plates.


Are you big into decorating for Christmas?
Real or fake tree?

Creepy and why

This post is weird and the photo quality is horrible but I had to post this. Here: Is a house that we drove by in Sioux Falls. It was creepy and weird. Their yard is filled will all sorts of  holiday bears (note the Valentine's day bear) and it fills their front yard. We drove by several times because we were in fact creeped out by it. We did drive by in order to confirm their commitment to these bears, they have lights on them at night.




While I appreciate their spirit we had several questions including:

• Do you think the bears are shellacked or how do they keep them from molding?
• What do the neighbors think?
• Why?!
• What do they do with these bears in the off season?
• Seriously?
• How long have they been decorating this way?
• Do they mold? (we asked this question about 12,001 times - reminder it snows here and the bears would get wet)
• Do they have them anchored down somehow? 
• Did they empty out the stuffing and fill them with sand?
• WHY?!

View from afar

Do you have any weird holiday decorating in your neighborhood? What do you think of "nontraditional decorating? Do you decorate your house for the holidays?

Jingle Jungle Parade - Animal Kingdom

While at Walt Disney World I always love the rides and attractions, but I also love all of the live performances from the stage shows, to the performances of different kinds, to the parades (which really are a production in and of themselves). One of the parades we got to see while we were down at WDW (and potentially one of my favorite parades) is Mickey's Jungle Parade, which during the holiday season is transformed into "Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade". It is much of the same as the Jungle Parade just with a holiday twist, all the floats are decked out in holiday paraphernalia, characters are in their holiday wear, Christmas music booms from the floats, and everything is covered in red and green.

One of the reasons I love this parade is, as you will note in several of the floats that come through, mostly the over sized animals are powered by people. The animals are hooked up to the people and they walk or bike them throughout the parade route. There are of course also the motor powered floats as well. Take a glimpse through some of my pictures from the parade (I am almost embarrassed to confess that this isn't even a fraction of my photos from the parade... ooops). ENJOY!

Do you like parades?

Do you have a favorite parade?

          I do always love the Macy's Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade

What are some of your favorite things at WDW?

Do you take a ton of pictures on vacation?

What do you do with all of your pictures?

Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I am celebrating with my fiance (seriously a year ago I never imagined I would have one of those), my parents, my brother & his girlfriend, my uncle, and three of my cousins. I wish it were possible for us all to get together like we use to at grandma and grandpa's but it isn't. We will utilize the joys of facetime (grandma has an Iphone and has better technology than I do, no joke) and connect in any way we can. It is crazy to think that my brother is the youngest amongst us (he's 24), although I would imagine that won't remain that way for long, my cousins, my brother, and I should be starting the next generation at some point. None the less we will still enjoy the wonder of Christmas, Santa has delivered yet again (thank God in my house we don't out grow Santa filling our socks), and we shall feast and enjoy the time together, enjoy the moments spent telling stories and playing board games.


What are you doing today?
How are you celebrating?

Merry Christmas to you all!

Full House

Or almost full house. I am certain we still have room for dad to arrive tomorrow. I love having my house full of people. My house is wonderfully sized, not too big and not too small. I have three bedrooms and only one bathroom (which is the downfall) and a story and a half (strange concept to me to have a half story). I found the house almost too big with just Dakota and I living there. I am certain when Marc moves in this June we will still find that we have plenty of space. I am thankful that I have a house that is large enough to be able to accommodate a few extra guests. We can figure out how to share the bathroom and not run out of hot water. I love having family around and totally can deal with the mess and other things that come with having extra people in the house.

I love having the noise in the house, I love the way Dakota knows that people are sleeping upstairs and begs to be let upstairs (I have her baby gated out) in order to wish them a good morning and get in a few morning snuggles. I love having a full kitchen table and sharing a meal with those I love. It will be great to have dad here on Monday. YAY for family.

Off to the YMCA for a run. Tinkerbell is around the corner, I am getting more and more excited each and every day, darn ice keeping me from running outside. I suppose since Christmas is now only two days away it is more than time to finish that last Christmas present looming over my head.



Do you have much left to prep for Christmas?
Do you enjoy hosting?
Did you finish all your Christmas projects?
Did you make many Christmas presents? Did you make any Christmas presents?

Missing Events

Sometimes I am a little sad that due to my call I work different hours than most of the world. Case in point: my fiance is back in Wisconsin for one of his cousin's weddings. I wish so very much that I could be there and while most of the world thinks that the Friday before Christmas would be a great time for a wedding because the family would be gathering anyways, it just doesn't work for me. Seriously there is no way in the world for me to get away a couple days before Christmas, particularly given the uncertainty of the weather up north and the fact that there is tons of crap that needs to get done. Blah, I wish I could be with him in Wisconsin.

Side perk of not going, my family is coming up here earlier because well they have the weekend off and into next week, so I will get the bonus of spending time with my parents, brother, and his girlfriend. Which really is exciting. I just would really like to go to a family function with my fiance. It would be wonderful to see his family again and to be at his cousin's wedding (she is wonderful). It is also a little complicated to explain to his family what exactly I do and how I actually do work more than an hour or two a week. I actually do more than play and have stuff that has to get done.

Reminder: I love my call. I am thankful for my family coming to visit. I am loved. Missing one family event won't kill me.

Glorification of busy.

I have seen the sign a few different places and it simply reads "stop the glorification of busy." I am caught up in that glorification all too often, I feel a need to be busy, to have my days programmed to what feels like the minute allowing no time to stop, breathe, and be. I am guilty as charged some days. I have been convicted of this time and time again and yet I love to have days to myself with nothing planned. I love the chance to make a fresh cup of coffee, drink it from a real mug (not a travel mug - I drink from a travel mug 90% of the time due to being on the go), curl up on my chair with my dog in my lap, and either read a good book or crochet for the fun of it.

I have Fridays off, I don't try not to work on that day, I try to make plans with friends, clean my house, get caught up on laundry, go grocery shopping, go for a good run, and whatever else may tickle my fancy that day. I love my day off, usually I can avoid at least going into work. It is a gift for sure.

Post Thanksgiving and pre-Christmas always seems to me like the epitom of busy. There are Christmas presents to make/buy and wrap, there are parties to attend, advent to survive (extra services, bible studies, and an extra book study), on top of it seems unfortunately that we are going to have several funerals at church, get ready for my family to arrive, and send Marc off to a family wedding in Wisconsin (that I can't attend due to it being a couple days before Christmas). It is crazy and I refuse to buy into the glorification of busy and buying more, this Advent season. This advent season I am focusing on those things that matter, relationship, friends, family, training, and my sweet puppy. I refuse to get caught up in the chaos of the season and everything that can and does happen. I refuse to be over run by commercialism and the need to buy.

I am choosing this advent season to be more intentional about prayer, to spend time with family and friends, and to enjoy each day I have been given. I choose to enjoy the season and not get stressed out. I choose to love each and every day and love those who I get to interact with.


What are you finding filling your advent season with?
Are you making any gifts this Christmas?
Does your family have any fun Christmas traditions?

Christmas Tree

I love this time of year, setting up the Christmas tree, decorating the house, playing copious amounts of Christmas music, and baking. Last night Marc and I set up a Christmas tree in my house. Marc lives a block down the street (literally, I can see his lower level apartment from my house) and spends a lot of time at my house, I have his tv in fact because he hated how tiny my tv is. We watch tv/movies/play wii at my house most of the time because I have cable, a fenced in yard, and a couch.

This year we decided to only set up a Christmas tree at my place (partially because we only wanted to buy one and partially because really other than sleeping Marc is usually at my place if not at work) and it was an interesting process. I forget that every family has its own personalities and everyone has their own way of doing things. Marc grew up with a packed Christmas tree, he would fill the tree from top to bottom with ornaments if it was up to him. I grew up with fewer ornaments on the tree, we each picked out some of our favorites and put them on the tree. It was one of those moments last night as we both had to figure out what we would do together, it was a moment of compromise where we realized we need to think about both of us. It was a moment that neither of us anticipated, it was a moment that challenged us (while it seems like a small thing we both had ideas about what a Christmas tree should look like).

These are the things that no one tells you about when you are getting married, about the strange compromises that we make, about the things that matter to you both that don't jive together, the things that cause us to sit and pause and tell stories of why what we believe is important. It is in these moments we pause, we listen, we pray, and move forward in compromise.  Being engaged is definitely a learning process for me, and I am really learning to appreciate the importance of the engagement period. We are learning about each other, about us as a couple, and about ourselves. I am thankful for this time where we still live separately and are learning how to come together. I am thankful for family and friends who support us in this journey and the God who continues to breathe life into us and call us into community with others.

Thanksgiving Weekend

I had an interesting Thanksgiving weekend for sure. I went to Marc's family for the first time. I always find going to someone else's house strange, partially because there is a certain degree that I was the outsider and it was weird to not know who everyone at the table was, to know the traditions, or what is what. His family was marvelous and very hospitable but it is always that strange moment when you have nothing to contribute to the conversation as family recalls holidays past and you have no clue what is going on. It was great to meet many of the people who mean the world to him.

It is a strange transition getting use to the idea that I can no longer function totally on my own, there has to be give and take. We did have a marvelous time in Wisconsin, while I was physically there, I couldn't help but have part of my heart and mind in South Dakota.

I must admit I was happy to return back to my house and have my sweet puppy back with me. I missed being around her. I missed being with my family this Thanksgiving [yes, I am fully aware that this kind of stuff will become more normal the longer we are married, but it doesn't take away the fact that I missed my family and my mom's cooking].

Yesterday we went out and got a Christmas tree (the branches are still settling from being bagged up) so we haven't decorated it yet, but I was loving digging out all the Christmas decorations. I also had a little photo shoot with my sweet puppy, Dakota, who was way more tolerant of it than I thought she would be.

Traditions

As many of you know I got engaged this past summer and am getting married this coming June (whoop whoop). I couldn't be more excited (seriously, I am jazzed to begin this new journey). I recognize that this also comes with all sorts of new challenges and all of that good stuff, I am not living in utopia for sure. The first major transitional piece for me comes this week. I have spent every Christmas and Thanksgiving with my family since I was born, literally, they have either driven to be with me or I have driven to be with them. Family is ridiculously important to me. Given that my call is a little strange in terms of hours/holidays and what not, I don't get to travel on the weekends much and will never have Christmas off. My fiancé suggested since my family will come up for Christmas that we should head to Wisconsin to see his family over Thanksgiving. The brilliance of this plan is that we get more than 24 hours with them and don't have to rush back so I can work Sunday morning, the crappy part is my family will be 12 hours away. I know that it will be great and that his family is jazzed to have us coming back and all that wonderfulness it is just another one of those transitions and change is always hard, even if we deny it.

I am processing the fact that I won't be with my family and that it will be just fine - just one of those things I need to think through, pray through, recognize, and embrace the new beginnings.

In an unrelated topic, for those of you who are praying people I would ask for prayers for my friend Katie and her husband, Andy, as Katie has some medical issues putting her in the hospital. It is moments like this when it is so hard to be so far away from home and to not be able to run up to the hospital and be with her. It is moments like this I curse not being able to be by her side. I cling to the promises of God in the midst of this all and know that it is God who holds them both close and is working in and through the medical staff as they figure out what is going on with one of my most favorite people in the whole wide wor