Christmas part TWO!

Christmas morning finally arrived!

Ian only woke up an hour earlier than normal...

This pic is out of order but - what Christmas would be complete w/o daddy trying to put together a toy!?
Audrey was surprised & thrilled with every package that was opened - whether it was for her or Ian - she didn't care.

Ian opened "Wall-E" first - he transforms into a box! This was THE number 1 item on his wish list. Hurray Santa! Ironically, it was the first box he opened at 6am when we said he could only open ONE present until Audrey was awake. He had to wait 2 hours for more gifts & he didn't even mind!

The holiday was so wonderful - health, happiness & gratitude! We're reminded about how fast the kids are growing up... & seeing the holidays through their eyes is priceless. Ian talked a lot about Jesus this year & asked a lot of questions. We're so grateful our kids are growing up understanding that Christmas isn't just about Santa bringing presents. Ian especially became aware of helping other kids & animals in need. We're also beyond grateful for Ian's new school experience after a bad 1st couple of months at a different preschool. He is now thriving after a couple months at his new school - he LOVES it, he's learning & absorbing so much & his confidence level is soaring!

Audrey turns 2 in a couple weeks & G'ma & G'pa Coller won't be in town to celebrate. So... we did an early birthday party the day after Christmas. Nobody could even think of eating more sugar so I made a quiche. Heck, cheese & eggs are Audrey's favorite foods anyway! She loved the candles & made us relight them 3 times - I wonder if she wished for pigtails in 2011? ;)

Before they headed West, we got to see the house all dressed up for the holidays & buried in snow. The kids got some awesome new stuff including a sled they got to try out in G'ma & G'pa's backyard and a "fort making" set! AND Uncle "Packet" was even there!

We got to see Nana's house all decked out for the holidays too! Audrey loved getting kisses from Brownie, playing with her new dolls & getting new clothes (just kidding about the clothes - but mommy was excited). Ian was SO excited about his new puppy Play-doh set & awesome Lego set! Lots of fun all around :)

That's a wrap ;)

When Audrey's tired, she's tired. I found her here all tucked in the (clean) laundry pile w/ her new Minnie Mouse. I love that she covers up her dollies too!

Happy Holidays & a happy, healthy 2011 to all!

Creative Outlets

I've found it very flattering to get some cake requests from friends! :)

I'm learning a lot & having fun... here are the latest 2

Frog pond theme with frog smash cake

Dora & friends

The Holiday's Part I

We had breakfast with Santa!

This was the best photo we got & it's GREAT for two reasons: (1) Ian was giving it his all considering how nervous/excited he was and (2) Audrey isn't screaming her head off!

Brian & the kids chatted with Santa... Ian wanted to know where the reindeer were, naturally!
Audrey wasn't so sure about this guy but since he gave her a coloring book, she was happy.

We did see LOTS of her signature "stink eye"

...and when the cookie plate was taken away we got her signature meltdown.

(but she is pretty darn cute even when she's grumpy)

The best part of the weekend? Inspite of a blizzard in our neck of the woods AND major snowfall/freezing rain in MN - the Renneke's were able to visit! We always say that being together with loved ones is the real gift. We're so happy they made the long, snowy drive... safely!

The kids are all growing up so fast!

Ian was beyond thrilled to hang out with his cousins, Aunt Jody & Uncle Scott... and of course with his new presents! Here he is with his new giant Toy Story play-doh set. He was so excited that we found him on the table tearing into it.

Audrey received lots of wonderful items for her beloved dolls. Bitty Baby has never been so clean (new doll tub) and comfortable (new crib)... and filled with fake medicine (new Dr. kit)

I'm sure Grandma Carol is happy to see Audrey carrying on the tradition of enjoying American Girls as much as Hannah used to! It's neat to see the little mommy in her.

We feel so blessed. It was fun for all of us to celebrate Christmas - snowed in - a little bit early.

Thank you for everything guys!

Thankful!

We are particularly thankful this season! We love that the kids are getting old enough now to understand the meaning of the holiday's and talk about what they're thankful for. Ian has been learning all about Thanksgiving at school - here he is beaming with excitement, showing off his school projects and anticipating company! He would be most thrilled if the house was bursting at the seems with all our loved ones. Thankfully we got to see several beloved family members in person... others via Skype... and the rest of you we held in our hearts across the miles.

Uncle Pat was the guest of honor for Ian... it had been a while since we saw him but Ian jumped right in to update Pat on everything. Here they are watching something on his phone.
We got to have a real turkey dinner (complete with baked squash, stuffing, rice pilaf and cupcakes) at Nana's - the kids had a blast & we all left with FULL bellies!

G'ma & G'pa joined us for dinner - we opted for steak this year since it was just us. Everything was delicous! Menu: Steak, green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato souffle, corn pudding, stuffing, pumpkin bars & of course pumpkin pie. Audrey tried everything, Ian ate 3 dinner rolls... sounds about right.

We decided to put up the tree a full month early! The kids were SO excited to help. One thing we notice each year is how special the ornaments we've accumulated are. Some are from when Brian & I were little, some mark other memories - the kids' milestones, our wedding and even our beloved Oliver. Ian was thrilled to hang an ornament with Ollie's picture on it - we still talk about him a lot and thankfully we know he's happily enjoying the holidays with his new family.

One thing Audrey was NOT thankful for - new clothes. She's funny about her clothes. Right before I started filming the footage below she was saying, "NO! I non't like em!" as she tossed them into a pile angrily. She's wearing a new outfit today & doing fine :)

Halloween Treats

So, as I mentioned before, Ian got to fly to Kansas with mommy to have a fun filled fall weekend with Colleen, Greg, Greyson & Lyla. What did we do? T-Rex restaurant, Fun Run (think giant character inflatables, video games & miniature town/maze), wine, Chipotle, Papa Murphy's, Yogurtini, wine, Pumpkin Patch/Autumn-palooza-petting zoo-rides-play systems-hay maze-etc, wine, playground, Lego's, Tetris, and a small (but amazing) breakfast diner with the best cinnamon rolls in the world. I think that's everything! DOUBLE Buzz trouble - one Buzz is waiting for a flood ;)

The other Buzz is taking autographs & doing interviews
What a handsome family & even Lyla is smiling (or gassy?)

"Hey, Ian - let's just keep doing this over & over again?"

"Okay yeah!"

"Hey everyone - I smile a lot now! But seriously this photo makes me look like a chunk-a-lunk & I'm actually super tiny & petit. Must be the camera angle or outfit... not sure."

A farewell breakfast of eggs & waffles filled with good conversation (about Transformers) & lots of giggling.

Finally... The ZARUBA Halloween

We had a fun weekend including a Halloween party, Halloween movie night w/ friends, trick-or-treating & a pizza party with friends to wrap up the weekend. It gets more fun each year!

Audrey refused to wear the "Fairy" costume I had planned. Instead she complied with the hand-me-down "Bee" suit. Cute as a bug!

Buzz was all smiles & cute as can be! This was most of the gang we trick-or-treated with... something adorable about kids in costume running around excitedly collecting candy!

Autumn is here! Right?

Quick side note: Audrey developed a big interest in the potty this month. Not sure when she'll officialy be "potty trained" but we've had lots of successful potty experiences - so proud of her! We're just following her lead. If we had our choice we wouldn't have brought out the potty until 2011... but if she wants to do it now I guess that's cool with us.

It has been crazy warm here these past couple of weeks... 70 degrees & sunny! The funny part is that I sort of enjoy Autumn's crisper temps which we haven't gotten much of... but I can't complain.

Some of the fun stuff we've enjoyed: pumpkin picking, daytrip to Door County, apple orchard field trip with school & lots of playing outside in the neighborhood!