Our Journey...: December 2014

Grandpa Jim's 90th Birthday Party!

Grandpa's 90th birthday was a success! I only snapped a few pictures, but I hope to gather a few more from other family members. There were A LOT of family members and friends who came, but I can't give a total head count (maybe 50-60). Twyla made a DVD of photos over the years. It was put together in chronological order and turned out so beautiful. We shared stories and scripture together and ended the evening singing "Happy Birthday!"

Here is a picture of Grandpa playing his clarinet for the kids...

Emmett hopped on the piano and they played "Jingle Bells" together.

Fun with Cousins...

The Friday after Thanksgiving my sister Twyla and her family (minus Sean) came to MN for a visit. Their intention was to celebrate Grandpa's birthday on Sunday with us, but they stayed Friday-Monday. The kids had a blast together. I just wished I had taken more pictures!

They arrived Friday around 5:30 pm. We went to the Tavern for dinner. Saturday we headed to the mall and then came home and grilled. My parents joined us for dinner as well. Sunday we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for the birthday party. Paul and Doug took the kids back to the house for pizza. Twyla, Sydney and I ended the night going to the mall for one more errand and had dinner at Twin City Grille. Monday I worked, but Emmett did not have school. Twyla's family left around 11 am. It was a fun filled Thanksgiving break!

Here the kids are all snuggled together for a movie...

Thanksgiving and Grandpa Jim's 90th Birthday Celebration...

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at Uncle Jack and Aunt Nancy's house. It was a very fun and memorable day! We were all asked to create a scrapbook page for Grandpa Jim in honor of his 90th birthday. After dinner we sat together and shared what we wrote. My grandpa told stories, we sang, prayed, and laughed together. It was perfect!

Here is Emmett and Finley. The newest member of the family (8 months).

Grandpa telling an inspiring story about being kind to anyone and everyone.

Love this picture! What fellowship!

The guys having fun making a joke about the height of the Berggren's again...

Grandma and Grandpa

The oldest and the youngest...

The hosts: Jack and Nancy!

Mark brought his girlfriend this year! Maybe a wedding in the near future!

Of course, the guys know how to have a little fun. After everyone devoured the dessert table there were still four pieces of pecan pie left. Ty, Matt, Alex, and Mark had a pie eating contest. Four guys, four pieces of pecan pie, 30 seconds. Funny enough, they didn't do so well. :)

Nate was attached to his cousin Matt for the majority of the evening.

What a great family photo...

Fun with friends...

Here a few random pictures of Nate playing with his daycare friends...

The blankets are imaginary capes.

We borrowed the bounce house from friends and set it up inside!

Animal dress up...

Daycare Thanksgiving...

I set up a Thanksgiving dramatic play area in the daycare. The kids had fun pretending to be Pilgrims, Native Americans, and turkeys. They also made a grocery list and prepare an imaginary Thanksgiving feast. Here are a few pictures of Nate...

The Pilgrims built homes...

This year we ate the traditional turkey, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, and cranberries.
We also had a day where I made turkey sandwiches...

We also made mini pumpkin pies with pumpkin flavored pudding!

Snowman Building...

Winter is officially here!

Another lost tooth!

Emmett lost his first top tooth on Friday, November 21st.

We had all gone to bed, and he came into our bedroom to tell us the news.
Luckily the tooth fairy was prepared for the last minute surprise!

I love this picture. He looks so young and innocent...

Emmett earns top "Caught Ya!" award!

Proud parent moment...

Emmett came home with this slap bracelet prize pictured below. He earned the most "Caught Ya's" amongst all the second graders! The students can earn a "Caught Ya" when they are caught doing something good. Any faculty member can pass out a "Caught Ya" at any time. When the kids earn one, they turn the "ticket" into the office. The office faculty randomly draws prizes. This year they counted the tickets and announced who earned the most in each grade level over the loud speaker. When I asked Emmett how he felt when they called his name, he said "My eyes got watery." Then he proceeded to tell me... "Mom, it's easy to earn them. All you have to do is be nice and help someone in need." I keep replaying his words over and over in my head. What an amazing boy! I love him!

Sweetness...

I recently posted a picture of Emmett taking care of his stuffed animals. Nate does the same. He set his Eddie up in the playhouse room, and asked me to take a picture. How cute!

Hot Cocoa...

Just enjoying a warm cup of hot cocoa in our bear mugs. I love moments like these...

Halloween

Halloween was a lot of fun this year! I won't post all the daycare pics (now that I have the daycare blog), but here are just a few of Nate.

He won the licorice eating contest!

Nate was Olaf from Frozen! He likes warm hugs!!! Here he is with the two beautiful Elsa's...

All the other boys were superheros. Nate still loved his Olaf costume though...

Group photo...

We had cupcakes when Emmett and Addison got home from school...

Emmett and Addison needed their own attempt at the licorice eating contest.
Those are some serious game faces!

The weather was cold, but tolerable this year. Nate wore a jacket over his costume. When we asked Emmett to do the same, he cried. He said that it wouldn't look cool. He finally agreed he would need to wear it under his Ninja shirt then. :)

First we headed out to go "Trunk or Treating" at the CG church campus. This was a lot of fun. After this we headed home for dinner, and then went out for the traditional "Trick or Treating" around the neighborhood. We took a different path though. It was a lot more fun for us and the kids!