Christmas 2011

We really enjoyed our Christmas Eve at aunt Ann & uncle Steve's house in Stillwater this year -- mostly because Ben & Maddie were finally old enough to go off to another part of the house and play with their cousins. Jamey and I got to enjoy adult conversation and a relatively peaceful dinner! Awesome.

Santa came to visit, as usual, and for the first time ever, Maddie decided she would sit on Santa's lap (without crying!). She saw her cousin Olympia do it and then Santa gave Olympia a candy cane. Maddie eyed that candy cane and asked if she could have one. I told her she had to sit on Santa's lap and then he would give her one. So off she went, without a moment's hesitation!

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Santa gave each of the kids a harmonica and Maddie thought that was the greatest thing ever! She had it mastered before we left Stillwater. And when we got home she asked if she could put it under her pillow. This morning she asked to wear pants with pockets so she could carry it around!

From 2011-12-24

This morning we opened presents with my brother, David. The kids got an enormous haul of gifts that hopefully will keep them entertained for many months. Ben gave up on opening gifts after he opened his new truck, with trailer (from Santa) and then he spent pretty much the rest of the time driving that thing around. Maddie got to open all the presents (which she loved). She kept handing Ben a present and saying, "Here Ben, open a present" and he would shove it away and say, "No!" It was kind of funny.

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Christmas with the Calgrens

Sonya made an AWESOME English supper -- roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and trifle -- and we exchanged presents. The kids were wild banshees, as usual, and we all had a great time.

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Christmas photos

My good friend Hillery took photos of Ben & Maddie for our Christmas card (which I haven't gotten back from the printers yet!). Here are a few of the out takes...

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Christmas cookies

I made cookies today, starting with Jamey's favorite Peanut Blossoms. I also had hoped to make Spritz but couldn't find my cookie press. Finally after searching the house high and low, I found it in the last possible cupboard. Whew. So I'll get to those another day.

I also tried to make sugar cookies in a special pan I bought a few years ago. The spots for the cookies are recessed and have different shapes. The recipe said to press the cookie dough into the cavity, but didn't say anything about how much dough. So I filled each cavity, not thinking about how thick they would be. They ended up being like mini cakes! Obviously not correct, since it took way longer to bake and didn't make as many cookies as the recipe said. So if I try those pans again, I'll have to remember to make them really thin!

So then I made rolled sugar cookies, this time trying out new recipes for both the cookie and the icing. Both turned out fantastic!

Here's the cookie recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/the-best-rolled-sugar-cookies/

And here's the icing recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sugar-cookie-icing/detail.aspx

My first Google Fusion map

Percent Hispanic population by MN County:

Wishes for Santa

On Saturday, Ben & Maddie got to sit on Santa's lap at a Moms of Multiples party. Ben was gung ho and was even a bit upset about having to wait his turn. Maddie on the other hand was reluctant and ended up sitting on my lap, next to Santa. After pictures, Santa asked them what they wanted. Ben piped up with, "Christmas tree!" And Maddie said she wanted "candy canes."

Santa gave me a sly grin, clearly conveying my thoughts: "wow, those are easy requests!"

I'm guessing next year (and the year after, and the year after...) won't be quite so easy.

You can see the picture here: http://stpaulmomssantapics.shutterfly.com/pictures/85

A poem

Found this online today....

Two faces to wash, and four dirty hands
Two insistent voices, making demands
Twice as much crying, when things go wrong
... The four eyes closing, with slumber song
Twice as many garments, blowing on the line
Two cherubs in the wagon, soaking up sunshine
Work I do for twins, naturally comes double
But four arms to hug me, repay all my trouble.
~Author Unknown

Stationery card

Here's our Christmas card. Shutterfly offered a $10 gift certificate if you posted your card to your blog. I figured, why not?!

Wishing You Merry Christmas Card

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