Minneapolis weekend

We had a 3 day weekend so decided to take the kids to Minneapolis for the weekend.  Here are the girls and I at the American Girl Bistro inside the Mall of America.  We had a lovely lunch with our dolls Hannah, Amy and Jessica.  Before our lunch the dolls had their ears pierced at the American Girl Salon.  It was a big day for us and the dolls! 

The boys had some fun as well.  Here they are at the Lakers vs Timberwolves game.  Will was pretty excited when he checked the schedule and noticed his favorite team the Lakers happened to be in town that weekend. They had a great time cheering the Lakers on to victory.  We spent the rest of the time inside the Mall of America riding the rides inside the Nickelodeon Theme park and of course shopping.

Owen turns 4!

Owen at 3 weeks

A very happy baby!  I loved holding him on my lap like this and making faces at him.

Here he is waking up on the morning of his 4th birthday.  As you can see he is in Jillian's bed.  This has been the norm for quite some time.  He goes to bed in his own room but at some point in the night wakes up and gets in bed with Jillian.  I think he realizes Jillian is the only sister that would allow this to happen every night.  We figure it's a phase and he will want his own space in his own bed soon enough.  The question is how long will Jillian put up with it :)

Holding his cookie pizza that he took to share with his classmates at Preschool.

Enjoying a play date/birthday party with his good buddies Evan and Carson. Later that night our family went to Fry'n Pan for supper, a Gazelles game and then home for ice cream cake.   We will celebrate his birthday with extended family in a few weeks. 

Happy Retirement

My Dad retired from Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell after 36 years on the job.  The guy in the back right of the picture is who will be taking my Dad's place.  Hard to believe my dad was that age when he started at the hospital 36 years ago.

This is his office.  Nothing glamorous, but he never seemed to mind.

Here we are following the celebration in the hospital cafeteria.

Jillian's 8th Birthday

Here is the birthday girl earlier this week getting a haircut and her ears pierced.  She was very excited! 

No tears.

Jillian Ruth Eidsness.  Born on 1/13/04.  Easy delivery, easy baby, easy toddler, easy going.  In case you don't know Jillian, she is just plain easy to live with!  She is a perfect fit for our family and we love her!

We had a birthday celebration at our house on Saturday.  We were also celebrating my birthday on the 16th and my Dad's birthday on the 17th.  So we decided to go big and go bowling!  The adult team of Hilary, Pat, Darlene and Jay won.  However I think bragging rights go to Darlene this year for bowling a 114.  She beat her husband, Will and almost Jay.(he beat her by 1)  Having lived with all men most of her life I am sure she is not used to winning very often :)

The kids team!

3 generations celebrating birthdays! 

Christmas 2011

December began with a visit to Santa.

We had our family Christmas here in Yankton on December 22nd.  The big gifts were DSI's for the girls and a Bat cave for Owen

 

Uncle Jordan joined us for our family Christmas.  We had a steak supper, Christmas carols on the piano by Lauren and Jillian, and of course presents.  We ended the night with pie to celebrate Jesus's birthday.

Then it was off to Sioux Falls for our next Christmas celebration with Will's parents and his brother's family.  Here are the kids performing their second annual Christmas play written and directed by oldest grandchild Lauren.  It was very cute! 

All dressed up and ready for Christmas Eve service.

Getting ready to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

After a great day of wonderful food prepared by Darlene, Christmas Eve service, the reading of the Christmas Story, opening presents and a birthday party celebration, it was time to end the evening with a peak into their stockings. 

The next day we were off to my parents in Mitchell.  This was the view from their back deck.  It was definitely a brown Christmas this year.  We had a great time there as well. I was too tired to take many pictures however.  We had a wonderful lunch, more presents and our annual 5 dollar gift exchange.  Grandma Lilly, my Aunt and her boys and Paul and Darlene all joined us for the day.  

Here is my Dad reading his new Kindle.  We were not sure if he would convert to an e-reader.  But it looks like he is adapting well.  

Looking forward to 2012!

Lauren is 10!

 

Here is Lauren at 8 months.  She always smiled with her entire face!  She was a very happy baby.  

She plays basketball, takes dance, participates in Children's Choir and 4-H.  She loves to read and make craft projects.   She is our first born and will never realize how loved she is until someday she has her very own first born. :) We are so grateful for the day of December 5th, 2001 when our lives changed forever.  

We love you Lauren!

Student of the Week!

Lauren

Student of the Week!

The Eidsness girls have had back to back honors!  We are proud!